Taos New Mexico Vacation, Taos Pueblo, Taos Ski Valley, Taos Plaza

Taos

The Soul of the Southwest. Spend a Taos, New Mexico vacation in this special place. Taoseños say that the mountain either accepts you or kicks you out. That is, you are either drawn to this captivating place or you just don't get it. It takes an open heart and an open mind. Until recently, Taos was widely known as "The Soul of the Southwest." The Town recently adopted a new official slogan —"Life at a Higher Level." This refers to the strong artistic, cultural, and spiritual currents palpable here as well as the 7,000-foot altitude. We assume "higher" does not refer to the fact that forty years ago Taos was a well-known hippie haven. Parts of "Easy Rider" were filmed here. The Mamas and the Papas (California Dreamin') used to jam at this very lodge (the San Geronimo) and so did Bo Diddly.

The Pueblo! The top tourist destination in Taos is the Taos Pueblo, just three miles from San Geronimo Lodge. It is an ancient village, continuously inhabited by Native Americans for a thousand years. Daily tours are available. Small entry fee.

The Bridge! The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is another “must-see.” It is a 1,280-foot span, cantilever, truss bridge just 12 scenic miles from the San Geronimo Lodge. It is the fifth highest bridge in the United States, rising 650 feet above the Rio Grande. You can park free and walk to the center and look down. Thrilling!

Earthships! Three miles beyond the bridge, on the right, are the famous Taos “earthships,” a mile-wide array of interestingly designed homes employing green architectural solutions. They are "off the grid," that is, completely independent of any utility connections, and tucked into the earth to facilitate both heating and cooling. Guided tour of a typical home for a small fee.

Taos Plaza! You will want to walk through the historic town plaza. Its historical architecture has been largely preserved. Good place for souvenir shops, art galleries, jewelry, ice cream, and fudge. Two-hour free parking.

Kit Carson Home! In Taos' quaint, historic environs you will find much of interest, including the Kit Carson Home and Museum. Small entry fee.

Excellent Museums! For a town of just 7,000 people, Taos has an amazing concentration of culture, with over 40 fine art galleries and many excellent museums. We particularly like the Taos Art Museum (pictured above), which was once the home of Nicolai Fechin, a Russian painter and woodcarver. The home itself is a work of the woodcarver's art, and contains a fine collection of paintings. Gift shop and original artist's studio on premises. Other museums include the Millicent Rogers Museum, the Harwood Museum of Art, the Blumenschein Home and Museum, the Hacienda Martinez, the Governor Bent House and Museum, and El Rincon Trading Post and Museum. All have small entry fees, or you can buy a pass to visit all the museums for $40.

Great Restaurants. Taos has many excellent restaurants, from great little spots to have lunch to the finest dinner cuisine. We have a collection of about 30 menus for you to peruse, and we have at least a dozen places that we can recommend with confidence. We also have small handout maps showing you where they are.

Scenic drives. Take the road to Taos Ski Valley (20 miles from the lodge) or the Enchanted Circle Drive, an 85-mile loop through Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, and Red River. If coming from Santa Fe, you might want to come or return by the spectacular "high road," which adds 40 minutes to the trip and passes through several interesting mountain villages, notably Penasco and Truchas.

Hot Springs! About 15 miles north of the Lodge, in Arroyo Hondo, turn west through interesting terrain to the John Dunn Bridge. Cross the bridge to the trailhead at the first switchback. It's an easy quarter-mile hike down to the hot springs. No fee. You may be the only ones there, or others may already be there. Plenty of room to share. Clothing optional.

Other activities. Soar over the Gorge in a balloon, go whitewater rafting (especially the Class 4 “Box” canyon), enjoy horseback riding and llama-trekking to spectacular lookouts. (The llama carries your lunch and gear; you don’t ride him.) There are also two free natural hot springs areas. Whatever your pleasure, Taos has lots to offer.

Winter Sports. Taos Ski Valley is a world-class ski resort especially appealing to expert skiers (Over 50% of slopes are Black Diamond or Double Black Diamond). The Taos Ski Valley also is known for its first-rate children’s ski school. Taos Chile Line runs a regular shuttle bus to Taos Ski Valley during ski season. Angel Fire is a newer ski area, with more gentle slopes; but it too has plenty of intermediate to expert runs. Both resorts allow both skis and snowboards. Both are 20 miles or 30 minutes from San Geronimo Lodge but in opposite directions. There is also excellent cross-country skiing nearby.

Hiking. The Divisadero Trailhead [left photo] is just a mile from the Lodge and affords a view of all Taos. At the same location on the other side of the highway are pleasant trails through the forest beside a small river. The Williams Lake Trail [right photo] starts at upper Taos Ski Valley (20 miles from the Lodge.) Hike two miles to Williams Lake (11,200 feet) situated in a magnificent alpine bowl. If you are intrepid and well-acclimated, you can ascend a rough trail through much loose scree from Williams Lake to the summit of Wheeler Peak, the highest point in New Mexico (13,063 feet.) For an easy stroll, [photo below] walk the level trail along the west rim of the Rio Grande Gorge, 12 miles from the Lodge. It starts at the bridge described earlier on this page. We have maps at the front desk showing these three and other nearby hikes.

