While Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, the fall in Taos is the most colorful time of the year. One of the best ways to enjoy Taos in the fall is with a road trip or even a train ride. For the ultimate leaf-peeping show start planning for these Taos fall road trips.
High Road to Taos
Travel and traverse through awe-inspiring scenery and encounter hidden mountain villages along the High Road to Taos. Winding through the Sangre de Cristo mountains, travelers will encounter snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows, dense forests, and traditional Spanish and Pueblo villages, each of which offers a look into the history of the area. Discover historic adobe churches, museums, and a plethora of local artists that call this scenic corridor home.
Discover more here, about the High Road to Taos.
Distance: 105 miles
Estimate drive time: 2 – 1/2 with no stops
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Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway
New Mexico has long been known as the Land of Enchantment, so it would make sense to take the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway during your time in Taos. The scenic 84-mile loop guides travelers through mountains, valleys, mesas, and national forest, all of which provide quite the colorful show during the fall. Centered around Wheeler Peak, New Mexico’s highest peak at 13,159 feet, the views along this route are what creates its “enchanting” surroundings.
But part of what makes this scenic byway so special are the unique communities that are found along the way, all filled with enjoyable activities and events. Discover local artisans in Questa, take a trip back in time to the Old West days with a stop in Red River, visit the old mining town of Elizabeth town, and be sure to also stop in at the D.H. Lawrence Memorial.
Drive back through the Taos Canyon, where you will find many local artists who live and work in the canyon. Find all different kind of treasures from paintings and pottery to sculptures and woodworking.
Distance: 84 miles
Estimate drive time: 2 – 1/2 to 3 hours
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The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
Let someone else do the driving and hop aboard The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad for one of the best fall scenes in the area. Ride the National Historic Landmark to gain some of the best views around, with 64 miles of deep canyons, high desert, colorful trees, and expansive meadows as you meander between the Colorado and New Mexico border. Ride in the Victorian elegance of their deluxe parlor car or choose their more budget-friendly coach car. A buffet lunch is provided.
Catch the daily train rides (through October 20, 2019) in Antonito, CO or Chama, New Mexico.
Of course, there are other great ways to discover Taos in the fall. With festivals such as the Taos Mountain Balloon Rally, the Taos Arts Festival, and the Oktoberfest Celebration, there is always something happening! So, start planning your trip to Taos this fall and find your favorite reason to visit Taos in the fall!
Complete your Taos vacation and book your stay at the Hotel La Fonda de Taos!
