Rio Chama Wild and Scenic River Permits

Thirty-one miles of the river were further protected as a Federal Wild and Scenic River in 1988. All commercial outfitters must have a special use permit, usually issued for the Rio Chama by the Bureau of Land Management Taos Field Office. Private boaters may float the Scenic portion of the Rio Chama (downstream from the Christ in the Desert Monastery without a permit, but overnight float trips on the Wild portion of the Rio Chama (above the Monastery) are also required to have a permit from the Bureau of Land Management Taos Field Office.