The High Road to Taos is one of the most celebrated scenic drives in New Mexico, winding 90 miles north of Santa Fe through high-desert villages, forested mountain passes, and centuries-old Spanish Colonial churches. A private vehicle is required — no public transit links Santa Fe to Taos via this route. The journey takes approximately two hours without stops, though most visitors extend the drive to three or four hours by exploring the villages along NM-76.
The road climbs through Chimayo, where El Santuario de Chimayo (free admission) is a revered pilgrimage chapel with striking adobe architecture and a tradition of healing soil. Continuing north, Truchas sits at 8,000 feet elevation with sweeping Sangre de Cristo Mountain panoramas and several working artists' studios open to visitors. Las Trampas, another 15 miles north, contains the Church of San José de Gracia (1760), widely regarded as the finest surviving Spanish Colonial church in the United States.
A suggested day arc begins with a 7:30 a.m. departure from Santa Fe to catch morning light on the mountains. Stop at El Santuario de Chimayo first, then continue through Truchas by mid-morning for views and studio browsing. Las Trampas merits a brief church stop before the road descends toward Taos. Arrive at Taos Plaza by noon, leaving the afternoon for Taos Pueblo (admission $25 per adult), a living UNESCO World Heritage Site inhabited continuously for over a thousand years.
For lunch in Taos, Taos Diner on Paseo del Pueblo Norte serves classic New Mexican plates. The Millicent Rogers Museum, 4 miles north of the plaza, provides exceptional context for Pueblo, Navajo, and Spanish Colonial art.
October is the optimal month for this drive, when aspens and cottonwoods along the watershed turn gold. Late April and May bring wildflowers and thinner crowds. Plan to leave Taos no later than 4:30 p.m. for a comfortable return to Santa Fe via the Low Road along the Rio Grande Gorge on NM-68, roughly 1.5 hours and dramatically different scenery. Gas stations are scarce along NM-76; fill up in Santa Fe or Chimayo before heading north.
How to get there
- Drive NM-76 (High Road) through Chimayo, Truchas, and Trampas for the most scenic route
- Drive US-285 to NM-68 along the Rio Grande Gorge for the Low Road
Location
Taos Plaza, Taos, NM 87571
36.4073, -105.5731 View on map
Highlights
- Truchas village at 8,000 feet with sweeping Sangre de Cristo Mountain views and working artists' studios
- Church of San José de Gracia in Las Trampas (1760), considered the finest surviving Spanish Colonial church in the U.S.
- El Santuario de Chimayo, a revered 1816 pilgrimage chapel with free admission and healing-earth tradition
- Taos Pueblo, a living UNESCO World Heritage Site continuously occupied for over 1,000 years
- Optional return via the Low Road along the Rio Grande Gorge for a completely different scenic experience
Tips for visiting
- Depart Santa Fe by 7:30 a.m. to enjoy mountain morning light and avoid midday heat in the villages
- Carry cash for church donation boxes and small artisan studios along NM-76 — card readers are rare
- Taos Pueblo occasionally closes for tribal ceremonies; check its website before the trip and consider advance tickets during peak season
- Return via the Low Road (NM-68 along the Rio Grande) for a completely different landscape without retracing the same route
- Fill up on gas in Santa Fe or Chimayo — stations are scarce between Chimayo and Taos on NM-76
When to visit
October brings peak fall foliage with golden aspens and cottonwoods; April through May offers wildflowers and lighter crowds. Arriving in Taos by noon leaves the full afternoon for Taos Pueblo and the plaza.
Accessibility
Taos Plaza and most commercial areas are accessible via paved surfaces. Taos Pueblo's main compound has uneven earthen surfaces that are challenging for wheelchairs. Roadside pull-offs at Truchas overlooks are unpaved with no formal accessibility infrastructure.
Frequently asked questions
Is the High Road to Taos suitable for all vehicles?
Yes, NM-76 is a paved two-lane highway in good condition year-round and suitable for standard passenger vehicles. Snow tires or chains are advisable between November and March when mountain passes may have ice or light snow.
Can visitors enter Taos Pueblo?
Yes, Taos Pueblo is open to visitors most days; admission is $25 per adult. Closures occur during tribal ceremonies with limited advance notice. Photography permits are required for dedicated cameras; phone photography is generally permitted inside the compound.
How long should visitors plan to spend in Taos itself?
Plan two to three hours minimum to visit the Pueblo, explore Taos Plaza, and have lunch. Adding the Millicent Rogers Museum or a walk along Kit Carson Road extends the visit to four or five hours.
Are there places to eat along the High Road?
Dining options on NM-76 are very limited. Rancho de Chimayo Restaurante in Chimayo (open daily for lunch and dinner) is the most reliable stop before Taos. Most travelers carry snacks for the drive and eat a full meal in Taos.
What is the best month to drive the High Road for fall foliage?
October is peak foliage season, typically the second and third weeks. Cottonwoods in the valleys turn gold first, followed by aspens at higher elevation. Early October can still have warm afternoon temperatures ideal for the drive.