El Prado is a small unincorporated community and census-designated place just north of Taos in north-central New Mexico, serving as a gateway to the high-desert landscapes, trails, and Taos Pueblo.
El Prado is an unincorporated suburb and census-designated place on the north side of Taos in Taos County. It sits at an elevation of 7,123 feet along U.S. Route 64 and New Mexico State Roads 150 and 522.
Explore nearby outdoor activities including Taos Pueblo, Las Petacas Campground, La Sombra Campground, Horsethief Mesa Trail, Yerba Creek, South Fork Rio Hondo, Taos Valley Overlook Trails, Italianos Creek, Orilla Verde Recreation Area, Gavilan Canyon, Columbine Creek, Rio Grande, Goose Lake, Red River, Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River, Rinconada Loop Trail, Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, and Wild Rivers Recreation Area. Catch local events such as the Habitat For Humanity Taos Volleyball Tournament and Two Step Sunday gatherings with Swingdust, The Rifters, and Green Oaks at venues including Sustenance Research Institute and DALEEE KTAOS.
El Prado lies along major routes including U.S. 64 and NM 150, with NM 522 beginning at the intersection known locally as the old blinking light. It is approximately four miles north of Taos.
El Prado sits near Taos Pueblo, home to a Tiwa-speaking Pueblo community. Photography, sketching, and commercial filming require permits and fees; some areas and all religious ceremonies prohibit cameras and recording devices entirely. Call ahead for current access, closures during ceremonial periods, and posted rules. Respect all protocols, obtain permits where required, and never photograph individuals without permission.
El Prado sits at 7,123 feet.
Yes, El Prado is an unincorporated suburb north of Taos and close to Taos Pueblo.
Permits and fees are required for photography; religious ceremonies prohibit cameras and recording. Call ahead for current guidelines.
Many accommodations in this area are owned and operated by the Pueblo or tribe and directly support the community.
Lodging is shown by Stay22, a travel partner.
Some lodging and travel links are affiliate links provided by our partner Stay22. If you book through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you — it never affects our editorial or cultural guidance. See our Privacy Policy.
A living Native community inhabited for over 1,000 years — multi-storied adobe dwellings at the base of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Las Petacas Campground in north-central New Mexico is nestled in a scenic canyon near Taos, with convenient access to the Rio Fernando de Taos for fishing. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Photography is permitted. Site count, amenities, fees, and seasonal dates are not specified; contact the managing agency for current conditions.
Every fact below was independently verified against the cited source.
La Sombra Campground is a popular Taos Canyon site in north-central New Mexico, located near Capulin Campground and Shady Brook and adjacent to the Rio Fernando de Taos for fishing. No drinking water is available on-site. Sites are first-come, first-served. Photography is permitted. Site count, fees, and seasonal dates are not listed; contact the managing agency for current conditions.
Horsethief Mesa Trail in north-central New Mexico is approximately a 12-mile loop rated at an intermediate level, featuring some technical and rocky sections along the way. Managed by the BLM Taos Field Office, the trail is open for hiking. Photography is permitted. Elevation and duration details are not listed; contact the BLM Taos Field Office for current conditions before heading out.
Yerba Creek in north-central New Mexico holds a Special Trout Water designation (Red chile, non-native suppression) from the NM Highway 150 crossing upstream to its headwaters. The creek supports Rio Grande cutthroat trout and brown trout under split regulations: native cutthroat are catch-and-release only, while non-native trout may be kept without limit; only artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook is permitted. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. Managed by the USFS Questa Ranger District and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Photography is permitted.
South Fork Rio Hondo in north-central New Mexico carries a Special Trout Water (Red chile) designation from its confluence with the Rio Hondo upstream to its headwaters, managed by the USFS Questa Ranger District. Non-native suppression is in effect; catch-and-release applies to native fish, with unlimited harvest of non-native fish, using only an artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook. A New Mexico fishing license is required. Photography is permitted.
Taos Valley Overlook Trails is a multi-use trail system of single-track loops and two-track dirt trails totaling approximately 16 miles, located 6 miles south of Ranchos de Taos on NM 68 in Taos County, northern New Mexico. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the system serves hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians on narrow dirt trails ranging from 4–6 feet wide. Open year-round, the area provides minimal shade and no facilities. Trails become impassable when muddy following heavy rain or snow melt. Pets must remain on a 6-foot leash; no overnight camping or firearms are permitted. Wildlife present includes snakes, lizards, deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and raptors.
Italianos Creek in north-central New Mexico is a Special Trout Water (Red chile designation) from the NM Highway 150 crossing upstream to its headwaters, managed by the USFS Questa Ranger District. Non-native suppression is active; regulations require catch-and-release for native fish with unlimited harvest of non-native fish, using only an artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook. A New Mexico fishing license is required. Photography is permitted.
Orilla Verde Recreation Area lies within Rio Grande del Norte National Monument in north-central New Mexico, where campgrounds provide direct river access in the Rio Grande Gorge. Managed by the BLM Taos Field Office, the area supports camping, backpacking, hiking, fishing, boating, kayaking, whitewater rafting, swimming, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and photography; a visitor center is also available. Contact the BLM Taos Field Office for current fees and conditions.
Orilla Verde Recreation Area lies within Rio Grande del Norte National Monument along the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River in north-central New Mexico. Campgrounds provide direct access to the steep-walled Rio Grande Gorge, where gentle waters with occasional small rapids support a wide range of recreational activities. Photography is permitted. Contact the BLM Taos Field Office or check the BLM listing for current fees, site availability, and conditions.
Gavilan Canyon in north-central New Mexico holds a Special Trout Water designation (Red chile, non-native suppression) from the NM Highway 150 crossing upstream to its headwaters. The stream supports Rio Grande cutthroat trout and brown trout under split regulations: native cutthroat are catch-and-release only, while non-native trout may be kept without limit; only artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook is permitted. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. Managed by the USFS Questa Ranger District and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Photography is permitted.
Taos County unit (~6,900-11,000 ft) of steep forested mountains with several peaks above 10,000 ft, forested below timberline with foothills and flats in the corners.
58°F · Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy