Rio Chama Trail

Los Ojos, New Mexico 87551

505-588-7470

The 5.5 mile trail which crosses the Rio Chama by suspension bridge, affords panoramic views and an adventurous route to neighboring El Vado Lake. Hiking from Heron Lake first descends a steep set of redwood stairs and cross the river on a cable footbridge, both built by the Youth Conservation Corp in the early 1980's. The trail winds up the slope of the Rio Chama Canyon, through pinyon and juniper to a mesa, which affords panoramic vistas of both El Vado and Heron Lakes. As it makes its way to El Vado, along and easy decent, the trail passes a wide variety of plant life. The trail is moderately strenuous for the first half mile, then becomes easier on to El Vado..