Can you reserve a site at Rio Chama Wild and Scenic River Permits?

Yes, Rio Chama Wild and Scenic River Permits is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Rio Chama Wild and Scenic River Permits

Permit ·

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management

6,708 ft
Elevation

The Rio Chama is about 120 miles long, beginning in the southern San Juan Mountains of South-Central Colorado, it joins the Rio Grande near Espanola, NM. In 1978 the River was designated as a State Scenic and Pastoral River thus designating part of the Santa Fe National Forest as Chama River Canyon Wilderness. Thirty-one miles of the river were further protected as a Federal Wild and Scenic River in 1988.

All commercial outfitters must have a special use permit, usually issued for the Rio Chama by the Bureau of Land Management Taos Field Office. Private boaters may float the Scenic portion of the Rio Chama (downstream from the Christ in the Desert Monastery without a permit, but overnight float trips on the Wild portion of the Rio Chama (above the Monastery) are also required to have a permit from the Bureau of Land Management Taos Field Office. </p

Getting there

El Vado Ranch is reached via NM 112 from US 84 near Tierra Amarilla. Forest Road 151 just north of Ghost Ranch on US 84 reaches the lower part of the river. Forest Road 151 is a dirt road and not easily accessible when wet.

36.58237, -106.72849 · 36°34'56.5"N 106°43'42.6"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 85°F in Jul, down to 40°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	40	43	52	59	69	80	85	82	76	64	51	40
Low °F	9	14	21	25	33	40	49	48	39	28	18	10
Precip in	0.9	0.9	0.8	1.1	1.0	0.7	1.8	2.2	1.7	1.3	0.8	0.9

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

Rio Chama river mile 17 escarpment of sandstone cliffs — Photo: Del Dubois · Recreation.gov

Empty canoe resting in grass on the shore of the Rio Cham. — Photo: Del Dubois · Recreation.gov

Member photos

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Common questions about Rio Chama Wild and Scenic River Permits

Can you reserve a site at Rio Chama Wild and Scenic River Permits?: Yes, Rio Chama Wild and Scenic River Permits is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Camping near Rio Chama Wild and Scenic River Permits

Echo Amphitheater 19.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Hopewell Lake Campground 28.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Riana - Abiquiu Lake 29.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
El Rito Campground--Group Shelter 29.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Rio Chama Campground 16 mi · Campground
Echo Amphitheater Picnic Site 19 mi · Facility
Canjilon RD 19 mi · Facility
Trout Lakes Campground 19.7 mi · Campground
Rio Chama Fishing 21.7 mi · Facility
Canjilon Lakes Campground 22.1 mi · Campground
Coyote Ranger District 27.5 mi · Facility
El Rito Creek Fishing 29.2 mi · Facility

Comments

Contact

Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.