Williams Lake, Taos NM: Hiking Trail & Wheeler Peak

Williams Lake is a stunning alpine lake high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains above Taos Ski Valley – a glacial tarn at 11,040 feet, cradled beneath the rocky summits of the Wheeler Peak Wilderness. One of the most popular hikes in northern New Mexico, it’s the gateway to Wheeler Peak, the state’s highest summit, and a spectacular destination for day-hikers, backpackers and winter snowshoers. This guide is part of our growing New Mexico Lakes Database.

Table of Contents

Williams Lake at a glance
A high alpine hiking lake
Hiking to Williams Lake
Climbing Wheeler Peak from Williams Lake
Camping, swimming and what to know
Getting there and what’s nearby
Know before you go
Frequently asked questions
Can you fish at Williams Lake?
How long is the hike to Williams Lake?
Can you hike Wheeler Peak from Williams Lake?
Where is Williams Lake?

Williams Lake at a glance

Elevation: ~11,040 ft (a high alpine lake)
Location: Taos County, in the Wheeler Peak Wilderness, Carson National Forest, above Taos Ski Valley
Williams Lake Trail: ~3.8 miles round trip, moderately challenging, from a 10,180-ft trailhead
Gateway to: Wheeler Peak (13,167 ft) – the highest point in New Mexico
Fishing: none – this natural alpine lake freezes solid and holds no fish

A high alpine hiking lake

Williams Lake sits at 11,040 feet in a glacier-carved basin ringed by the peaks of the Wheeler Peak Wilderness. Unlike New Mexico’s reservoirs, this is a small, natural mountain tarn – and because it freezes solid in winter, it holds no fish. Its draw is the scenery and the hike: crystal-clear water, alpine meadows and a wall of 13,000-foot summits make it one of the most beautiful spots in the state.

Hiking to Williams Lake

The Williams Lake Trail is a roughly 3.8-mile round-trip hike from the trailhead above Taos Ski Valley (near the Kachina Basin), climbing through spruce-fir forest and avalanche meadows to the lake in about two hours round trip. It’s moderately challenging – the high elevation is the main difficulty – and hugely popular, so start early in summer. The trail is also a favorite snowshoe route in winter (watch for avalanche conditions).

Climbing Wheeler Peak from Williams Lake

Williams Lake is the launching point for the most popular route up Wheeler Peak (13,167 ft), the highest point in New Mexico. The Wheeler Peak via Williams Lake hike runs about 8.3 miles round trip with nearly 3,000 feet of gain – a strenuous, all-day climb above treeline. Acclimatize, carry layers and water, and watch for afternoon thunderstorms on the exposed summit ridge.

Camping, swimming and what to know

Backpackers camp in the basin (follow Leave No Trace and wilderness rules), and the lake is a serene spot to rest before the summit push. The water is frigid and there’s no developed swim area – it’s a scenic alpine lake, not a swimming or fishing destination. There are no facilities at the lake; the trailhead is reached through Taos Ski Valley.

Getting there and what’s nearby

Williams Lake is above Taos Ski Valley in Taos County, northern New Mexico, reached via the Kachina Basin trailhead. Taos, the Enchanted Circle and the Carson National Forest’s many trout streams and lakes are nearby.

Know before you go

High elevation: 11,000+ ft – acclimatize, carry water and layers, and start early.
No fishing: the lake freezes solid and holds no fish – it’s a hiking and scenery destination.
Wheeler Peak: the trail continues to New Mexico’s highest summit (a strenuous all-day climb).

Frequently asked questions

Can you fish at Williams Lake?

No – Williams Lake is a high natural alpine lake that freezes solid in winter and holds no fish. It’s a hiking and scenery destination; trout fishing in the area is found on Carson National Forest streams and other lakes.

How long is the hike to Williams Lake?

About 3.8 miles round trip from the trailhead above Taos Ski Valley – moderately challenging, mostly due to the high elevation, and about two hours round trip.