Rio Grande Adventures

Please Note: Rio Grande Adventures are currently offered five times daily, at 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM, Tuesdays through Sundays. Please see the Calendar Page for details, and feel free to call if you're looking for a tour on another day or time - we will always try to accommodate you.

“We loved the whole experience, from the professional instruction and service, to the fall colors along the bosque, to the wildlife (Great blue heron, Canadian geese, Sandhill cranes... and a curious coyote), to the open skies above. Truly, you made our day!”

Quiet Waters Paddling Adventures' guided and self-guided tours of the middle Rio Grande are truly an exceptional experience. Although we're located just ten minutes north of Albuquerque, the middle Rio Grande offers a genuine wilderness feel with little sense that you're adjacent to a major metro area (you'll rarely even hear traffic!).

Overview

  • Rio Grande Adventures involve anywhere from one to six hours of “river time”.

  • Both guided and self-guided adventures are available.

  • All Rio Grande Adventures include your choice of boat, all required equipment, and the shuttle to and from the river.

  • Guided Adventures include an interpretive guide, fundamental instruction, bottled water and a picnic.

  • Guided Adventures are strongly recommended for novices.

  • Guided Adventures begin at $49.00 per person.

  • Self-Guided Adventures begin at $28.00 per person.

  • Self-Guided Adventure participants must budget their time within the parameters given below.

  • Children under twelve who float along with an adult go for half-price (applies to children floating along with two adults in a canoe or tandem kayak, or with one adult in a solo canoe or kayak).

  • For planning purposes, please allow approximately one hour both to and from the river for orientation, loading and unloading boats and equipment, and transportation time. (Allow 4 hours for a 2 hour tour, 5 hours for a 3 hour tour, etc.)

Affordable Family Fun!

"It is truly the best thing I've enjoyed with my kids in New Mexico . . . "

Paddling a canoe or kayak down a gentle river is a delightful and healthy activity that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. As a means to encourage parents to introduce their children to the joys of paddling, kids under 12 who float along with a parent (or parents) in the same boat go for half-price! Our tandem canoes can easily accommodate a child or two along with two adults, and our Daytripper kayaks are ideal boats for a single parent to float along with a small child. (Our recommended minimum age for kids is 3, although it is entirely up to the parent's discretion. We do have Type II PFD's on hand for toddlers that weigh less than 30 lbs.) Bring your family!

Please Note: Half-price rate for children under 12 applies to children floating along with two adults in a canoe or tandem kayak, or with one adult in a solo canoe or kayak.

Guided or Self-Guided - Which should I choose?

If you have limited experience (or none at all) in controlling a canoe or kayak on moving water, we strongly suggest that you begin with one of our guided tours. Although the middle Rio Grande is primarily Class I water, there are hazards present. Sweepers and strainers are common, as are occasional obstructions in the river. There are a few tricky bends and some small rapids to contend with as well. Varying water levels throughout the year create very different paddling environments, and floating with a guide who is familiar with the river can enhance your experience.

Those who do have some experience paddling on moving water will find little along the middle Rio Grande they haven’t encountered before. As long as you know how to avoid sweepers and strainers, (and what to do if you can’t avoid one), the difference between an upstream and downstream “V”, know what an eddy is, and have a fundamental understanding of river dynamics and reading a river, you should be fine. On the other hand, if you’re asking yourself what “sweepers”, “strainers”, “V’’s, “eddy’s”, “river dynamics” and “reading a river” are . . . please start with a guided tour.

All tours include a short safety and instructional video before we leave our shop, and our guided tours incorporate an additional orientation prior to launch.

Tour Options

We are currently operating along approximately 18 miles of the middle Rio Grande, from the village of Algodones in the north, to the Alameda Bridge at the northern city limits of Albuquerque. Tour offerings will vary depending upon time of year, current flow levels and other factors, although we generally schedule tours from north to south throughout the day. Approximate tour length and estimated times can be found below. Our current schedule can be found at our Calendar Page.

