Our Story

Welcome! My name is Brian Waltz, and my wife Tawnya and I have been the managers for the Rio Colorado Lodge for the past 15 years and counting. We also have 2 sons Joshua and Zachary. Our goal for the last 15 years has been to provide exceptional customer care and to re-establish the Rio Colorado Cabins as a premier lodging facilities in Red River, New Mexico. During our time as managers we’ve  remodeled almost all of our cabins and have completed many other projects vital to the property. Another goal has been to continue to build our customer base, and we are so happy  so many of our guests return year after year.

We know we may not be the perfect fit for every vacationer, but we believe we are the best at what we do, providing a memorable experience a 5 star resort simply can’t offer. We offer the opportunity to connect to the things that matter most, with friends and family instead of expensive amenities that lack the character and rustic charm our cabins bring.

Brian Waltz, Manager of Rio Colorado Cabins

I am about as close to a Red River native as you can get. My parents had lived and worked in Red River during their teenage years and both graduated from Questa High School. I was born in Albuquerque, and a few short days later made my Red River appearance. My mom began working for her aunt, Allie Booker, at the Rio Colorado Lodge and shortly after that my parents became the first full-time, year round managers for Rio Colorado Lodge.

Growing up as a child in Red River was pretty wonderful. During the summer I enjoyed hiking, fishing, playing baseball, riding my bike, and playing with my friends as well as the children who were visiting our lodge. There weren’t a lot of other kids my age in town back then, so it was great being able to make new friends and play with them during their vacations. During the winter I enjoyed sledding, playing in the snow, making snowmen and having snowball fights. I was also on the Red River Ski Racing Team for several years and would travel around the state and in Colorado racing in slalom and giant slalom competitions. I also enjoyed helping my parents around the lodge, helping my dad mow the grass and deliver firewood. I also helped my mom plant and water flowers.

In the summertime, we rented fishing poles and sold worms for fishing. In the winter, we rented sleds and tubes. In 1985 my family moved to Colorado, and we lived around the front range of Colorado for the next 20 years. During that time, Tawnya and I met at our church in Fort Collins and married there in 2001. Our sons, Joshua and Zachary, were also born while we were there. We were looking at relocating and heard through my family that the Rio Colorado Lodge was looking for new managers, so we accepted the position and moved back to Red River, New Mexico in November of 2003. family-fishing-kids

Our boys have enjoyed growing up in Red River and being able to experience a similar childhood as I had. They both enjoy hiking and fishing and skiing. The whole family enjoys the quiet and the small town life. Sure, sometimes you get a little cabin fever, but in the end, Red River has been a great place to raise our family.

We still make time to enjoy all the great things that Red River has to offer. We love hiking and fishing and exploring the area with our family and friends. During the winter we still enjoy sledding and ski often.

As I tell our guests sometimes, Red River is a place where, as an adult, you still have to work hard to make a living, but the advantages of being close to the things we enjoy often outweighs the hard work.

One of the highlights of the year here is the 4th of July parade. We always hang out with friends and family during the day, and end the festivities at the fireworks over at Eagle Nest Lake. Autumn is one of the best times of year here. Watching the leaves change and knowing that winter (and SKIING!) is just around the corner.

Of course, it snows frequently here and taking time off to simply watch the snowflakes come down while sitting by the fire is something to be savored. The best part? When everything is plowed around the lodge and we hit the slopes for a day of powder skiing. We really appreciate our return guests who visit us year after year, and can’t wait for them to see the new improvements we have made since their last stay. And, more than they will ever know, I appreciate their comments, encouragement, and the opportunity to help them create lasting memories with their friends and family.

“When I think of some of the things I love most about the Rio Colorado Lodge and living in Red River, a few things always come to mind. I love hiking to Middlefork Lake with my family and friends. It is one of the best places in the area, and one of the most beautiful places in the country. My boys love to fish in the upper valley, staying at one of our favorite spots and having a campfire, dinner and S’mores.”

As I mentioned earlier, our goal as the managers has been to make improvements to the property and cabins, and re-establish The Rio Colorado Lodge as the premier vacation destination in Red River. We have been able to remodel almost all of our cabins during our time as managers with the remaining cabins scheduled very soon. In addition to the cabins, we have made some much needed improvements on our property including water lines, electric services, a total remake of our private fishing pond and many other improvements that have enhanced our property.
The Rio Colorado Lodge is truly a one-of-a-kind location in Red River, New Mexico. We know we may not be the perfect fit for every vacationer, but we believe we are the best at what we do, providing a memorable experience that a 5 star resort simply can’t offer. We also offer the opportunity to connect the things that matter most–with friends and family instead of the high-end amenities that lack the character and rustic charm our cabins bring. After all, how many places can say they give children (and adults as well) the chance to catch their very first rainbow trout?

We are the perfect fit for the do-it-yourself, adventurous vacationers!  If this sounds like the experience you and your family have been searching for, and if you don’t mind Roughin’ it in Red River in Comfort, then we will look forward to seeing you very soon.

“We’ve been coming to Red River, NM for 6 years now and every year we stay at the Rio Colorado Lodge. The staff is friendly and always accommodating. The cabins have a unique rustic charm that fits the mountain vacation experience. It’s convenient to town shopping as well as fishing and hiking-which is a perfect fit for us. We wouldn’t ever consider staying anywhere else! Thank you for making our family vacation that much more enjoyable! See you next year! ”
Daniel, Laurie and Alex Klepac

Jarrel, Texas

Is Your Cabin Available?

Our cabins can fill up quickly.
Check for openings now. 

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This