Area 203.6 km² Established February 24, 1978 | Nearest city Española | |
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Location Rio Arriba County, New Mexico Governing body United States Forest Service Management United States Forest Service | ||
Congress created the Chama River Canyon Wilderness in New Mexico in February 1978. The wilderness area covers approximately 50,300 acres (20,356 ha) on the Coyote Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest and the Carson National Forest.
The water in the Rio Chama brings the canyon area to life. Lush vegetation that supports abundant wildlife contrasts with the seemingly bare rocky slopes that lead to the mesa tops.
The wilderness area surrounds much private property along the waterways.
The wilderness area includes the site of the Cañon de Chama land grant. A large area of northern New Mexico was included in the original Mexican land grant, but the U.S. Government confirmed only a small area along the river. The village cemetery is in the wilderness area.
The Rio Chama is a Wild and Scenic River and is not part of the wilderness area. A Forest Service road parallels the river and in some places the wilderness area is only 100 yards from the road. The easy road access means that rafting is a popular activity when water levels are adequate. The Continental Divide Trail traverses the wilderness area and crosses the river on Scull Bridge. Hiking and horseback riding are other popular activities in the wilderness area.
The wilderness area is easily accessible from Santa Fe, New Mexico, along U.S. Highway 285.