Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

Perfect timing that Tent Rocks has reopened for February. Plan accordingly, in recreation.gov , there’s no reservation available for Tuesday and Wednesday. It’s a must to purchase reservation and purple heart pass, the fee has increased but it’s worth it! The process of getting in was so organized. All information is in recreation.gov Pls be respectful, no video taping or recording while following the pilot car and passing by the Cochiti pueblo. Ample of parking space in gravel. Recommend to do the slot canyon trail first then the cave loop trail. So rewarding squeezing the slot canyons and hiking all the way on top of the mesa. After which, visit the memorial overlook , gravel/dirt road, passable even with sedan on dry condition

Tent Rocks is now open! This is great news! My family hiked there over the weekend. The views are beautiful and the road to get there is paved now. Porta potties on site are nicer than they were years ago. There is nice parking with picnic tables available to eat picnic food. You do need to carry in your own water and there are no snacks available on site. There is a convenience store as well as the Cochiti Visitor's Center nearby which does carry a few snacks. The shorter cave loop trail is an easy 1.2 miles, but is too sandy for a wheelchair. The slot canyon trail is moderately difficult with some slippery areas and some very narrow areas in the slot canyon. My family and I hiked it without problem until the end, which has a steep climb with some loose large rocks. This last part leads to an overlook which is breathtaking, but not necessary if you feel uncomfortable with it. My 20 year old daughters climbed up, but my husband and I did not do so. We still enjoyed it, nonetheless, and enjoyed the unique scenery. This trail is a "one way in and out" so you can't get lost and you return to the exact spot where you started out. We all wore tennis shoes and did fine with these, but hiking boots with some ankle support might be preferable. I would not advise going there if a thunderstorm or inclement weather are forecasted. Make sure and get to the visitor's center by at least 1 pm. Park rangers start telling tourists to hike toward their cars at 2:30pm. And everyone is required to drive away by 4pm. This is good because it does begin to get rather dark (and colder) in the slot canyon in the late afternoon. At least in the wintertime. My only reason for taking off a star is that I do think the Tribal Access Pass fees that are required by Cochiti Pueblo are too expensive. We had a family of 5 adults and the $23 or so PER PERSON ($20 plus fees) is too much. If it was a per vehicle fee, this would be reasonable. But requiring this per person is not okay for many families. These high fees will discourage some from visiting the site, which is a shame. The $5/per person BLM entry fee is reasonable, but requiring $20+ PER PERSON Cochiti Access Pass is not, in my opinion. If this pass allowed access to the pueblo itself, maybe that would be okay. But a pilot car leads you to and from the Cochiti Visitor's Center, and vehicles are not allowed to stray into the pueblo itself.

Tent Rocks National monument has been a favorite spot of mine for many years. The slot canyon is really neat and the land vibrates with history. This park has just recently reopened with many changes to accessibility including reservation only and a $20 tribal pass which must be purchased in conjunction with your recreation reservation ($5). A family of 4 will cost $120. Each time they want to visit.

Just love the idea I live in New Mexico and this isn’t far from home . Wow . Our landscapes are amazing . By reservation only

Beautiful monument, not too challenging of a hike. Very sad it’s still closed, but will hopefully re-open soon!

I love exploring the outdoors and grew up traveling to the national parks and state parks in Utah and surrounding states. This is a great hike. We saw many older people doing the hike and were so impressed! I thought it was a hike around a rim of a canyon from the pictures we've seen, but you go through the slots in the canyon, walk along the base, then go up the mountain. They have some steps, but some places can be a bit strenuous and you'll have to climb over rocks. Bring plenty of water when you go. It took us about 3 hours with kids, but they all did great! It was 106 degrees out when we went, but the breeze and shady spots made it bearable. I believe there rangers hike up to the top before 4pm and start hiking down at 4 and make everyone hike back with them even if they haven't made it to the top, for safety reasons. Great hike, get out and explore!

Hiking the canyon trail was a great outdoor outing. It shouldn’t take more than 2 hours up and down if you take you time to admire the scenery and take pictures. The trail is very easy for the most part, and the last climb towards the summit is a little steeper but is accessible to anyone who doesn’t have any mobility issues. I suggest to take a left towards the cave trail on your back for a short but worthwhile detour.

