<p> </p> <p>There are 2 seasons on the Chama, the <strong>Natural Season</strong> and the <strong>Release Season</strong>. During the Natural season water is releaased from El Vado dam 7 days a week, beginning in April and usually through the third week of June. During the Release season water releases are at the whim of irrigation demand. There is a guarantee that water will be released every Friday through Sunday beginning early July through LaborDay weekend </p> <p>Book an overnight rafting trip on the Rio Chama, one of America's most beautiful Wild and Scenic Rivers, and New Mexico’s most spectacular wilderness boating. The current carries us past cliffs towering up to 1500 feet, striped in vivid shades of pink, vermilion, and white. We make camp under immense old-growth ponderosa pines, in glorious meadows carpeted with wildflowers, or at the foot of a side canyon ideal for a short hike. The dawn mist shrouds the pink sandstone in a silver glow. You wake as if to the beginning of a new world.</p> <p><strong>Access to the canyon is severely restricted and many trips sell out. We recommend you book your Chama raft trip as early as you can.</strong></p> <p>Because numbers of rafters on the Chama are so limited, and there are very few launches each day, you are guaranteed a wilderness experience. If you’re lucky, you’ll see some of the animals that live in this gorgeous wilderness: deer, bears, elk, cougars, wild turkeys, and bald eagles. At night you'll hear the beavers slapping their tails, as the sweet murmur of the river lulls you to sleep.<br /><br /><strong>The perfect family trip: </strong>The Chama is mostly a gentle float, punctuated by easy rapids which speed up near the trip's end. Three days on the Chama gives us time to stop at a historic homestead which was a hideaway for horse thieves, a hot spring, a ghost town, and fossilized dinosaur footprints.<br /><br /><strong>Funyak it!</strong> We bring funyaks on all our Chama trips, so you can paddle the river's meandering curves and forgiving whitewater in your own miniature raft. Perfect for those who want to do more than just lie back, relax, and watch the scenery float by. <strong>No extra charge.</strong><br /><br /><strong>Fish it! </strong>The state record brown trout was caught on the Chama. Bring your gear, or arrange with us to provide it. A New Mexico State fishing license is not included in the cost of your trip and must be purchased. We can arrange this for you. One-day, five-day and one-year licenses are available. Children aged 11 and under fish free.<br /><br /><strong>Design your own Chama raft trip:</strong> We can arrange a gourmet chef, a yoga instructor, a massage therapist, a meditation teacher, a herbalist/botanist, all kinds of musicians, a wine-tasting trip … Just ask us.</p> <h3>Comfort Camp Option!</h3> <p>If you prefer to experience the wilderness in maximum comfort, choose our Comfort Camp option. You will enjoy your own large, extra roomy tent with room to stand and walk around inside, floor rugs, chairs and table, and elevated camp beds with freshly laundered sheets and pillows (see photo below). Valet service included: a dedicated guide will pitch your tent, carry your bags, and set up your private toilet and personal washstand. Your valet is there to tend to your comfort. Each unit accommodates up to four people. A 2-day Comfort Camp Option is an additional $495.00, please call the office if you have questions. </p> <p>Here's what Sandy Cunningham of Uncharted Outposts, New Mexico's only Travel & Leisure magazine-recognized super-agent, says about our comfort camp: "I would wholeheartedly recommend Los Rios River Runners to all my clients. Their amazing luxury camps, expert guides, superb knowledge and attention to detail make for a once-in-a-lifetime River Safari experience in New Mexico.  Cisco brings everything to life with his extraordinary storytelling and expert knowledge of the history, culture, flora and fauna of northern New Mexico! Thank you for taking such amazing care with our Uncharted clients!"</p>