📷 Photo by Richard Hedrick on UnsplashHigh Road to Taos
Adobe churches, weaving villages and Taos Pueblo on the back road from Santa Fe.
- Distance
- approx. 134 km (83 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 29 min
- Suggested days
- 2
- Stops
- 5
- States
- NM
- Best time to go
- April–May and October
- Tolls and vignettes
- None expected
- Updated
- August 13, 2026
At a glance: 2-day road trip of about 134 km (83 mi) with 5 stops, from Santa Fe to Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. About 1 h 29 min of driving in total. Best time to go: April–May and October. No toll roads expected for a car.
More road trips in New Mexico · More road trips from Santa Fe
Photos along the route
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Route description
From Santa Fe, head north toward Española and turn east into the hills on NM-503 to Chimayó, known for its old adobe church and its weaving tradition. The village is a good place to see weavers at work.
NM-76 climbs through Truchas and Las Trampas, small villages with adobe churches and views of the mountains, before joining NM-518 and dropping down into Taos. The High Road is narrow and winding with few shoulders, so allow plenty of time.
At Taos Pueblo, multistory adobe homes have been lived in for about a thousand years; respect the photography rules, and check ahead, as the pueblo closes for ceremonies. West of town, US-64 crosses the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, a steel bridge 650 feet above the river in a canyon cut into the flat sagebrush plain. Return to Santa Fe via the Low Road (NM-68) along the Rio Grande.
Which stops are on High Road to Taos?
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Santa Fe
NM - 241 km
Chimayó
NM - 367 km
Taos
NM - 45 km
Taos Pueblo
HistoryTaos, NMMulti-storey adobe homes lived in for about a thousand years. Respect the photography rules and closures.
- 521 km
Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
ViewsTaos, NMA steel bridge 650 feet above the river, crossing a canyon cut into the flat sagebrush plain.
How do you drive High Road to Taos in 2 days?
2 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Santa Fe → Chimayó · 25 mi · 0 h 27 minOvernight nearby, for example: Site 10 (2 mi); Northlake Campground (1 mi).
- Day 2: Chimayó → Rio Grande Gorge Bridge · 58 mi · 1 h 02 minOn the way: Taos, Taos Pueblo.Overnight nearby, for example: NADM RV Community (5 mi); Montoso (13 mi).
When is the best time for High Road to Taos?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and November. Hot in July–August. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
More routes for the best months
Practical guides for this route
Photo by Malivez on UnsplashDriving in the US: The Rules European Visitors Most Often Get Wrong at the Wheel
Photo by Aleksandr Dalakian on UnsplashFuel, Tolls and Distances: Practical US Driving Math for Motorhome and Camper Travelers
Photo by Tracy Zhang on UnsplashUS national parks: entry fees, passes and reservations in plain terms
Themes
Plan this route for your vehicle
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FAQs
How long is High Road to Taos?
2-day road trip of about 134 km (83 mi) with 5 stops, from Santa Fe to Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. About 1 h 29 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for High Road to Taos?
We suggest 2 days: about 1 h 29 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does High Road to Taos start and end?
It starts in Santa Fe and ends in Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.
Which states does High Road to Taos pass through?
New Mexico.
Where can you camp along High Road to Taos?
OpenStreetMap lists 87 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Santa Fe Skies RV Park, NADM RV Community and Angel Fire RV Resort.
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