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Chama New Mexico
is a charming Old West village of approximately 1250 residents, just south of the Colorado border in the beautiful San Juan Mountains. It is located on Highway 84, approximately 60 miles north of Santa Fe and 160 miles north of Albuquerque. The Spanish heritage of Chama and other nearby small towns, and the nearby Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation add a unique multi-cultural and eclectic blend to the area. The town was founded in the late 1870s, first as a gold mining and ranching town, and later as a railroad town and this legacy remains today. A narrow-gauge railway was constructed through the town and over the 10,000-foot Cumbres Pass in 1880 to serve the nearby gold and silver mines. Today, the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad is an important tourist attraction to the town of Chama. Plus, the surrounding beauty of the Chama River and San Juan Mountains attract outdoor enthusiasts to the area year round. At an altitude of over 7,000 feet, the Chama Valley is an alpine wilderness, excellent for fishing, hunting, camping, hiking and skiing. Three scenic national forests surround the Chama Valley, the Carson, Rio Grande and Santa Fe. Nearby are three state wildlife areas, two state parks and two beautiful lakes. Chama is a four-season recreation area with a wide spectrum of activities such as boating, mountain biking, fishing, hiking, skiing and hot air ballooning. Added to the natural beauty is the rich cultural tapestry of the Chama Valley, with the intriguing ceremonies of the Jicarilla Apache tribe to the Hispanic fold art of the local villages. Few places are as alive with tradition in the state of Mexico as is the Chama Valley. Annual events in town include the Chama Days Celebration in August, Chama Chili Ski Classic in February and the Chama Valley Music Festival in July. Lumber, ranching and tourism are the main sources of income.
There are large numbers of homes and acreage for sale in the Chama Valley, and in different distinct locations, each with their own unique character and attractions. Some of the areas include the Chama River, Canones Creek, and the rolling meadows known as the Ponderosa and the lake view homes of Heron Lake and Brazos Cliffs. There are also several subdivisions along Highway 512, as it follows Brazos River. If you are looking for a small town or country home, horse or cattle ranch, retirement spot, hunting or fishing retreat, building site or commercial property, Chama Valley is likely to have it. This beautiful, unspoiled land is abundant in wildlife and fishing, gorgeous mountain views and history. Summers have mild days and cool nights, and winter brings snow but plenty of sunshine. So whether you’re looking for a quiet place to settle away the city, a retirement spot, or a weekend retreat – a place full of Old West charm and flavor, the town of Chama, New Mexico might be just right for you. It is the center for many of the most unique attractions and activities that the rural Southwest has to offer.
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