All middle Rio Grande Adventures, guided and self-guided, include your choice of canoe or kayak, paddles, life vests, all required equipment and a shuttle in our air-conditioned van to and from the put-in and take out. Guided Adventures also include an interpretive guide (or guides), bottled water throughout the tour, and we provide a light picnic – typically an assortment of cheeses, meats and crackers, fresh fruits and/or vegetables, and cookies.

Guided Adventures

"Paddling down the Rio Grande River with Quiet Waters still remains my #1 adventure in the Albuquerque area! The staff was courteous, pleasant, and well informed about the flora, fauna, and history of the river . . . "

Quiet Waters Paddling Adventures’ guided tours offer an opportunity to take in the tremendous scenery of the middle Rio Grande valley with the added benefit of a professional guide who is familiar with the nuances of this particular stretch of river, and we also provide a picnic along the way and bottled water throughout the tour.

Our guides are very helpful – they are accomplished paddlers familiar with this section of water, and will provide basic instruction on everything from paddle strokes to “reading” a river. They are also trained in rescue in case of a mishap, and are required to maintain certification in First Aid and CPR at a minimum.

Guided Adventures Include:

  • Your choice of canoe or kayak and paddle.

  • PFD (life vest) and all required safety equipment.

  • Shuttle to and from the river.

  • Interpretive guide.

  • Pre-launch orientation addressing the fundamentals of river dynamics and basic paddling instruction.

  • Bottled water throughout the tour.

  • A light picnic, typically including an assortment of meats, cheeses, crackers, fresh fruits and/or vegetables, and cookies.

Specialty Guided Adventures

We also offer several specialty tours at various times throughout the year. Our popular Sunset Float provides an opportunity to take in the Sandia Mountains bursting into their rich, watermelon colors in the light of the setting sun, while the Full Moon Floats deliver an incredible atmosphere along the river, with abundant beaver sightings common. Both of these tours are followed with a campfire, an assortment of snacks, and S'mores at Bernalillo's Coronado Campground.

Albuquerque’s annual Balloon Fiesta provides a lucky few with an opportunity to “Float the Fiesta!”, and take in the balloons as they soar over the river from the best seat in the house: relaxing in your canoe or kayak, far from the maddening crowds! Please see the dedicated Float the Fiesta! page for additional details and rates.

Guided Adventure Tour Options and Rates:

All rates are per-person, and assume four adult participants or more (in total) on a given tour. Children under twelve who float along with a parent or guardian in the same boat do so at half price, and count as one-half of an adult. (Applies to children floating along with one adult in a kayak or two adults in a canoe).

(Please see below for rates in those instances in which we do not book four adults or more for a scheduled guided tour)

"The Coronado" (Abbreviated) - $54.00

"The Coronado" - $69.00

"The Expedition" - (Includes two picnic breaks) - $109.00

"One Hour Along The Bosque" - $49.00

"The Bosque" (Extended) - $74.00

"The Bosque" - $59.00

Sliding Rate Scale for Groups of less than 4 adults (or the equivalent)

                Cor (Abr) – Coronado – Expedition – One Hour - Bosque (Ext) - Bosque

3 Adults       $64.00       $79.00      $129.00         $59.00            $84.00            $69.00

2 Adults       $79.00       $94.00      $154.00         $74.00            $99.00            $84.00

1 Adult       $154.00      $169.00     $279.00        $149.00         $174.00         $159.00

"Sunset Float" and "Full Moon Float"

Algodones to Bernalillo, followed by a campfire, snacks and S'mores! - $64.00 (assumes a total of four adult participants or more on a given tour)

Sunset and Full Moon Float Sliding Rate Scale for Groups of less than 4 adults (or Equivalent):

3 Adults            $74.00

2 Adults            $89.00

1 Adult            $164.00

Notes on our Sliding Scale: Rates for guided tours are entirely dependent upon the total number of guided tour participants on a given tour. In cases where we do not schedule a minimum of 4 adults in total for a tour, our guests are contacted the day before, and given the option of continuing with the guided tour at the rates in the tables above, converting to an self-guided tour*, or canceling their reservation with no penalty.

