Guide to the Best High Road to Taos Stops.
When planning a trip to Taos from Santa Fe, don’t miss out on experiencing the best High Road to Taos stops.
The High Road to Taos is a scenic drive through the mountains of northern New Mexico, offering breathtaking views and charming small towns along the way.
I heard about this scenic road in New Mexico many times. After several visits to New Mexico from home south of Dallas, Texas, we finally drove the road last summer.
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In this article, I’ll highlight the historic adobe churches we saw along the road, which I believe are the best stops between Santa Fe and Taos.
Interestingly, the New Mexico True magazine summer edition of 2023 suggested visiting historic churches on the High Road to Taos as one of the 5 Must Do’s in North Central New Mexico. Although they mentioned five churches, we saw six churches on our drive.
The Best High Road to Taos Stops From Santa Fe
On this trip to New Mexico, we stayed in Eagle Nest on the Enchanted Circle. We took the Low Road to Taos from Eagle Nest to Santa Fe.
After wandering around Santa Fe Plaza, including visiting the old churches of Santa Fe, we drove the High Road to Taos on the way back to Eagle Nest.
I have been obsessed with adobe architecture since we visited Santa Fe for the first time. We were on our trip to the southwest, and I immediately fell in love with the Adobe architecture. I found them uniquely beautiful!
Lucky me! All the churches we saw along the road to Taos are adobe churches. Let’s check them out with me.
1. Sagrado Corazon de Jesus Church
The Sagrado Corazon de Jesus (Sacred Heart of Jesus) church was one of the first Catholic churches established in the area. Its history dates back to the early 1600s and is influenced by many of the ancestors of the people who live in Nambe.
Unfortunately, the church was burned down during Holy Week in 1946. But with the help of the community, the church was quickly rebuilt. In 1959, the Archbishop of Santa Fe officially recognized the Sagrado Corazon de Jesus parish.
The church is about two miles east of Highway 84/285 on NM 503. It’s at the beginning of High Road to Taos scenic byway. You will see it on the right-hand side of the road.
This beautiful church has been the object of many artists for years. Unfortunately, the church was not open during our visit.
Mass time: Sunday, 8.30 a.m.
Address: 192 NM-503, Santa Fe, NM 87506.
2. El Santuario de Chimayo
El Santuario is one of the favorite pilgrimage destinations in the United States, especially during Easter. You may or may not want to visit the sanctuary during this season.
There are two historical chapels at the El Santuario de Chimayo.
The first one is the Lord of Esquipulas chapel. It is famous for its six-foot crucifix and healing dirt. The altarpieces and packages of the chapel reminded me of the oldest church in Santa Fe, San Miguel Chapel.
Unfortunately, visitors were not allowed into the chapel during my visit. I got to see it from outside the door. A sign read no photography inside, so I didn’t take any pictures.
The chapel’s yard was blooming with beautiful flowers. It was also in front of the second chapel, Santo Nino de Atocha Chapel.
Santo Nino was built in 1857. It is the destination of the Easter pilgrimage.
I could walk into the chapel, but photography is not allowed.
The altar looks similar to the Lord of Esquipulas chapel, with gold color dominating the interior. There were lots of children’s pictures on the walls. I’m not a Catholic, so I didn’t understand why they were there, except nino means a child.
Two other chapels were built not too long ago: Holy Family Chapel and Native American Chapel. I didn’t go inside, only picked through the door.
You can also stop at the Welcome Center and gift shops. I didn’t stop here because I think the souvenirs are more related to Catholicism.
The main parking lot is at the bottom. There is a Station of the Cross that leads to the chapel complex. You can walk through the stations or take another path that will take you straight to the chapel complex. I chose this way. At the end of the paved, you will walk up a little because of the topography of the sanctuary.
Dogs are allowed, but probably only on the chapel’s ground.
Chapels hours:
– Christ of Esquipulas Chapel: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (October-April), 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (May-September)
– Santo Nino de Atocha Chapel: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (October-September)
Mass time: Monday through Saturday 11 a.m., Sundays 10.30 a.m. in Spanish and noon in English at the Lord of Esquipulas.
Address: 15 Santuario, Chimayo, NM 87522.
From Nambe, it’s around 8.3 miles going north. Go on NM-503/High Road to Taos for 5.7 miles, and turn left onto 98/Juan Medina Rd/High Road to Taos for 2.4 miles. The destination will be on the right.
