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Rio Chama River Permits

Wilderness Permit

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Overview

River launch permit for the Rio Chama Wild and Scenic River in northern New Mexico, managed by the BLM (Taos Field Office). 22-mile wilderness section from Cooper's El Vado Ranch to Chavez Canyon through a BLM Wilderness Study Area and the Chama Canyons Wilderness Area. Class II-III rapids. Permit required April 15 -- September 15 (self-permit on-site outside permit season). Flows are not guaranteed -- controlled by El Vado Dam releases and highly variable. Early season (Apr 15 -- Jul 15) flows often match reservoir inflow; release season (Jul 16 -- Sep 15) weekends are augmented to ~500 cfs. Weekday flows may be minimal or extremely low (80-100 cfs). Below Chavez Canyon, a 9-mile day section to Big Eddy requires no permit.

Bottom Line

Lottery covers Friday and Saturday launches only. Applications open December 1 and close January 31. All other days (Sun--Thu) are FCFS starting April 1 at 8:00 AM. One permit per person per season. Friday lottery winners get a permit valid for Friday or Saturday launch -- all other permits require launch on the scheduled day. Weekend launches (especially release season) are competitive; weekday permits are much easier but flows may be extremely low. Cancellations reappear on recreation.gov within 24 hours. Cancellation alerts are valuable for picking up returned weekend dates after April 1.

Lottery and Reservations

Two sub-seasons with different daily launch quotas:

Early Season (April 15 -- July 15):

  • Friday/Saturday (lottery): 6 launches per day. Apply Dec 1 -- Jan 31 on recreation.gov. $6 non-refundable application fee.
  • Sunday/Monday (FCFS): 2 launches per day. Opens Apr 1 at 8:00 AM.
  • Tuesday--Thursday (FCFS): 1 launch per day. Opens Apr 1 at 8:00 AM.

Release Season (July 16 -- September 15):

  • Friday (lottery): 7 launches. Apply Dec 1 -- Jan 31.
  • Saturday (lottery): 4 launches. Apply Dec 1 -- Jan 31.
  • Sunday--Wednesday (FCFS): 3 launches per day. Opens Apr 1 at 8:00 AM.
  • Thursday (FCFS): 1 launch per day. Opens Apr 1 at 8:00 AM.

Unclaimed Friday lottery permits also release as FCFS on April 1 at 8:00 AM. Cancelled permits appear online within 24 hours of cancellation.

Fees

  • $6 non-refundable lottery application fee
  • $5/person recreation fee (per launch)
  • At least 1 person's fee must be paid to accept a lottery award
  • Group size can be adjusted (and fees paid/refunded) up until the permit is printed
  • Cooper's El Vado Ranch (private launch site) charges an additional fee per person on top of BLM fees

Group Size and Rules

  • Max group size: 16 (dogs count toward the limit, max 2 dogs)
  • Permit holder must be 18 or older and must be present at launch
  • One permit per person per season
  • Permits are non-transferable -- no alternate permit holders allowed
  • Permits are for private, non-commercial use only
  • No split trips -- permit holder must launch with the group
  • Permits printable 14 days before launch date; no changes after printing
  • Physical copy of permit and photo ID required at launch inspection
  • Permit violations may result in a 3-year suspension

Cancellation Policy

  • 14+ days before launch: recreation fees refunded (minus non-refundable reservation fee)
  • 13 days or less: no refund
  • Must cancel at least 5 days before launch to avoid a no-show penalty
  • $6 reservation fee is never refunded
  • Permit dates cannot be changed -- must cancel and rebook (new fees apply)
  • Group size changes allowed before printing the permit

Required Equipment

All gear is inspected at launch -- missing items are a permit violation. Required for every group:

  • US Coast Guard approved PFD (Type I, III, or V -- paddle/whitewater rated, no ski vests) worn by every person on the river, plus 1 spare PFD per group
  • Reusable, washable portable toilet compatible with dump stations (bag systems allowed for groups of 4 or fewer with a hard-sided watertight container -- may not be disposed of in government trash)
  • Fire pan with 2-inch sides, at least 12 inches diameter -- required on all trips. Must be elevated; carry out all ash and coals. Fire blankets recommended.
  • Throw line (50 ft minimum) on each boat over 10 ft
  • Bailing device on each non-self-bailing craft
  • Extra oars/paddles as appropriate
  • First aid kit adequate for group size and serious injuries
  • Repair kit and air pump for inflatable boats
  • Dogs must be leashed at all times; dog waste must be carried out

Availability