Middle Box Fly Fishing, Camping & Floating - 3 Day

Rio Grande Middle Box 2-Day Fly Fishing Expedition: Remote Wilderness and Riverside Camping

The Rio Grande Middle Box two-day adventure delivers an exceptional fly fishing and wilderness camping experience in one of New Mexico’s most remote and pristine river corridors. Located within the Río Grande del Norte National Monument, the journey begins with a scenic shuttle from the Far Flung Adventures Boathouse to the Cebolla Mesa trailhead, where guests prepare to enter a truly secluded canyon landscape.

From the trailhead, a one-mile downhill hike leads into the heart of the gorge, offering sweeping desert views and a gradual transition into a quiet, untouched river environment. Upon arrival at the canyon floor, guides assist with setting up camp and provide hands-on instruction for fly fishing in this rare and lightly pressured fishery.

The Middle Box is well known for its rich wildlife, including river otters, soaring birds of prey, and herds of bighorn sheep that move along the canyon walls. The surrounding landscape offers a strong sense of isolation, making wildlife encounters feel natural and uninterrupted.

Scattered throughout the canyon are traces of human history, including an abandoned mining site, a horse thief’s hideout, and lesser-known archaeological locations that add depth to the region’s story. These features provide a compelling contrast to the raw natural beauty of the gorge.

The first day concludes with a multi-course hot meal served beside the river, followed by a relaxed evening around the campfire. Under the vast desert sky and surrounded by dramatic canyon scenery, guests settle into the quiet rhythm of the wilderness, marking the beginning of an immersive backcountry experience.