3. San Antonio de Padua Church
San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church was founded in 1832. It houses retablos (altar screens) and bultos (carvings of saints) created by Jose Rafael Aragon, a famous New Mexico santeros (carver) who lived from 1795-1862.
Over time, the altar screen and carvings eroded. In November 2021, a group of three New Mexico santeros began conservation work, and it was completed in March 2022.
Unfortunately, the church was closed during our visit. Nowadays, it is used mainly for feast days and Holy Week Masses. That’s when you should come if you want to see the interior of the church.
Mass time: Noon, 2 and 4 p.m., Sunday & Monday, June, July, and August.
Address: 185 CR 80, Cordova, NM.
Cordova is about 5 miles (11 minutes drive) from Chimayo. From High Road to Taos, turn right to small town Cordova to the church.
4. Nuestra Senora del Rosario Church
Nuestra Senora del Rosario was built in 1764 and it contains an altar screen and bultos like the other Catholic churches on this High Road to Taos.
The church is still used for worship during the summer months, but I was visited on Friday. So, I couldn’t walk into the church.
There is a painted Our Lady of the Rosary under the tip of the roof, above a window, that you can’t miss.
Mass time: Sunday, 8.30 a.m. June, July, and August.
Address: 1664 NM-76, Truchas, NM 87578.
It is almost 14 miles (18 minutes drive) from Cordova.
5. San Jose de Gracia Church
San Jose de Gracia Church is one of the best examples of Spanish Colonial architecture in New Mexico. The Spanish settlers built the church in 1760, about nine years after they settled the Las Trampas village.
At that time, the church was within the village. There was a defensive wall with low buildings packed around a central plaza to help protect its earliest inhabitants from the Indian attacks.
Today, the church is the only building that remains from those years. Other buildings around the square were built in the 1850s.
The church was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970. You won’t miss it because the location is by the highway.
San Jose de Gracia is still an active parish church. Unfortunately, I was visiting on Friday. If I visited on Saturday or Sunday, I might be able to go inside.
Mass time: Saturdays at 6 p.m. Sundays at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Address: 2377-2381 NM-76, Chamisal, NM 87521.
Las Trampas Village in Chamisal is around 7.6 miles (10 minutes drive) from Truchas.
6. San Francisco de Asis Mission Church
At the end of your road trip from Santa Fe to Taos stands the last church, San Francisco de Asis Church.
It is a favorite subject for artists because of its sculpted body and imposing form. They favored the view of the back of the church that I didn’t have a picture of. Too many cars were parked the day we were there so I couldn’t take a beautiful picture.
Ansel Adams photographed the church for his Taos Pueblo art book and Georgia O’Keeffe painted a series of perspectives of the church.
The Franciscans supervised the construction of the historic church between 1772 and 1816. It is open year-round to visitors, Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The plaza offers shopping, food, and art galleries.
In 1967, the church went through a major restoration. Workers applied a hard plaster to protect the exterior and prevent future damage. Unfortunately, the hard plaster proved to be damaging.
Since that time, every year for two weeks in June, citizens of Ranchos de Taos, parish members, and visitors gather to re-mud the exterior of the adobe church with a mixture of mud and straw.
Mass times: 1st and 5th Saturdays at 5 p.m. Sunday, 8 a.m. (in Spanish) and 10 a.m. Tuesday to Friday at 7 a.m.
Address: 60 St Francis Plaza, Ranchos De Taos, NM 87557.
From Chamisal to Ranchos de Taos is about a 40-minute drive (28.8 miles.) You will drive through Carson National Forest.
It may be the last church, but High Road to Taos doesn’t stop here. Continue to Taos Plaza, check out the Taos Pueblo, and drive or walk through the Rio Grande Bridge.
If you stay in Santa Fe, take the low road to Taos on the way back.
Is the High Road to Taos a Scary Drive?
Not at all! Just because you will drive from elevation 5,800 feet to over 8,000 feet, it doesn’t mean you will see steep drops or sharp turns. The road is wide. The only narrow ones are in the small towns when you are looking for churches.
High Road to Taos from Santa Fe is one of the scenic byways in New Mexico that you must take. I plan to drive on it again during the fall season.
