4/9/2022

Slot Canyon Trail Kasha-katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

This National Monument is named for the cone-shaped tent rock formations are the products of volcanic eruptions that occurred 6 to 7 million years ago and left pumice, ash, and tuff deposits over 1,000 feet thick. Tremendous explosions from the Jemez volcanic field spewed pyroclasts (rock fragments), while searing hot gases blasted down slopes in an incandescent avalanche called a 'pyroclastic flow'.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument: Great slot canyon hike - See 1,562 traveler reviews, 1,919 candid photos, and great deals for Cochiti Pueblo, NM, at Tripadvisor. Tent Rocks Slot Canyon and Cave Loop CLOSED is a 3.1 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round. Length 3.1 miElevation gain 839 ftRoute type Loop. Spectacular day hiking area The Cave Loop/Slot Canyon Trailhead is about an hour from Albuquerque and a little less from Santa Fe. Entry to the monument is $5 per car. I arrived at about 7:15 on a Sunday morning, and there was plenty of parking. Slot Canyon Trail The Slot has beautiful examples of rock strata, hoodos, the effects of wind and water. The hike goes through some tunnels and up ledges. Stay on the trail as it is the formations is a religious site of the Cochiti Pueblo. Hiking trip report, map, and photos for Tent Rocks Slot Canyon and Cave Loop, located in Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, New Mexico. This is a 3.2 mile out-and-back hike with 900 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about 2-4 hours to complete.

Precariously perched on many of the tapering hoodoos are boulder caps that protect the softer pumice and tuff below. Some tents have lost their hard, resistant caprocks, and are disintegrating. While fairly uniform in shape, the tent rock formations vary in height from a few feet up to 90 feet.

The Cave Loop Trail is an easy 1.2 mile loop; the Canyon Trail longer and more difficult, but well worth the effort. The Canyon Trail meanders through a narrow slot canyon to a steep (630ft) climb to the top of the mesa commanding excellent views of the Sangre de Cristo, Jemez, Sandia mountains and the Rio Grande Valley.

Photos

Quicklinks

Fees

  • Monument Fee Booth - 505-331-6259
  • Private Vehicles - $5
  • Groups:
    Up to 25 individuals - $25
    25-100 individuals - $100
  • Schools:
    No fee. Day-use permit required from BLM.
    Educational Permit Request Form
  • Commercial Tours, Non-Profit Organizations, Commercial Filming, and Commercial Photography:
    Specials-use permit required from BLM. Please contact Rio Puerco Field Office at 505-761-8700.
Park

Season/Hours

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks has changed its hours of operation.
The Monument gates will be open 8am to 4pm, and the Monument will fully close at 5pm.

Hours of Operation
Entry into the Monument between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Closing procedures begin at 3:30 p.m. to clear the Monument by 5:00 p.m.

Visitors must be out of the fee booth gated area by closing time.

During the summer months, the Monument experiences increased visitation. Please be aware that visitors may experience entrance delays starting at 9am due to increased visitation and lack of available parking. Wait times may range from 30 to 90 minutes. As parking is made available, new visitors will be allowed entry.

Notice

Slot Canyon Trail Kasha-katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument State Park

To allow for Pueblo de Cochiti cultural observances and routine BLM maintenance, the Monument will be closed on:

New Year’s Day (January 1)
January 6
Friday before Easter
Saturday before Easter
Easter Sunday
Monday after Easter Sunday
May 3
July 13
July 14
July 25
November 1
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
New Year’s Eve

Accessibility

There are ADA compliant rest rooms, picnic facilities, kiosks and parking.

The Cave Loop Trail is 1.2 miles long and is rated as easy. While the trail is gravel/sand there are a few sections that are accessible to wheelchairs.

At the Veterans' Memorial Overlook you will find ADA-accessible picnic areas, rest rooms, trails and facilities.

Trail Information

The national monument includes a national recreational trail. It is for foot travel only, and contains two segments that provide opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, geologic observation and plant identification. Both segments of the trail begin at the designated monument parking area.

The Cave Loop Trail is 1.2 miles long, rated as easy. The more difficult Canyon Trail is a 1.5-mile, one-way trek into a narrow canyon with a steep (630-ft) climb to the mesa top for excellent views of the Sangre de Cristo, Jemez, Sandia mountains and the Rio Grande Valley. Both trails are maintained; however, during inclement weather the canyon may flash flood and lightning may strike the ridges.

Slot Canyon Trail Kasha-katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument Visitor Center

The Veterans Memorial Trail is a 1-mile long loop trail, rated as very easy and is wheel chair accessible. The Veterans Memorial is located at the end of a 3 mile long gravel surfaced road overlooking picturesque Peralta Canyon and Jemez Mountain peaks. Picnic tables, shelters and toilets are available at both sites.

Prohibitions and Restrictions

The Monument is closed to dogs, excluding service animals.

Day Use Only

No open fires, shooting, alcoholic beverages, glass containers or climbing on the 'tent rocks.'

Do not trespass on tribal, private, or state land.

Access to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks may be closed by order of the Cochiti Tribal Governor. Closures will be posted at the gate.

No motorized vehicles or mountain bikes are allowed.

Protect live trees and shrubs. You may not cut green trees or firewood without a permit.

No collecting of plants, rocks, obsidian 'apache tears,' or wildlife.

Please stay on designated roads and trails.

Geocaching is prohibited.

Please, do not feed the wildlife

Slot Canyon Trail Kasha-katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument New Mexico

Hunting and recreational shooting is not allowed in the Monument.

Brochures, Maps, and Publications

Slot Canyon Trail Kasha-katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument Map

Rocks Rock!Hit the Trails Learning Education Initiative