It's a frequently-asked question during the winter months: What do you do around here in the summer?
It's an easy question to answer, but it takes a little time and some explaining on occasion.
Red River has been a tourist town for many moons, first turning to the business of hospitality around 1905 when the glory of the mining camp days had faded and survival required creative ways to make a living. Abandoned mining cabins were rented to visitors from the lowlands and "Texicans," as the locals referred to visitors from the Lone Star State in the early 1900s.
So what's to do here in summer?
Trout fishing in swift running mountain streams and chilly high country lakes is a great way to spend a summer day. Rainbows, Cutthroats, and German Browns will test your tenacity and determination.
Hiking and camping in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains is a spiritual experience. Nature has a way of putting things into proper perspective, especially in the thin air of 10,000 feet. A sudden snow storm in July is guaranteed to get your attention. Deer, elk and bears can also have a similar effect when observed in the wild.
There are other ways to experience the high country. Horseback rides are great fun, as are jeep tours and ATV trips that can take you to some breathtaking scenery.
One of the most time-honored and enjoyable aspects of summer visits is the weather. While temperatures on the plains and in the deserts may be frying your brain, the average daytime temp in Red River is 72 degrees. At night you need a sweater or long sleeves, offering confirmation that Yes, You Can Cool Off And Enjoy Life Someplace In The World.