What to do and see in Taos County, Taos County: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do

May 28, 2021 Terina Blouin

Looking for skiing, hiking, biking, fishing, rafting, turquoise and silver crafts, world-renowned art museums, literary history, and a thousand-year old Native American adobe pueblo? Not just anywhere. But near Georgia O’Keeffe landscapes, the Enchanted Circle, and the rivers, gorges, rolling mesas, and Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico? Choose a Taos area vacation.
Restaurants in Taos County

1. Columbine Trail

Red River, NM
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 45 reviews

Columbine Trail

Approximately five miles one-way, this is a scenic and moderate-rated trail that leads hikers along a river and through meadows.

Reviewed By Missing-mountains - Joplin, United States

We got to explore this beautiful trail with old and young hikers (age range 8-50 years). It was a great trail will some slope and loose rock, but not a problem for our family. The water crossings were all either log bridges (so exciting for the kids) or well spaced, dry, solid stepping stones. In 1.5 hours we had seen numerous waterfalls, 2 meadows full of wild flowers and were tired enough to turn around. You can easily hike as far as you want or keep on pushing to the further trails. We took the easy going short hike. Enjoy.

2. Wheeler Peak

Red River, NM
Excellent
79%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 61 reviews

Wheeler Peak

An extremely challenging, eight to ten mile hike (one way).

Reviewed By 2gonesomewhere - Marathon, United States

New Mexico's highest peak at 13167 (13161?13159? anyway it's the tallest). Shortest trail is up the Williams Lake side - about 1/4 mile before the lake hang a left. Well marked. I measured about 9.5 miles round trip from trail head at Williams Lake parking area, including a short detour to Mt. Walter which shares saddle to Wheeler and as second highest (13141) should easily be honored with a visit. Great views of Williams Lake area, and Red River area on the other side. Another trail leaves from the Taos Ski Valley parking lot and is much longer via Bull-of-the Woods Trail. This is a nice hike too - we went part way to visit Fraser (Frazer) Mountain at 12163'. Nice hike too, bighorns around. If you go to Wheeler this way it is more like 13-14 miles round trip.

3. Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski Area

29 Sangre de Cristo Dr, Red River, NM 87558 +1 575-754-6112 [email protected] http://www.enchantedforestxc.com
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 72 reviews

Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski Area

Enchanted Forest is New Mexico's largest and only full service cross country ski area. We offer a full rental shop, PSIA XC ski lessons, ski patrol, and snack bar, all at our comfy day lodge and lesson area. With 32 km of ski trails, and 18 km of snowshoe trails we offer plenty of terrain for anyone to have fun. We also offer Summer and Winter on trail yurt rentals. Ski or Snowshoe in the Winter, or Hike or Mt. Bike in the Summer.

Reviewed By hannahlQ2040XP

This is a charming and beautiful place for Nordic skiing. The owners and staff are just lovely and we are definitely coming back!

4. Wild Rivers Recreation Area

Rio Grande Gorge Cerro, NM, Taos, NM http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/recreation/taos/wild_rivers_rec_area.html
Excellent
80%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 174 reviews

Wild Rivers Recreation Area

Reviewed By cavers2

Want to visit a beautiful, scenic area without the crowds you'd find at a national park? This is the place. You're on a high plataeu above the Rio Grande Gorge with plenty of camping, hiking, rafting, & biking options. The remoteness of the area allows for amazing night skies so camping out is highly recommended.The campgrounds at Wild Rivers are first come, first served so try to arrive early in the day to secure your site. A favortie hike of ours is the Arsenic Springs trail to the river and petroglyph viewing - try it!

5. Middlefork Lake

Road trail 487, Red River, NM
Excellent
93%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 28 reviews

Middlefork Lake

6. Mabel Dodge Luhan Historic House

240 Morada Ln, Taos, NM 87571-6468 +1 575-751-9686 http://mabeldodgeluhan.com
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 44 reviews

Mabel Dodge Luhan Historic House

Reviewed By SKP62942 - Amarillo, United States

I met up here with two friends from SMU Bank School... We have been traveling together every year in September since we graduated in 1989. THIS PLACE is one of the best!! It is so historic and wonderful. We each had our own room in Juniper House, with our own bath. A fireplace in every room and plenty of good lighting to read or write. The wooden floors creak, but they were covered with colorful rugs. Beds were comfy. And the breakfasts were delicious and amazing. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Wifi was available near the main house. We felt so welcome as we lounged in the library and played Mexican Train and as we had wine and snacks in the courtyard and as we relaxed in the arbor. The whole property was open to us and we enjoyed the peace and beauty. And then when we wanted to go into Taos, it was a short drive. I will return.

