Chama River Canyon Wilderness

Chama River Canyon Wilderness
IUCN category Ib (wilderness area)
Location	Rio Arriba County, New Mexico
Nearest city	Española, New Mexico
Coordinates	36°20′06″N 106°39′40″W / 36.3349382303°N 106.6611946°W[1]Coordinates: 36°20′06″N 106°39′40″W / 36.3349382303°N 106.6611946°W[2]
Area	50,300 acres (20,356 ha)[3]
Established	February 24, 1978
Governing body	United States Forest Service

Congress created the Chama River Canyon Wilderness in New Mexico in February 1978.^[4] The wilderness area covers approximately 50,300 acres (20,356 ha) on the Coyote Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest and the Carson National Forest.^[5]

The water in the Rio Chama brings the canyon area to life. Lush vegetation that supports abundant wildlife contrasts with the seemingly bare rocky slopes that lead to the mesa tops.

The wilderness area surrounds much private property along the waterways.

The Chama River Canyon Wilderness is 50,000 acres in northern New Mexico. Here, Scull Bridge Road borders the wilderness area on the left of the photo.

The wilderness area includes the site of the Cañon de Chama land grant. A large area of northern New Mexico was included in the original Mexican land grant, but the U.S. Government confirmed only a small area along the river. The village cemetery is in the wilderness area.^[6]

The Rio Chama is a Wild and Scenic River and is not part of the wilderness area. A Forest Service road parallels the river and in some places the wilderness area is only 100 yards from the road. The easy road access means that rafting is a popular activity when water levels are adequate. The Continental Divide Trail traverses the wilderness area and crosses the river on Scull Bridge. Hiking and horseback riding are other popular activities in the wilderness area.

The wilderness area is easily accessible from Santa Fe, New Mexico, along U.S. Highway 285.

References

1. "Chama River Canyon Wilderness" (map). Wilderness.net. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
2. "Chama River Canyon Wilderness" (map). Wilderness.net. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
3. "Chama River Canyon Wilderness". Wilderness.net. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
4. Public Law 95-237
5. "Chama River Canyon Wilderness". U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
6. "U.S. General Accounting Office: Treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo; Findings and Possible Options Regarding Longstanding Community Land Grant Claims in New Mexico" (PDF). United States Government. 2004-06-01. Retrieved 2010-12-27.