Our Rio Chama Full Day adventure is a great escape from Santa Fe, Taos, and Albuquerque delivering you into a completely different landscape and distinct part of beautiful Northern New Mexico. For the thrill seekers, enjoy this trip in an inflatable kayak.
Full Day
Rio Chama
Age 5
Pro Tip: Gather your friends this trip as it is only available on the weekends and there is a minimum of 8 people to confirm a trip
This river float is more focussed on scenery than whitewater even though there are a handful of fun splashy rapids which will require paddling as a team. We will meet at 9am for the Rio Chama full day and we usually finish around 3-4pm. The minimum age for this trip is 5 years old.
This wide valley has spectacular views of the desert cliffs that border this area and that are so famous in many different artists’ works, such as Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams. Red, yellow and purple color bands are painted across the desert as the river flows past towering cottonwoods and sage plains. This is a true gem of the southwest and very little known to visitors..
Gentle class 2 and 3 rapids through Georgia O’Keefe country
Delicious, hot chicken and veggie fajita lunch
Opt for an inflatable kayak to increase the adventure level
World class guides offering information about the history and nature of the area
Our Rio Chama trips meet at Bode’s General Store in Abiquiu, NM. This is Georgia O’Keefe country and we will pass her former home on the way to the put-in. Your vehicle will stay in a designated rafting parking lot adjacent to this iconic mercantile. For directions to our Rio Chama meeting location (Bode’s General Store), Click Here!
The basic list of what to bring is shorts, t-shirt, hat (baseball cap is best) and good footwear (anything but flip flops). It is also nice to have a water bottle, sunscreen and a change of dry clothes for after the trip. Please be sure to reference our specific list of what to bring which is included in your confirmation email which you will receive immediately after reserving your trip.
After meeting you in the morning, we will help you sort out the necessary gear you need for the day and head for the river. The 30 min drive to the Rio Chama is extremely scenic and includes both tarmac and dirt roads. Once we arrive at the starting point, our guides will outfit you in your rafting gear and present a detailed safety orientation.
The lower Rio Chama rafting outing has a few moderate Class II and III rapids so is perfect for all ages and abilities. The rapids are evenly spaced with ample opportunity to enjoy the southwestern landscape in between drops. The water on the Rio Chama is perfectly refreshing on a hot summer day and the rapids are perfect for the adventurous to enjoy in inflatable kayaks. About half way, we will pull over and enjoy our delicious fajita lunch.
After reaching the finishing point just upstream from Abiquiu reservoir, we will load up our rafts, grab a cold drink and head back to Bode’s General Store. We typically arrive back at your vehicle between 3-4pm, just in time to drive back to your hotel or rental and ready for dinner.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rio Grande Gorge Rafting Full Day
