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Durango Rivertrippers

Rio Chama 3 Day Rafting Trip

3 Days & 2 Nights
Ages 10+

New for 2023: Get ready for the experience of a lifetime! Check out this 3 day rafting trip down the mighty Rio Chama River. Camp along the river in a tent or sleep under the stars. This hard to get on permitted river flows through designated wilderness study areas allowing only a select few people to view it each year. This area is co-managed by BLM (Bureau of Land Management) and the U.S. Forest Service, allowing the preservation and use of public lands.

This trip is only available on select dates in 2023, with two special trips in July and August featuring live music and delicious food. Read more about those below.

  • May 18, 2023: Rio Chama 3 Day Rafting Trip
  • May 24, 2023: Rio Chama 3 Day Rafting Trip
  • May 29, 2023: Rio Chama 3 Day Rafting Trip
  • Jul 20, 2023: Rio Chama 3 Day Rafting Trip
  • Jul 28, 2023: Rob Webster Music Rafting Trip
  • Aug 4, 2023: Whiskey & Steaks Rafting Trip
  • Aug 18, 2023: Rio Chama 3 Day Rafting Trip

There will be plenty of time to check out the canyon while on and off the river. Hanging around camp there will be time to explore or relax under the countless stars at night. We will begin the trip from El Vado Ranch on day one, spending two nights in the canyon before taking out near the Abiquiu Reservoir. All meals from lunch on day one through lunch on day three will be provided. Check out the itinerary below for a bit more detail on each day and what to expect.

More Information

Disconnect from the stresses of life and tap into the curative powers of nature and music on this exciting 3-day weekend down the mighty Rio Chama River. Each day you will be provided with great views, hand-crafted food, and music performed by Rob Webster. Starting the trip at El Vado Ranch, we will make our way down the remarkable Rio Chama canyon, stopping to take in the views with an acoustic set during a river-side lunch. Shortly after lunch, we will arrive at our campsite where you will be able to explore the terrain and connect with nature.

Dinner will be prepared riverside and afterward a campfire gathering where Rob will play another series. Choose to sleep in a tent or sleep under the stars. Wake up in the morning to enjoy breakfast riverside and do it all over again. All meals and entertainment are provided from our El Vado Ranch departure through lunch prior to taking out near the Abiquiu Reservoir. This 22-28 mile union of nature, music, and food is something you will be talking about for years to come.

Seats are limited on this carefully crafted rafting meets live music trip. Click here to book this trip.

Grab your taste buds and your sense of adventure. We will be preparing two highly crafted dinners riverside while pairing Prime grade to Wagyu steaks alongside Whiskey. Each cut of beef will be carefully selected from the best ranches. Each dinner will include cuts of ribeye, filet mignon, and New York strip. Along with a few favorite butcher cuts.

We will pair each one with a fine whiskey served either neat or as a custom cocktail. Disconnect from the stresses of life and tap into the curative powers of nature and a carefully selected culinary experience on this exciting 3-day weekend down the mighty Rio Chama River. Each day you will be provided with great views, hand-crafted food, and drinks. Starting the trip at El Vado Ranch, we will make our way down the remarkable Rio Chama canyon, stopping to take in the views.

Day 1: Our day 1 launch point is El Vada Ranch at 3150 NM-112, Tierra Amarilla, NM 87575, a beautiful spot with a nice old western feel. After pushing off we will float down the Rio Chama River and go through Aragon Rapid – a Class II to start the day. Around mid-day, we will stop for a nice riverside lunch before continuing downriver to our first camp. After setting up camp, while our guides prepare dinner, sit back and enjoy the breathtaking scenery and sunset before the stars come out.

Day 2: Wake up to a warm cup of coffee or tea while breakfast is being prepared. After breakfast, we will continue downriver stopping for some short side hikes to explore the area before getting to camp 2. Once at camp feel free to explore some more of the area around camp.

Day 3: Start the final day with some hearty breakfast and hot coffee or tea before pushing off for our last day on the water. We will travel through some whitewater full of class II-III rapids as we push into the headwaters of Abiquiu upper Reservoir where we exit the canyon and arrive at the take-out. We will load our vehicle and head back to our meeting point to drop you off at your vehicles.

Shirts must be worn under all life jackets.

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