Venado Peak is a high mountain in northern New Mexico’s Taos Mountains, part of the Sangre de Cristo and Rocky Mountains, about 8 miles northeast of Questa. It is the highest point in the Latir Peak Wilderness within Carson National Forest and the high point among the summits north of the Red River and southwest of Costilla Creek. Ranking tenth in elevation and sixth in topographic prominence in New Mexico, it stands out among nearby peaks. The area is marked by broad summit terrain, open alpine tundra above tree line, ancient Precambrian rock, later volcanic formations, and a mineral-rich caldera, with access commonly from the Cabresto Lake or Latir Lakes sides.