Example: A party of 2 adults and two children (counts as 3 adults) makes a reservation for two kayaks for "The Coronado" tour ($69.00 per person with 4 adults or more, kids at half price). If we do not take any additional guided tour reservations for that tour, our guests are contacted the day before and given the option of continuing with the guided tour at a rate of $79.00 per person, converting to the self-guided "Coronado" tour at a rate of $44.00 per person, or canceling their reservation (with no penalty).

*The option to convert to a self-guided tour is not available for the Sunset or Full Moon Floats.

Please See "All the Details" at the very bottom of this page for a link to our waiver, as well as our reservation policies and procedures.

Self-Guided Adventures

"They provided top of the line equipment, drop off and pick up right on time. By far the best canoe rental option in the ABQ area! Highly recommended.‎"

Those who have some experience in paddling on moving water will find the middle Rio Grande an incredibly scenic and serene float. Our Self-Guided Adventures provide everything you need for an enjoyable day on the water – you simply arrive at our shop, and we’ll take it (and you) from there. We’ll provide the boat, paddles, PFD’s, all required equipment, and a shuttle in our air-conditioned van to and from your put-in and take-out.

Self-Guided Adventures explore the same sections of the Rio Grande as our Guided Adventures, and will involve anywhere from one to six hours of river time. Rates start at $28.00 per person for a tandem canoe, and $31.00 per person for a kayak or solo canoe. Just as with our guided adventures, kids 12 and under who float along with their parent(s) in a canoe or kayak go for half price!

Self-Guided Adventures Include:

  • Your choice of canoe or kayak and paddle.

  • PFD (life vest) and all required safety equipment.

  • Shuttle to and from the river.

Self-Guided Adventure Tour Options and Rates:

Rates are per-person, and a minimum of two adults are required to conduct a tour. Limit of one adult per kayak, or two adults per canoe. Children under twelve who float along with a parent or guardian in the same boat do so at half price (Applies to children floating along with one adult in a kayak or two adults in a canoe).

Time Management: Self -Guided guests need to budget their time on the river within the parameters shown under the "Tour Options" section above. Our listed tour times incorporate generous allowances for breaks along the way, and our van will be waiting at the take-out for your selected tour within the time frames indicated.

In most cases, a relaxed steady pace with no breaks will get you to the takeout 30 minutes to an hour before we arrive, but if you feel what we're allowing isn't sufficient and would like to allow more time for a given tour, please let us know at the time of your reservation. In cases where guests do not advise us beforehand and fail to arrive at the take-out at the scheduled time, there will not only be an extended wait for our van to return to the access point, but there will be an additional shuttle charge of $15.00 per person.

"The Coronado" (Abbreviated) - $31.00 per person for a tandem canoe, $34.00 per person for a kayak or solo canoe.

"The Coronado" - $41.00 per person for a tandem canoe, $44.00 per person for a kayak or solo canoe.

"One Hour Along The Bosque" - $28.00 per person for a tandem canoe, $31.00 per person for a kayak or solo canoe.

"The Bosque" (Extended) - $47.00 per person for a tandem canoe, $50.00 per person for a kayak or solo canoe.

"The Bosque" (Standard) - $37.00 per person for a tandem canoe, $40.00 per person for a kayak or solo canoe.

"The Expedition" - $64.00 per person for a tandem canoe, $69.00 per person for a kayak or solo canoe.

Please See "All the Details" at the very bottom of this page for a link to our waiver, as well as our reservation policies and procedures.

