CAROLINE WHITTLE

OUTDOOR GUIDE TO SANTA FE & TAOS, NEW MEXICO

A photographic travel guide to northern New Mexico, including the Santa Fe & Taos areas.

Use this outdoor guide as inspiration to find your own way through this desert landscape.

Plan your trip to Taos & Santa Fe

How long should I spend here?

A week is the perfect amount of time. Spend 4 days in Santa Fe and 3 days in Taos.

When is the best time to visit?

These towns are great year-round, but the best weather for hiking & outdoor activities is from June to October. The fall colors are incredible in October!

How do I get around?

You’ll need a car for exploring. Taos & Santa Fe both have small airports, or you can fly into the larger Albuquerque and rent a car there. It’s an hour drive from Albuquerque to Santa Fe.

Where are the best places to visit?

Galisteo Basin Preserve, Chimayo, Taos Pueblo, Arroyo Seco, Nambe Badlands, Taos Ski Valley, Ojo Caliente, Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway

A man stands in the shadows surrounded by fall colored yellow aspen trees.
Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway
A pueblo-style building.
Santa Fe Pueblo Style Building
A hiker in a black jacket stands on a mountain peak.
Deception Peak, near Santa Fe
A man in a jacket and beanie looks out over a landscape of scrub bush and distant mountains.
Galisteo Basin Preserve
A man in shorts and a t-shirt stands on a rocky overlook viewing pine and aspen trees in the fall.
Carson National Forest
A man in a t-shirt and pants and a dog hike along a dusty and deserted trail.
Nambe Badlands
A man in a hat and sweater sits at a table with coffee and a dog next to a stream and trees.
Taos Cow in Arroyo Seco
A building with brightly colored accents is surrounded by fall-colored leaves and trees.
Fall in Taos

HIKES

Hikes to Do:

Deception Peak near Santa Fe

Galisteo Basin Preserve near Santa Fe

Williams Lake (Wheeler Peak) near Taos Ski Valley

FOOD

Food to Try:

New Mexico Green Chili

Mantes Chow Cart in Taos

Rancho de Chimayo in Chimayo

ACTIVITIES

Activities to Enjoy:

Drive along the Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway

Visit the natural Black Rock Hot Springs or luxurious Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort

Visit the Earthship Visitor Center near Taos

EXPLORE

Where to Explore:

Arroyo Seco

Taos Ski Valley

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

A road is scattered with fall colored leaves and surrounded by trees.
Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway
A pueblo-style building with unique details stands against a blue sky.
Santa Fe Pueblo Style Building
A hiker in a jacket with a backpack stands next to a dog on a rocky mountain peak.
Deception Peak, near Santa Fe

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