Town (pop., 2000: 4,700) and resort, northern New Mexico, U.S. Located on a branch of the Rio Grande in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains , Taos is composed of three villages: Don Fernando de Taos (known as Taos), the pueblo of San Geronimo (Taos Pueblo), and the Ranchos de Taos.
An early Spanish settlement, it was the scene of a revolt (1680) of Taos and other Pueblo Indians against Spain and later was an important commercial centre on the Santa Fe Trail . In the 20th century artists and writers moved there, including D.H. Lawrence . Lawrence's home and that of Kit Carson are historic sites; Carson's grave is in a memorial state park.