M Orilla Verde 
Orilla Verde is located along the Rio Grande, 1 mile past the turnoff at Pilar, NM and extends to mile marker 6 where the road crosses the Rio Grande. The area is operated as a fee area by the BLM and has a number of camping and boat launching areas. Boat launching consists of river runners in rafts and kayaks. The area is very popular with fishermen. A visitor center is located on NM68 across the road from the village of Pilar. Numerous campgrounds and pull-offs provide good access to the river and other habitats. Orilla Verde lies in a large canyon leading to the Rio Grande gorge . The habitats include the river, associated willows and tamarisk, mature cottonwood groves (especially at the Orilla Verde and Petaca Campgrounds), numerous seeps and springs along the canyon walls, Piñon, and rim rock. The bird life reflects the mixed habitats. This is an excellent area of Bullock's Oriole in the spring and summer and for Piñon Jay, Canyon Wren, Rock Wren, and Bushtit all year.

At the bridge (mile marker 6) the road forks with the main road crossing the river and going up the canyon side. Note that the road becomes unpaved after the bridge. On the right 0.7 miles from the bridge is the La Vista Verde Trailhead and parking. This trail (1.4 miles long) while not birdy has produced Rufous-crowned, Black-chinned, Black-throated, and Brewer's Sparrows for the past few years. The walk is of interest as it goes through volcanic areas.

The dirt road on the right before the bridge follows the Rio Pueblo to a dead end less than a half mile up the canyon. You can cross the Jersey Bounces and walk up what was the old road to an area where a slide covered the road, approximately 0.33 mile. This area usually has Dipper all year and has had breeding Golden Eagle and Peregrine Falcon. Both Canyon and Rock Wrens are plentiful. The area can also be accessed from Taos via NM570 which dead-ends 0.75 mile from the slide.