Chama River Canyon Wilderness
Chama River Canyon Wilderness is a 47,035-acre wilderness area in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. It rises from about 6,273 to 8,840 ft. The nearest town is Youngsville, 3.1 miles away in a straight line.
Chama River Canyon Wilderness map
Chama River Canyon Wilderness boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Agency fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.
County and local burn bans may also apply on private, state, or county land nearby. On federal land, follow the land manager's order; off it, follow the strictest county or local rule that applies. When both touch your trip, obey both.
Common questions
- The maximum group size at Chama River Canyon Wilderness is 15.
- Campfires are prohibited.
- Youngsville, NM is the nearest town, 3.1 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance).
- The highest ground in Chama River Canyon Wilderness is about 8,840 ft, and its lowest about 6,273 ft (USGS 3DEP elevation model). Its highest named summit is Mesa Prieta, about 8,538 ft.
Who manages Chama River Canyon Wilderness
| Agency | Acres | Permit | Group size | Stay limit | Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Service | 47,035 | Not on record | 15 | Not on record | Coyote Ranger District, 575-638-5526 |
Getting to Chama River Canyon Wilderness
- Youngsville, NM is the nearest town, 3.1 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance). (US Census places, accessed 2026-09-30)
Trailheads at Chama River Canyon Wilderness
- West Rim Vista (0.11 mi outside the boundary, 8,089 ft), at 36.3350, -106.5770
- Ojitos (0.18 mi outside the boundary, 6,375 ft), at 36.3274, -106.6278
- Rim Vista (0.65 mi outside the boundary, 7,910 ft), at 36.3520, -106.5490
Trailhead locations: Forest Service recreation sites layer , accessed 2026-09-30. Elevations from USGS 3DEP.
Named summits, canyons, and springs in Chama River Canyon Wilderness
- Mesa Prieta summit
- Huckbay Canyon canyon
- Los Ojitos spring
- Rincon Spring spring
- Madrid Tank lake
Features whose official location is inside the boundary, from the USGS Geographic Names Information System, accessed 2026-09-30. Summit elevations measured on the USGS 3DEP elevation model, which can read a few feet under a surveyed summit height.
Public lands next to Chama River Canyon Wilderness
- National forest Most of Chama River Canyon Wilderness lies inside Santa Fe National Forest.
- National forestChama River Canyon Wilderness borders Carson National Forest.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
Other wilderness areas in New Mexico
- wilderness.net (accessed 2026-09-30)
- prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com (accessed 2026-09-30)
- prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com (accessed 2026-09-30)
- www2.census.gov (accessed 2026-09-30)
- apps.fs.usda.gov (accessed 2026-09-30)
The sentences on this page are generated by software from the sourced records above, not written by hand. How this content is made.