Welcome to the Branding IronLodging in the heart of Chama, NM
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Branding Iron
Branding Iron welcomes you from May to October and offers the comforts of home delivered with warm hospitality.
Rooms
See AllKing Room King bed, air-conditioning, cable TV, coffee maker, alarm clock, wifi, and en-suite bathroom.Double Queen Double queen beds, air-conditioning, cable TV, a coffee-maker, wifi, and an en-suite bathroom.Double Queen ADA Double queen beds w/ ADA access, air-conditioning, cable TV, coffee maker, alarm clock, wifi, and en-suite bathroom.Triple Queen Triple queen beds, air-conditioning, cable TV, coffee maker, alarm clock, wifi, and en-suite bathroom.
About Us
Read MoreNestled in the Rio Chama valley at the Southern tip of the spectacular Rocky Mountain Range, Branding Iron welcomes you from May to October and offers the comforts of home delivered with exceptional hospitality. From our unrivaled location, hear the engineer’s whistle announcing the arrival and departure of trains from the historic Chama Depot on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. Live the adventure of America’s longest and highest narrow gauge railroad and then explore the magnificent and diverse beauty of Northern New Mexico. Locations as varied as the Continental Divide, the wilds of Carson National Forest, and the serenity of Heron and El Vado Lake State Parks await you and keep folks returning to Branding Iron year after year. We look forward to seeing you soon!
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Attractions
See AllCumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad traverses 64 miles between Chama, NM, and Antonito, CO. It crosses the borders of Colorado and New Mexico 11 times as it chugs its way up and over the 10,015-foot-high Cumbres Pass. Runs May through October. Visit www.cumbrestoltec.comHunting and Fishing Areas near Chama in New Mexico and Colorado. Visit: www.wildlife.state.nm.uswww.wildlife.state.co.usTierra Wools Come visit Tierra Wools to witness Rio Grande weaving heritage live on through the generations. Visit our workshop and gallery to watch local weavers hand weave on Rio Grande Style looms, learn about natural and commercial hand-dye processes, and see locally grown yarns and fibers spun into yarn. Shop for a one of a kind hand-woven masterpiece or prepare to make your own with our wide array of weaving and knitting yarns, craft kits, books, weaving and knitting equipment, and more. www.handweavers.comChama Valley Arts Annual Art Festival & Studio Tour every Labor Day Weekend in September. CVA offers regular programming at their local Arts Center on 278 Maple Ave in Chama. Visit chamavalleyarts.org for more info.Edward Sargent Wildlife Area The Edward Sargent Wildlife Management Area, located just north of Chama in Rio Arriba County, is a vast and scenic 20,000-acre natural preserve managed by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. This peaceful high-country landscape features a mix of open meadows, forests of aspen and pine, and waterways like the Rio Chamita, creating a rich habitat for elk, deer, birds, and other wildlife. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, wildlife viewing, photography, horseback riding, fishing, and seasonal hunting, with easy trails like the Elk Interpretive Trail offering accessible exploration. With its quiet beauty, expansive views, and proximity to town, the area is a favorite destination for those seeking an authentic Northern New Mexico outdoor experience. Learn more at https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Ed-Sargent-WA-WMA-NMDGF.pdfEl Vado Lake State Park El Vado Lake State Park is a scenic mountain destination in northern New Mexico known for its wide range of year-round outdoor recreation. Set along the Rio Chama, the park centers around a large reservoir with quiet coves ideal for fishing, boating, and swimming, while surrounding trails offer opportunities for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. A picturesque 5.5-mile trail connects the park to nearby Heron Lake, making it especially appealing for exploring the landscape. Visitors can enjoy developed campgrounds, beaches, and wildlife viewing, with the area serving as an important habitat for bald eagles and other birds. In winter, the park transforms into a peaceful setting for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, offering a true four-season Northern New Mexico experience. Learn more at https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/spd/find-a-park/el-vado-lake-state-park/Heron Lake State Park Heron Lake State Park is a peaceful, high-elevation destination in northern New Mexico known for its calm waters and scenic mountain setting. Designated as a “quiet lake,” motorboats are limited to no-wake speeds, making it ideal for kayaking, canoeing, and sailing, as well as relaxed fishing for trout and kokanee salmon. Surrounded by tall pines and open meadows, the park offers hiking trails, lakeside campgrounds, and abundant opportunities for wildlife viewing. In winter, the landscape transforms into a serene retreat for cross-country skiing and ice fishing. Connected by trail to nearby El Vado Lake, Heron Lake provides a tranquil, nature-focused experience for visitors seeking both recreation and quiet beauty. Learn more at https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/spd/find-a-park/heron-lake-state-park/Chama Western Heritage Days - 2nd weekend in June Branding Iron is next to the rodeo grounds! Chama Western Heritage Days is an annual early-summer festival held the second weekend of June in Chama, celebrating the region’s rich Western and ranching heritage through a lively, family-friendly weekend of events. Centered around the local rodeo grounds, the celebration typically features traditional rodeo competitions like barrel racing and team roping, along with stagecoach displays, equestrian demonstrations, live music, food vendors, and community festivities. Designed to honor the area’s rural lifestyle and cultural roots, the event blends entertainment with history, offering visitors an authentic taste of Northern New Mexico’s cowboy traditions and small-town spirit.Chama Days - 2nd weekend in August Branding Iron is next to the rodeo grounds. Chama Days is one of the town’s longest-running and most anticipated annual celebrations, held each year on the second weekend in August. This multi-day community festival brings together locals and visitors for a lively mix of classic small-town events, including a parade, rodeo competitions, team roping, and a popular double-elimination softball tournament. Centered around Robert Gallegos Park and the surrounding areas, the event also features live music, dancing, food vendors, local crafts, and family-friendly activities, along with traditions like the crowning of rodeo royalty and recognition of community leaders. With roots stretching back over a century, Chama Days offers an authentic, festive glimpse into the spirit, culture, and close-knit community of Northern New Mexico.Ghost Ranch Set amid the dramatic red rock cliffs and wide-open skies of northern New Mexico, Ghost Ranch in Abiquiú is a 21,000-acre retreat and education center known for its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural history. Once home to iconic artist Georgia O’Keeffe, whose work was deeply inspired by the surrounding terrain, the ranch offers a unique blend of art, geology, and history—from ancient dinosaur fossils to centuries of human presence on the land. Today, visitors can explore hiking trails, horseback riding, tours, take part in workshops, or simply experience the quiet beauty and expansive spirit that make Ghost Ranch one of the Southwest’s most beloved destinations. Day visitors: $10 Adult and $5 Child Day Pass Required for Ghost Ranch Hiking Trails and Museums. Visit ghostranch.org for more info. Located approximately 44 miles south of Branding Iron.The Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs, CO Nestled along the San Juan River in the heart of southwest Colorado, The Springs Resort is one of the country’s premier geothermal wellness destinations. Built around the legendary “Mother Spring,” long revered by the Southern Ute Tribe as sacred healing waters, the resort offers dozens of naturally mineral-rich soaking pools with varying temperatures, alongside spa services, modern accommodations, and wellness experiences designed for deep relaxation. With its blend of natural beauty, cultural history, and restorative hot springs, it’s an unforgettable place to unwind and reconnect. Located approximately 52 miles north of Branding Iron. Learn more at pagosahotsprings.com
