Taos Pueblo

I loved the Taos Pueblo! We went on a day trip from Santa Fe in July 2024. It was a very hot day but we still enjoyed walking around. It was bigger than I thought - I had seen pictures of the main building but didn't realize it was a whole village. Beautiful architecture. It's a picturesque spot with lovely mountains in the background. You can't go everywhere, but can still see a lot. Our tour guide was a young woman from the Taos Pueblo who was in college but came back in the summers, and had some interesting perspectives on both historic and modern life in the pueblo. There weren't too many people there, but we also enjoyed talking with a few of the shopkeepers. A really unique experience! We saw interesting abandoned pueblo ruins in New Mexico at Bandolier National Monument (which I highly recommend) and also Pecos National Historic Site, but at Taos it's amazing because the pueblo has not been abandoned, it's been kept up for 1000 years using the same techniques. A must see if you're interesting in Native American history and life.

We just did a trip visiting all three Pueblo WHS in the Four-Corners area: Mesa Verde, Chaco Culture and lastly Taos Pueblo as a theme. The first two are managed by NPS while Taos Pueblo is managed by locals. The first impression was that it is a money-making enterprise, they charged admissions of $22 pp. The guided tour started with an introduction of the Pueblo cultural history, but it was everything we have already heard at the other parks and less. We had expected a perspective from a Native but the guide seemed to just read the information from the NPS brochure. She did not forget to ask for a gratuity. We asked about the painting of a girl in the church, but she did not know the identity of the subject. 

The site viewed from the outside was not that different from many other adobe style buildings. The residential areas are not open to the public, which is understandable, but the only houses that were open are the ones selling high-priced souvenirs and baked goods. We had expected to see an exhibit sample residence.

This WHS was probably designated due to "continued residential use", but as a site, it was not worth visiting given all that's around in the area.

June 2012 - After having spent a highschoolyear in Colorado in 2004/05 I finally wanted to come back to visit my hosts, and to show my now wife, how intersting and adventurous the USA is. We landed in Denver, spent 2 nights with my hosts and began a 3,5 week roadtrip. Our first night was in Sand Dunes NP, next morning we continued to Taos. Taos is a small Santa Fe we were told, with lots of art galleries and manufactures.

The Pueblo is a bit outside and different than the NPS Run sites it is a bit more commercialized. The Native Americans who live here, try to make a living in chraging for parking, Photo permits and smelling corn and artwork. You can go into some Pueblos, the church however was Tabu, at least photography when I remember correctly.

We spent about an hour and continued our journey West to a Statepark campground.

When I reached Taos during the Memorial Day weekend, I was extremely shocked to see congested traffic in the town because of many tourists; I was really worried that my visit to Taos Pueblo will be ruined with chaos of sightseers. However, when I reached Taos Pueblo area, the road become dirt and the whole area were obscured by small sandstorm. When I managed to reach the car park outside the village, I was surprised that the car park was almost empty! After waited inside the car until the sandstorm gone, I got out and met by the guards who told me to buy ticket at the office opposite the village main entrance. After paid $16 I got a pamphlet which has small history of Taos Puebla and village map, no ticket or inspection at the entrance.

According to the pamphlet, Taos Puebla, the Place of the Red Willows, is the oldest continuously inhabited community in USA and the first living World Heritage Site. Judging from the old buildings I saw, I was quite understood why they claimed to be the oldest, but to be the first living WHS was really questionable since I did not understand what that means. The first thing I saw was the ruin of San Geronimo destroyed by US army in 1847 and cemetery showing that this place was not a peaceful village throughout the history. Then I saw the current San Geronimo Chapel, the church was fine, but I think it was too …

On the morning of November 30th, after a short drive from Santa Fe, my wife and I reached Taos Pueblo. I knew all the particulars about price, pictures, and the general rules. However, I was pleased to learn the photo policy has changed recently. There are no longer any restrictions or fees about general use of cameras within the Pueblo. It is expected that if you wish to take photos of any people, asking permission first is highly recommended. A guided tour is optional, but is certainly worth it. You can explore the pueblo at your leisure before or after.

There has also been other positives for the Taos Pueblo community recently. The pueblo has seen a recent increase of inhabitants living full-time inside the pueblo. Restricted portions of the pueblo are primarily areas that lead to 4 traditional kivas that are only accessible to tribal members. There is also a elementary school in the rear of the North section of Taos Pueblo. This school does teach the local language of Northern Tiwa.

The Taos Pueblo used to be guarded by a more defensive wall, but today it is a very short enclosure. The North side of the Pueblo (Hlaauma) is divided by the Red Willows Creek from the South side (Hlaukkwima). Most of the pictures tend to be of Hlaauma, but using small bridges one can visit the older Hlaukkwima area of the pueblo. (Up tp 1000 years old) My picture is of this area, one can see the …

The main thing that stuck with me after my visit was how "authentic" the Pueblo was. With the exception of the odd bit of plastic guttering and a portable-toilet there were no discernible traces of modern materials or techniques. Walking on the dusty ground between a few of the crumbling buildings near the cemetery I could easily have thought myself back in a remote village in West Africa. This is actually pretty impressive; there must be lots of pressures to modernise both internal and external, but it is a real testament to the inhabitants that the site isn't just a museum, unlike other historic small settlements on the list.

We arrived shortly before a tour was about to start so decided to join in, and I'm glad we did. It was conducted by an informative local who was also studying at a nearby university. It helped to give a resident's perspective on history (and even the concept of history), religion, the functions of buildings, annual celebrations as well as life with-in the pueblo, though many residents also have homes elsewhere in the reservation. I was interested that there seemed to be a begrudging acceptance of being in the USA rather than whole hearted support for it.

