Mid-autumn · Weather & things to do
Santa Fe in October
Santa Fe cools off: highs slip to 65°F (18°C), from 77°F in September, with lows of 37°F (3°C) and about 1.2 in (30 mm) of rain.
At 99/100 for comfort (the top score of the year), it's one of the best months to visit.
- Avg high
- 65°F (18°C)
- Avg low
- 37°F (3°C)
- Rain
- 1.2 in (30 mm)
- Humidity
- 48%
- Cloud cover
- 33%
- Daylight
- ~11 h 04 min
- Comfort score
- 99/100 · Great
What October feels like
Highs near 65°F (18°C) make for comfortable sightseeing weather.
Mornings start much cooler: lows average 37°F (3°C), about 16°C (28°F) below the afternoon high.
About 1.2 in (30 mm) of rain falls in a typical year's October.
Sunny spells dominate: cloud cover averages 33%.
Plan around October
October is one of Santa Fe's best months on the climate data.
- Last of the best-scoring months: by November, the score drops to 77/100.
- Comfort holds steady from September (97 → 99/100).
- Our Northern New Mexico High Desert route recommends Mar – May, so October falls outside its suggested window.
- Our Santa Fe & Albuquerque route is planned for Mid-Dec – early Jan, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — October falls outside it.
What to pack for October
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 37°F
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Santa Fe in October
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Ski Santa Fe
Ski area 25 minutes above town with a base above 3,000 m and views over the desert from the top lifts.
Why now October scores 99/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Bell Tower Bar at La Fonda
Rooftop bar atop La Fonda with sunset views over the city.
Why now Highs near 65°F and 1.2 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
The Shed
New Mexican restaurant since 1953 in a 1692 adobe off the Plaza.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Loretto Chapel
Gothic chapel known for its 'miraculous' spiral staircase.
Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
Romanesque stone cathedral at the end of San Francisco Street, with a midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
Canyon Road Farolito Walk
On Christmas Eve, the gallery street fills with walkers, carolers, small bonfires and thousands of candlelit farolitos.
Nearby in October
- Abiquiú in October~42 mi · highs 67°F, 1.3 in rain · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Taos in October~54 mi · highs 64°F, 1.3 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Albuquerque in October~58 mi · highs 73°F, 0.9 in rain · 5°C (8°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Aspen in October~247 mi · highs 54°F, 1.7 in rain · 6°C (11°F) cooler by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,972 m to Santa Fe's ~2,132 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Santa Fe in October: quick answers
Is October a good time to visit Santa Fe?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 99/100. Expect highs of 65°F (18°C) and 1.2 in (30 mm) of rain. Our Northern New Mexico High Desert route recommends Mar – May, so October is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Santa Fe in October?
Average highs are 65°F (18°C) and average lows 37°F (3°C), making it the 6th-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Santa Fe in October?
Not much: about 1.2 in (30 mm) of rain falls across October on average, the 4th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 13.3 in (338 mm).
What should I pack for Santa Fe in October?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 37°F) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Santa Fe in October?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.