West Rim Trail at the Rio Grand Gorge


The Soul of the Southwest. Spend a Taos, New Mexico vacation in this special place. Taoseños say that the mountain either accepts you or kicks you out. That is, you are either drawn to this captivating place or you just don't get it. It takes an open heart and an open mind. Until recently, Taos was widely known as "The Soul of the Southwest." The Town recently adopted a new official slogan —"Life at a Higher Level." This refers to the strong artistic, cultural, and spiritual currents palpable here as well as the 7,000-foot altitude. We assume "higher" does not refer to the fact that forty years ago Taos was a well-known hippie haven. Parts of "Easy Rider" were filmed here. The Mamas and the Papas (California Dreamin') used to jam at this very lodge (the San Geronimo) and so did Bo Diddly.


The Pueblo! The top tourist destination in Taos is the Taos Pueblo, just three miles from San Geronimo Lodge. It is an ancient village, continuously inhabited by Native Americans for a thousand years. Daily tours are available. Small entry fee.


The Bridge! The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is another “must-see.” It is a 1,280-foot span, cantilever, truss bridge just 12 scenic miles from the San Geronimo Lodge. It is the fifth highest bridge in the United States, rising 650 feet above the Rio Grande. You can park free and walk to the center and look down. Thrilling!


Earthships! Three miles beyond the bridge, on the right, are the famous Taos “earthships,” a mile-wide array of interestingly designed homes employing green architectural solutions. They are "off the grid," that is, completely independent of any utility connections, and tucked into the earth to facilitate both heating and cooling. Guided tour of a typical home for a small fee.


Taos Plaza! You will want to walk through the historic town plaza. Its historical architecture has been largely preserved. Good place for souvenir shops, art galleries, jewelry, ice cream, and fudge. Two-hour free parking.


Kit Carson Home! In Taos' quaint, historic environs you will find much of interest, including the Kit Carson Home and Museum. Small entry fee.


Excellent Museums! For a town of just 7,000 people, Taos has an amazing concentration of culture, with over 40 fine art galleries and many excellent museums. We particularly like the Taos Art Museum (pictured above), which was once the home of Nicolai Fechin, a Russian painter and woodcarver. The home itself is a work of the woodcarver's art, and contains a fine collection of paintings. Gift shop and original artist's studio on premises. Other museums include the Millicent Rogers Museum, the Harwood Museum of Art, the Blumenschein Home and Museum, the Hacienda Martinez, the Governor Bent House and Museum, and El Rincon Trading Post and Museum. All have small entry fees, or you can buy a pass to visit all the museums for $40.

Great Restaurants. Taos has many excellent restaurants, from great little spots to have lunch to the finest dinner cuisine. We have a collection of about 30 menus for you to peruse, and we have at least a dozen places that we can recommend with confidence. We also have small handout maps showing you where they are. Scenic drives. Take the road to Taos Ski Valley (20 miles from the lodge) or the Enchanted Circle Drive, an 85-mile loop through Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, and Red River. If coming from Santa Fe, you might want to come or return by the spectacular "high road," which adds 40 minutes to the trip and passes through several interesting mountain villages, notably Penasco and Truchas.


Hot Springs! About 15 miles north of the Lodge, in Arroyo Hondo, turn west through interesting terrain to the John Dunn Bridge. Cross the bridge to the trailhead at the first switchback. It's an easy quarter-mile hike down to the hot springs. No fee. You may be the only ones there, or others may already be there. Plenty of room to share. Clothing optional.


Other activities. Soar over the Gorge in a balloon, go whitewater rafting (especially the Class 4 “Box” canyon), enjoy horseback riding and llama-trekking to spectacular lookouts. (The llama carries your lunch and gear; you don’t ride him.) There are also two free natural hot springs areas. Whatever your pleasure, Taos has lots to offer.

Winter Sports. Taos Ski Valley is a world-class ski resort especially appealing to expert skiers (Over 50% of slopes are Black Diamond or Double Black Diamond). The Taos Ski Valley also is known for its first-rate children’s ski school. Taos Chile Line runs a regular shuttle bus to Taos Ski Valley during ski season. Angel Fire is a newer ski area, with more gentle slopes; but it too has plenty of intermediate to expert runs. Both resorts allow both skis and snowboards. Both are 20 miles or 30 minutes from San Geronimo Lodge but in opposite directions. There is also excellent cross-country skiing nearby.


Hiking. The Divisadero Trailhead [left photo] is just a mile from the Lodge and affords a view of all Taos. At the same location on the other side of the highway are pleasant trails through the forest beside a small river. The Williams Lake Trail [right photo] starts at upper Taos Ski Valley (20 miles from the Lodge.) Hike two miles to Williams Lake (11,200 feet) situated in a magnificent alpine bowl. If you are intrepid and well-acclimated, you can ascend a rough trail through much loose scree from Williams Lake to the summit of Wheeler Peak, the highest point in New Mexico (13,063 feet.) For an easy stroll, [photo below] walk the level trail along the west rim of the Rio Grande Gorge, 12 miles from the Lodge. It starts at the bridge described earlier on this page. We have maps at the front desk showing these three and other nearby hikes.
West Rim Trail at the Rio Grand Gorge

The Pueblo! The top tourist destination in Taos is the Taos Pueblo, just three miles from San Geronimo Lodge. It is an ancient village, continuously inhabited by Native Americans for a thousand years. Daily tours are available. Small entry fee.