Name: Big Arsenic Springs Trail
Rating: 4.8

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Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring · Swimming · Views · Wildlife

This trail is in the Wild Rivers Recreation Area of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. All rules and regulations applicable to a federal national monument apply here. Practice Leave No Trace (LNT) backcountry skills and ethics. Camp 100 feet from fragile areas; bury human waste at least 200 feet from water, trails, and campsites. This trail is usually open all year.

Need to Know

Use the self-service pay stations located at developed camping, picnic and trailhead areas to pay use fees. Day Use: $3.00/day per vehicle. Annual day use passes are $20.00.
Camping: $7.00/night for one vehicle, $10.00 for two. River Campsites: $5.00/night. Group Shelters: $30.00 per day, $40.00 per night.

Description

The trailhead for this trail is at the day use area of the Big Arsenic Springs Campground. There is an information kiosk, a trail sign, and pit toilets here. The trail descends some 600 feet through the rim rock on well-graded switchbacks and trail (some of it a little rocky) to a junction with the River Trail. On the way down, you'll get some great views up and down the Rio Grande Gorge.

From its junction with the River Trail, the Big Arsenic Springs Trail goes down another 200 feet and north for about 0.2 miles to the first of the river campsites at Big Arsenic Springs. The trail then continues north for about 0.5 miles to its end at another group of river campsites.