Place guide

Greater World Earthship Community

A self-sustaining off-grid community of tire-and-bottle homes built into the desert outside Taos.

📍GPS: 36.495327, -105.752807

Scenic view of Greater World Earthship Community

On the mesa northwest of Taos, the Earthships are strange, creative off-grid homes built from tires, bottles, cans, and adobe. They are designed to collect water, gplenerate power, manage waste, and stay comfortable through passive, energy-efficient design. The main place to visit is the Earthship Visitor Center, about 1.5 miles northwest of the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. Self-guided tours let you walk through a functioning Earthship, while guided tours add a lesson on Earthship history and design plus a walk through more example buildings. The surrounding community is private, so stay on marked visitor routes and respect no-trespassing signs. The Earthships are one of the best examples of Taos weirdness in the best possible way and an easy add-on to the Gorge Bridge.

Nearby places

Rio Grande Gorge

About 2 miles away

A dramatic 800-foot deep gorge carved by the Rio Grande featuring the famous Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.

Manby Hot Springs

About 2 miles away

Hot spring in the Rio Grande Gorge accessible by a rugged trail from the gorge rim near Taos.

Taos

About 12 miles away

A mountain town where Native American heritage, artistic culture, and dramatic landscapes meet.