Taos Box -- When You Go

Getting There: There are several ways to reach Taos. Albuquerque International Airport is 135 miles south of Taos. Denver, Colorado, is 300 miles north, and Colorado Springs is 230 miles north. The drive from any direction is especially scenic. Taos can also be reached by charter air service. From Albuquerque, take Interstate 25 to Santa Fe, then Highway 285 to Highway 68 to Taos. From Denver, take Interstate 25 to Colorado Springs to Walsenburg, then Highway 160 to Fort Garland, then Highways 159 and 522 to Taos.

Airlines serving Albuquerque, Denver, and Colorado Springs include American West, American, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Great Lakes, Mesa Air, Northwest, Reno Air, Southwest, TWA, United, US Air and Western Pacific. The 1-800 phone numbers and Web links are listed in this magazine’s Airlines page.

Car rental companies include Dollar, Alamo, Advantage, All American, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless and Thrifty. The 1-800 phone numbers and Web links are listed in this magazine’s Autos page. Local transportation includes Edelweiss Air, 800-458-8754 or 505-776-2301; Pride of Taos Tours/Shuttles, 800-273-8340 or 505-758-8340.

Staying There: Lodging reservations can be made through Taos Central Reservations, 800-821-2437; Taos Bed & Breakfast Association, 800-876-7857; Taos Valley Resort Association, 800-776-1111; or Affordable Accommodations & Tours, 800-290-5384. For more information on a variety of tourist topics contact the Taos Chamber of Commerce, PO Drawer 1, Taos, New Mexico 87571. E-mail: taos@taoxwebb.com. Telephone 800-732-8267 or 505-758-3872, fax 505-758-3872; or New Mexico Department of Tourism, Lamy Building, 491 Old Santa Fe Trail, PO box 20002, Santa Fe, New Mexico. E-mail: enchantment@newmexico.org.. Telephone 505-827-7400, fax 505-827-7402.

Photo: Gabe Hamilton

Booking a Trip: People planning trips on the Taos Box of the Rio Grande River should contact any of the various river companies, including Los Rios River Runners, 800-544-1181; Native Sons Adventures, 800-753-7559; Far-Flung Adventures, 800-359-2627; or Rio Grande Rapid Transit, 800-222-7238.