Where to Find Navajo Rugs

Woman's Fancy manta, public domain

  One of those sought after Native American products are the beautiful Navajo Rugs. There's quite a bit of history involved as to when and how the Navajo began making these distinctive products. Historians believe that the  Navajo may have learned to weave from the Pueblo Indians when the Navajo moved into the Four Corners region of Arizona and New Mexico between the era of the 1300's to the 1500's. Some others believe that the Navajo's were not involved in weaving to perhaps the 1700's. This would have been after Spaniards entered the region. At first the Navajo's employed cotton for their weaving products but it seems that they converted over to wool after the Spaniards arrived.

There's some interesting history that might explain how the Navajo's learned the craft from the nearby pueblo peoples.While historians can document that the two different tribes did not exactly get along because of Navajo raids into pueblo territory, it appears that the two tribes did indeed forge some type of friendship after the Conquistadors entered the picture. The pueblo Indians were put into a kind of forced servitude during the first Spanish occupation of Nuevo Mexico which resulted in the bloody Pueblo Revolt of 1680. It was during and after this revolt that many pueblo Indians fled westward to the land of the Navajo.

The earliest pieces of Navajo weaving which can be dated and that are still exist today come to us from Massacre Cave in Canon del Muerto. Pieces of Navajo weaving dating to the years 1804-05 when the punitive slaughter took place in the Canon, were found circa 1900. These pieces contain a plain stripe pattern in the blanket's designs. This is considered a Navajo adaptation of the Pueblo teacher's style of design. 

Rug door on Navajo winter hogan,1880-1910

Commerce increased for the Navajo and the selling of Navajo blankets and Navajo rugs after the opening of the Santa Fe Trail in 1822. The first products on the market were blankets rather than rugs. The change to rugs happened circa 1880.

Today, there is a large market for the Navajo rug and and the Navajo blanket and many Navajo's are involved in it's commercialization. These genuine Navajo rug products today might sell for $800 and for many Navajo's this business represents their sole income. The only real obstacle for their rug industry are the many foreign imitations that are found in many shops. It's important to know what you're buying and while there are certainly many top-notch dealers of genuine Navajo rugs in the Santa Fe and surrounding area, one excellent auction venue in particular, the Crownpoint Auction,  will allow you to buy the real thing directly on the Navajo reservation.

Auctions are held usually the second Friday of each month on the Navajo reservation. The auctions is planned to start at about 7 pm and ends around 10 pm. Payment is accepted in cash, traveler checks or personal checks. The auction does not accept credit cards. The auction itself is held at the Crownpoint Elementary School in the small town of Crownpoint. The town is located about 25 miles north of Thoreau New Mexico on NM 371. The Thoreau exit on Interstate-40 is #53. Thoreau is located between gallup and Grants New Mexico. If you're in Santa Fe or on Interstate-40 in New Mexico on the auction dates, a visit to the Crownpoint Auction makes a very unique and rewarding side trip.

Buyers at the Crownpoint Rug Auction have the  unique opportunity to purchase Navajo rugs directly from the weavers themselves and prices that are well below retail. The Crownpoint Rug Weavers Association has been auctioning rugs from all over the reservation since 1968. The auction keeps growing in popularity and brings buyers from all over the United States and the world. For additional information the auction phone number is 505-787-7386.

The High Road to Taos

The High Road Art Tour

The High Road to Taos is one of the most scenic and culturally rich drives you could wish to take in northern New Mexico. It's a New Mexican artist mecca and it's also a great side trip to a Santa Fe vacation. The High Road to Taos is known as a 56 mile route through the scenic Sangre de Cristo Mountains between Santa Fe and Taos New Mexico. The route winds through Indian villages, art community towns and parts of the high desert of northern New Mexico.


