Located in northern New Mexico's high desert, this arts colony and ski town sits at 7,000 feet elevation near ancient Pueblo settlements and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
In northern New Mexico, Taos sits at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, where you'll find thousand-year-old adobe homes at Taos Pueblo, world-class ski runs at Taos Ski Valley, and art collections spanning from traditional Native American crafts to modernist paintings. Walk through streets lined with brown adobe buildings, climb Wheeler Peak at 13,161 feet, or watch the sunset paint the walls of the 650-foot-deep Rio Grande Gorge.
Getting to Taos
JSX flies directly to Taos Regional Airport from Dallas, Denver, and Las Vegas. The airport sits just outside town and handles all commercial flights to the area. If you're driving from Santa Fe, take the 90-minute mountain route through the Sangre de Cristo range.
Exploring Taos Pueblo
Located 3 miles north of downtown, Taos Pueblo's multi-story adobe buildings date back over 1,000 years. The pueblo welcomes visitors daily from 9AM to 4PM. Adult tickets cost $25, with reduced prices for seniors and students. You can take photos for personal use, but need advance permission for commercial photography.
Art Museums and Culture
The Harwood Museum of Art contains paintings from the early 1900s Taos Society of Artists alongside mid-century Taos Moderns. At the Millicent Rogers Museum, you'll find Native American jewelry, textiles, and pottery. Between 1915 and 1927, painters gathered in Taos to capture the stark mountains and local life on canvas, establishing the town's reputation as an artists' community.
Hiking and Skiing in Carson National Forest
Carson National Forest's 1,300 miles of trails surround Taos. Hike to Wheeler Peak, New Mexico's highest point at 13,161 feet, or ski down steep runs at Taos Ski Valley in winter. The forest has trails for every skill level, from short nature walks to multi-day backpacking routes.
Rio Grande Gorge
Stand on the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge and look down 650 feet to the river below. The black basalt walls create dramatic shadows in early morning and late afternoon. For an up-close view, take a whitewater rafting trip down the 17-mile stretch of rapids - the most challenging whitewater section in New Mexico.
Local Hot Springs
Several natural hot springs bubble up around Taos. At Manby Hot Springs (also called Stagecoach), two pools sit right beside the Rio Grande. Black Rock Hot Springs, a mile downstream, has pools that stay at 97°F year-round. Both springs are free to visit but require a short hike to access.
Annual Events
Join locals at the Fiestas de Taos in July, when music and dancing fill the Plaza. In January, the Taos Winter Wine Festival brings together regional wineries for tastings and special dinners. During December, traditional farolitos (paper lanterns) light up the adobe buildings around town.
