New Mexico whitewater - Rio Chama, San Juan and Jemez Mountains, Rio Arriba County Rio Arriba county, Los Ojos to El Vado Lake section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS I-III     15 miles   The Los Ojos to El Vado Lake section of Rio Chama in Rio Arriba County is 15 miles long and is a class I-III section of whitewater according to American Whitewater. Whitewater rafting and kayaking in New Mexico is often easier than elsewhere, so keep in mind that rivers here are less demanding. Not too many hotels nearby, you'll have to drive a bit to get to one, but you'd better reserve in advance because these hotels fill up quick. If you have the time you can make this a two day trip, so pack your camping stuff. Getting your paddling muscles activated     and just hanging out with mother nature have people coming from far and near. No matter if you're whitewater rafting or kayaking in this general area you'll find lots of paddling places. The scenic beauty of New Mexico and the cool fresh water have people coming here. The beautiful San Juan and Jemez Mountains scenery is an added bonus. This is not the only paddling section in this river system, there are others too. The campgrounds here at Rio Chama are pretty good. Briefly about the general area: Throughout the summertime, highs regularly are in the 80's at Rio Chama, and throughout summer nights temperatures are in the 40's. Throughout the winter highs are usually in the 30's, and after the sun is down throughout the wintertime temperatures at Rio Chama fall into the 0's. Not much rainfall falls here at Rio Chama; the month of August is the wettest with most of the rain, and May is when it's the driest.   Rio Chama, Los Ojos to El Vado Lake road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked. QUICK STATS AW Class: I-III Length: 15 miles    Putin Location Coordinates: Latitude: 36.73781 Longitude: -106.57625 Takeout Location Coordinates: Latitude: 36.64975 Longitude: -106.74331 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 and Jemez Mountains, New Mexico Local climate location: CHAMA 22 miles away RAFTING TRIP OUTFITTERS There are no whitewater outfitters currently listed for this river. Branding Iron Motel, Chama 12 miles away The Branding Iron is centrally located in the scenic Chama Valley just 3/4 mile from the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railway. Each of our spacious immaculate guest rooms offers in-room coffee service- ... Best Western Jicarilla Inn & Casino, Dulce 26 miles away Pronounced Hick-ah-REE-ya, the Best Western Jicarilla Inn and Casino is located on the Jicarilla Apache Reservation in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, surrounded by fabulous scenery, streams, mountains... The Abiquiu Inn, Abiquiu 32 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...   San Juan and Jemez Mountains Whitewater Complete list of all the whitewater kayaking and rafting spots in the San Juan and Jemez Mountains. San Juan and Jemez Mountains Outdoors Info Complete outdoors info for the San Juan and Jemez 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 Chama, Rio Arriba County , 8 miles away, Class I-II - 15 miles long (Chama to Los Ojos) Rio de los Brazos, Rio Arriba County , 10 miles away, Class I-III - 9 miles long (Corkins Lodge to confluence with Rio Chama) Rio Chama, Rio Arriba County , 14 miles away, Class I-III - 33 miles long (El Vado Lake to Abiquiu Reservoir) Rio Brazos, Rio Arriba Co. County , 18 miles away, Class V+ - 14.5 miles long (above Corkins Lodge) Rio Chama, Rio Arriba County , 20 miles away, Class II-III - 7 miles long (Monastary to Big Eddy) Navajo River, Rio Arriba County , 26 miles away, Class II - 20 miles long (Chromo Colorado to Colorado Border) Navajo River, Rio Arriba (NM) / Archuleta County , 30 miles away, Class I-II - 25 miles long (Lower 25 miles to San Juan confluence)   Ski Areas Near Rio Chama: Wolf Creek, Colorado , 44 miles away, 1604 vertical feet Pajarito Mountain, New Mexico , 48 miles away, 1410 vertical feet Ski Santa Fe, New Mexico , 77 miles away, 1725 vertical feet Sipapu, New Mexico , 82 miles away, 1055 vertical feet Taos, New Mexico , 84 miles away, 2612 vertical feet Sandia Peak, New Mexico , 84 miles away, 1700 vertical feet Red River, New Mexico , 86 miles away, 1600 vertical feet Silverton, Colorado , 92 miles away, 1900 vertical feet Kendall Mountain, Colorado , 93 miles away, 400 vertical feet Purgatory, Colorado , 95 miles away, 2029 vertical feet   Hotels Near Rio Chama: Branding Iron Motel, Chama , 12 miles away Best Western Jicarilla Inn & Casino, Dulce , 26 miles away The Abiquiu Inn, Abiquiu , 32 miles away Holiday Inn Express PAGOSA SPRINGS, Pagosa Springs , 39 miles away OakRidge Lodge, Pagosa Springs , 40 miles away   Camp Grounds Near Rio Chama: Herron Store, Los Ojos, 7 miles away Stone House Lodge, Los Ojos, 7 miles away Little Creel Resort, Chama, 11 miles away   Trails Near Rio Chama: Hart Trail, Rio Arriba County , 13 miles away   National Parks Near Rio Chama: Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos - NM , 53 miles away Santa Fe National Historic Trail, Santa Fe - NM , 67 miles away   Lakes Near Rio Chama