Taos Raft and Kayak

08/20/2026

We're scheduled to have water on the Rio Chama for a couple more weeks. Free camping with meteor showers, "some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and we're fine. Alright Hamilton!"
www.taosraftandkayak.com

08/10/2026

Don't let not owning a boat keep you from going a river trips with your friends.

07/30/2026

Meander Rapid on the Rio Chama in the 400s. Meander rapid (mile 2) is the trickiest due to a mine field of sleeper rocks that stretch a hundred yards or so. The larger rocks are at the top and on the right. So be left of center at the entrance and then kind of stay left until the rock push you to the right before the turn.
Inflatable solo Tomcats are the perfect vessel for running the Chama below 500. They're super manueverable and they bounce of rocks like a stock car.
2-for-1 on $35 rentals this Sunday, Aug 1. Each rental comes with life vest, helmet, paddles, and pumps.
Or try a Rocky Mountain Paddle Cat for two. $50 special this weekend.

www.taosraftandkayak.com

PLEASE WHERE YOUR HELMETS! The Karens of the world are watching you.

07/29/2026

Taos Raft and Kayak is a boat rental house and professional guide company for those who want a boating experience on their own terms. Our delivery service allows customers to operate on their own timetable and travel itinerary. We deliver the gear to you! Each boat rental comes with life vests, paddles, helmets, pumps and drybags (no additional charge).

You can rent a boat from TRK in 4 easy steps.
1. Select a raft/kayak/pontoon.
Visit our boat our website and select a raft, kayak, or pontoon from our gear menu.
2. Choose your time and place.
Pick a date and a delivery location (home, vacation, rental, roadside, Rio Chama). We deliver the boats and gear to you and pick it up when you’re done. Choose a location that is good for you. No need searching for our storefront.
3. Confirm your booking.
Schedule the rental by emailing, calling or texting.
Pay later. No deposit is required to schedule a rental. No early cancellation fees. Payment is conducted at the point of delivery.
4. Boats are delivered.
You can pay the TRK representative when the boats are delivered to you.
You can pay with a Visa/Mastercard, or a payment ap, Venmo, Apple Pay, Pay Pal, or Tap-2-Pay.

www.taosraftandkayak.com

07/17/2026

The Rio Chama is back. Get it while it's wet!
www.taosraftandkayak.com

07/16/2026

Approaching Sceaming Left on the day stretch of the Rio Chama. The Paul Bauer Guidebook lists this rapid as a class III (because it requires one move--don't hit the wall). In my judgement that's a bit of a stretch, considering other legitimate III's, like Big Rock and Ski Jump on the Rio Grande. Maybe a class II +? What's your opinion?

Boater, Scott Rorie learns the skill of pointing the bow at the obstacle and pulling away from it. We do this because most of us are stronger pulling the oars than pushing them. It's important to have a right ferry angle so when you pull on the oars, the boat moves across the current rather than upstream and against it.

Want to revisit your rowing skills or just need a guided run to refresh your memory. We specialize in refresher runs for boaters who just want to see the river again without the unknown of going by themselves. Or just need a rental--inflatable kayaks $35. www.taosraftandkayak.com

07/09/2026

The Rio Chama has more H20 on the weekends than the Arkansas & the Rio Grande combined. Around 500 CFS!

There's a significant snag/debris pile at the top left of Skull (Bridge) rapid, which has created a slightly steeper drop and channeled the river to the right (See the 3rd photo). But you can still run left of the snag/debris pile without interference. It's actually made the rapid more fun.

*2-for-1 special this Sat/Sun on Tomcat inflatable kayak rentals ($35). Delivery and pickup at Big Eddy. Guided trips available too. Free shuttle assistance possible, especially on Sunday. www.taosraftandkayak.com See less

06/25/2026

You can take our boats and gear anywhere!

04/25/2026

Low water on the Rio Grande changes everything for boaters — more exposed rocks, tighter lines, and a different kind of vigilance. Read practical tips from local guides to keep your trip safe and fun: https://wix.to/mY1OYxT

Key takeaways: scout ahead, adjust craft choice, pack safety gear, and know exit points. Share this with a paddling buddy who’s heading out soon.

Low water boating on the Rio Grande can be a demanding experience. As the river drops, more rocks are exposed, which means the boater has to maneuver around these obstacles. The key to low water boating, of course, is to dodge all of the rocks. A long meandering class II rapid at 1000 CFS can feel l...

04/09/2026

We'e officially an outfitter. The Federal Government has issued Taos Raft and Kayak Rentals a commercial rafting permit on the day stretch of the Rio Chama!
We're permitted to lead guided day-trips and we're the only company permitted to rent boats on the day section. We can deliver at Chavez and pickup at Big Eddy. We're not guiding trips on the Wild and Scenic stretch just yet, but we can outfit your private trip if you happen to draw a permit (yes, we rent groovers!). Check us out at www.taosraftandkayakrentals.com