Officially, the High Road to Taos begins at the intersection of US Hwy 285/84 and NM 503. This is about 17 miles north of Santa Fe. The route officially ends in Rancho de Taos where NM 518 meets NM 68. Most New Mexican's however consider the end to be at the San Francisco de Asis Mission church which is a few blocks south. While every route between Santa Fe and Taos is scenic, if time permits, taking the High Road to Taos at least once is really a must drive to take.


In a lot of ways the Spanish heritage of New Mexico is most prominent in towns along this beautiful route. The local dialect is distinctive, and area residents can claim ancestors who settled the towns in the 18th century. While some of these towns to the New Mexico tourist may seem remote and a bit closed off geographically, you'll come upon quaint art galleries which offer the authentic quality of New Mexican artwork you'll find in galleries in Santa Fe and Taos. Actually, the scenery you see while driving the route is the same scenery that has inspired many artists and artisans who live along the High Road. This area of northern New Mexico gets it's share of snow and cold weather. That's one of the reasons that ski slopes in Santa Fe and Taos attract so many winter tourists. By the same token, some, not all,  of the galleries along the High Road to Taos also stay open year round. 

Gallery in Truchas New Mexico

One special time along this famous route is during the last half of September. This is the time of the "High Road Art Tour' which takes place the last two weekends every September. The High Road Art Tour gives you the opportunity to deal directly with the artists as well as visit the tiny, historic Land Grant villages along the way. You'll be able to browse multiple crafts and all types of traditional works along with contemporary painting and arts. As art tours are concerned, this one is truly unique in many ways. The High Road Art Tour is conducted by the High Road Artisans, a volunteer-run organization. You may want to visit their website for additional information and event postings at  highroadnewmexico.com

The High Road to Taos will also pass by Chimayo which is home to El Sancturario de Chimayo,  The Chimayo Sancturario is a world renown church which dates back to the very first Spanish settlers in the area and is considered a shrine where over 300,000 visitors travel there annually. This is a must stop while driving this route. 


The drive on the High Road to Taos is an adventure and a great photo taking opportunity.

The Santa Fe Ski Basin...One of New Mexico's Most Popular Ski Areas

Santa Fe Ski Basin lodge

One of the best things about driving up to the Santa Fe Ski basin from the city is the absolutely gorgeous drive getting there. The total distance from where the road begins (Washington Street and Artist Road) is about 15 miles. This is 15 miles of winding road where you'll have some great vistas and some excellent photo opportunities. The road to the Santa Fe Ski Basin  passes directly through Hyde State Park which is about 7.5 miles up the mountain. Another 7 miles on the road past Hyde State Park and you're at the ski area. When you arrive at the top you'll find a very large parking area and a trailhead if you're wanting to hike into the high mountain back country. The Ski Santa Fe area is located within the Santa Fe National Forest and is one of the largest in New Mexico along with the Ski Taos Resort about 2 1/2 hours north of Santa Fe.

During the winter months the Santa Fe Ski Basin is popular with both local skiers and skiers from across the country and the world. Because Santa Fe is a days drive from many points in Texas, you'll see plenty of Texas license plates in the parking lot, especially around winter holiday times.


The Santa Fe Ski area is situated high in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The elevation at the Ski basin base is 10,350 feet above sea level. This elevation makes the Santa Fe Ski Basin one of the highest ski areas in the United States. In addition to that, the Millennium Triple Chairlift will take skiers to a height of 12,075 feet. That is truly high.

Santa Fe Ski Basin chairlifts

Ski equipment and snowboard rentals are available at the base lodge and lessons are always available. The lodge building also has food and beverages, lockers and a ski accessory and clothing shop. Also a great Bunny Trail for the youngsters. Another thing that has always made the ski area popular is it's close proximity to the city of Santa Fe and it's good selection of lodgings and dining. There are no overnight accommodations on top of the mountain so people stay overnight in the city and enjoy the Santa Fe sights and entertainment.

There are many things to do at and near the Ski Santa Fe area during non-winter months. Chair lift rides are available in the fall to take in the great scenery and change of colors. The mountain is filled with a mixture of Aspens and firs and when fall arrives and the Aspens change to a golden color it's quite beautiful. Another very popular endeavor all over the mountain is trail hiking.Hyde State park itself has numerous hiking trails with a good mixture easy and not so easy hikes.