We had a quick walk around after the tour, bought a few (surprisingly expensive) goods baked in the ovens and took some photos then headed on out.

The pueblo is just outside the city of Taos, which I must admit was a massive disappointment. …

Taos Pueblo is a fascinating place. We drove 1 1/2 hours from Santa Fe to the pueblo, only to find that it was closed for a funeral. Visitors must be prepared for the pueblo to be closed at any time (for weddings, funeral, or other ceremonies). Funerals can take up to four days and luckily for us, we tried to visit on the fourth day. We went back the next day while there were heavy winds and sand was blowing in our faces. It didn't matter; I was determined to see the pueblo.

I highly recommend going on a tour provided by one of the pueblo residents, as you get a brief history of the pueblo. Also, if you want to go inside a home, the only way is to visit one of the many shops. There are many micaceous pots (the style of pottery done by the Taos people), drum, horno-baked bread, and other souvenirs for sale. Upon leaving the pueblo, it is worth it to visit the art center run by Marie Reyna and Tony Reyna Indian Shop.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Taos Pueblo are among the most transforming experiences of my long life. My husband and I, with my daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren, were overcome by the beauty of the church service, the wild glory of the bonfires, and the mystery of the dances. We have also attended the San Geronimo pole climb twice. Another treasured memory: sacred clowns on the roofs of the pueblo, the unparalleled courage of the young men at the pole climb, and, as always, the kind welcome of the Taos Puebloans.

When you arrive at Taos Pueblo (just north of modern Taos), you are confronted with a gate and a big parking lot at the entrance of the town. As it is both a historical site and there are still about 150 people living here, it's kind of a working museum village. You have to pay an entrance fee for yourself and your camera to get in (10 + 5 dollars). Despite the worries stated in Paul Tanner's review below (his visit dating from 1963), it has not become too commercialized however in my opinion. People keep their distance, and there are large parts of the town and the surrounding grounds that are only open to locals.

From the pictures I had seen, I imagined that the Pueblo would be on a hill, but it turns out to be a flat square with two large building structures on either side (the North House and the South House). These are all individual living quarters that share walls. The entrance used to be via a ladder from the roof.

The pretty San Geronimo church also is on the central square. Some locals were just adding a fresh layer of white and beige paint to its thick adobe walls. Catholicism has clearly been incorporated into contemporary Pueblo culture.

I roam around between the houses for a while. You can't go very far: many places are restricted areas. It reminds me of Mali: the simple adobe buildings, the harsh sunlight. Or I …

Pueblo de Taos is just terrific. I really enjoyed

seeing and participating in authentic native American

culture that dates from approximately 600 years ago.

It is very rare to see a culture this old in the USA.

The architecture and the culture of the pueblo will

captivate you.

In genealogy research for my children's paternal heritage, the Taos Pueblo was welcoming and happy to meet us. In our Class "A" motorhome, we stayed at a new-found elder family member's adobe outside of the area of the adobe apartments. We were there for a couple weeks learning their heritage and having a couple of BBQ's for meeting family. We enjoyed all this immensley. Their hospitality was impeccable.

LK

From houses to shopping malls to hotels – indeed, wherever you go in the SW USA you will see examples, from the good to the clichéd, of “Pueblo Revival Architecture”. Its current manifestation is even called “Southwest Architecture”. At Taos Pueblo you can see the “original” article still lived in by “Native Americans”.

How worthwhile you find the experience will depend on

a. How interested you are in adobe architecture. The basic structures date back possibly 1000 years and are regularly “resurfaced”. Although they are stated to be “multi story” and there are parts of the structures which reach 4 floors you are not actually allowed to climb up as these are private or ritual houses and many of the buildings are single story. The whole structure is a series of interlinked square structures – this is no Shibam or Djenne with mud towers and wonderful shapes

b. How much you “want to get a feel for” Native American culture and how you react to the circumstances under which such a visit takes place. One must have some sympathy for the inhabitants. What do you do if you live in a village of 150 people where hordes of tourists want to come and gawp at you and your houses? Well you charge them quite a lot of money to come in (at limited times), you make them pay to take photos (and try to stop them taking photos of you because otherwise it gets very wearing), you provide lots of …

We visited on Christmas Eve 2006 and had a wonderful experience. The Pueblo generously did not charge its usual admission fees that day, although prohibited the use of cameras.

We arrived around 1530 and were provided an unofficial tour by a resident working for tips. He provided a good deal of historical insight, although discussions about the native faith of the Taos Pueblo people were declared off-limits. He did provide some insights into the flavors of their own practice of Catholicism that stem from the original religion. The tour was limited to the outdoor areas. He directed us to a number of the "shops" that were open selling Pueblo-produced breads, crafts, and souvenirs. The most impressive offered a wide range of contemporary art and pottery from Taos Pueblo and a number of other Pueblos. Most shops offered goods of a high level of craftsmanship rather than souvenirs.

The church was open to visitors for the evening service, although could in no way accomodate even a fraction of the people who had gathered by 1700. As a note, there were eventually more than one thousand people there in my estimation (perhaps 2000), so do arrive early in the day before the nearby parking is full.

After the evening service, there was a procession featuring the Virgin Mary, native dancers, riflemen, and many residents in Pueblo dress. To light this procession, there were literally one hundred bonfires of locally gathered "greasewood" (an intensely combustible but highly smoky wood). Most of these bonfires …