//
Village in New Mexico, United States
Photo: Dennis Adams, Federal Highway Administration; levels adjustment applied by Hohum, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Chama is a small town in north central New Mexico, located in a mountain valley near the Colorado border. The town is noted for its mountain scenery, outdoor recreation, and for being the terminus of a scenic narrow-gauge railroad.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
One of the main attractions of the town. The narrow-gauge railroad runs into the high country near Cumbres Pass, through scenic Toltec Gorge, and on to its opposite terminus at tiny Antonito, Colorado. Tour options range from half-way trips to and from a station near the Gorge (delicious, all-you-can-eat lunch is provided) to round trips to Antonito, with return on either rail or bus. Reservations are recommended, as the train fills up during summer weekends. If you're interested in the narrow-gauge train but unable to ride it, the train station has a small set of displays.
Becomes a wonderland for Nordic skiers, snowshoers, and snowmobilers during the winter, owing to the high snowfall that this part of the Colorado Plateau usually receives. Snowpack is variable year to year, but is usually satisfactory from December through February.
Held over Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend each year.
Both southwest of town, are scenic reservoirs with opportunities for camping, hiking, fishing, and some boating.
Has a good bar and live music on Friday night.
Also has a bar and pool tables. Both locations sport a lot of "local color."
Award winning, hand-made wool products for sale, all made from locally-produced wool from local sheep herders. Tours of the factory where they spin the wool are also available.
Driving is the primary way to access Chama, and given the town's remoteness, it can be a very long drive. The nearest major airport is in Albuquerque, about a three-hour drive south.
Read in the guideIf you've gotten there, you've gotten around; Chama is a small town in which all of the in-town points of interest are within walking distance of each other and the in-town lodging.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Alamosa · Regional · ALS
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Chama (New Mexico) and United States.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Travel tipsA practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.