Cross Country ski trails

La Piedra Trail will connect the Dale Ball Trail North to the Little Tesuque Creek Trail. The new trail means that for the first time people will be able to get on Santa Fe trails near downtown and hike, bike or run all the way up to the Santa Fe ski basin. "You would no longer have to go on paved road [Hyde Park Road] to get to the mountains," said Charlie O'Leary, executive director of the Santa Fe Conservation Trust.

The Trust is hiring a Madrid firm called Anasazi Trails to design and construct the trail. O'Leary said there will be opportunities for volunteers to join local trail-advocacy groups such as the Trails Alliance of Santa Fe and the Santa Fe Fat Tire Society to work on the trail.

There is recent new about a new connecting hiking trail to the Santa Fe Ski Basin. La Piedra Trail will connect the Dale Ball Trail North to the Little Tesuque Creek Trail. For the first time people will be able to get on Santa Fe trails near the downtown area and hike, bike or run all the way up to the Santa Fe Ski Basin. No longer will people need to go only on the paved road [Artist Road/Hyde Park Road] to get up the mountain. The new trail is part of the Santa Fe Conservation Trust and is on 50 acres of Conservation Trust land that the organization is conveying to Santa Fe County. The new trail should be completed by the end of December 2011.

Native Indian Art in Santa Fe

Southwest Indian artwork is the most distinctive and the best-known of Native American artistic traditions. Southwest Indian designs are easily recognizable. Anyone who takes a Santa Fe vacation or weekend trip will immediately notice the large array of Native American pueblo art at many venues throughout the city. Santa Fe probably has the best selection of native art including jewelry than anywhere else in New Mexico. Most of the Native Indian art you see is made by the Pueblo Indians who are comprised of some nineteen tribes in New Mexico as well as the Hopi villages in neighboring Arizona.

Kachina

When you peruse the selection of Native American art items in front of the Palace of the Governors, you will see an excellent display of pueblo art work. The traditional products of the Pueblo Indians include pottery, basketry, cotton and wool textile weaving, moccasin making, drum making, painting, turquoise jewelry, bow and arrow making and cottonwood root carving.The fact is, most of these items you see today were at one time utilized in everyday living. What's also quite interesting is that each item of southwest Native American jewelry has a degree of historical significance. Information is still being learned every year as to the geographical origins ans spiritual meaning of much of what you now see displayed. Archeology digs continue in the American Southwest and I would expect more historical facts will be uncovered. There is still much to be learned of the ancient Anasazi who predated the pueblo Indian tribes of the Southwest.


A few very interesting and historical items you'll see a lot of while touring Santa Fe are kachina's and kokopelli's. The kachina, where there are more than 400 different ones in the Hopi and Pueblo culture, can represent anything in the natural world or cosmos. It can include a revered ancestor to an element, a location, a quality, a natural phenomenon, or a concept. The kachina theme is that there is something alive in absolutely every element of the universe. The kokopelli is another interesting piece of symbolic art work. The Kokopelli character is very prominent in the Anasazi culture  and found in a number of Native American cultures. The kokopelli figure represents a mischievous trickster or the minstrel, a spirit of music. The kokopelli is always seen in a dancing pose with a flute. His whimsical nature, charitable deeds, and strong spirit give him an important position in Native American mysticism. The kokopelli, for thousands of years, has been a very significant and sacred figure to Native Americans in the southwest. This was part of the culture of the Anasazi going back centuries.

Another often seen Pueblo Indian art item is the turquoise jewelry piece. Turquoise is a highly prized gemstone of great historical and cultural importance in the American Southwest. Turquoise is not found everywhere. This mineral deposit called Turquoise, is really found in a limited geographical area in the Southwestern U.S. Additionally, some amounts are found in western South America and a very limited amount can be found in Mexico.

