Swimming Holes Near Taos, NM
12 natural swimming holes within 60 miles · 2026 guide
Looking for a place to swim near Taos, NM? There are 12 natural swimming holes within 60 miles of Taos in our directory — springs, rivers, creeks, waterfalls, and lakes. The closest is Manby Hot Springs, about 7 miles away. Distances are straight-line from Taos — drive time will be longer.
Swimming holes near Taos, closest first
- Manby Hot Springs
A free riverside hot spring on the Rio Grande below the Taos gorge, with rock pools at the water's edge.
- Black Rock Hot Springs
Primitive hot pools on the banks of the Rio Grande in the wild Rio Grande Gorge.
- Rio Grande (Orilla Verde)
The Rio Grande through the BLM's Orilla Verde Recreation Area in the Rio Grande Gorge, with gentle waters and occasional small rapids.
- Rio Grande (Taos Junction Bridge)
The Rio Grande at the Taos Junction Bridge, within the BLM's Orilla Verde Recreation Area below the gorge.
- Williams Lake
A high Wheeler Peak Wilderness lake beneath New Mexico's highest summit.
- Rio Hondo
A Taos-area creek with waterfalls, pools, and wildflower meadows.
- Eagle Nest Lake
A Moreno Valley lake with shoreline swimming and Wheeler Peak views.
- Red River
The Red River's canyon stretch near Questa, with riverside pools and campgrounds.
- Cimarron River (Cimarron Canyon)
The Cimarron River through Cimarron Canyon State Park, with riverside campgrounds and swimmable pools.
- Santa Cruz Lake
A Santa Fe-area reservoir with shoreline swimming and high-desert views.
- Coyote Creek State Park
Coyote Creek State Park's namesake stream, with riverside campgrounds and wading pools.
- Morphy Lake
A Sangre de Cristo foothill state park lake with shoreline swimming and mountain views.
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Frequently asked questions
How many swimming holes are near Taos?
Our directory lists 12 natural swimming holes within 60 miles of Taos, NM — from Manby Hot Springs (7 miles) to the farthest at 40 miles. New spots are added as they're verified.
What is the closest swimming hole to Taos?
Manby Hot Springs, about 7 miles from Taos (Arroyo Hondo). A free riverside hot spring on the Rio Grande below the Taos gorge, with rock pools at the water's edge.
Do swimming holes near Taos require reservations?
None of the spots near Taos currently list a reservation requirement, but popular parks can add timed entry — check each listing's reservation field before you go.
When is the best time to swim near Taos?
Late spring through early fall is prime swimming season around Taos. Spring runoff can make rivers and creeks dangerously high — check local conditions, and never swim alone.