Rio Chama River Permits
Rio Chama Wild and Scenic River
Please Read Notifications Drop Down Above.
The Rio Chama is 120 miles long, the third largest tributary of the Rio Grande. Beginning in the southern San Juan Mountains of south-central Colorado, it joins the Rio Grande near Espanola, New Mexico. In 1978, Congress recognized the canyons as a special place of beauty and ecological importance by designating the river as a State Scenic and Pastoral River and portions of the Santa Fe National Forest as the Chama Canyons Wilderness Area. Thirty-one miles of the river were protected as a Federal Wild and Scenic River in 1988. The Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) primary objective is to ensure that wilderness resources and experience are protected.
The 22 miles of the river from Cooper’s El Vado Ranch to Chavez Canyon flows through a BLM Wilderness Study Area and the designated Chama Canyons Wilderness Area. This ‘wilderness section’ contains Class II-III rapids. A Permit through recreation.gov is required between El Vado Ranch and Chavez Canyon from April 15 to September 15. Between September 16 and April 14, boaters must self permit on-site prior to launching. All private launches outside of the permit season are required to follow all regulations.
Rio Chama flows are not guaranteed and are highly variable - based on water availability, irrigation demand, and precipitation - and may change with little notice. Please read the Cancellation Policy. Early season (April 15 to July 15) flows often coincide with inflow to reservoirs above El Vado Dam, but may be adjusted due to water storage operations. Release season (July 16 to September 15) flows are augmented for weekends (Friday to Sunday) for boater needs. Check flows: USGS flow information (Rio Chama below El Vado).
A lottery system is used for Friday and Saturday launches. Permits for all other days are available on Recreation.gov first-come, first-served beginning April 1, at 8 AM.
On the Rio Chama Wilderness section, because of release schedules, the term 'Weekend' is used for Friday and Saturday launches. Sunday through Thursday launches are termed 'Weekday'. Water is released from El Vado Reservoir between 10:00 am and Noon on Friday and reduced between 10:00 am and Noon on Sunday. The water takes about 12 hours to either reach, or recede at, Chavez Canyon access site.
Downstream from the Chavez Canyon access, nine miles of additional class II-III rapids flows along Forest Road 151 to Big Eddy access. This ‘Day’ section is popular for day trips and has car camping opportunities. No permit required between the Chavez and Big Eddy boat ramps.
If you are in a canoe or kayak, you can have a good run from El Vado to Chavez Canyon at flows as low as 200 cfs or to Big Eddy, at flows of 300 cfs. For small rafts, minimum recommended flows are 300 to 400 cfs. For large rafts (14’ or bigger) minimum flows of 500 cfs are recommended. Extremely low flow (ELF) runs are possible. Call for more information about ELF trips.
Taos BLM: (575) 751-4768 or (575) 751-4766
Permit & Season Information
All launches between April 15 and September 15 require permits available only from Recreation.gov (non-transferrable and no alternates).
The Rio Chama strictly enforces the Cancellation / No-Show policy.
Maximum group size is 16 - dogs included with a 2 dogs maximum.
Permit holder must be 18 years old.
The Rio Chama has two permit seasons:
Early Season (April 15 - July 15): weekday flows match reservoir inflow, weekend flows will be augmented if inflow is insufficient.
Release Season (July 16 - Sept 15): weekday flows may be minimal, weekend flows augmented to a 500 cfs minimum.
The lottery for Friday and Saturday launches runs December 1 - January 31.
One permit per person per season.
Unclaimed Friday and Weekday permits available 8:00 am April 1, 2025 on this site.
Beginning April 1, Canceled permits appear on Recreation.gov within 24 hours of their cancellation.
Friday permits valid for Friday or Saturday launch.
All other permits require launch on scheduled day.
Need to Know
Important Notice: Required Equipment & Permit Compliance
To protect the river, ensure safety, and preserve access for all, all required equipment must be present at launch. All groups will be inspected, and no exceptions will be made based on your choice of craft or group preferences. Arriving without the correct gear is a permit violation and may result in a 3-year suspension from obtaining a Rio Chama permit.
The Rio Chama launch is at a private facility—please be respectful and represent the sport well. If arriving after 5 PM, contact Cooper’s El Vado Ranch to arrange payment. Note: Cooper’s does not provide boating gear.
River Flow and Water Levels
The Rio Chama is a complex water system with many obligations beyond recreation. We sincerely thank the water rights holders—especially the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority—and the Bureau of Reclamation, whose management supports recreational flows while also meeting critical water storage, delivery, and resource objectives.
For 2025:
Weekend releases will be accommodated at 500cfs.