Untreated turquoise

For sale and on display in Santa Fe is also a very good collection of silver jewelry.There have been many studies undertaken as to when the Navajo began producing silver art products. All seem to agree that a Native named Atsidi Sani, meaning Old Smith,  was the first Navajo silversmith. He is thought to have learned the blacksmith trade in the early 1850s and may have even worked with silver in the early 1860s. What is also known is that a full line of silver jewelry could be found throughout the navajo reservation during the 1880's. The early Navajo silver work comprised concha belts, bracelets, bow guards, tobacco flasks and necklaces. Later, items such as rings, earrings, pins, hair ornaments, buckles and bolos could be found. Turquoise was a very popular stone of the Navajo and appeared in Navajo silver jewelry around 1880. An interesting historical note regarding the Navajo was their often times strained relations with the Spanish, Mexican and American rulers in the present day New Mexico and Arizona region. At one time they were literally marched to Fort Sumner to the south and put on a reservation. There's an interesting story about Kit Carson's involvement in this expedition.

Hopi kokopelli

Native American pottery which includes Hopi pottery can be traced back some two thousand years. One thing which is still a subject of some debate is how it was discovered that you could form useful objects by heating clay to high temperatures. Some researchers think it happened independently whereas others contend that it made it's way to the Southwest from Mesoamerica (Mexico and Central America). Another rather simple theory floated was that the Native Americans saw that when lining their cooking baskets with clay they noticed that the clay would harden by the heat and create a hard surface. The Southwest Native Americans almost saw their pottery making go by the wayside after the white settlements in the Southwest grew. The trade routes including the railroad brought in glazed vessels and metal cookware. These products from the east almost flooded the market. Pueblo pottery however, while certainly having a utilitarian purpose, also had a spiritual meaning for the Pueblo peoples. This is similar to other art work items produced by southwest tribes. For these people, pottery has a spirit. It is a product of the Mother Earth and this is the basis of pueblo culture which again dates back to the Anasazi. So while pottery was produced and somewhat similar products from the east entered the region, the spiritual significance of Native American pottery remained in place to this very day. native American pottery could never be replaced.

Because Southwest Indian artwork is so highly popular there are a lot of fake knock-offs. When you're buying jewelry and other Native American  art be sure to check out the source thoroughly. There are many locations in Santa Fe that certainly do trade in genuine Native American produced products. As an example, the Native Americans who sell their hand made wares in front of the Palace of the Governors on the plaza are licensed vendors. The license is meant to assure that what is being sold there is the genuine thing.

The Burning of Zozobra / Santa Fe's "Old Man Gloom"

If you're planning a trip to Santa Fe New Mexico after the summer season, in early September, there are plenty of things to do in Santa Fe. 

The burning of Zozobra goes all the way back to 1924. Today, it's estimated that some 40,000 people attend this event every year in Santa Fe at Fort Marcy Park. Zozobra is a part of Fiesta in Santa Fe and each year the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe organizes the event where the fifty foot tall marionette is burned in effigy. Fiesta in Santa Fe commemorates the return of the Spaniards twelve years after their withdrawal from Nuevo Mexico due to the very violent Pueblo Revolt in 1680. The Spaniards return was led by Diego de Vargas and represented a new and more tranquil chapter of Spanish Native American relations. The festival therefore is a very positive event in Santa Fe history. Although compared to the first Fiesta in 1712, Zozobra was a 20th century creation.


The creation of Zozobra and the part it plays in the celebration of Fiesta Santa Fe started in 1924 with the creation of Zozobra by renowned Santa Fe artist Will Schuster. Schuster along with several artist friends developed Zozobra as an addition to the positive Fiesta spirit. The idea certainly caught on and will be approaching it's 100 year milestone. In 1963 the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe became involved with staging the burning in effigy event and a year later in 1964 the Kiwanis Club took over the entire Zozobra celebration and was given all rights and title to Zozobra from Will Schuster. Today the Zozobra burning is entirely a Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe annual event. There is a nominal fee to attend the burning of Zozobra and the proceeds are given to charitable organizations.


