Santa Fe Road Trip – High Road to Taos

Last Updated on September 12, 2023 by

The High Road from Santa Fe to Taos is an iconic New Mexico Road trip. Done in conjunction with the ‘low’ road, the circuit is about 165 miles and can be completed in less than three hours without any stops, but then you’d be missing the whole point, wouldn’t you?

Departing Santa FE, you will quickly come upon Camel Rock just prior to the Tesuque Pueblo. At 40 feet high and 100 feet long, this curiously shaped rock formation has captured the imagination of locals and tourists alike. So much so that it inspired the name of the first Native American owned film company – Camel Rock Studios. She lost most of her nose in 2017, but still a pretty decent likeness.

Continuing north, you arrive in Pojoaque Pueblo and then turn right onto NM503 which is the true start of the “High Road”. If you are easily distracted, Pojoaque and Cuyamunge just before it have City of Gold and Buffalo Thunder Casinos, respectively. If you’re our age, Buffalo Thunder definitely has a multitude of musical acts you will be familiar with pretty regularly. However, for today’s trip, we are going to forego the allure of lights and easy money, and continue on the High Road to Taos.

Along the road are several very small towns dominated by the early Spanish settler influence and seemingly unchanged. You will also drive past the home of a fairly incredible metal worker/ burro trainer at Oviedo Carvings and Bronze. This man was responsible for importing burros into Afghanistan and training the locals on how to breed, raise and train them to perform in the harsh desert environment. He also happens to be a fifth or sixth generation metal worker. Don’t miss the chance to talk to this guy, unlike me, who took a moment in the sun and quickly discovered the joy of the mid-day siesta.

Once you have reached the end of NM503 you will be in Chimayo, a small town of legendary weavers including the Trujillo and Ortega families, weaving royalty. Try not to be shocked by the price based upon the size of the town, the textiles here are the culmination of multiple generations of weavers perfecting their craft and the end result is exquisite.

Also located in Chimayo is El Santuario de Chimayo, also known as the ‘Lourdes of the Southwest’. Even before the construction of the shrine in 1813, Native Americans and pilgrims of all faiths travelled here for the healing properties of the dirt. Today, it is one of the premier Catholic pilgrimage centers in the United States, attracting over 300,000 visitors annually. It is also one of the most beautiful examples of Spanish Colonial architecture in New Mexico. The principle building is the Our Lord of Esquipulas Chapel which houses the Holy dirt.

The Sanctuary also has numerous building and places of worship, including an area specifically designated for pilgrims to leave evidence of their visit.

And of course, the shoe chapel, or as it is formally known – Santo Nino Chapel. As told, in 1857 Severiano Medina promised to pilgrimage to the shrine of Santo Niño de Atocha in Plateros, Mexico. He succeeded and was given permission to construct a chapel to host the Holy Child (Jesus), thus bringing Santo Nino to the northern Rio Grande Valley . The shoes have been left by pilgrims so that the child Jesus might have new shoes as he travels on his journey to provide comfort to those in need.

Finally, don’t miss the bronze of the pilgrim while you stroll the grounds of this oasis in the New Mexico desert.

Continuing on to Taos on NM76 you will pass through Cordova, Truchas and Ojo Sarco, each with its own proud tradition of woodcarvers, artists and historic churches. Truchas may also capture your attention as the film site of ‘The Milagro Beanfield War’ by Robert Redford in 1988. Carson National Forest provides some beautiful vistas before your last stop in Taos.

Although we were incredibly disappointed COVID put the kibosh on visiting the Taos Pueblo, we were still satisfied to spend the later part of the afternoon enjoying a walk down Bent Street and the Plaza. Known for its bohemian artist scene, the downtown did not disappoint, there is art everywhere. While the many galleries may feel like you are visiting a museum, Taos features several actual museums, including the renowned Millicent Rogers Museum and the Harwood Museum of Art.

Not to mention seemingly every building falls on the National Register of Historic Places.

Once you have filled the car with all of your art purchases, it is time to head home on the low trail via NM68. Make a quick stop at San Francisco de Asis Catholic Mission Church, made famous by both Georgia O’Keefe and Ansel Adams.
If you’re lucky, you’ll see some kayakers or rafters out on the Rio Grande with some great overlooks along the route home.
One last church stop at La Iglesia de Santa Cruz de la Canada in Santa Cruz should round out your historic sites for the day.

The Santa Clara Pueblo is just down the street if you still have room in the car for some of the finest pottery in the world.