The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Rio Chama Wilderness Study Area (WSA) is a Bureau of Land Management-owned area of over 15,000 acres. This means it is open for public use with no fees for entry. Dispersed, primitive camping is also available at this site with no fees for overnight stays.
The Rio Chama WSA is known for its picturesque views, especially around the Chama River. This river has carved out a canyon that is 900 feet deep within the WSA, and this canyon is now dry and made of visible layers of siltstone and sandstone. Away from the river, the area is covered with lush vegetation. At the Rio Chama Wilderness Study Area, visitors can raft the river, hike dirt paths, and observe the native wildlife.
The Kitchen Mesa Trail is located on Ghost Ranch, which does charge a $10 fee for each visitor to use, but the views along the trail route are well worth the trip. Along this trail, you'll see rock formations and a view of Ghost Ranch from atop a mountain.
Length: 3.7 miles
Intensity: Moderate
The Rim Vista Trail is in the Carson National Forest and has spectacular views of the Rio Chama from afar. This trail can be muddy after rainfall, so try hiking it during a dry week.
Length: 5.8 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Known for being one of the few trails artist Georgia O'Keefe took during her painting adventures, Chimney Rock Trail has some of the best views of New Mexico's natural rock formations and vegetation near the Rio Chama.
Length: 2.5 miles
Intensity: Moderate
River rafting is extremely popular at the Rio Chama Wilderness Study Area. Rafters can take a float down the Rio Chama, which is a 120-mile stretch of the Rio Grande downstream from the Christ in the Desert Monastery, any time without a rafting permit. However, anyone who wants to raft the area of the river north of the monastery must obtain a permit from the BLM to do so. Permits for rafting in this northern section are awarded through a lottery system in order to keep a low number of rafters on the river at one time. Permits are awarded from April to September, though you can put in your application for a permit from December 1 to January 31. If you'd like to raft overnight south of the monastery, you will also need to obtain a BLM-issued permit, but these are easier to obtain even though they are still given through a lottery system.
Visitors are permitted to fish along the Rio Chama any time with a valid fishing license issued by the state of New Mexico. Visitors are also expected to follow the current fishing regulations of New Mexico when they visit the area, but all brown trout, Rio Grande chub, fathead minnow, rainbow trout, longnose dace, and carp are usually fair game.
The Rio Chama WSA is an excellent destination for those who want to observe and photograph wildlife. Along the river, visitors can expect to see many birds like duck mergansers and Canada geese, and great blue herons and raptors are seen both along the river and in the canyon area. You may also find some swallows making their nests in the banks and cliffs along the sides of the river. In the canyon area, you'll probably see hawks, owls, falcons, and bald and golden eagles.
The landscape of sagebrush plains and hills lush with ponderosa pines and Douglas firs also provide a home for many New Mexico native animals. These animals include elk, mule deer, oryx, Mexican wolves, and bighorn sheep.
Although there are no picnic shelters or areas set up within the Rio Chama Wilderness Study Area, picnicking is still permitted. Those who wish to picnic here should bring their own chairs, blankets, or towels to sit on as well as trash bags to pick up after themselves. Remember, there are no trash bins in this WSA, so you will be expected to take any trash you bring into the area back out with you when you are done, including food scraps.
The Rio Chama Wilderness Study Area is located far from city lights, making it a great place to set up a night of stargazing. This area is also usually dry with little cloud coverage, so you should be able to get a clear view of the sky every night. However, it should be noted that the nighttime in the Rio Chama WSA is usually quite chilly, even when the days are hot. For example, an average June day in the New Mexico wilderness may see temperatures in the high 90s while the night may be 59 degrees or lower, so packing extra warm layers is a good idea.
If you're looking for BLM camping with full RV hookups, consider staying at a privately owned and operated RV campground rather than a primitive Bureau of Land Management campground near the Rio Chama WSA. You can find RV camping at a place like Santa Fe Skies RV Park with hookups and free Wi-Fi or Trailer Ranch RV Resort with hookups and pool for guests 21 and up.
Bureau of Land Management free camping is possible at the Rio Chama WSA. Here you can stay up to 14 days at a time in the primitive wilderness with no electrical or water outlets. However, no motorized vehicles are permitted in the WSA, so you will only be able to camp with a tent that you carry in yourself.
If you plan on rafting the Rio Chama river, be sure to bring your own raft and paddle gear as there are no raft rental shops in the area. If you plan on camping out in the area, you'll want to pack your own water and batteries for any equipment that you bring with you since the area is primitive. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
When you visit the Rio Chama WSA, you'll be asked to follow the Leave No Trace rules set in place by the BLM. These rules include protecting the environment and wildlife by picking up after yourself and keeping your distance from any animals you may see.
To reach the Rio Chama WSA from Abiquiu, take Highway 84 for 31 miles and then turn west on NM 221. The paved road will end at a T intersection, and there, you will turn right onto County Road 303. Drive for about eight miles until you enter the Wilderness Study Area.
Ready to visit Rio Chama Wilderness Study Area? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