The Zozobra burning kicks off the Fiesta Santa Fe event which begins the weekend after Labor Day. The burning of Zozobra signifies the ridding of "old man gloom", which is exemplified in the fifty foot tall marionette. The Zozobra burning takes place at Santa Fe's historic Fort Marcy Park, a little under a mile north of the plaza. For Santa Fe tourists staying at Santa Fe hotels near the plaza area, Fort Marcy Park is within walking distance to the north and in most cases for those tourists a car ride isn't necessary.


The official story of how Will Schuster came up with the concept of Zozobra is quite interesting. The story is that Schuster drew his idea of Zozobra from a celebration that went on with Mexico's Yaqui Indians. The Yaqui's created an image of Judas which was filled with firecrackers and paraded around town on a donkey before being lit on fire and destroyed. Schuster and a newspaper friend of his reportedly came up with the name "Zozobra" which is defined as"anguish and anxiety" or otherwise known as gloom. Thus Zozobra represents "old man gloom" and the burning is a doorway to the return of happiness and tranquility. It fits very well with the spirit of Santa Fe's Fiesta Week.


It' quite a thing to attend the Zozobra buring each September. The wood and cloth marionette is constructed to move it's arms and head. The figure also growls. Before the structure is burned in effigy there is a ceremony in front of the tall marionette by a "fire spirit dancer" who dressed in a red robe drives away the white sheeted gloom found at the base of the Zozobra figure. The ceremony takes place after sunset so the visual display of the dancing and burning is quite spectacular. As the burning ritual begins toward the last part of the ceremony you can hear attendees shout out the words, "burn him". The Zozobra event has always been a favorite of children and it's noted that children often arrive at Fort Marcy Park in the morning to watch the work being done in erecting the fifty foot tall figure to it's place at the park. 

According to Zozobra's website, zozobra.com , what is called a "gloom box" is placed near the TV stage by the Lost and Found on the day of the burning. People bring notes, legal papers, essentially anything they wish to get rid of and place it inside the gloom box. The gloom box is then placed inside Zozobra just prior to the burning. The gloom box is also available during August at the Santa Fe Reporter offices on Marcy Street.

The 2012 burning of Zozobra will be on Thursday evening September 6th. You may wish to mark your calendar.

(Photos from author's private collection)

Santa Fe's Original Trading Post / Native American Art

Original Trading Post historic building

Trading posts were as important in the old west as were the settlers who migrated there from the east. In fact, history books will point out that the trading posts were in operation prior to the settlers arrival. First of all the trading posts were quite important to the Native Americans who inhabited the southwest before the white migration took place. The trader often was considered a friend of the Indian and at times interceded on their behalf with the U.S. Government. What was of utmost importance was that the trader had credibility with the Native Americans. One of the more historically famous old frontier trading posts was the Hubbell Trading Post on the Navajo reservation in northeastern Arizona. That trading post is also fully operational today and open for business.


When visiting Santa Fe, if you walk a block west of the Santa Fe plaza down San Francisco Street, you will come to what claims to be the original Santa Fe Trading Post. The address is 201 W. San Francisco St. and the pre 1840 trading post building is now protected by Santa Fe's "Preservation Easement Program". Essentially, the program stipulates that the property cannot be demolished, subdivided or obstructed. There of course are several building in and around Santa Fe that are protected structures.


As the trading post business went, Santa Fe was an ideal location to do business. The town of course was a major commerce destination because of the famous Santa Fe Trail. Native American art was a popular attraction. The pueblo Indians produced excellent jewelry and pottery which attracted business from locals and tourists alike. Eventually Santa Fe would grow at the end of the Mexican American War and with the building of the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad.The railroad in many ways helped the local Native American artists to benefit from their unique craft. The Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad not only brought the tourists to town but they also helped the pueblo Indians purchase the tools necessary to better perfect their craft. The La Fonda Hotel which at one time was operated by Fred Harvey in conjunction with the railroad was a major venue for Native American art. These Indian artists displayed and sold their authentic Indian art pieces inside the hotel lobby. Quite a unique sight for first time visitors to the Southwest.

