Chama New Mexico Map

About Chama, New Mexico

Chama is a locality in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, United States. It is a small community with a population of 776. The population density is 100.3 people per km². Chama is located at 36.9031°N, 106.5795°W. It observes the Mountain Time (America/Denver) timezone. ZIP code: 87520.

Chama rests in a high mountain valley, where the sky seems to stretch in an infinite canvas of blue, often brushed with the softest streaks of cirrus clouds. It lies 91.3 miles north-north-west of Santa Fe, NM (from Santa Fe, NM: bearing 337°T), and is situated 25.8 miles west-south-west of Cañon. The land here is a rugged, sun-baked beauty, a place of sagebrush and juniper clinging tenaciously to the rolling hills and the steeper slopes that rise to meet the horizon. Below, the Chama River, a silver ribbon, winds its way through the landscape, its banks a verdant contrast to the drier terrain, a lifeline for the cottonwoods that stand sentinel along its course. The air itself carries a crispness, a scent of pine and dry earth, a constant reminder of the elevation and the vast, wild country that surrounds this small settlement. The history of Chama is deeply intertwined with the iron veins of the earth and the relentless spirit of those who sought their fortune within them. Once a bustling hub for mining operations, echoes of that industrious past still whisper through the weathered buildings and the quiet streets. The arrival of the railroad was a transformative event, a vital artery that connected this remote outpost to the wider world, and today, the legacy of that era is proudly preserved in the enduring charm of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, a living testament to a bygone age. The local economy, while still tied to the land through ranching and agriculture, now also draws strength from the steady stream of visitors drawn to the natural splendor and the nostalgic allure of Chama, a place where the past and present walk hand in hand.

About This Chama Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Chama, New Mexico — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: 36.903068, -106.579479. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service, with current observations and a 7-day forecast also powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time local news and world news feeds keep the page current, while a Wikipedia summary or an editorially written description provides background on Chama and Rio Arriba County.

Detailed location data for Chama includes the ZIP code (87520), telephone area code (505), county seat of Rio Arriba County (Tierra Amarilla), and school district assignment (Chama Valley Independent Schools). These are among the most commonly searched location details for any US city or town.

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity — ensuring the correct Chama is identified even where the name is shared across multiple counties or states. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.