Private Property Rights along the River

Along the Lower Canyons

Downstream from the Black Gap Wildlife Management Area, the Rio Grande Wild &Scenic River flows exclusively through private land to its boundary at the Terrell/Val Verde county line. With the generous cooperation of the landowners, visitors holding the required permit are allowed limited access to the land along the river corridor, including some side canyon hikes. Refer to your river guide for more detailed information.

Please keep in mind at all times that you are on private land on this entire stretch of the river. The terms and conditions of your Lower Canyons permit recognize this, and are written accordingly to acknowledge both the generosity of the landowners as well as their concerns. Your responsible behavior will help determine the long-term success of this unique arrangement between the National Park Service and private landowners.

Release form

All Lower Canyons users are required to fill out the following release form at the time they receive their river use permit:

• Assumption of Risks and Agreements of Release and Indemnity [40kb PDF file]