Tour Descriptions:

Algodones Launch Site Options:

  • "The Coronado" (Abbreviated) - Algodones to Bernalillo (Approximately 5 ½ miles – one and a half to two hours of "river time")

  • "The Coronado" - Algodones to Corrales (Approximately 9 ½ miles, three to three and a half hours)

  • "The Expedition" - Algodones to Alameda (Approximately 18 miles, five and a half to six and a half hours)

Bernalillo Launch Site Options:

  • "One Hour Along The Bosque" - Bernalillo to Corrales (Approximately 4 miles, one hour)

  • "The Bosque" (Extended) - Bernalillo to Alameda (Approximately 13 miles, three and a half to four hours)

North Corrales Launch Site Option:

  • "The Bosque" - Corrales to Alameda (Approximately 8 ½ miles – two and a half to three hours)

"The Coronado"

Covering a stretch of river that encompasses the area the Coronado campaign wintered in 1540, this adventure will put in among a beautiful stand of cottonwoods in Algodones, then traverse approximately 9 1/2 miles of remarkably secluded Rio Grande valley. The upper section of this trip features several interesting ancient volcanic formations and two small, Class I rapids. Once south of the Hwy 550 bridge in Bernalillo, the Rio begins to widen and slow, while the Bosque opens regularly to reveal spectacular views of the Sandia mountains.

Coronado Tour "Adventurers" can choose either the abbreviated two-hour float, stopping at Coronado campground in Bernalillo, or extending the tour to three hours by continuing on to just north of Corrales.

"The Bosque"

As the Rio Grande passes through Corrales, the river widens and slows considerably, braiding into multiple channels as it meanders through seemingly endless cottonwood Bosque. Although this tour is quite close to the sprawling development of greater Albuquerque, the participants will not see any of it, as the east bank is dominated by the Sandia Pueblo lands, while the west bank is entirely protected Bosque preserve.

Approaching Alameda, the Rio spills into numerous narrow channels, winding its way through several small islands, providing an almost tropical feel. Songbirds and waterfowl are plentiful in this section, and the views and sense of solitude are remarkable. This is a very mellow float trip with few sections of fast moving water.

Bosque Tour Adventurers may select either the four hour "Extended" tour, starting at Bernalillo, the three hour standard version, putting in just above Corrales, or the brief “One Hour along the Bosque” tour exploring the section of the Rio from Bernalillo to Corrales.

"The Expedition"

If you're looking for a full day on the river, "The Expedition" tour provides an opportunity to float the full 18-plus miles of the Rio Grande, experiencing the river changing character from the narrower, quicker channel to the north, to the braided, wetlands-flavored bosque immediately north of Albuquerque proper. The guided version of this tour includes stops for two picnic breaks along the way.

All the Details:

  • Reservations are held via credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and Diner's Club. For tours scheduled 8 days in advance or more, we require a non-refundable deposit of 50% at the time of your reservation. The balance will then be charged to your card 7 days prior to your tour. For reservations made less than 8 days in advance, the full amount of the selected tour will be charged at the time of reservation.

  • Each paddler must sign a waiver of liability  in order to participate. (Click here for PDF). A parent or legal guardian must sign for all minors under the age of 18.
  • Although Quiet Waters Paddling Adventures is not responsible for evaluating a participant's skill or ability, we reserve the right to refuse rentals to those individuals whose skills do not seem suitable for the trip.
  • Alcohol use is strictly prohibited. We will not transport anyone who brings alcoholic beverages with them to our facility.
  • The trip starting time indicates the time our guests must arrive at our facility. As each trip requires viewing a short safety and instructional video prior to departure, please arrive promptly at the stated starting time. Late arrivals may "miss the boat"!
  • As our guided trips do include a light snack or lunch, please let us know of any special dietary needs at the time of your reservation.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations 8 days or more in advance will result in the loss of your deposit, although we will generally allow you to reschedule without penalty. We're sorry, but cancellations within 7 days of a scheduled event are not refundable.

Although we generally float rain or shine, if a trip is canceled as a consequence of inclement weather, we will issue a either a full credit towards a future trip, or a full refund.