Beers and Cheers on the Chama with Santa Fe Brewing Co.

River

Rio Chama

Duration

Multi Day

Minimum Age 21

Meals

yes

Price

$595

About the trip

New Mexico River Adventures is thrilled to have Santa Fe Brewing Company join us for our annual Beers and Cheers trip down the Rio Chama!

Trip Highlights

Explore the iconic Rio Chama Wilderness
Beer pairings from award winning Santa Fe Brewing Co nightly
Amazing forested camps at the base of towering desert canyon walls

This trip meets at Bode’s General Store, an iconic landmark in Northern New Mexico. Bode’s has offered safe parking for Rio Chama rafters for decades. Bode’s is in the heart of the artists village of Abiquiu, NM which is a mere 1 hour drive from Santa Fe and 1.25 hour drive from Taos. Plan on arriving early to enjoy their famous breakfast burritos and grab any last minute items you may be missing including beer and drinks.

For directions to Bode’s General Store click here!

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to know how to swim?
It is recommended but not mandatory that all our guests know how to swim. All guests are given Type V, US Coast Guard approved flotation devices (lifejackets) that are designed to float you on your back, nice and high in the water. For all our class 3 and above sections on the Rio Grande, you will also be issued a helmet.

What do I need to wear?
We have packing lists for you to review for each of our different trip types. Remember that the weather changes dramatically throughout the New Mexico rafting season. It can be significantly colder during March-May we encourage our guests to always be prepared.

What if it’s my first time, do I need experience?
There is no experience required for any of our river trips. However, we encourage experience for our more difficult, Taos Box and Razorblades trips. Please feel free to call us with any concerns or questions about appropriate trips for your group.

Can I bring my dog?
Unfortunately, we cannot bring our furry friends on our river trips. We ask that you leave your pets at home before heading to our headquarters.

Can I leave my dog with you?
We do not have a secure area to keep your dog at our headquarters. Moreover, the temperatures get extremely hot during our season, because of this, you will NOT be able to leave your pets in your car. We ask that you leave your pets at home before heading to our headquarters.

» Read all Rafting FAQ

» Plan Your Trip

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REVIEWS

Fun in the Sun on the Chama! We did the three day float down the Rio Chama. We loved being out on the water with a great crew! The food was great, the scenery was spectacular. Our crew made our trip memorable as well as educational. They were the consummate professionals yet personable. Luke, Rachael, Eric and Austin worked together seamlessly. We worked like a well oiled machine. Luke was our trip leader and had a wealth of information of the area and history to share with us. He handled any situation that arose with care and diplomacy. He led us on a short hike through sagebrush and desert plant life. We had a NM folk band along with us that provided midday and evening entertainment. I was impressed with the helpful community we developed over the course of the trip where everyone pitched in to pack and unpack each day. I can't wait to take another trip with NMRA!!

Palma H
3 Day Rio Chama The 3 Day Rio Chama trip was stunning. Our guides Brenden and Jack were next level. The food was exquisite, the views were spectacular, and the people were phenomenal. I can’t wait to return to this beautiful river. If you love friends, good food, kayaking, tent camping, and a cold beer after a day in the water this is the perfect trip for you. Thank you for providing us an adventurous outlet after a long quarantine in a safe but fun manner. I highly suggest this trip to anyone looking. This is my second trip with this company and I continue to be beyond impressed with the organization, professionals, and overall experience. Also, I don’t think I ever saw my guides without a smile on their faces. What an amazing time.

Kristina W
I was looking for a "family rafting" experience for my daughter's first time rafting and New Mexico River Adventures came up in the search. We decided to go on the three day Rio Chama trip and it was fantastic. The staff was very helpful, attentive, and quick to answer any and all questions from the booking, to the COVID-19 procedures, to the day of rafting and the return. Our guides, Luke Stacy, and Eric, did an excellent job making sure we were safe, entertained, and well cared for during our time on and off the river. We had wonderful views, several hiking opportunities, and delicious meals provided and we all wouldn't hesitate to recommend New Mexico River Adventures to anyone and everyone.

Paul Uribe

WHAT TO EXPECT

Join us for this 3-day adventure with our friends from Santa Fe Brewing Company, one of Southwest’s finest breweries. The fine folks from SFBC will be with us for this 3-day journey and help to transform your riverside campsite into one of the finest taprooms in the world. The Rio Chama is one of America’s treasured wilderness rivers. This pristine desert river canyon is a true treasure of the southwest and we are extremely lucky to have it so close to home. The Rio Chama is best known for its towering desert canyon walls, fun Class II/III rapids, amazing riverside camps, and plentiful wildlife. It is the perfect river trip and the perfect place to enjoy Upslope’s acclaimed brews. You’ll spend your days running the Rio Chama’s rapids, enjoying the gorgeous views, and spotting the plentiful wildlife as well as plenty of stops for hiking and exploring the many side canyons and vistas along the river. Each afternoon, you’ll arrive at your riverside campsite with plenty of time to relax, hike, read and sample some of SFBC’s flagship and new and exciting brews and hard seltzers while your NMRA guides prepare a special menu to compliment the days carefully chosen beer selections.

Way back before there was such a thing as “craft beer” there was craft beer. In New Mexico of all places. It was then, in 1988, that a cowboy named Mike Levis who had a passion for homebrewing and a desire for something better brewed the first batch of Santa Fe Pale Ale (still brewed today). Fast forward to 2003. Craft beer was growing and Santa Fe’s reputation for making high quality, drinkable beers was spreading. In 2010, the technology to put beer in cans finally became accessible to small brewers, and we installed a small canning system. It was then that the first ice-cold Happy Camper IPA rolled down the line into Lock’s hand who said, ‘You can shotgun these.’ And he did. The popularity of Happy Camper IPA (and the acceptance of craft beer in cans) propelled the brewery to new heights. Production increased, and soon, Santa Fe Brewing Company beers were being shipped all over the Southwest.

Just like Santa Fe Brew’s approach to brewing and fun, New Mexico River Adventures works tirelessly to provide their guests with the highest quality river adventures in New Mexico and beyond. With a variety of specialty trips to choose from and daily departures on the world famous Taos Box and Racecourse sections of the Rio Grande, NMRA is leading the way in a fresh and new approach to outdoor adventures in New Mexico. Stop by our headquarters in Rinconada or give us a call to see for yourself what great adventures we have in store for you!

Price includes everything from the time we meet you at Bode’s general store at 8 a.m. until we return on the 3rd day at around 4 p.m. If guests require sleeping bags, pads and tents for camping we can provide at no extra charge. Each night will have a tasting presentation and pairing with appetizers and dinner.

Gallery