If you’re looking for the perfect way to see the gorgeous aspens in New Mexico this fall, then you need to head out on the High Road to Taos. The High Road to Taos is one of the most scenic drives in the state and well worth your time. For even more adventure, you can continue your journey on the Enchanted Circle Drive, which loops you through some of the most beautiful communities in northern New Mexico, including Taos, Questa, Red River, Eagle Nest, and Angel Fire.
Proximity to the High Road to Taos, the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, and so many more things in northern New Mexico, is one of the best things about our Bed and Breakfast in New Mexico. We’re conveniently located just off the High Road to Toas, about 35 minutes north of Santa Fe, in the charming village of Chimayó – itself a worthwhile destination!
Fall is a beautiful time of year to be here in the high deserts of New Mexico. The weather is mild, the skies are blue, and the crowds are fewer. It’s one of the best times of year to visit us at our Bed and Breakfast in New Mexico, a charming, secluded paradise located between Santa Fe and Taos. Our accommodations are perfect for solo travelers, couples, and guests traveling with pets. Get ready to dive into the best of fall in New Mexico, and book your room at our Bed and Breakfast today!
The Picture-Perfect High Road to Taos
Though most drives in northern New Mexico during the fall months will be scenic, few are more beautiful than the High Road to Taos. There is a more direct route between Santa Fe and Taos, but the High Road to Taos Scenic Byway offers a slightly slower and much more scenic route between the two cities.
Not only are the 105 miles of the High Road to Taos a more beautiful route, but they also offer access to some of the most charming mountain towns and attractions between the two cities. The entirety of the High Road to Taos Scenic Byway can take up to 2.5 hours – but that also depends on how much you stop along the way. We encourage you to stop often, as this historic route has much to see!
From gorgeous mountain vistas and plenty of golden aspens to admire to charming villages to explore, we think you’ll love every second of the drive on the scenic High Road to Taos as it skirts along and through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. As you pass through the mountain towns, take note of New Mexico’s Spanish Colonial roots on display. Some of the communities you should consider visiting along the High Road to Taos include:
- If you’re staying at our Bed and Breakfast in New Mexico, you’re in luck – as you’re situated in one of the most charming villages on the High Road to Taos, Chimayó. Here, discover the Plaza del Cerro, the southwest’s last surviving Spanish fortified plaza. Another must-see is the famed Santuario de Chimayó, believed to be built on sacred earth with miraculous healing powers. Chimayó is also famous for the weavings of the Ortega and Trujillo families, whose works are found in many local shops.
- Visit the woodcarvers of Cordova, and don’t miss the San Antonio de Padua Church, where you’ll find a magnificent large altar screen painted by Rafael Aragon.
- Truchas, an old Hispanic settlement known for its early 19th-century church, Nuestra Señora del Rosario, is a beautiful stop worth making. As you pass through town, you’ll see Truchas Peak, the second-highest peak in New Mexico. This charming town is also home to several art galleries and hosts the High Road Art Tour held the last two weekends in September.
- Yet another church worth visiting on the High Road to Taos is San Jose de Gracia in Las Trampas. It’s been standing and in use for over 225 years. The town also has some beautiful examples of Spanish Colonial architecture in the historic district.
- As you travel through the small farming community of Peñasco, you’ll enter the stunningly beautiful Carson National Forest. This is where you’ll encounter some of the most breathtaking vistas of golden aspens on the High Road to Taos.
- In Ranchos de Taos, the historic San Francisco de Asis Church is a stunning example of Spanish Colonial architecture with massive adobe buttresses and high ceilings with vigas and hand-carved corbels. It’s one of the most depicted churches in artwork and photography, including by famous artists Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams.
More Scenery on the Enchanted Circle Drive
As beautiful as the High Road to Taos is, as we mentioned, it’s just one of the many gorgeous scenic drives in northern New Mexico. You’ll find another unforgettable experience on the Enchanted Circle Drive. If you take the entire drive, you will have driven around 84 miles around northern New Mexico – a journey that will take about 2.5-3 hours – again, depending on how many times you stop.
The Enchanted Circle drive circles Wheeler Peak, the highest peak in New Mexico. As you travel around the peak, you’ll visit several charming communities in northern New Mexico, just like on the High Road to Taos. Though the Enchanted Circle Drive is beautiful any time of year, it’s breathtaking in the fall when the bright golden aspens pop in color against the evergreen Piñon Pines. Below are a few highlighted reasons to drive along the Enchanted Circle drive this fall.
- Take a stroll through the old western town of Red River.
- Get to know the local craftspeople and artisans at the Artesanos de Questa.
- Visit the former gold mining and now ghost town of Elizabethtown.
- Go mountain biking at Angel Fire Resort – it’s home to one of the best bike parks in the southwest, not to mention some great hiking in the Carson National Forest.
- Get out on the water for some fishing or paddling on the Monte Verde Lake in Angel Fire.
- Visit the Taos artists and studios.
- Visit the stunning bridge across the Rio Grande Gorge.
- Visit the Taos Pueblo, a World Heritage Site that just reopened to the public on August 4, 2022.
- Visit the San Francisco de Asis Mission Church, which is one of the most photographed and iconic churches in New Mexico.
- Explore Taos Ski Valley by foot, bike, or on horseback.
- Visit the nature lover’s paradise of Eagle Nest. This is the perfect place to launch other adventures to the Colin Neblett Federal Wildlife Area in nearby Cimarron Canyon State Park.
- Enjoy some of the best trout fishing in the southwest in the Cimarron Canyon near Eagle Nest.
Are you looking for even more scenic drives in New Mexico? It’s the perfect season to get out and explore our beautiful state. Make the most of your fall getaway, and book your room at our Bed and Breakfast in New Mexico today!
