Rio Chama Wild and Scenic River Permits

The Rio Chama is about 120 miles long, beginning in the southern San Juan Mountains of South-Central Colorado, it joins the Rio Grande near Espanola, NM.  In 1978 the River was designated as a State Scenic and Pastoral River thus designating part of the Santa Fe National Forest as Chama River Canyon Wilderness.  Thirty-one miles of the river were further protected as a Federal Wild and Scenic River in 1988. 

All commercial outfitters must have a special use permit, usually issued for the Rio Chama by the Bureau of Land Management Taos Field Office.  Private boaters may float the Scenic portion of the Rio Chama (downstream from the Christ in the Desert Monastery without a permit, but overnight float trips on the Wild portion of the Rio Chama (above the Monastery) are also required to have a permit from the Bureau of Land Management Taos Field Office.