Fall Colors in Taos

As the seasons change, so do the colors. Experience the beauty of fall in Taos.

Ask anyone who has visited Taos in the fall — It comes as no surprise that Taos regularly lands on lists of the top destinations to witness fall foliage and beautiful autumn colors. The Sangre de Cristo mountains awe with brilliant pockets of bright aspen groves shining yellow and orange nestled amongst the evergreens. The lower valleys shimmer as the cottonwoods, elms and flora shift from shades of green to yellow to auburn.

Taos’ fall weather is lovely, ranging from sunny days in the mid to high 70s in the beginning of the season, to the first dusting of snow in town (often occurring near the end of October). It’s a perfect time of year to enjoy the outdoors, take a scenic drive, visit our many landmarks, or just savor the views while enjoying a meal at one of our local restaurants’ outdoor patios.

The fall months are excellent for outdoor recreation in Taos. Hiking, biking, rock climbing, fishing, horseback riding, golfing and hot air balloon trips can all be enjoyed throughout the fall season in Taos.

Rio Grande rafting and kayaking are also great activities for the fall, with some guides offering trips and rentals into October.

Consider taking a fall drive around the Enchanted Circle to experience some of the best leaf peeping and fall foliage in the Southwest. The Enchanted Circle drive will take you through the villages of Questa, Red River, Eagle Nest, and Angel Fire before making your way back to Taos. The drive is about 84 miles and will take about 2 ½ hours without many pit stops.

The winding cruise up to Taos Ski Valley offers amazing views and an opportunity to explore the charming village of Arroyo Seco with its eateries, shops and galleries along the way. There are plenty of opportunities to hike around Taos Ski Valley, and the biking trails and climbing routes are open seasonally. And of course, Taos Ski Valley opens for winter skiing and snowboarding at the end of November (snowpack dependent).

There’s really no bad season to experience Taos, and many will agree that fall in Taos is definitely a trip for your bucket list!