The Rio Chama, a major tributary of the Rio Grande, flows through the Chama River Canyon Wilderness, a multi-colored sandstone canyon whose walls rise to 1,500 feet above the river as you travel downstream. The Bureau of Land Management manages a 22 mile stretch of the Rio Chama, from El Vado Ranch to the Chavez Canyon access. The 9 miles between Chavez Canyon boat launch and Big Eddy access is managed by the Santa Fe National Forest Coyote Ranger District.