New Mexico whitewater - Rio Chama, San Juan Mountains, Rio Arriba County Rio Arriba county, Abiquiu Dam to confluence with Rio Grande section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS I-II     25 miles   This section of Rio Chama in Rio Arriba County is 25 miles long and has been determined by American Whitewater to be a class I-II section. Whitewater rafting and kayaking in New Mexico is often easier than elsewhere, so if you're visiting here do keep in mind that quite a few of the sections here are pretty easy. Getting your paddling muscles activated and a chance to spend some time outdoors have people coming from far and near. There are some good sections to paddle in this river system, the Abiquiu Dam to confluence with Rio Grande section is one     of them. This section is long enough for an overnight trip if you take your time, so go ahead and pack your camping stuff. The beautiful San Juan Mountains scenery is an added bonus. If you'll be staying in a hotel you're in luck, lodging is available very near the river, but you'd better reserve in advance because these hotels fill up quick. The starting location is a reasonable drive from Espanola, as you can see on the road map further down. Whether you're whitewater rafting or kayaking this area has a pretty small number of paddling places. The scenic beauty of Rio Arriba County and the water flowing gracefully down Rio Chama are in themselves reasons enough to come here to paddle. You can pitch a tent or park your RV at a nearby campground. Briefly about the general area: Not much rain falls here at Rio Chama; August   is the wettest month with most rain, and the driest month of the year is February. During the warm days of summer at Rio Chama highs are usually in the 80's. All through the dark hours of summer temperatures fall down into the 50's. Throughout the winter highs are generally in the 40's, and throughout the dark hours in the winter at Rio Chama temperatures drop to the 10's. So much entertaining stuff to do in the San Juan Mountains, not enough time. Don't leave Rio Chama without first going for a hike along the Palacio Trail. Go for a hike on the Apache Trail; Santa Fe National Forest is a forest that you can go to. Rio Chama, Abiquiu Dam to confluence with Rio Grande road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked. QUICK STATS AW Class: I-II Length: 25 miles    Putin Location Coordinates: Latitude: 36.24 Longitude: -106.43001 Takeout Location Coordinates: Latitude: 36.04219 Longitude: -106.0869 Paddler input for Rio Chama, New Mexico: Submit Input: Your Name: Write or Paste Input here: Upload picture:      Input Submission Guidelines Current weather conditions at Rio Chama, San Juan Mountains, New Mexico Local climate location: ABIQUIU DAM 0 miles away RAFTING TRIP OUTFITTERS There are no whitewater outfitters currently listed for this river. The Abiquiu Inn, Abiquiu 2 miles away Beautiful 19-room Inn located in tranquil Chama River Valley setting. Guest rooms- suites- and casitas feature stunning Southwestern decor and luxurious beds with pillow-top mattresses. Many rooms wit... Best Western Hilltop House Hotel, Los Alamos 15 miles away This downtown Los Alamos hotel offers the perfect location with breathtaking mountain views. Friendly service, comfortable accommodations and unique amenities describe the Best Western Hilltop House... Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Los Alamos, Nm, Los Alamos 15 miles away The Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Los Alamos is conveniently located just five minutes from the Los Alamos National Laboratory, twenty minutes to the Jemez Mountains with skiing, hiking, fishing,...   San Juan Mountains Whitewater Complete list of all the whitewater kayaking and rafting spots in the San Juan Mountains. San Juan Mountains Outdoors Info Complete outdoors info for the San Juan Mountains. All New Mexico Whitewater Complete list of all the whitewater paddling spots in New Mexico. Books about whitewater paddling on Rio Chama, New Mexico List of books from Amazon.com that cover whitewater paddling on Rio Chama, New Mexico. Find a whitewater outfitter in New Mexico Whitewater Basics If you're new to whitewater paddling please take a look at this basic whitewater info. Outdoors Recreation Near Espanola, New Mexico Very comprehensive list of a variety of outdoors recreation in the vicinity of Espanola, New Mexico, the metro area neareast to Rio Chama. Find info on campgrounds, hiking trails, ski resorts, lakes, beaches, parks, whitewater and more.       These outdoors activities are available near Rio Chama.   Whitewater Near Rio Chama: Rio Ojo Caliente, Rio Arriba County , 13 miles away, Class I-II - 28 miles long (La Madera to confluence with Rio Chama) Rio Grande, Sandoval County , 21 miles away, Class III - 24 miles long (Otowi Bridge to Cochiti Reservoir) Rio Santa Cruz, Santa Fe County , 26 miles away, Class IV-V - 1 miles long (Cundiyo to Santa Cruz Reservoir) Rio Chama, Rio Arriba County , 28 miles away, Class II-III - 7 miles long (Monastary to Big Eddy) Rio Embudo, -blank- County , 29 miles away, Class IV-V(V+) - 5 miles long (Close to Rio Lucio to Highway 75)   Ski Areas Near Rio Chama: Pajarito Mountain, New Mexico , 17 miles away, 1410 vertical feet Ski Santa Fe, New Mexico , 37 miles away, 1703 vertical feet Sipapu Ski, New Mexico , 49 miles away, 1055 vertical feet Sandia Peak, New Mexico , 53 miles away, 1700 vertical feet Taos, New Mexico , 61 miles away, 2612 vertical feet Red River, New Mexico , 67 miles away, 1600 vertical feet Ski Rio, New Mexico , 69 miles away, 2150 vertical feet Angel Fire, New Mexico , 70 miles away, 2077 vertical feet Wolf Creek, Colorado , 83 miles away, 1604 vertical feet Eldora, Colorado , 103 miles away, 1600 vertical feet   Hotels Near Rio Chama: The Abiquiu Inn, Abiquiu , 2 miles away Best Western Hilltop House Hotel, Los Alamos , 15 miles away Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Los Alamos, Nm, Los Alamos , 15 miles away Ashley Hotel and Suites, Los Alamos , 15 miles away Comfort Inn Espanola, Espanola , 16 miles away   Camp Grounds Near Rio Chama: Abiquiu Inn, Abiquiu, 3 miles away Cottonwood RV Park, Espanola, 15 miles away Oh Kay RV Park, Espanola, 16 miles away   Trails Near Rio Chama: Apache Trail, Rio Arriba County , 2 miles away Palacio Trail, Rio Arriba County , 3 miles away San Lorenzo Trail, Rio Arriba County , 5 miles away Lemitas Trail, Rio Arriba County , 5 miles away Vallecitos Trail, Rio Arriba County , 10 miles away   National Parks Near Rio Chama: Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos - NM , 15 miles away Santa Fe National Historic Trail, Santa Fe - NM , 26 miles away