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The Pecos River forms near Santa Fe in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Santa Fe National Forest, then flows southeast to Fort Sumner, where it turns south and flows through Carlsbad into Texas to its confluence with the Rio Grande at International Amistad Reservoir between Langtry and Comstock. Of all New Mexico rivers, it is second only to the Rio Grande in distance travelled through the state, and provides a significant water source for most of eastcentral and southeastern New Mexico. At least 7 state parks are located along its banks between the headwaters and Carlsbad, near the Texas border.
The first 20 miles below Villanueva are a whitewater joyride through steep-walled canyons that test the skills of canoeists and kayakers as the river plummets through boulder garden rapids and small drops. At least one diversion dam must be portaged, and depending upon flow, others may be necessary, as well. Unfortunately, this reach begins the short season runs, usually lasting only a couple of months in late-spring through early-summer.
Santa Fe miles; Albuquerque miles; Phoenix miles; Durango miles; Denver miles; Salt Lake City miles; El Paso miles; Dallas miles; Austin miles; San Antonio miles; Houston miles; Oklahoma City miles; Little Rock miles; Kansas City Miles. (All distances are approximate, and depend upon starting point, destination point and route taken.)
Villanueva State Park offers campsites with and without electricity, drinking water, restrooms, showers, a launch ramp (small fee may apply), day use area with picnic tables, fishing and a sanitary dump station. Santa Rosa Lake State Park (505-766-2724), located 3 miles north of Santa Rosa (121 Miles east of Albuquerque off U.S. 66 / I 40), offers campsites with and without electricity, drinking water, restrooms, showers, a launch ramp (small fee may apply), day use area with picnic tables, fishing and a sanitary dump station. Sumner Lake State Park, near historic Fort Sumner where Billy the Kid is buried, offers campsites with and without electricity, drinking water, restrooms, showers, a launch ramp (small fee may apply), day use area with picnic tables, fishing and a sanitary dump station, a marina and fuel. Abundant natural campsites are available all along the river, but some may be on private property - ALWAYS obtain permission before camping there!
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Technical Data |
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Class Rating |
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Length |
miles |
Minimum Flow |
cfs |
Optimum Flow |
cfs |
Maximum Flow |
cfs |
First Put-in |
Villanueva State Park |
Lat. / Long. |
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Last Take-out |
Santa Rosa Lake State Park |
Lat. / Long. |
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Elevation |
msl |
Gradient |
fpm |
USGS Gauge |
Web: Pecos Web: Anton Chico |
Boats |
Canoes w/ flotation, Kayaks |
Season |
May through June |
Permits |
No |
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