Taos
Taos is a town in north-central New Mexico, known for Taos Pueblo, its art galleries, Rio Grande Gorge views and skiing.
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Taos is a town in north-central New Mexico, about 50 miles (80 km) south of the Colorado border. It lies between the Rio Grande Gorge and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, at about 6,969 feet (2,124 m). The best-known site is Taos Pueblo, about 3 miles (4.8 km) north of town: a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States, with adobe homes some five stories high in a valley off the Rio Grande. Downtown, Taos Plaza is lined with shops, galleries and older buildings, and the town's art colony began with painters Ernest Blumenschein and Bert Phillips.
Plan for the altitude. The air is thin and nights stay cool even on hot days. Spring can bring muddy dirt roads after winter weather turns unseasonably warm. Summer and early fall suit hiking and horseback riding in Carson National Forest, and winter brings skiing at four nearby areas, including Taos Ski Valley. Two or three nights leaves room for the pueblo, the plaza and a day on the gorge or in the mountains.
Taos in five
- Check Taos Pueblo hours and closures before you driveThe pueblo lists daily hours of 9 am to 4 pm and notes unexpected closures for religious activities. Admission is charged for adults and discounted for seniors and students, and children 10 and under are free.
- Respect the photography and conduct rulesPersonal photos of tribal members need permission, and the San Geronimo Chapel is off limits for photography. Stay out of private homes, the cemetery and the river.
- Stop at the Rio Grande Gorge BridgeThe gorge cuts through the high desert west of town, and a short pause at the bridge gives a sense of scale. Go in the morning for softer light and quieter roadside parking.
- Give yourself a day to adjust to the altitudeTaos sits at about 7,000 feet, so water, sunscreen and a slower first afternoon help. Ski Valley and mountain trails are higher still.
- Fly into Albuquerque and drive northAlbuquerque is the main gateway, and the road north is scenic but slow. Add a night there if you arrive late.Albuquerque
Things to do in Taos
See all attractions in Taos
Need to know
- Airport
- Albuquerque (ABQ) is the main gateway; the drive north takes several hours
- Getting there
- Drive from Albuquerque or Santa Fe; winter snow can slow the mountain roads
- Getting around
- A car; the pueblo, gorge and ski valley are spread out
- Best base
- Taos town for galleries and restaurants; Taos Ski Valley for winter trips
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 nights, or 4 with Santa Fe and the gorge
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear5 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh2°Low-11°Cold, ski seasonJanuaryClear
Poor
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -11°
- Precipitation
- 23 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, ski season
- FebruaryClear6 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh4°Low-8°Cold, ski seasonFebruaryClear
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -8°
- Precipitation
- 28 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, ski season
- MarchClear8 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh10°Low-4°Spring, windyMarchClear
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 33 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, windy
- AprilClear6 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh15°Low1°Cool, quietAprilClear
Best
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- MayClear5 rainy daysHigh20°Low5°Warm, wildflowersMayClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, wildflowers
- JuneClear5 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh27°Low10°Warm, busyJuneClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 29 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, busy
- JulyPartly cloudy9 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh28°Low13°Warm, monsoonJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, monsoon
- AugustClear8 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh27°Low12°Warm, monsoonAugustClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, monsoon
- SeptemberClear6 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh24°Low9°Fall colorSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Fall color
- OctoberClear5 rainy days1 snowy day1 day with stormsHigh17°Low3°Cool, goldenOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 42 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 1
Cool, golden
- NovemberClear4 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh10°Low-3°Cold, quietNovemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 26 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- DecemberClear5 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh4°Low-8°Snow, holidaysDecemberClear
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -8°
- Precipitation
- 28 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, holidays
Average daily high and low in Taos, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Taos
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
4
- Feels like
- 0°
- Humidity
- 96%
- Wind
- 16 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 79%
Taos
03:38 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today8°2°79%Monday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 79%.
- Tue10°1°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 10°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed12°1°6%Wednesday: Clear. High 12°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Thu13°0°3%Thursday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Fri12°3°7%Friday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Sat14°2°8%Saturday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sun14°3°4%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 14°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 4%.
Updated 01:16 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Taos Puebloa short drive from townAdobe dwellings and a working community; hours and closures are posted by the pueblo.
- Rio Grande Gorge Bridgea short drive westA high bridge over the gorge; best for a quick stop with morning light.
- Taos Ski Valleya mountain drive from townWinter skiing, summer hiking and mountain views at higher altitude.
Before you go to Taos
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Rules for Taos, checked
- Taos Pueblo is open daily 9 am to 4 pm, with closures for religious events; adults $25, seniors and students $22, children 10 and under free.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Photos of tribal members need permission, none are allowed inside San Geronimo Chapel, and visitors must stay out of private homes and the cemetery.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Taos
The usual gateway city for northern New Mexico
Read the guideGetting around the USACar rental and road-trip planning for visitors
Read the guideNational parks feeWhat non-US residents pay at the most visited parks
Read the guideESTA explainedWho needs it and how to apply before you fly
Read the guideSanta FeThe state capital, a long day trip south
Read the guideAll of the USAParks, cities and trip planning for visitors
Read the guideTaos FAQ
Can you visit Taos Pueblo?
Yes, with an admission fee, daily hours of 9 am to 4 pm and the possibility of closures for religious activities. Check the pueblo's page before you go and follow the photography and conduct rules.
How many days do you need in Taos?
Two days cover the pueblo, town and gorge. Three days let you add a ski day or a mountain walk and a slow morning. Four days work if you add Santa Fe or a longer drive around the region.
Is Taos worth visiting in winter?
Yes if you ski or like quiet adobe towns in the cold, but mountain roads can ice up and some places close. Summer and fall are easier for driving, with warm days and cool evenings.
How high is Taos and do you need to acclimatize?
Taos sits at about 7,000 feet. Most visitors cope with water, sunscreen and a slow first day, but anyone with heart or lung conditions should ask a doctor before travel.
How do you get to Taos from Albuquerque?
Rent a car and drive north, since the town has no major airline service. Allow time for scenic stops, and check the weather in winter before you set off.