La Fonda Hotel

Turquoise jewelry and Native American jewelry are very popular. These types of jewelry are perfect for enhancing both your formal and casual attire. In Santa Fe you'll have no difficulty finding beautiful hand crafted jewelry produced by skilled Pueblo Indian jewelry artists. 

As most people know who have visited Santa Fe, the Native American artists who sell their art products daily in front of the Palace of the Governors bordering the north side of Santa Fe plaza, display a very large and interesting collection of jewelry, pottery and all types of creative Indian art items. Turquoise, kachinas, pottery, earrings..all are authentic and plentiful. The Native American vendors program at the Palace of the Governors makes sure you get legitimate art rather than fake knock-offs. The Indian  artists licensed to sell there come from pueblos near and far, bringing their uniqueness. In addition, when browsing you also have the opportunity to meet the artists themselves.

While you're marveling over the highly creative art items offered by the Palace of the Governors Indian artists you may also want to go inside and peruse the Palace itself. It's one of Santa Fe's most historic buildings. The Palace of the Governors is thought to be the oldest continuously occupied building in the United States, having house the Spanish government of Nuevo Mexico. It's also been a National Historic Landmark since 1960. The Palace of the Governors chronicles the history of Santa Fe, and the entire New Mexico region. I would also recommend a visit to the New Mexico History Museum which is located in the new building adjoining the north side of the Palace of the Governors. The displays change and this relatively new structure is probably one of the very best history museums in the state.The museum houses native Americans art as well as photos, documentation and unique displays about Santa Fe's development.

The Shrine of El Sancturario de Chimayo

When you're visiting Santa Fe New Mexico, there is a very unique side trip which attracts people from all over the world. You would certainly find this enjoyable northern New Mexico side trip to definitely be a one of a kind and a visit not to be missed.


The photo at left is of the beautiful El Sanctuario de Chimayo located in the very scenic town of Chimayo New Mexico. It is a Roman Catholic church, a part of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and a shrine. The church is a National Historic Landmark.


This Catholic church and shrine is noted for the amazing story of it's founding. In the early 1800's the land where the shrine now stands belonged to Don Bernardo Abeyta who was one of the few original settlers in that area. In 1810, a relative, Fernando Abeyta, built a small chapel on the site named Christ of Esquipulas which was the name of a pilgrimage site in Guatemala.

There are a few different versions of events of how the site became world famous as a shrine. One is that Abeyta or a Spanish friar saw a shining bright light and proceeded to dig up a crucifix from where the light was emanating from. They gave the crucifix to Father Sebastian Alverez, a nearby parish priest, who took it to the Chimayo church. The story is that the crucifix strangely kept disappearing and then reappearing at the site where it was first discovered. This supposedly happened three times. It was at this point that all involved decided to build a chapel directly on this site to keep the crucifix.


Another version is that Abeyta was sick and saw a vision of his patron saint, San Esquipa, and when he went to where the saint appeared, and knelt in prayer, he was cured.


The third version of events says that the crucifix was brought to the area by a priest from Esquipulas along with the first Spanish settlers. The priest was reportedly killed by Indians and buried with the crucifix. The body and the crucifix were unearthed by floods in 1810 and local people dedicated the chapel and shrine to the Christ of Esquipulas. While no one knows for sure which event is accurate, the site has been called the "Lourdes of America" by many pilgrims. What is known as fact is that in 1813 Father Alverez sent a letter to the Episcopal See of Durango telling them of the healing going on at Sanctuario Chimayo. In this letter Father Alvarez chronicled some of the stories given to him by people traveling to the chapel to be healed.



