Chama, NM and Cumbres & Toltec Railroad

After exploring 3 of our favorite Colorado State Parks, we spent 5 nights in an abbreviated stay in Cheyenne for Frontier Days.  We attended only 1 concert (compared to up to 6 in previous years) enjoyed the brews at the Accomplice Brewery, and wonderful dinner at the Rib and Chop house.  After Cheyenne we spend 3 nights at Boyd Lake State Park outside of Loveland visiting family in northern Colorado.

Old Dominion at Frontier Nights, Cheyenne Frontier Days

It’s been 4 years since we last visited Chama, and once again we’re parked at the Rio Chama RV part on the north side of town.  This park was recently sold, and from the looks of it – the new owners have a lot of deferred maintenance to deal with.  On the good side, this is a beautiful location along the Chama River, just next to the trestle bridge where the trains rumble in and out of town.  On the downside, many of the cottonwood trees have died or are dying and need to come out before one falls on an RV.  And, the old, possibly trusty back in the day WiFi, isn’t usable in it’s current state.

Cumbres & Toltec Historic Railroad, Chama, NM

Cumbres & Toltec Historic Railroad, Chama, NM

We’re parked in site N3, a very tight site that sits right next to highway 17, the main highway.  Last time we stayed in site #40, a huge long pull through site very close to the river.  We’d prefer to be back in that part of the park.

Rio Chama RV Park, Chama, NM

Our railway trip is everything you can imagine from the gorgeous scenery across Cumbres Pass, to stories and highlights from our guides and docents onboard.  The food hall at Osier station left a bit to be desired, but all in all a great day!  After returning to Chama we opt for some local BBQ at the Outlaw BBQ company.  We’d highly recommend the Outlaw.  The following evening we opt for “Local”, a pizza parlor that was in the middle of construction during our last visit.  If all you are looking for is pizza, Local does an good job.  All other items on their menu were out of stock, even the “Chef’s Specials” that were shown on the blackboard.

Following Chama we’re off to another favorite Colorado State Park, Golden Gate Canyon State Park near Golden, CO.  More from Golden Gate…

Rio Chama RV Park, Chama, NM

Rio Chama RV Park, Site #40

Good Morning from Chama, New Mexico!  We’ve detoured south into New Mexico to check out the fall colors and the town just before stores and RV parks begin shuttering for the winter.

We’re parked in site #40 at Rio Chama RV, just north of town along the Chama River. PARK MAP  Leaves are changing and falling all around in this tall stand of aspen and cottonwood.  Site #40 is on a corner, just off the river and enjoys the wide open space of the grassy dog park next door.  River sites (R1-R7) are back-in sites, and ideal for those who want the full experience of the twice daily rumblings of the Cumbres & Toltec train across the trestle bridge.

Combres & Toltec crossing in Chama, NM

River Road sites (#8-32) also offer great views across the river and are mixed between pull-in and back-ins for coaches and trailers.

Rio Chama RV Park, RIver Road sites

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad travels between Chama, NM and Antonito, CO daily during the summer and fall.  Trains depart each city and meet halfway for a lunch buffet at Osier, CO.  From here you can remain on your train, swap to the other train or hop off the train for a motor coach ride back to your origin.

Combres & Toltec Locomotives

 

In addition to a train ride, next time in town we’d like to check out the new Local restaurant. From Chama we’re headed home and quite likely our last RV trip of 2019.

Local Restaurant, Chama, NM

Local Restaurant, Chama NM