Far Flung's 50th Anniversary Rio Chama 3-Day Family Float

Far Flung 50yr Anniversary Rio Chama 3-day is a family-friendly river trip on the Rio Chama in northern New Mexico, launching from Abiquiu and running through Chama Canyon Wilderness to the head of Abiquiu Reservoir. Over three days you'll float amid evergreen-lined canyons, paddle fun Class II–III rapids, sleep beneath ponderosa pines and Douglas firs, and watch the river change from an alpine trout stream into a silty desert current that threads rainbow-colored sandstone cliffs in Georgia O’Keeffe country.

The trip starts at Bode's General Store in Abiquiu at 9 a.m., then drives north toward El Vado Ranch to push off. Guides handle the heavy lifting: rigging paddle boats, oar boats, inflatables and SUPs, and serving riverside lunches, camp dinners and hot breakfasts. Far Flung has run these runs for decades; their menu of gourmet camp meals, optional live music and morning yoga lifts a basic float into a celebratory outing. Tents, drybags and camp chairs are provided; sleeping bags and pads are available as a paid sleep kit.

Expect a mix of easy wilderness float and playful whitewater. Key features include riffles and splashy Class II rapids, multihued sandstone walls up to 1,000 feet, high benches edged with ponderosa, and side-canyon trails that climb to views like Navaho Peak. Day three passes the remote Christ in the Desert Monastery and ends with a spirited series of Class II–III drops into Abiquiu Reservoir. Trout fishing is good where the river runs cold and clear; watch for mule deer on canyon rims and raptors on thermals.

This outing suits families with kids aged six and up and anyone comfortable with basic paddling, short hikes and sleeping outdoors. Guides accommodate first-time rafters and adapt paddling configurations to experience and energy levels. Camping is at established river benches with campfire cooking and long evening skies that invite stargazing.

Practical essentials: bring a sleeping bag or reserve the sleep kit, a small dry bag for electronics, sturdy river shoes, sun protection and any allergy-specific foods—Far Flung asks guests to notify them in advance of dietary restrictions. The meeting address is Bode's General Store • 21196 US-84, Abiquiu, NM; pick-up back to vehicles is typically mid-afternoon on day three.

Why book it? For families and mixed-ability groups this trip balances excitement and accessibility, pairing splashy river miles with high-walled sandstone scenery you won’t see from the highway. Far Flung’s decades of running the Chama mean smooth logistics, reliable food, and the kind of riverside camps that keep you coming back.

Expect variable water levels—spring snowmelt raises flows and raises rapid intensity, while late summer offers warmer swims and calmer miles. Book early for holiday weekends; trip often sells out during peak season. Reserve spots now.