There are two historic buildings on the site. One is the church El Sancturario de Chimayo and the other is what is called "el pocito" which is a pit of holy dirt which many people claim has miraculous curative powers. There are also many historic pieces of Spanish art within the chapel. I think you'll find a very good collection of New Mexican art there. Today you will find many visitors who take the soil as a curative for themselves or for people in need who are unable to make the journey to Chimayo. This practice has been going on for 200 years.


During Holy Week each year some 30,000 people travel to El Sancturario de Chimayo from all over the world. Some pilgrims are noted to walk all the way from Albuquerque to Sanctuario Chimayo each year, a distance of aboput 90 miles. If you are traveling the highways between Albuquerque and Santa Fe at that time of the year you will most likely see some of these pilgrims on their long journey. What started out as a remote holy site which was visited by the Indians, turned into a mecca for the Spaniards, the Mexicans after them and then to people from overseas.

The church property stayed in the Abeyta family for over a century until 1929 when the church and surrounding property was turned over to the Spanish Colonial Arts Society who then turned it over to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.

A visit to El Sancturario de Chimayo is an excellent addition to your New Mexico vacation planner. As you can see from the pictures, the chapel and grounds are beautiful and the ride from Santa Fe is a great picture taking opportunity.

To reach El Sancturario de Chimayo from Santa Fe go north on US Hwy 285 toward Espanola. Drive north about 20 miles and then turn right on County Road 88. Go about 3 miles and then turn right on NM 76 and you'll be in Chimayo. As you can see it's a fairly short drive and i might add quite a scenic one.

The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge / Northern New Mexico

Very often when people are vacationing in Santa Fe New Mexico they take a drive up to Taos to explore that scenic art community and world renown resort. Depending on how many stops you make along the way, the drive to Taos takes about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.


The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is a fascinating steel structure spanning the Rio Grande River 10 miles northwest of Taos New Mexico. The bridge is 1,280 feet in length and rises about 650 feet over the Rio Grande River. The Rio Grande Gorge bridge was dedicated in September 1965. It is the third highest bridge in the U.S. The two higher spans are the Royal Gorge Bridge (1053 ft) over the Arkansas river in Colorado and the New River Gorge Bridge (876 ft) over the New River in West Virginia.

Taos County, NM

Needless to say, the scenery around the bridge is breathtaking, especially when you view the gorge from the middle of the bridge. When you look down and see the Rio Grande River it appears to be a little strip of water winding it's way through the gorge. It's a terrific picture taking opportunity. The photo shown below is of the Rio Grande Gorge as taken from the middle of the bridge. The bridge is on Route 64 which is one of the more traveled roads between New Mexico and Colorado to the north. The area geologic formations are quite spectacular and ancient Native American petroglyphs are found along the walls of the gorge.

The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is one of America's highest spans. The bridge is also historic having received the American Institute of Steel Construction’s award for “Most Beautiful Long Span Steel Bridge” of 1966. In 1997 the bridge was also added to the list National Register of Historic Places. You will also have easy access to walk across the bridge during your visit with ample parking areas located on both sides of the bridge. The bridge was designed well for pedestrian traffic. While the bridge is in a relatively remote area it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in northern New Mexico. Several motion picture scenes have been shot at the bridge and the vistas which abound make the site very popular with artists and photographers.

A visit to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge makes an excellent side trip during your visit to Taos. Taos offers a fine selection of art galleries, restaurants in all price ranges, the Kit Carson Home and Museum and the famous Taos Pueblo just a couple of miles north of town. During the summer months there is a good deal rafting on the Rio Grande both white water rafting and the more relaxing variety. The gorge area of the river is the best for white water rafting enthusiasts.The steep pocketed ridges on the gorge walls make the area very popular with some rock climbers.

To reach the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge from Taos, drive north out of town on Route 64 and follow it as it turns westward about 4 miles north of Taos. It's about another 6 miles. It makes a good addition to your New Mexico vacation planner. Well worth the effort to see it.


(Photos are from author's private collection. Map is public domain)