Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do the trail in winter?

Short answer: No. Attempting the trail in winter endangers yourself and the Search & Rescue teams that will have to go get you. Beyond the risk, it also likely to be a pretty miserable experience.

Longer answer: Although we have not gotten as much snow as usual this year, the route is still not suited to winter treks. The SF2T thru-hike goes through areas that typically get over 150 inches of snow every winter, and often as much as 250 inches. Because of the altitude (8,000-12,000 feet), that snow does not melt until late May. There will be large sections of snow on or near the trail until early to mid June. 

Attempting to do the thru-hike in winter (December, January, February), or even potentially late spring (March, April, May) would not only endanger you, but it could also be life-threatening for the search and rescue teams that may have to go in after you once you’re stuck in hip-deep (or higher) crusty snow.

A few years ago a group of hikers from Georgia headed into the Pecos in June, got stuck, and had to be brought out by a Search & Rescue Team. Even this last week (February 2026), a hiker on Aspen Vista – an easy, frequently-traveled trail near the Santa Fe Ski Basin – got stuck in the snow and had to be rescued by the fire department. The snow in most sections of the thru-hike will be considerably deeper than it is on Aspen Vista now. If you get in trouble, it could be days before a Search & Rescue Team reaches you.

Certain sections of the trail, like the switchbacks on the north side of the Santa Barbara Divide, are likely to be impassable even after most of the snow has melted. You may end up having to crawl down those switchbacks due to ice, and given how steep the switchbacks are, you may need an ice axe to self-arrest should you slip.

So far, no one has died doing the Santa Fe to Taos Trail. Please don’t be the first.

Around April, we will update you on trail conditions based on what we are seeing. Many local hikers will start at certain trailheads and just hike in as far as they can go. We also recommend you subscribe to the SF2T newsletter, as that has regular updates about trail conditions.

When is the best time to do the Santa Fe to Taos Trail?

Short answer: The season to do the thru-hike is between June 1 and October 15th.

Longer answer: The “best” time of year to go depends on what you like.

• Do you want to avoid rain as much as possible? Then June might be good for you (though we’ll still be in fire season).
• Do you want to go in the middle of summer, and you don’t mind (or maybe even like) a few thunderstorms and some rain? Then July and August will be good.
• Do you like seeing lots of people on a trail? Then June, July, and August would be good for you.
• Don’t want to see as many people on the trail? September and October are your best bet. Maybe even early November if you’ve got the gear for that. It usually snows at least once in September in the high country. By mid September, expect to wake up to frost on your tent. By October, expect to wake up to frost in your tent.

How long does it take to do?

Short answer: It depends how fast you go.

Longer answer: If you can do ten miles a day, it takes two weeks. If you can do 20 miles a day, it takes a week.

If you want to slow down and savor the experience and do, say, seven miles a day, then it could take three weeks. The Fastest Known Time record is about 2.5 days.

Distance isn’t the only thing you should be thinking about, though. There is a LOT of ascent and descent on this route: 35,000 feet of ascent and descent between the plazas, regardless of which way you go. (Both plazas are at 7,000 feet.) So you might go “just” 10 miles one day, but also climb 4,000 feet. And you’ll do that climbing between 7,000 and 12,000 feet elevation.

It is *highly* recommended to give yourself a day or three to adjust to the altitude. Many hikers – even locals from Albuquerque – feel the impact of the altitude. Occasionally people have to be taken off trail for medical support because of it.

How much water is along the route?

Short answer: There is about 5x more water on the route than most people expect.

Longer answer: The longest distance without water is 8.4 miles between American Spring and El Nogal as you come down Ojitos Trail into Taos. The second longest distance is 5.1 miles in Section 5. For the rest of the route, you’ll be near a water source most of the time. Most hikers don’t need to carry more than a liter or so most of the time. Unless you’re dry camping, you aren’t ever going to need to carry more than two liters at a time.

The route passes 13 lakes and ponds. More than 25% of it is within a few hundred feet of creeks, rivers, streams and “rills” (which are tiny streams about 2 feet wide or so). The route was expressly designed for maximum water access. Even as climate change advances and New Mexico loses about 30% of its surface water, water access along the route should still be workable.

We know you hear “New Mexico” and think desert. The high country in northern New Mexico that the SF2T trail goes through is not desert. It is more like Colorado.

Where are the resupply points?

Short answer:

1. Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort (approx two-thirds of the way to Taos). Ship a box to yourself for free.
2. The members’ resupply in Tres Ritos (approx two-thirds of the way to Taos). *ONLY* available to SF2T members. Find out more about membership here.
3. Vida Bonita, which is a lodge about one mile from Panchuela Campground (approx one-third of the way to Taos). Ship a box to yourself if you stay overnight at Vida Bonita.

Longer answer: Resupply points along the route are not as developed as they could be yet, but they’re coming along rapidly. There are other possibilities for resupply, but we are cautious about sharing them publicly, because the people who offer these case-by-case favors are likely to get overwhelmed by the number of people expected to do the trail in 2026.

Stay tuned… we are actively pursuing partnerships that can handle several hundred people a year requesting box management.

When is the second edition of the guidebook coming out?

Short answer: In late April 2026.

Longer answer: If you are a SF2T member, part of your membership includes the most current edition of all materials. So if you buy the guidebook now, or if you become a member now, you will get the second edition for free when it comes out.

Where is parking in Santa Fe?

Short answer: Your best option for “long-term” (one to two weeks) overnight parking in Santa Fe is the Santa Fe airport. Take an Uber or a bus from the airport to the plaza. Your second best option is the Scottish Rite Temple.

Longer answer: You have to get prior permission to park at the Scottish Rite Temple, and it costs about $6 per night. They also have blackout dates for overnight parking when they have their own large events, so hopefully your trip dates don’t overlap with any of their blackout dates.

SF2T members have access to 10 secure parking spaces about one mile from the Santa Fe Plaza. We don’t publicly share the location of this parking lot because the managers don’t want to deal with people who just show up and put their cars in the lot. You need to be a SF2T member, and you need to have reserved your spot in advance. We distribute parking “passes”/printed tokens. Without one of those, your car will be towed.

Parking is clearly an issue. You can also park at the Albuquerque airport and take an Uber up to Santa Fe. The Sandia shuttle that used to run between the airport and Santa Fe is, most unfortunately, no longer operating.

Where can I park in Taos?

Short answer: Almost nowhere.

Longer (more serious) answer: Parking “longterm” overnight in Taos is a problem. There is a “secret” case-by-case place to park, but I have been asked to not publicly share it. The people who manage that particular lot would be displeased if they started getting a lot of inquiries. I *greatly* appreciate these kind people, so I can’t say any more.

I am actively seeking an overnight parking situation in Taos. I think there should be good news soon. For the moment your best bet is to find lodging that might also let you keep your car there.