Flowing through a multi-colored sandstone canyon which in spots is 1,500 feet deep, the Rio Chama is a major tributary of the Rio Grande in northern New Mexico. Towering cliffs, densely wood canyons, sage plains, and gently rolling grass all are found along and near the river. Fishing is the most popular activity on the upper stretches, and the entire length offers relatively calm class II rapids for rafters. This roughly 25 mile river has 20 miles designated as "wild" and five as "scenic". The Rio Chama canyon also likely contains remains from the PaleoIndian, Archaic, and Prehistoric Pueblo time periods, though the area has yet to be thoroughly surveyed.