When I first saw pictures of Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, in New Mexico, I knew I had to go see this amazing site for myself!
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks is a spectacular slot canyon, located less than an hour north of Albuquerque, New Mexico and it’s easy enough for kids to hike! Gorgeous rippled walls line the narrow path through this slot, spectacular rock formations are everywhere you turn and bizarre cone shaped “tent rocks” will amaze you near the end of this amazing out-and-back trail.
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks quickly became our favorite trail in all of New Mexico and below I’d love to share with you what we’ve learned!
Click Here for up to date information and closures due to Covid-19
Where is Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument?
Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is located in New Mexico approximately 40 minutes (36 miles) west of Santa Fe and about 1 hour (55 miles) north of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
How to Get to the Trailhead?
To see this incredible slot canyon, go to the Cave Loop Trail Trailhead in Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. To get to this trailhead, turn northwest onto Indian Service RTE 92 from NM-22/RTE 85 in Cochiti Pueblo, NM. The trailhead is located 4.7 miles (about a 10 minute drive) down the Indian Service Rte 92.
The parking lot for Cave Loop Trail will be on your right. Here you will find restrooms and picnic tables for your convenience.
Tent Rocks Trail Map
Cave Loop Trail (1.2 miles) to Slot Canyon Trail (1.5 one way)
Slot Canyon Trail is where you will find the amazing slot canyon of Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks, but to get there you must first walk the beginning part of Cave Loop Trail.
Cave Loop Trail is an easy 1.2 mile loop, but you don’t need to walk this entire loop to get to Slot Canyon Trail. Instead, begin on this trail from the parking lot and walk until the trail splits. (This split is not very far into your hike.) The trail off to the right will take you to Slot Canyon Trail. Turn right at this junction and prepare to be amazed!
Slot Canyon Trail is a 1.5 mile one way trek through a fantastic slot canyon that also climbs up to an incredible viewpoint of some really bizarre cone-shaped “tent rocks.”
This Trail was the Highlight of Our Journey.
At the beginning of Slot Canyon Trail you immediately enter into a spectacular and completely unreal landscape. Smooth rippling walls emerge out of nowhere and begin to rise high into the sky. They’re incredible! This was unlike anything I’d ever walked through before. I honestly felt like we were walking in between mountains of cake batter or icing that had been freshly drizzled. It was absolutely amazing!
But it wasn’t just the walls that were cool, the trail itself weaves back and forth so that you are always wondering what’s just around the corner.
In addition, while you are in the slot portion of this trail, there are three small rock terraces along the trail that are fun to scramble over. Our kids loved this part!
Tent Rocks Viewpoint & New Mexico Landscape
After the Slot Canyon Trail exits the slot canyon, the trail then begins to climb 630 feet up to the mesa top for an incredible view!
In one spot the trail does get pretty steep. But this didn’t slow down our 7 and 9 year old at all. (Although our 5 year old did need a little help here.)
At the top you’ll reach a stunning viewpoint for the unique cone-shaped tent rocks. This is a great spot to stop, relax, grab a couple of photos and enjoy the view.
Fun Fact: Kasha Katuwe means “White Cliffs.”
Since this is an out-and-back trail, whenever you are ready to return, head back on the same path that you came. But unlike many out-and-back trails where the return trip can sometimes be monotonous, here on Slot Canyon Trail you get to walk back through the amazing slot canyon!
Hiking Tip: Start your hike early in the day, not only because it will be cooler, but also because this narrow slot has two-way traffic and it can get very crowded later in the day.
After you’ve walked back through the slot canyon the trail will meet back up with Cave Loop Trail. Here you can either go left and take the short way straight back to the parking lot or you can go right and continue around the 1.2 mile loop back to the parking lot.
We chose to take the long way.
The scenery along the remainder of Cave Loop Trail was really nice, but we didn’t feel that this longer route is necessary if it is getting really hot outside or if you are short on time.
How Was Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks in New Mexico Formed?
6-7 million years ago several volcanic eruptions left pumice, ash and tuff deposits in this area over 1,000 feet thick! These volcanic deposits formed the cone shaped vertical tents, called “Hoodoos” that we see here.
In addition, tremendous explosions from the Jemez volcanic field created a “pyroclastic flow” (searing hot gas, volcanic fragments, ash and pumice that blasted down these slopes in an avalanche) Upon close inspection you can still see small, black glass fragments (obsidian) in these layered deposits.
Over time, weathering has worn away the softer rock in this area and erosion from wind and water has cut these deposits into what we see today.
Erosion from ice, wind and moving water also carved out the slot canyon in this monument.
Watch Out for These Unique Cacti
New Mexico is a great place to teach kids about the cactus!
Great Books for Kids to Learn About the Desert:
This is a great book to help introduce children to the characteristics of deserts and the plants and animals that live in them.
In this book Sally and Dick learn all about deserts, why they are dry, how plants and animals have adapted to survive and even a little about mirages.
This is a great guide, full of stunning photos, that showcases more than 80 species of plants and animals that survive in the deserts of the Southwest United States.
It’s Amazing How Plants Adapt to Survive!
Become a Junior Ranger!
The Junior Ranger Program is an incredible program available at over 200 National Parks throughout the United States. The Junior Ranger program teaches kids about where they are, how that unique environment came to be, fun facts and more!
Just stop by the visitor center, pick up a Junior Ranger booklet and have your child complete the activities for their age so that they can earn their official Junior Ranger Badge! The badge and booklet are great keepsakes for kids and it’s so much fun!
A Few Tips for Your Trip
- GPS is not reliable to get here, please use the directions on their website. https://www.blm.gov/visit/kktr
- There is a $5 fee per private vehicle (or free with an America the Beautiful Pass, the 4th Grade Pass or the Senior Pass)
- Monument hours (pre-Covid) were 8am-4pm (and the monument must be clear by 5pm) Please check with the website for current Covid closures/ updates. As of Fall 2022 this monument is still closed due to Covid.
- Bring Water With You (the monument does not have any and water is a necessity for any hike in New Mexico) If you are looking for a good travel water bottle, we love the Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth BPA-Free 16 oz Water Bottle. It’s easy to carry, simple to clean (which is essential when traveling) and comes in a variety of colors (so each family member can have their own color.) I also love how it is clear so that I can quickly see how much my children are drinking. This is really important when in a desert environment.
- Start Early to beat the heat and beat the crowds: (In the Summer, arrive before 9am to be able to get parking and avoid entrance delays) (Be prepared that by 10am it will already be pretty hot if you are going on this hike in the summer in New Mexico.)
- Wear brightly colored clothes for better pictures. (Wearing white or tan will cause you to blend in with the surroundings.)
- Dry Fit Shirts – These are Our Favorite Dry Fit Shirts for Kids if you are looking for ideas. (They come in 24 different colors!)
- Hiking/ light weight shorts – These are Our Favorite Kids Hiking Shorts for Boys.
- Where to Stay: We really enjoyed our stay in Santa Fe, NM the night before we visited Tent Rocks. (This is 30-40 minutes from Tent Rocks.)
- Have a blast hiking at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks!
For more information: Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
Have a Great Hike at Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument in New Mexico!
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2 comments
When did you go? My partner looked it up today and said the road to this trail is closed.
Hi, Unfortunately Tent Rocks is still closed. We went right before Covid and I think it’s been closed for almost 2 years now. Hopefully it opens back up soon. It’s such a spectacular slot canyon! -Jenny
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