Based on what I saw from the New Mexico Tourism Board’s social media, the High Road to Taos looks prettier with leaves along Carson National Forest changing colors.
How far is Taos from Santa Fe?
Two major roads connect the two cities: High Road to Taos and Low Road to Taos.
High Road to Taos is about 72.5 miles with a driving time of around 1 hr and 35 min. But that’s not without stops.
The Low Road to Taos is slightly shorter at 65.9 miles. The driving time is around 1 hour and 20 min. without any stop.
Which is better, the high road or the low road to Taos?
People have different opinions on this. I suggest you take both roads to see the differences.
On Low Road to Taos, you will drive along the Rio Grande River on State Highway 68. We didn’t make any stops, but we saw lots of people doing white-water rafting. It looked cool that I decided to do it next time we are in Santa Fe or Taos.
Best High Road to Taos Stops Map
Umiko, your detailed guide to the Best High Road to Taos Stops is wonderfully informative and engaging. Your personal anecdotes and practical information make it a valuable resource for travelers. The inclusion of a map enhances its usability. Well done!
Wow! I had no idea that there are so many church in this route. I am Catholic and I would love to visit each one of them. Thank you for sharing the mass schedules as well. That is very helpful.
Also, will take your advice to take both the high and low roads.
This sounds like a pilgrim’s road! Such an awesome drive. The Sacred Heart resonated with me as I visit the Sacred Heart Cathedral often in Delhi and I have studied in theSacred Heart Convent. I would like to do the white water rafting too, as I have never tried that ever.
I’m glad this article brought something closer to your heart.
I would love to do this road trip driving on the high road from Santa Fe to Taos. A road trip is always more interesting when there are stops en route. It is lovely to see so many churches of diffierent designs. Sagrado Corazon de Jesus Church and San Jose Gracious church have some similarities in design – a balcony at the level above the main entrance – making it impressive. Santo Nino de Atocha Chapel in El Santuario de Chimayo has a very beautiful exterior. I have not been to this part of the USA and it’s time I did a visit soon. 🙂
You are right, Jen! These churches are unique and beautiful. You must visit this part of the U.S. The architecture is different from the east coast or west coast.
Dear Umiko, I absolutely love reading about your road trips. Visiting churches along the way sounds quite interesting, actually. The traditional mud brick architecture reminds me of mosques I have seen in Africa. But then, I guess it is a similar dry climate.
I never thought that the dry climate played an important role in this mud brick architecture. I always wondered why Indonesia (my home country) didn’t think about using this technique. Well, it’s too humid over there.
I love driving mountain roads, the scenery is always so pretty. And even better when there are so many places to stop along the way. You can definitely make an entire day trip by driving this road, with so many interesting churches along the way. I am intrigued by the architecture of most of these churches – if I would pass by, I wouldn’t think that most of them were churches. The San Jose de Gracia Church stands out to me though its Spanish Colonial architecture. I would definitely like to visit it.
Once you are learned about the adobe architecture in Santa Fe and surrounding areas, you won’t miss most of these churches. They look similar with a little tweak here and there.
I love the idea of taking the high road to Taos from Santa Fe. And we would want to try to see all 6 churches you saw! The different designs are very interesting. But always sad when you visit and visitors are not allowed inside. Or when visits limit photography. It would be very interesting to see the art created by Ansel Adams and Georgia O’Keefe. Good idea to try both the high and low roads!
Right? Visiting with limited photography or not allowed inside is a bummer.
This is so interesting! I don’t normally seek this out on trips, but I’m really intrigued and want to add this to my trip ideas list!
Your post is a reminder that I have so much left to experience in the US. The architecture of the churches is so beautiful, almost like you’re being transported to another country.
Saving this for when we visit (we keep talking about visiting Santa Fe and Taos but haven’t made it yet). I like the look of Lord of Esquipulas Chapel in El Santuario but all of the churches look worth a stop on the way to Taos.
Santa Fe and Taos are some of the places in the U.S. that are still underrated. You will be amazed once you visit the state.
Ooooh this is really interesting. I have never seen architecture quite like those historic adobe churches. The smooth lines and old doors are so charming. It’s sooo different from churches that are a similar age in Spain!
The scenery along the high road looks fabulous too!
I think it’s because they followed the local’s architecture when they built the churches.
The San Francisco de Asis Mission Church looks really cool. I love the exterior!