Five Reasons Why Red River, New Mexico, Needs A Place On Your Bucket List

By Morris Raymond

Trust us on this, OK? Put Red River, New Mexico on your bucket list right now. Sure, there might not be a huge buzz about the town and what it has to offer, and you want your proverbial bucket list to have zing, snap, pow, and pizzazz. Red River may not jump off of a page, but once you get a chance to know a little about this gem in the southwestern United States, you will be singing a different tune.

A "bucket list" is something that is often associated with getting older, but in recent years, it has become a part of how folks are describing the things they really want to see and experience at some point in their lives. Therein lies the reason people are looking for excitement and a bit of (or a lot of) the exotic. Why would Red River, New Mexico find a place on that type of list?

Well, for starters, there's a good chance you've never had the chance to really explore the world beyond a city bike trail. You have some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the entire country, as well as some of the most pristine fishing areas around. You're getting the chance to explore Carson National Forest, and best yet, you're actually in the Rocky Mountains! Yeah, you might think sandy beaches & tropical weather are where it's at, but is it? Average summer temperatures in Red River are in the mid-70s, which makes their Ski & Summer Area the place to be! Again, this is during the summer.

You might argue, "Well, I like my trips to have variety and excursions that take me beyond my original destination. No way Red River, New Mexico can compete with other places." Wrong. You're also about an hour's drive to Taos and Angel Fire (also in New Mexico), two of the most popular ski resort destinations on the planet. You also cannot pass up the chance to check out the ultimate in spa chic by visiting the geothermal hot springs in Ojo Caliente.

It seems as though you might be coming around to the idea of Red River having a place on your bucket list, but you're still not 100% ready, right? Well, consider this: the extravagant bucket list trip to a worldly location seems to go hand-in-hand with really living it up & leaving nothing on the table. That might be nice for some folks, but maybe you're looking for something a little more low-key & peaceful. The town's population is only a few hundred people (about 500 at the end of 2016), so there's no onslaught of people. There's a real sense of community, exemplified by the Red River Community House, the "cool" place in town for all sorts of activities since the 1940s. Don't forget the annual Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival, 4th of July Parade and Celebrations, and the Art and Wine Festival held Father's Day weekend. Red River is also open to new experiences, such as the first annual Bacon & Brews, which celebrates the start of summer & all things Red River.

Red River, New Mexico may not come across in the same way as some of the eternally beautiful towns and cities around the world, but it does have that special something that's hard to describe. Even so, it is quite the place to visit, and bucket list or not, you'll be doing yourself a favor by coming by.

If Red River, New Mexico is your next stop, Lifts West is the place to call home!