There are two small group sites at the campground and they're both free! The quiet peaceful atmosphere of the canyon is hard to believe. Phone: 719-657-3321 We also have a seasonal garden, where you can harvest herbs and greens. Mountain biking opportunities are outstanding in terms of scenery and variety of riding experiences. Not sure about renting an RV? Rio Chama Campground Santa Fe National Forest Write a Review FR-151 Abiquiu, NM 87510 505-638-5526 505-438-7840 Official Website GPS: 36.3557, -106.6731 Add Photos View 12 Photos Overview Q&A Reviews Amenities Overview of Rio Chama Campground Number of Sites 9 Pad Type dirt Open Seasonally April-Oct. Elevation 6,397 ft / 1,949 m Max Stay 14 Rio Chama RV Park In Northern New Mexico 575-756-2303 Fish our Rio -- In Chama, New Mexico -- Along Scenic Highway 17 -- Watch the Narrow Gauge Train Steam By Our RV Park -- BIG RIG Friendly: 60 Foot Pull-Thru Sites -- Camp in Shade Along the Chama River Family Friendly Camping Near Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad! Climbers can find sandstone routes nearby, while hikers and mountain bikers will be delighted by the number of trails. Visitors are awarded a panoramic view of the narrow mesa, Cerro Pedernal, locally known as "Pedernal." The homestead was built in 1911 and was one of the original postal pickups in the area. Public trails attract all kinds of recreationists and helping make sure you have easy trail access and safe travels on them are among the priorities of the BLMs outdoor recreation planning staff. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping. Riana Campground and Abiquiu Lake are both alcohol-free, During the open season, there is an attendant available at (505) 685-4561. Camp Kush: Once used as a church camp, it is now a Campground for all to enjoy! Please pack it out, and dispose of those materials properly. Lake and Pond Fishing website belongs to an official government organization in the This information may be (and often is) wildly Cortez has Boutique Air with connections to Denver and Phoenix. From Shelly, the founder of Shanti: I'm an off-grid, high desert, yurt dwelling, artist, musician, traveler and lover of life! Unless specifically prohibited, all Federal lands managed by the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service, in addition to some State lands, are open to hunting in New Mexico. Certain BLM lands provide opportunities for these activities, especially where they are combined with scenic landscapes. per site, and 8 people. GPS: 36.355178, -106.673628. $15 per day! Caves also provide opportunities for recreation, education, and scientific research. Visitors are permitted to fish along the Rio Chama any time with a valid fishing license issued by the state of New Mexico. Elkhart, Indiana, might be the RV capital of the world, but most travelers would be surprised to Signup for Roadpass Pro to get premium access to all of these great road travel apps. Rio Grande National Forest, 1803 W. Highway 160 Monte Vista, CO 81144 Most BLM trails in New Mexico are multiple use they accommodate hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. If you're a freedom-seeker, a wanderer, traveler, rebel, maverick or artist, you are Shanti family! Those who wish to picnic here should bring their own chairs, blankets, or towels to sit on as well as trash bags to pick up after themselves. Just a short distance from every campsite is our bathhouse -- thoughtfully designed with private bathrooms, showers, and a pet rinse area. An official website of the Please enable it in your browser settings in order to continue. And if thats not enough, attractions in San Luis Valley, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Medano Creek, Zapata Falls, and Hooper Pool are all just a short drive away. Verify that any geolocation hardware is functioning. innacurate. Map showing recreational areas. Eat flowers and herbs. The 14-day limit may be reached either through a number of separate visits or through 14 days of continuous overnight occupation during the 28-day period. The grounds are wonderful to walk with a little lake which draws elk, deer, hawks, blue herons, etc. Each site is easy to find, with most boasting an established fire pit. The Casita is located 9 miles north of Madrid and 20 minutes southwest of Santa Fe off of the scenic byway NM 14, the old Turquoise Trail. Elkhart, Indiana, might be the RV capital of the world, but most travelers would be surprised to Signup for Roadpass Pro to get premium access to all of these great road travel apps. Dispersed camping is generally allowed on public land for a period not to exceed 14 days within a 28 consecutive day period. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Our focus is on public lands. There are over 130 species of invertebrates found inBLM caves in New Mexico. Our family has lived in McElmo Canyon for over 40 years and the campground has hosted camping and outdoor educational groups since 1965. Permits for rafting in this northern section are awarded through a lottery system in order to keep a low number of rafters on the river at one time. Famous American painter, Georgia O'Keefe, had her ashes scattered over its top. Image from The Dyrt camper James E. Nestled in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Orr Lake Campground offers six free lakefront campsites as well as four free group campsites on the opposite end of the lake. If theres one thing better than camping, its free camping, especially in a wooded or beachfront area. While most national parks dont offer free camping, look for Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or United States Forest Service (USFS) land on the outskirts, where the perfect free camping in California site awaits you. At 6800 feet. Monies from fees charged at developed campgrounds are used to maintain those areas for everyones enjoyment. Call Coyote Ranger District @ 575-638-5526 for current