Tent Rocks Slot Canyon Trail Cochiti Pueblo

4/6/2022 admin

Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico Lake Cochiti Campground If you read our last blogpost, you know that we re-routed our trip back to Arizona so that we could stop in this area to hike the slot canyon Ingrid told me about. It is a magical place. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is managed by the BLM and is about 40 miles SW of. The landscape at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, with its sandstone spires and fascinating slot canyons, can only be described as otherworldly. These spires, also known as hoodoos, are a religious site of the Cochiti Pueblo. The Tent Rocks were a little known BLM site before their elevation to national monument status in January 2001, but now the area has improved access and facilities, and sees a steady stream of visitors. Kasha-Katuwe is a Keresan phrase meaning 'white cliffs', Keres being the traditional language of the pueblo tribes of northern New Mexico.

Slot Canyon Trail

The 1.5 mile (one-way) Slot Canyon Trail is rather more interesting, one of the best short trails in the state. This branches off the Cave route and joins a stony wash that soon narrows to a proper slot canyon through the tuff. The ravine has curvy walls just a few feet apart but many feet deep, long, shady passageways through generally smooth rocks containing embedded pebbles, and just a few obstructions caused by dryfalls and chokestones; the maximum height is about three feet. The pretty slot opens out quite suddenly after a quarter of a mile, to a still narrow gorge that contains a few tall trees growing in the streambed, after which the canyon ascends more steeply, through another brief narrow part then climbs even more sharply to the top of the plateau, where it splits into several paths that lead to viewpoints looking out over the Tent Rock formations, down Peralta Canyon and across to the far away Sangre de Cristo and Jemez Mountains. The total elevation gain is 640 feet. The plateau is more sparsely vegetated than the valley floor, bearing grasses, wildflowers and manzanita bushes. The most spectacular rocks are all around the last part of the trail, where they rise up to 90 feet, pure white, smoothly tapering and altogether very impressive. The path is popular, and despite the above average difficulty, most people manage to get to the end.

Tent Rocks Slot Canyon Trail Cochiti Pueblo Bonito

Designated by US Congress in 2001, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is part of the Pajarito Plateau in north-central New Mexico. Wind and water erosion has created unique cone-shaped rock formations from pumice, ash, and tuff deposits from volcanic eruptions that occurred 6 to 7 million years ago. This area is recognized as the ancestral homelands of the Cochiti and is managed today in close cooperation with the Pueblo. Visitors can experience the geology and cultural significance of this area by hiking the challenging Slot Canyon Trail or taking a moment to reflect at Veterans’ Memorial Overlook.

The Bureau of Land Management in coordination with our partners in the gateway community of Pueblo de Cochiti will implement a day use reservation system in order to reopen Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument and meet the CDC, state and local guidance related to COVID-19. Advance reservations are required for all visitors. Each vehicle entering the Monument will need a reservation. Visitors with a reservation may enter as early as 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Monument will remain open until 5:00 p.m., at which time all visitors must exit.

The Monument is a popular destination from Albuquerque and Santa Fe, so early reservations are recommended!

Notifications and Alerts

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument remains closed due to COVID-19. The Bureau of Land Management, in coordination with our partners in the gateway community of Pueblo de Cochiti, will be transitioning to a day use reservation system when it is safe to reopen the Monument. Check back for details as you plan your visit.

