It's roughly a two-hour drive from Albuquerque. Participating in the festival is free, but competing is not. Participants must be currently paid-up members of the Adobe Whitewater Club. If you're not a member, you can join at the festival. Because the festival draws large crowds and parking space is limited, it makes sense to carpool.
Bicycles offer a good alternative for spectators.
Local police agencies and the state highway patrol monitor parking when it endangers vehicle movement along the highway. Ribbons will be awarded in all events, and entrants in each event will draw for prizes donated by the festival's sponsors.