fire restrictions. Do not leave personal property unattended for more than 72 hours. Relax, rest, find repose. We are organic gardens that you can stay inside. RV's up to 20 feet can be accommodated in only a few sites. Alabama Hills sits between the desert and the mountains, for some of the most epic views in Southern California. Campgrounds may include a variety of facilities, such as restrooms, potable water, electrical hookups, picnic areas, garbage cans, tent pads and group shelters. When you visit the Rio Chama WSA, you'll be asked to follow the Leave No Trace rules set in place by the BLM. Chama, NM, Areas for The ski-town of Taos is just over an hour away, and colorful Santa Fe is an hour southeast, both with restaurants, shops, and museums. Make sure to check if the campground is open before planning your trip. The Rio Chama WSA is known for its picturesque views, especially around the Chama River. website belongs to an official government organization in the Plumas National Forest is loaded with dispersed campsites for the frugal-minded. Fragrant Pinion pine, juniper, and sage cover the campsite, providing a distinct smell of northern New Mexico, but offering limited shade. While usage is light at this campground, its primarily for OHV users, so if youre more interested in an idyllic getaway there are better areas near Sequoia National Forest to camp. Along the river, visitors can expect to see many birds like duck mergansers and Canada geese, and great blue herons and raptors are seen both along the river and in the canyon area. note: many photos are outdated and taken prior to improvements. Hearing Impaired: 719-852-6271, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=29628&actid=29, Archuleta Trailhead - Trails # 741 & # 740, CDNST - Cumbres Pass North Trailhead # 813, West Fork Rio Chama Trailhead - Trail #740. Check the USFS website before you go to assess your likelihood of marshmallow roasting. April 1, at 8 AM 'Weekend' 'Weekday' Warning All launches must be permitted. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish regulates hunting and fishing on all public lands. This is all the information currently available. Learn more: Boondocking 101. Bring enough water to sustain your visit and pack out anything you packed in. at Place your device with a clear view of the sky. For hundreds of years our forefathers have used the natural spring to irrigate gardens and water livestock. To reach the Rio Chama WSA from Abiquiu, take Highway 84 for 31 miles and then turn west on NM 221. Most BLM campgrounds require a fee to use a campground. LockA locked padlock If possible, please use existing sites to avoid creating new disturbances. There are so many things to do/see nearby: Mesa Verde National Park, Canyons of the Ancients, Hovenweep National Monument and Phil's World Mountain Biking. Talk about an affordable family outing Anyways, there is stellar hiking, fishing, and river access right at the sites. If you are hunting with the aid of a commercial outfitter or guide, you should ensure that he or she is permitted by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Going to sleep and then waking to the sound of coyotes, owls, and nearby roosters, with 360-degree views is magical beyond description. Be the first to add a note for Rio Chama Dispersed Camping! Fungus causing bat disease found in eastern New Mexico. Enable cookies and local storage in your browser settings. Viewing Plants Chama Basin Dispersed Camping Area | Natural Atlas We cannot remove photos uploaded years ago by our hipcampers. We live in an Organic Urban Permaculture Garden, surrounded by trees, birds, amazing skies. If youve never looked for free camping before, be patient and do your research ahead of time. New Mexico | Bureau of Land Management There are also three dispersed campgrounds in Mendocino National Forest: Grizzly Flat, Lakeview, and Lower Nye. In addition, boaters must carry a first aid kit adequate to handle common river injuries; for non-self-bailing rafts, appropriate buckets must be on board each craft; a length of rope at least equal to the length of the boat; a throw line at least 50' in length must be on board each primary boat; patching and repair equipment, including an air pump; and a fire pan is required for all fires. (14'r). 10 LGBTQ+-Friendly Campgrounds Throughout the U.S. Video: 5 Amazing Places to Camp for Free in the Western U.S. 5 National Park Sites Where You Can Boondock (or Find Boondocking Closeby), Best Campgrounds Near 4 of Baja Californias National Parks, How to Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Where to Camp, The Best RV Campgrounds for Stargazing Adventures, How to Visit Prescott National Forest by RV and Where to Camp, How to Visit Coconino National Forest by RV and Where to Camp, 5 Alternatives to Utahs Popular National Parks, 5 Mid-Atlantic State Parks Worthy of a Detour, Written by someone with an affiliation to the property, Duplicate review submitted by the same member, Multiple reviews submitted by members of the same household, Reviewer did not actually visit the location, lead_photo_url_cache => ["https://campcdn.com/photos/1/1/11442/65042/large/rio-chama-campground.jpg?v=1445184383", "https://campcdn.com/photos/1/1/11442/65042/large/rio-chama-campground.jpg?v=1633761882"], sq_lead_photo_urls => [[], ["https://campcdn.com/photos/1/1/11442/65042/sq/rio-chama-campground.jpg?v=1633761882", "https://campcdn.com/photos/1/1/11442/65044/sq/rio-chama-campground.jpg?v=1633761882", "https://campcdn.com/photos/1/1/11442/65043/sq/rio-chama-campground.jpg?v=1633761882", "https://campcdn.com/photos/1/1/11442/65041/sq/rio-chama-campground.jpg?v=1633761881", "https://campcdn.com/photos/1/1/11442/65045/sq/rio-chama-campground.jpg?v=1633761883", "https://campcdn.com/photos/1/1/11442/65047/sq/rio-chama-campground.jpg?v=1633761884"]]. Report crimes to resources including vandalism, dumping and suspicious activity at 1-800-637-9152.