7. Taos Pueblo

120 Veterans Highway, Taos, NM 87571 +1 575-758-1028 [email protected] http://www.taospueblo.com
Excellent
60%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
4%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,039 reviews

Taos Pueblo

Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. The multi-storied adobe buildings have been continuously inhabited for over 1000 years. We welcome you to visit our village when you travel to northern New Mexico.Taos Pueblo Hours: Monday - Saturday 8:00am-4:00pm and Sunday 8:30am-4:00pm.Guided Tours available daily starting at 9:00 am.Pueblo Shops open daily.Taos Pueblo is expected to be open for the winter season. Any closures would be due to unexpected events within the community and will be posted on our official website.

Reviewed By MildaLeo - London, United Kingdom

We were lucky to visit Taos Pueblo during their feast day. While we didn't had enough time to see dances, we still managed to see natives in ceremonial clothes, joined a guided tour (free, with donation) lead by an inspiring young local woman, and visited local stores. Wekll worth the visit - as Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. You can see the multi-storied adobe buildings which have been continuously inhabited for over 1000 years, have no running water or electricity. You will have to leave your cameras and phones in the car (or just not to take them out from your bag). But what you get is true authenticity and chance to interact with locals. We had a nice chat with a local jeweller while he was making me a silver bracelet there on the spot and measured to my wrist size.

8. Millicent Rogers Museum

1504 Millicent Rogers Rd, Taos, NM 87571 +1 575-758-2462 http://www.millicentrogers.org/
Excellent
73%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 750 reviews

Millicent Rogers Museum

This impressive museum has more than a dozen galleries with some 5000 pieces of Native American and Hispanic art, including furniture, weaving, paintings, pottery and a celebrated collection of Native American jewelry.

Reviewed By WC-Travelers-75

We knew nothing of this museum other than it was listed in the AAA TourBook before we visited. Because we allowed extra time in our travel to Taos, we took it in. What a surprise! An extensive collection of Southwestern art of many cultures and mediums. The jewelry collection was memorable, with some pieces you wonder if they were meant to be worn given their size. We lingered to take it all in as best we could. This museum is a gem! We would visit again if in Taos since exhibits change.

9. Rio Grande Gorge

Us 64 10 Miles West of Taos, NM
Excellent
75%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 68 reviews

Rio Grande Gorge

This 800-foot-deep gorge in northern New Mexico offers exciting whitewater rafting, hiking trails around the rim and observation platforms with spectacular views of the winding river below.

Reviewed By NXTTRP - St. Petersburg, United States

We were told there was a walking trail heading south on the west side of the Rio Grande Gorge, beginning at the rest area. As it turned out, the trail is an easy walk and there were as many mountain bikers as walkers. Having said that, it was not crowded by any definition. The best views (and photos) of the bridge and gorge are available as you walk a mile or so down this trail. The gorge makes slight turns, creating corners for your photo ops.

10. San Francisco de Assisi Mission Church

60 St Francis Plaza, Ranchos De Taos, Taos, NM 87557 +1 575-758-2754 http://taos.org/what-to-do/arts-culture/spanish-culture/san-francisco-de-asis-mission-church/
Excellent
59%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 779 reviews

San Francisco de Assisi Mission Church

Buttressed church photograhed by legendary photographer Ansel Adams, and painted by famed artist Georgia O'Keeffe.

Reviewed By hrs314 - Houston, United States

Easy to see how this beautiful New Mexico Spanish Colonial Church inspired artists like Georgia O'Keefe and Ansel Adams to capture its unique charm. With clean adobe lines and huge buttresses, it is an architectural and spiritual gem. Built between 1772 and 1816, it is the only original church which remains intact in the Taos area. As an active place of worship, the parishioners and the community members gather annually to re-plaster the historic adobe church. Known as "The Enjarre" or "The Mudding" of the church, volunteers mix an authentic blend of clay, sand, straw, and water into a thick mud paste. Layer by layer, the paste is applied from the top to the bottom of the church and then buffed with a sheepskin to reinforce the walls to be a resilient barrier to withstand the elements for another year. A bit tricky to find as the church is tucked away off the main highway, but definitely worth a visit.

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