Rio Chama River

Bureau of Land Management
Taos Field Office
226 Cruz Alta Road
Taos, New Mexico 87571
Telephone: (505) 758-8851
Recorded River Information: (505) 758-8148
Santa Fe National Forest
1474 Rodeo Road
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87502
Telephone: (505) 438-7825
Carson National Forest
208 Cruz Alta Road
Taos, New Mexico 87571
Telephone: (505) 758-6200
Designated Reach: November 7, 1988. From El Vado Ranch launch site (immediately south of El Vado Dam) downstream 24.6 miles.
Classification/Mileage: Wild -- 19.8 miles; Scenic -- 4.9 miles; Total -- 24.7 miles.
The Rio Chama is a major tributary of the Rio Grande in northern New Mexico. It flows through a multi-colored sandstone canyon which is at times 1,500 feet deep, and through areas that are designated as wilderness or as wilderness study areas. Towering cliffs, heavily wooded side canyons, and historical sites offer an outstanding wild river backdrop for the fisherman or floatboater. Fishing is especially good on the upper mile of this river segment. Car camping is popular on the lower 8 miles, and floatboaters enjoy two or three day trips on Class II rapids on the entire 31-mile segment (advance permits required), or half day trips on the lower segment (no advance permits required).
Co-managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service, the Rio Chama was designated Wild and Scenic in 1988. Applications for floatboating permits in the upper canyon can be obtained by contacting the BLM at the address/telephone above. Applications for the lottery must be received by February 1 of each year.