Chama: A Tiny Gem for Modern-Day Adventurers
Lying close to the southern part of the Colorado-New Mexico border is a small village of only about 1,000 people known as Chama. This community in the Rocky Mountains in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico has been featured in various movies, including Butch and Sundance: The Early Days, The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez, Bite the Bullett, and The Good Guys and the Bad Guys. Chama, New Mexico is known for being the terminus of a picturesque narrow-gauge railroad. The closest airport to Chama is San Luis Valley Regional Airport, which is about 70 miles away.
Best Time to Visit
Fall is probably the best time to plan a trip to Chama, NM, when the usual summer crowd starts to wane, and kids go back to school. Spring is also a great time to enjoy the reactional activities for which the small town is known for. Wildflowers erupting in bloom during the season also make a pleasant sight. Hotel rates during fall and summer are also in their normal range. The best time to find great hotel deals is during the winter season when cold temperatures are quite unbearable.
What to Do & Area Attractions
Chama offers various recreational activities that cater to modern-day adventurers. It has lakes and mountains that provide some of the best fishing and hiking in any season. If you come to town to enjoy some outdoor fun and visit historical places, some of the recommended Chama, NM hotels are the 80-year old Chama Hotel & Shops, Parlor Car Bed & Breakfast, and Chama River Bend Lodge. They are all close to Edward Sargent Wildlife Area, Cumbres Pass, and Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.