When Is the Best Time
What makes Taos so unique is Taos Pueblo is considered the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the United States and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. Most of the houses are still in use today, dating back from between 1000 and 1450 AD.
Taos in New Mexico is located in the high desert. This means high temperatures in the summer and unpleasant winters. Half of the year, from November to April, the night temperatures are below freezing.
Although most people travel to New Mexico in the summer, it is not the best time. The best time to visit Taos in New Mexico is May to mid-June and from late September until October. It is less busy during these months, and hotels and campgrounds still have availability. We travelled to the southwest last year in June, and it was scorching on some of the days.
Weather Taos - New Mexico
New Mexico is famous for having more than 300 hours of sunshine. We visited the area in January 2023, and we had 14 sunny days just half a day was rainy. Usually, we travel to the southwest in September and May, but this time we tried out the off-season which I highly recommend.
Spring (March-May)
March is still cold, around 54°F/ 12°C, and in contrast, May is pleasant, around 70°F/21°C. In March, the first wildflowers appear after the light winter rain. 2023 is different, and due to climate change, the desert experienced more rain than ever. The first bloom started at already the end of January. It is a great time in March and April if you do not mind the colder temps. It is not crowded, and you can look for a hotel last minute except for Easter. It becomes busier in May therefore it almost feels like summer.
Summer (late June - Mid-September)
Taos, in the south of the US, has a desert climate and doesn't receive much precipitation. However, in the hot summer months of July and August, heavy thunderstorms and flooding occur. The summer day temperatures easily climb up to 95°F. Usually, summer is the "wettest" time of the year.
Autumn (late-September-November)
Late September and October are also great months for Taos and New Mexico. September is a more pleasant summer month and in October the fall foliage peaks. November though is a little chilly with temps around 50°F/10°C
Winter (December - February)
Taos is located at 2,120 m/ 7,000 ft because of this altitude, it can get very cold here. This region is also popular for skiing. Day temperatures are frequently in the 30's F, but nights are always around 14°F./-10°C The sky is often clear, and the sun warms up Taos during the day.
Avoiding Crowds
If you like to experience the solitude without the crowds you have two options; either visit early morning the Taos Pueblo when they open at 9 am or come in the winter. Another pro for early morning is the great light for photographing especially in the hot summer.
Opening Hours
The Taos Pueblos are open from 9 am until 5 pm though the last tour and admission at 4 pm.
CLOSED: Tuesday and Wednesday (the quietest days of the week elsewhere)
Best Months to Visit
Location and Tips
Taos Pueblo was built between 1,000 and 1,450 AD, making it one of the two oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the Southwest. The pueblo was built of adobe, a mixture of earth, water, and straw poured into brick modules and dried in the sun.
The buildings, up to five stories high, have a roof of tree trunks and branches, covered with adobe. The exterior walls are constantly maintained by applying new layers of mud as plaster. In the past, the rooms had neither windows nor doors. Access was by ladders through openings in the ceiling only. Today, although entrance doors and windows have been installed, there are still no connecting doors between the individual rooms. There is no running water or electricity in the pueblo.
Where to Stay: Browse the best hotels in Taos, NM here: Accommodations in Taos New Mexico
These pictures were provided by my friend and excellent photographer Ray Downs for my first project, when to be where.
