Rio Chama

The Rio Chama heads in the southern San Juan Mountains and flows ~130 mi
SE through northern New Mexico to its confluence with the Rio Grande
above Española. The famous run is the BLM-administered Wild & Scenic
segment below El Vado Dam — 31 mi of Class II–III red-rock canyon
boating from El Vado Ranch down to the Chavez Canyon take-out, with a
further 4 mi to Big Eddy at the head of Abiquiu Reservoir. Dam-controlled
flows make this a reliable spring/summer overnight river; cottonwood
bottoms, Mesozoic sandstone walls, and abundant ruins/petroglyphs.
Permit required Apr–Sep (BLM Taos lotter...