Need to Know

Entry Rules
This permit does not assign a parking space but allows for one vehicle entry into Monument starting at 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Visitors with a reservation must enter during this time and will not be permitted access after 2 p.m. The Monument will remain open until 5:00 p.m., at which time all visitors must exit.
How many reservations do I need?
Only one day use reservation is required for a vehicle and all occupants. Visitors are allowed up to 3 private vehicle reservation per day.
Reservation Requirements
Day use vehicle reservations must be purchased online at Recreation.gov or using the Recreation.gov mobile app. Reservations will not be sold at the Kasha-Katuwe. Day use reservations are non-transferable and resale or auction of reservations is prohibited.
Arrive Early
In order to ensure enough time to complete the Slot Canyon Trail, it is recommended to arrive before 1:00 p.m.
Park Closing Time
Park Rangers begin closing procedures start at 3:30 p.m. from the end of the Slot Canyon Trail on top of the Mesa. The Monument is closed promptly at 5 p.m. in consideration to the local gateway community of Pueblo de Cochiti.
Pets
Pets are prohibited.
Passes
If you have an annual or lifetime pass at the time of your reservation, those are accepted as your private vehicle entrance fee, however you will be required to pay for a reservation ($2; non-refundable). Valid entrance passes currently accepted are: Interagency Annual Pass, Interagency Senior Pass, Interagency Access Pass, Interagency Volunteer Pass, Interagency Military Pass, Interagency 4th Grade Pass, Golden Age, Golden Access. Valid ID tha matches the pass is required at the entrance station.
Facilities and Trails:
The trails are for foot traffic only. No horses, bikes or motorized vehicles.
The Cave Loop Trail is 1.2 miles long, rated as easy.
The Slot 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. It is considered moderately strenuous, requiring the use of hands and feet to scramble up and through narrow cracks and along steep ledges above drop offs. Sturdy footwear is recommended.
The Veterans Memorial Trail is a 1-mile long loop trail, rated as very easy and is wheelchair accessible from the overlook parking lot.
Weather
Summer temperatures can exceed 90 degrees. During the summer monsoon season, the canyon may flash flood and lightning may strike the ridges.
Winter can bring snowstorms and temperatures below freezing.
Both winter and summer storms could cause the Monument to close.
Services
No food or water is available at the Monument. Visitors are advised to bring at least one quart (one liter) of water per person.
Amenities
Accessible picnic tables, shelters and vault toilets are available at both trailheads.
Leave no Trace
Please leave natural resources and cultural artifacts, rocks, and structures alone. Pack out what you brought in and take only pictures home with you.

Booking Windows

Kasha-Katuwe National Monument remains closed at this time due to COVID-19. Once there is a set date for reopening there will be a release of tickets. Following this initial release of inventory, reservations are available three months in advance on the first of the month at 7 a.m. PT. Example: On August 1, reservations will be available for the dates of October 1-31.

Changes and Cancellations

Reservation Fee: There is a $2.00 non-refundable reservation fee per ticket

Amenity Fee:

Standard Vehicle (1-8 people) - $5.00 per vehicle
Van (9-25 people) - $25.00 per van
Bus (26-100 people) - $100.00 per bus

Tent Rocks Slot Canyon Trail Cochiti Pueblo Colorado

Pass holders are required to pay the $2.00 non-refundable reservation fee. Be prepared to show your annual or lifetime pass, associated valid ID and your day use vehicle reservation ticket.

Valid entrances passes accepted are:

Interagency Annual Pass
Interagency Senior Annual or Lifetime Pass
Interagency Access Pass
Interagency Volunteer Pass
Interagency Military Pass
Interagency 4th Grade Pass
Golden Age Pass
Golden Access Pass

Cancellation Policy: If you cannot make a trip, please cancel your reservation. Cancellations must be made by midnight prior to the day of arrival for a full refund less the non-refundable per-ticket reservation fee. Refunds will not be given for tickets cancelled or modified after midnight on the day of the reservation. To submit your cancellation, please login to your Recreation.gov account to view and cancel your reservation.

No Show Policy: If you do not arrive during reserved day your fee will not be refunded, and you will be refused entry into the Monument.

If the Monument is closed due to a weather related event, the amenity fee will be refunded.

Contact Information

Tent Rocks Slot Canyon Trail Cochiti Pueblo

Mailing Address

Rio Puerco Field Office 100 Sun Avenue NE Albuquerque NM 87109

Phone Number

505-761-8700

Available Tours and Tickets

Photo Gallery

Tent Rocks Slot Canyon Trail Cochiti Pueblo State Park

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