Chama: Scenic Railroad, Crafts and Festivals

Chama combines railroad history, vibrant crafts and special landscape experiences. The town is an exciting starting point for travelers who want to shape their stay not around a single excursion, but around a variety of impressions: a ride on a historic railway, a visit to a weaving workshop, regional festivals and time along the Rio Chama can all be combined into a varied vacation.

Historic Railway and Traditional Crafts

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad runs for 64 scenic miles. Its journey begins either in Antonito, Colorado, or in Chama, New Mexico. As a National Historic Landmark, the railway also represents the historical importance of this route. Anyone interested in technology, regional history and distinctive travel experiences will find a significant focus here for planning their stay.

Tierra Wools showcases another form of regional culture. Visitors are invited to visit the workshop and gallery and watch local weavers handweave on Rio Grande-style looms. This insight makes traditional production directly accessible and complements the railroad history with a craft-based perspective. For families, this change between a grand landscape experience and a focused activity in the workshop can be particularly interesting.

Festivals, Studios and Local Culture

Chama Days takes place annually on the second weekend in August. If you plan your trip for this period, the festival is one of the cultural occasions you can take into account when planning your year. Another recurring event is Chama Christmas in the Mountains, an annual event held in downtown Chama. There, visitors have the opportunity to explore local shops and independent vendors from the Four Corners region.

The Chama Valley Art Festival & Studio Tour also focuses on the people behind the works. Visitors can experience the creative process of artists directly in studios in town and in the surrounding valley. This gives you a good choice between scheduled event dates and a visit centered on the work taking place in the studios.

Landscape and Active Excursions

The Rio Chama runs along the eastern side of Chama, where visitors can try fly-fishing. This offers a quieter complement to the cultural highlights and appeals to travelers who also want to spend time outdoors during their stay. For hikers, the route to the CDT trailhead at Cumbres Pass is also relevant: From Chama, it can be reached via NM-17 N/CO-17 N for 12 miles.

The Foster Hotel is also part of Chama’s historic side. Built around 1881, the wood-frame building was one of the first commercial establishments in Chama, New Mexico. Two larger additions, later added in wood and adobe, are designed in the folk architectural style of northern New Mexico. The various historical themes provide clues as to which experiences should define the focus of your trip.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Stay

When searching for a vacation rental or vacation home in Chama, you can therefore first decide how you would like to structure your days. If the train ride is the main focus, Chama is particularly relevant as the starting point for the journey. Those who prefer crafts and local culture can place the Tierra Wools workshop, the Studio Tour and the seasonal events at the center of their plans. For active days, the Rio Chama is another option, while the CDT trailhead requires separate excursion planning. Accommodation in Chama is therefore especially suitable if you want to combine several of these experiences.

Other Places for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to extend your trip beyond Chama, you can also include Dixon, Ohkay Owingeh, Vallecitos, Chimayo, Abiquiú and La Jara in your broader itinerary planning.

For the broader travel overview: Rio Arriba County.