All weekdays (Sunday to Thursday) after spring runoff will operate at Extremely Low Flows (80-100 cfs).
Groups should track flows at the links provided and assess their readiness for low to extremely low flows.
Please be aware that cancellation and no-show policies remain in effect.
General Flow Patterns
Flows on the Rio Chama are not guaranteed and may change without notice. Typically, releases are augmented Friday–Sunday during the season, depending on storage and downstream needs.
For the 2025 season, 500 cfs releases are projected to begin Fridays between 10 AM and noon, ending Sundays between 10 AM and noon. It takes about 8 hours for flows to reach or recede at Chavez Canyon.
Check the links section or contact BLM for current flow info.
Class III skills are required to safely navigate the Rio Chama
Flows below 200 cfs are very low. The Rio Chama enforces its Cancellation/No-Show policy regardless of flow.
Recommended minimum flows:
80-100 cfs for kayaks, inflatable kayaks, packrafts , and canoes
150 cfs rafts under 10'
200 cfs for rafts over 10'
500 cfs rafts over 14'
Rules, Permit Stipulations and Other Requirements
Permit violations may result in a 3-year suspension from obtaining a Rio Chama permit.
Permit holder must be present and launch with group. No split trips.
Permits are for private boating. Permit holders may not engage in organized group or commercial use activity.
Maximum group size is 16.
Dogs count toward your group size limit. Limit 2 dogs.
Wood collection is limited to dead and down material only
Dogs must be leashed and under control at all times to avoid harassment of wildlife or other river users. Dog feces must be carried out.
Mandatory Equipment
An approved US Coast Guard life preserver, Types I, III, or V (approved on the label for paddling, whitewater, kayaking -- No Ski Vests) must be worn by every person in the party while on the river. Each party must carry 1 spare PFD per group.
Solid human waste must be carried out in a washable/reusable dump station compatible container. Bag systems are acceptable for groups up to 4 people with a watertight hard-sided container for transport and may not be disposed of in government trash receptacles. Please clean your toilet at an RV dump station. Washable/reusable toilets that meet requirements are available at river or outdoor equipment outlets.
An appropriate bailing device must be on board each non-self-bailing craft.
A throw line at least 50’ in length must be on board each principal boat over 10 ft.
Extra oars and paddles as appropriate.
A fire pan with two inch sides at least 12 inches in diameter must be carried by all trips. You must elevate the fire pan and carry out all ashes and coals. Fire blankets under fire pans are strongly recommended to facilitate total ash removal.
Liquid waste should be strained into the river.
First aid kit adequate for the size of the group and sufficient for treating serious injuries.
Patching and repair equipment for each type of boat is required as is an air pump.
The trip leader will need to carry a physical copy of the permit & must provide a photo ID at permit inspection. The permit is not transferable.
Permittee must allow rangers to complete permit checks to determine if adherence to permit stipulations has been met
Permit Printing
You will be allowed to print your permit 14 days before your launch date. Changes cannot be made to the permit once it has been printed. You must have your permit and a copy of the Rules, Permit Stipulations and Other Requirements, with you to launch.
Canceled Permits are made available on-line on the availability calendar.
Cooper's El Vado Ranch Launch site is a private facility and requires a $6.00 per person launch fee in addition to BLM fees.
Fee Policy
Please Read Notifications Drop Down Above.
Application Fee: There is a non-refundable $6.00 lottery application fee.
Reservation Fee: To accept an awarded launch, at least 1 participant's recreation fee of $5.00 must be paid.
Recreation Fee: $5 per person, per launch -- may be adjusted up until the time that your permit is printed.
Cooper's El Vado Ranch Launch site is a private facility and requires a $5.00 per person launch fee in addition to BLM fees.
Cancellation Policy
The Rio Chama strictly enforces the Cancellation / No-Show policy.
Cancellation Policy:
Cancel 14+ days before your start date: full refund minus non-refundable reservation fee.
Cancel 13 days or less: no refund.
Cancel at least 5 days before launch to avoid a no-show penalty.
Change Policy:
Group size can be modified before printing the permit.
Increase: pay additional fees if space allows.
Decrease: eligible recreation fees refunded.
Permit dates cannot be changed and permits are non-transferable. Alternate permit holders are not allowed.
To change your date, cancel and rebook (new reservation fees apply).
Contact Information
Mailing Address
BLM - Taos Field Office 1024 Paseo del Pueblo Sur Taos NM 87571
Mailing Address
Up the Creek Shuttle PO Box 6 Tierra Amarilla NM 87575
Mailing Address
BLM Taos Field Office 226 Cruz Alta Rd. Taos NM 87571
Phone Number
(505) 484-8673 or (575) 751-4766
