Free Camping Collection with

Camper submitted image from Rio Chama Campground - Temporarily Closed - 1

Camper submitted image from Rio Chama Campground - Temporarily Closed - 2

Nature

Camper submitted image from Rio Chama Campground - Temporarily Closed - 3

People

Camper submitted image from Rio Chama Campground - Temporarily Closed - 4

Water

Camper submitted image from Rio Chama Campground - Temporarily Closed - 5

Animals

Free Camping Collection

Established Camping

Rio Chama Campground - Temporarily Closed

14 Reviews

Do you own or manage this property?

Claim Your Listing

About

USDA Forest Service

Campground is closed for current season of use. Coyote Ranger District @ 575-638-5526 for current status

The Rio Chama is a developed no-fee campground where reservations are not required. Located along the Rio Chama Wild & Scenic River, the developed campground offers a great place for families,

Ten individual campsites each include a picnic table and a campfire ring. RV's up to 20 feet can be accommodated in only a few sites. No potable water, or hookups.

Suggest an Edit

Location

Rio Chama Campground - Temporarily Closed is located in New Mexico

Coordinates

36.35658198239243 N
106.67322770369724 W

Open in Google Maps

The Dyrt Alerts

Get reservations at sold-out campgrounds.

Learn More

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Equestrian

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Rio Chama Campground - Temporarily Closed needs a permit.

Try PRO for Free

For information regarding reservations, contact this campground directly.

First Come - First Served

The Dyrt Alerts

Get reservations at sold-out campgrounds.

Learn More

Contact

General Info

Michael N.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 7, 2023

Fun spot

We found a secluded spot, not on the river. It was nice due to the area being overwhelmed with people. Overall it was enjoyable but can be a long winding journey for those that are impatient.

Site0

Month of VisitOctober

(17) View All

Libby A.

Traveler

Reviewed Mar. 19, 2023

Clean and Quiet!

Campsites are close together but far enough to maintain some privacy. The bathrooms were well-maintained. Definitely worth the visit!

Month of VisitSeptember

Michael N.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 5, 2022

Beautiful!

We did a night here and it was amazing. Even though it rained it did not deter our trip. It was still dry enough to do all things camping. They also have a restroom which is a nice bonus.

Month of VisitAugust

(9) View All

Tré O.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 12, 2021

This was a great spot right along the river with bathrooms only about 20 mins/8 miles from the Hwy. This spot has a lot of potential to make it however you want, had we of had more time we would’ve gone further up the river because I think there were better spots along the river about a mile up but we found three trees to hammock from and that’s all you can ask for in the desert. Will definitely come back here but go further up stream and bring fishing poles and kayaks.

Month of VisitSeptember

Naythin H.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 17, 2021

So Beautiful

This is probably the most lush place at fall it has everything the mountains the trees the creek and more you can go so far in or not it doesn’t matter they are all good there are several campgrounds in it other than it alone one is for like rvs and another is like a beach it is cool you can swim in some parts others the water flow was fast , Have Fun.

Month of VisitNovember

(8) View All

Megan V.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 1, 2021

Great for a river trip

We visited memorial day weekend 2021 with a group of 6. This spot is beautiful with a good amount of tree coverage. It's an easy dirt road drive down the river and you will pass many dispersed site and a couple of defined camping grounds. The sites are all close to the river and at most a quick drive away from a place to put your kayak or tube in the water. Not a ton of large group sites.

SiteN/A - dispersed

Month of VisitJune

(5) View All

Lila L.

Guide

Reviewed May. 8, 2021

A cozy private campsite !

Chama canyon is our weekend go-to place. Only 2 hrs from Albuquerque. Many campsites available (some are dispersed) along the river. Almost every single site here offers a nice shade and shelter for strong sunlight during the day and strong wind at dusk (it gets really windy at dusk!). River is very soothing and birds are always chirping. You can find a Andy beach access to the river from some campsites. It gives you more private, primitive, and exciting camp feel to it compared to stay at the Amphitheater campsite nearby.

Month of VisitMay

(6) View All

Jennifer

Traveler

Reviewed Oct. 22, 2020

Love, love, love!

This place is gorgeous! There are tons of spots for dispersed camping. We got a spot along the river which was beautiful but a little windy and noisy from the stream. But we didn’t mind! We came on a Sunday afternoon and passed quite a few people leaving. So other than a few campers, we pretty much had the place to ourselves for 2 nights. It was very peaceful! The road to get there is about 10 miles but it takes about 40 minutes to drive. It’s a little rough and narrow in spots. But totally worth the drive! We will definitely be back!

(8) View All

Karen N.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 4, 2020

Great weekend

Beautiful place to camp. Free campground with plenty of sites. Found a nice trail. Toilets and campground very clean

(4) View All

Joselyn A.

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 26, 2020

Beautiful views and Dispersed

We were able to find a very private spot with easy access to the river!(went on a random Saturday) We will be visiting again. Great for our dog too. Some spots are unshaded, so recommend you bring a tent cover or something.

(10) View All

Ellie S.

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 21, 2020

Perfect place to tent camp

We actually stayed down the road about a mile and half from Rio Chama Campground, however we were still in the park and off of Forest Road 151. We camped off-the-grid on a spot right by Rio Chama. We were lucky to have found a spot mid-day and that had a sort of “beach front” type inlet to the river. Definitely a place to launch kayaks or rafts. If you prefer to have bathrooms, head towards the actually marked campground, but if you want to “rough it” then find a dispersed camping lot.

Always remember: PACK OUT WHAT YOU PACK IN!! Please don’t leave your trash at any site and keep the wilderness- WILD.

marycatmathis ..

Ranger

Reviewed May. 29, 2020

Beautiful, crowded

it was memorial weekend, but it looked very crowded at this specific campsite. you’re much better off doing dispersed camping down the road, which is easy to find and closer to the main road.

(4) View All

Carolyn H.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 9, 2019

Secluded and stunning

Great place! Many options for camping. We chose a secluded site and the only people we saw were kayakers. There are hiking spots, the echo amphitheater, and a monastery to visit. We even made objects from the clay in the river. Then fired them in the camp fire.

SiteOff mile marker 14

Month of VisitJuly

(7) View All

Beth B.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 16, 2018

Great place to watch the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Train

Rio Chama RV park in Chama, New Mexico, is at the intersection of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and the upper Rio Chama. A nice place to stay May 1 thru mid October. The train passing by twice a day is an exciting event and it's a short walk to the train yard.

Pull through sites have great shade and full hookups with 30 or 50 amp electrical service. Spacious tent sites with full service restrooms nearby. Pet friendly with dog park and free wifi. A great place for fishing, train watching and relaxing.

Month of VisitJuly