What Should I Bring?

The following list is meant to be a guide, not a checklist. If you are wondering whether to bring something, bring it.

If you are interested in renting camping equipment for your stay in Taos, our own Outdoor Adventure Office has excellent outdoor equipment available at very reasonable prices.

Things to keep in mind:

• Buy books at the SMU Bookstore prior to traveling to Taos.
• The weather is anything but typical. Be prepared for cool mornings, cold rain showers, mud, sun, hiking, high elevations and being outdoors.
• Taos has a Wal-Mart, but don’t expect to find specialty items in town. If you use anything extraordinary, be sure to bring enough for the duration of your stay. Keep in mind that Taos is a small mountain town with a population of 6,500 people. Local shops cater to tourist traffic and typically have more artsy items for sale than practical items.
• The best way to get cash in Taos is to buy at Wal-Mart and get cash back on an ATM purchase. Otherwise, ATMs will charge you fees for cash withdrawals. There are not large banking institutions in Taos...only small, regional banks.
• There is minimal public transportation in Taos, and campus is miles away from town. If you think you want the flexibility of having a car on campus, you should drive to Taos.