Tent Rocks Slot Canyon Hike
It is good for seeing “Apache Tears” and a few of the Tent Rock formations. However, the 1.5-mile Slot Canyon Trail (which includes a portion of the Cave Loop Trail) has much better views. Plus, a very up-close view of the formations. We suggest doing both by taking a 3.2-mile loop. Camping Nearby: We loved staying at the Cochiti Lake Campground. There are electric hook-ups ($20) or dry camping ($12) available for RVs, as well as tent camping. Once exiting the slot canyon you enter a box canyon providing 2 options; turn around or go for a climb. I of course I chose to climb to the top of the mesa. The climb is steep climb but short with an elevation gain of about 630 feet. From the summit the perspective of the Tent Rocks completely changed.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management is announcing a partial closure of the Slot Canyon Trail at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. The necessary trail improvements will be conducted July 22-24 on the last half-mile section of the Slot Canyon Trail that climbs steeply out of the canyon to the mesa top. By providing these trail improvements, the BLM is striving to protect the fragile geologic features of this area and increase visitor safety.
Due to the exposure, weather and consistent foot traffic, this section of trail is showing signs of erosion, making foot travel more difficult for visitors. The lower section of the Slot Canyon Trail will remain open to the public, as will the Memorial Overlook Loop Trail.
Like other monuments and public lands across the nation, the Monument has seen significant increase in visitation over the last five years. So far, in 2019, the Monument has had over 80,000 visitors. The BLM, in partnership with Pueblo de Cochiti, is currently researching additional ways to protect the Monument’s unique resources and the visitor experience through alternate visitor use management strategies. The decision to limit access in this area for maintenance is consistent with the BLM’s ongoing communication with the Pueblo.
For more information, or to inquire about alternate recreational opportunities in the area, please contact BLM Outdoor Recreation Planner Jamie Garcia at 505-761-8787.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in the 11 Western states and Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In fiscal year 2018, the diverse activities authorized on BLM-managed lands generated $105 billion in economic output across the country. This economic activity supported 471,000 jobs and contributed substantial revenue to the U.S. Treasury and state governments, mostly through royalties on minerals.
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Join us on our Tent Rocks hike! Many of our intrepid and well-travelled clients have told us that Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks is indeed a marvel. They often compare it to Cappadocia, Turkey, where you can also view remarkable rock formations. This National Monument is called “Tent Rocks” because of the tent- or tepee-like shapes of the rock formations. The Tent Rocks were created 6.8 million years ago by volcanic eruptions in the Jemez Mountains. The nearby Pueblo of Cochiti call the place Kasha-Katuwe, which means “White Cliffs” in the Keresan language.
Fun for adult and children, the hike takes you through a slot canyon that is quite narrow at times. Climb around and over boulders as you take in the beauty of the land. Tent Rocks is truly a magical hike.
Tent Rocks Slot Canyon Hike Rim
As of May 2020, the trails at Tent Rocks are closed. Please call 505-988-4000 for updates.