Is Chama Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

You really have to go looking for Chama, New Mexico, to find it, but something about it might look awfully familiar.

That’s because this small town of 1,000 people is connected to some of the greatest movies of all time, like Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and Wyatt Earp, to name a few.

Chama got its start as a railroad town in the late 1800s when the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad arrived to transport logs from the surrounding forest.

The railroad brought an influx of workers and established Chama as a keylogging and timber center.

Remnants of this history remain today in the form of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, which offers scenic train rides on an authentic steam railroad that made it to the list of National Historic Landmarks.

Beyond its railroad roots, Chama is also known for its wilderness areas.

The famous El Vado and Heron Lakes are located just a few miles from town and provide excellent trout fishing.

The Rio Chama River flows right through town and is popular for whitewater rafting and kayaking, and the river eventually makes its way to the famed Rio Grande.

You also have the Carson National Forest surrounding Chama, offering hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.

This is a town where you can hear several languages spoken throughout the town.

The Old West charm and Indigenous traditions still thrive.

Charma is a small town with a big personality.

It’s one of the best-kept secret resort towns in the country, well off the beaten path.

Warnings & Dangers in Chama

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low risk in Chama by crime rates and the number of safe things to do. Resort communities are usually on the safer side, since the economy relies on happy tourists.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

The RTD Blue Bus serves Chama with a route that runs between the town and Espanola. Taxis and rideshares should be easy to find, but having a rental car is your best option for exploring the outdoors.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

The risk is low, but you can keep it that way by only carrying the bare necessities with you and not leaving things in plain sight inside your car.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

I laughed out loud when I saw a "Hurricane Safety" section on the Rio Arriba County Emergency Management website. Suffice it to say; you won't have hurricanes here. You do need to treat a visit here with a medium risk for wildfires, severe storms, winter storms (96 inches of snow on average!) and flash flooding.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

This is another low risk. It's hard to find any new stories over the past few years of any crime in Chama. Since 2014, there has only been one year with 10 robberies across the county. Otherwise, fewer than four are reported each year.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

With an area this remote and with a small population, there's a low risk of terrorism here. While mass shootings can happen in any city, there's nothing about Chaman that should make you think twice about this being a dangerous place.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

I'm amazed there aren't more tourist scams reported here, but there's hardly any mention of a scam or fraud in this town for the past few years. You should always be aware of deals that seem too good to be true, but this is definitely a low-risk town for scams.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

This is another low risk, especially for women travelers who are staying with tour groups, like the train ride. Smart outdoor and wilderness safety steps are required for hikers and rafters, but every risk comes with plenty of safety advice.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

Chama Water System provides tap water here but hasn't posted a Water Quality Report since 2021. The company did issue a boil advisory when turbidity levels exceeded the allowed amounts in May 2023. The problem was quickly addressed. Look for local alerts like the boil advisory order on the village's website. There's a low risk, but you should always stay informed in case that changes.

Safest Places to Visit in Chama

The Chama Valley Chamber of Commerce has a tourism site with information, including local events and a short video tour of the town.

A tourist guide is available on the website, along with relocation information if you happen to fall in love with this small mountain town.

Just like in the early days, people are still drawn to Chama for the railroad.

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad has day trips and special rides between Chama and Antonito, Colorado, with some of the best wildlife and scenery you’ll find in America.

This train has been featured in many films, including, most recently, the 2018 film Hostiles with Christian Bale.

Another way to experience Chama’s railway heritage is to stop by the Chama Rail Yard.

Here you can see exhibits, artifacts, and photographs illustrating the importance of the railroad to this mountain community.

The Tanglefoot Tavern is also located in the yard, providing a great spot to grab a bite to eat or refreshment.

You can also choose to drive over Cubres Pass instead of taking the trail.

There’s a trail available through the woods and mountains to walk the Continental Divide.

Along the way, you’ll see a waterfall, wildfire, and an 11,000-foot ridge looking over the mountains.

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy fishing for trout in the nearby Chama River and El Vado and Heron Lakes.

The river winds right through the heart of town and is a popular destination for fly fishing.

Heron Lake State Park is also a great place for four seasons of fun, with winter offering ice fishing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, while summer opens the door to swimming, a “quiet lake” without loud boats, and plenty of trails to explore.

Surrounded by the Carson National Forest, the area offers outstanding hiking and mountain biking trails to explore as well.

A stroll down Chama’s Main Street introduces you to galleries, shops, and restaurants housed in historic buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Spanish architecture and murals reflect the town’s New Mexico setting.

One unique shop here is Tierra Wools, where blankets and yarn are made from “hoof to loom,” and you can see what classes are available during your visit to learn the craft.

Plenty of pre-made blankets and coats are available to purchase as well.

Places to Avoid in Chama

Chama is a small town with mixed cultures, so you don’t need to worry about bad parts of town or dangerous neighborhoods.

There are some reservations on both sides of Chama, which is sovereign land.

Most tribes allow public access of some kind, like wilderness trails or visitor centers, but you should check with the Chama visitors center before you go onto the native land.

There will be specific days or cultural holidays where you won’t be allowed.

While the roads to and from Chama are paved, you are at the mercy of the weather in winter.

The highways stay open as long as they are safe but will close down in heavy snow events or if a wildfire is burning nearby.

Check road conditions on the NM Roads website before you head out on the highway.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Chama

So... How Safe Is Chama Really?

Chama is a small, sleepy town that doesn’t have a lot of crime.

However, a murder shocked the community when a stranger brutally and repeatedly stabbed a man sitting in his car at a Chama gas station.

There was no motive or interaction before the incident.

Those crimes are rare in Chama, but it shows that no town is safe enough to prevent violent crime.

Rio Arriba County is also one of many American rural communities struggling with illegal drugs containing lethal doses of fentanyl.

In one Chama case, a convenience store worker overdosed after walking into a bathroom where someone had been smoking drugs.

She was just doing her job but needed emergency help.

Chama’s biggest safety risks come with the wilderness and weather.

From annoyances like a plague of grasshoppers that can’t be subdued without damaging other insects like bees and butterflies to crippling snow storms that could leave you stranded for a few days.

Chama is really a safe place, but it’s also small and remote.

The railroad is the biggest attraction, and if you don’t want to do that or explore the mountains, you’ll likely get bored quickly.

This remote nature is also bringing new life to the town as people venture more into nature post-pandemic.

How Does Chama Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

You'll need a visa or visa waiver with your valid passport to get through Customs and Border Patrol at the airport or border crossing. You can travel between Colorado and New Mexico without going through a checkpoint.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar can be used here, and don't wait to exchange currency until you get to Chama. In fact, your home bank will offer the lowest exchange fees.

Weather

From October through May, low temperatures will be below freezing. You'll need layers of insulated clothing and winter boots. Summers don't get much warmer than the low 80s (F), so you still want warm clothing for cool nights. In fact, the "warmest" low temperature of the year is 45°(F). Brrr.

Airports

You'll have a long road trip to get to a commercial airport. Sante Fe Regional Airport is 116 miles away, Albuquerque's Sunport is 173 miles south, and the Colorado Springs airport is 271 miles northwest. Durango, Colorado, has a regional airport with flights to Denver, Phoenix, and Dallas, and that's just 105 miles from Chama.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is just necessary when you're going to such a remote region. You want protection against roadside emergency help, accidents requiring medical care, and weather-related delays.

Chama Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

New Mexico - Safety by City