New Mexico whitewater, Rio Chama Rio Arriba county, Chama to Los Ojos section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS I-II     15 miles   The scenic beauty of New Mexico and the water flowing gracefully down Rio Chama have people coming here. This stretch of Rio Chama is 15 miles long and has been rated as a class I-II section by American Whitewater. The rivers for whitewater rafting and kayaking here in New Mexico are often easier than in other states, so if you're not from around here don't forget that rivers in this state are less demanding. Getting a good workout and     just being out on the river for a while have people coming from far and near. The San Juan and Jemez Mountains scenery is wonderful. There are campgrounds quite near the river where you can camp. There are some good hotels near the river, but you'd better reserve in advance because these hotels fill up quick. The Chama to Los Ojos stretch is one of many paddling stretches in this river system. If you're coming from Espanola it's not a long drive at all to the starting location, there's a road map further down the page with more info on that. Since you're on this site you are probably into whitewater rafting or kayaking, either way this is an area with plenty   of rivers for that. You can enjoy this stretch more if you take your time, so pack your camping stuff. Briefly about the general area: Here at Rio Chama you'll probably meet some folks from Chama. Don't leave Rio Chama without popping by Heron Lake State Park, and a spree here wouldn’t be complete without a spree to nearby El Vado Lake State Park. A river like this is too good to miss. Summer at Rio Chama comes with high temperatures in the 80's with overnight lows in the 40's. The wintertime brings highs down to the 30's with temperatures at Rio Chama dipping down into the 0's through winter nights. Rio Chama, Chama to Los Ojos road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.     Map Detailed Map Stats Stats for this river stretch Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Rio Chama.   Whitewater Near Rio Chama: Rio Chama, Rio Arriba County, 4 miles away       Class I-II - 15 miles long (Chama to Los Ojos) Rio Chama, Rio Arriba County, 4 miles away       Class I-III - 15 miles long (Los Ojos to El Vado Lake) Rio de los Brazos, Rio Arriba County, 8 miles away       Class I-III - 9 miles long (Corkins Lodge to confluence with Rio Chama) Rio Brazos, Rio Arriba Co. County, 15 miles away       Class V+ - 14.5 miles long (above Corkins Lodge) Rio Chama, Rio Arriba County, 16 miles away       Class I-III - 33 miles long (El Vado Lake to Abiquiu Reservoir) Navajo River, Rio Arriba County, 18 miles away       Class II - 20 miles long (Chromo Colorado to Colorado Border) Rio de los Pinos, -blank- County, 20 miles away       Class V+ - 8.8 miles long (Osier Colorado to Campground Close to San Miguel New Mexico) Navajo River, Rio Arriba (NM) / Archuleta County, 22 miles away       Class I-II - 25 miles long (Lower 25 miles to San Juan confluence) San Antonio River, Rio Arriba County, 23 miles away       Class II-III - 20 miles long (Lagunitas to Los Pinos) Rio de los Pinos, Rio Arriba County, 24 miles away       Class II-III - 12 miles long (Atencio Canyon to Los Pinos)   Ski Areas Near Rio Chama: Wolf Creek, Colorado , 40 miles away, 1604 foot drop, 7 lifts, 77 runs Pajarito Mountain, New Mexico , 52 miles away, 1410 foot drop, 7 lifts, 37 runs Ski Santa Fe, New Mexico , 78 miles away, 1725 foot drop, 7 lifts, 69 runs Taos, New Mexico , 79 miles away, 2612 foot drop, 13 lifts, 110 runs Sipapu, New Mexico , 80 miles away, 1055 foot drop, 4 lifts, 31 runs Red River, New Mexico , 81 miles away, 1600 foot drop, 7 lifts, 58 runs Sandia Peak, New Mexico , 89 miles away, 1700 foot drop, 6 lifts, 30 runs Silverton, Colorado , 93 miles away, 3200 foot drop, 1 lifts, 1 runs Kendall Mountain, Colorado , 93 miles away, 400 foot drop, 1 lifts, 3 runs Angel Fire, New Mexico , 93 miles away, 2077 foot drop, 7 lifts, 74 runs   Hotels Near Rio Chama: Fireside Inn And Cabins, Pagosa Springs , 38 miles away Quality Inn Pagosa Springs, Pagosa Springs , 39 miles away Elkwood ManorLuxury Bed Breakfast, Pagosa Springs , 39 miles away Alpine Inn Of Pagosa Springs, Pagosa Springs , 41 miles away Econo Lodge Pagosa Springs, Pagosa Springs , 43 miles away   Campgrounds Near Rio Chama: Sky Mountain Resort, Chama, 3 miles away Little Creel Resort, Chama, 4 miles away Herron Store, Los Ojos, 4 miles away   Trails Near Rio Chama: La Manga Stock Driveway, Conejos , 18 miles away Red Lake Trail, Conejos , 18 miles away Elk Creek Trail, Conejos , 19 miles away   Public Lands Near Rio Chama: Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos - NM , 56 miles away Santa Fe National Historic Trail, Santa Fe - NM , 69 miles away Heron Lake State Park, New Mexico , 8 miles away El Vado Lake State Park, New Mexico , 13 miles away Carson National Forest, New Mexico , 32 miles away   Lakes Near Rio Chama Heron Reservoir, Rio Arriba , 12 miles away El Vado Reservoir, Rio Arriba , 16 miles away