Fantastic views of slot canyons and "tent rock" hoodoos. Pretty easy and scenic hike to the overlook then continue on the cave loop, a total of 3.2 miles and 839 ft of elevation. I would have liked a longer hike but the views and scenery make a visit here well worth it. Get here early though, or you'll have to wait to get in. Opens at 8am.

Loved this place. Great hike. Came here a few years back with my brother. It is close to Bandelier National Monument and Santa Fe. It didn't appear very big, but the trail we did was fun.

HIKE: is not hard. I wore cheap white canvas shoes and was fine. Bring water. Wear a hat when it's hot. Definitely go for the longer hike, they say it's harder, but it's worth it to get the views. Our total hiking time was two hours to get to the main peak to get a good view of the tent rocks below. We turned around and came back the same way we came. PARKING: we waited maybe 20 minutes on a Friday at noon to get into the park. Finding parking was actually quite easy. There is a fee per car. BATHROOMS: they do have portable potty's for her bathrooms. If you walk a little bit further there is a camp type bathroom, but it's not nice so you actually are probably better off in the portable potty. Another option is to stop by the tourist center before getting to the hiking area. The tourist center is a building with nicer standard bathrooms. GENERAL I recommend this as your main attraction when coming to visit Santa Fe. I don't think it's necessary to come first thing at 8 AM in the morning, but if the weather is hot to then I can see going in the morning to avoid the hot afternoon sun. Quite a lot of people had children, even women with carriers on their back's with babies. Super props to them!

A magical fairy-tale land. Although I've lived in the state most of my life, fished at Cochiti, etc., I had never been to this area before. We arrived early on a Friday morning (last weekend of April), no line and still plenty of parking (and restrooms) available. The rock formations themselves are amazing! My favorite part is the tight canyon that you walk through. The hike is for all ages, but gets a lot steeper once you get closer to the top (the view is worth it, trust me). But, if a 6 month pregnant lady we passed on the trail can do it, then you can too. Not much shade on top, so bring plenty of water, watch out for altitude sickness (if you're visiting), no 4-legged friends, wear your sunscreen, and watch the weather forecast for summer afternoon thunderstorms. (Pro tip: if you're over 62, go for the lifetime park pass. lt's worth it)

OMG have you been there?? You need to go visit!! This was by far one of the best hikes I've done! Even including many of the CA and HI hikes on my list. It's a national monument and not so much a park so be prepared with all your necessities like food, snacks, drinks. The space (parking) inside is very much limited so they do control the traffic going in and you should expect to wait to get in if you're not the first in line in the morning. It did move fairly quickly... much quicker than the mile markers said (we first stopped at 90 minute sign but goi in about half the time). There's no bathrooms once you start your hike so be sure to "empty" before your ascent. And an ascent it is!! It's SO much fun to walk through the narrow paths sandwiched between beautiful rocks on the bottom and the view just keeps getting more and more gorgeous!! THE view is just before the very top. You will know when you see the signature Tent Rocks at rye level. Then about 20 more minute straight up climb will lead you to the very top of the mountains but that does not give you the Tent Rocks view. FYI. You can keep going a bit further to the edge of the cliff for the panoramic view that includes the Cochiti Lakes and beyond but PLEASE don't do what my fellow hikers were doing when I reached that spot... jumping from one rock to another. I really didn't want to be on the news. Anyways, the hikers were all so kind and thoughtful I saw it all day long people letting others go first, waiting patiently for their turn at the spots where it's either up or down. It was a beautiful experience all day long and I cannot wait to go back there again P.S. if you have a military free pass for national parks, you get in without per car fee

This was my favorite thing to do in ABQ - Tent Rocks NM! It cost $5 per car to enter and we didn't have time to do the drive out to see some overlook. It's very popular trail so parking might be tough, go early or weekdays. Pit toilets available. We just did the main hike, Must do is the Slot Canyon Canyon 1 mile, does go up steep climb to views. Nice to walk in the slots and see the tent rocks. Then we continued on the Cave Loop Trail where you can see a cave - not that interesting, and see more tent rocks on the way back to the cars. Worth a visit.

Easily one of the best hikes I've ever done, from accessibility and difficulty level (easy-slightly intermediate) to trail conditions (very well marked) and views. Views for days! Wife and I did the slot canyon trail, through the slots and up to the ridge for the views of the other side and all around. Took us about 2 hours for the entire hike, including stopping to take ALL THE PICS. Every turn and step led to another cool view or rock formation. It really was pretty incredible. Reminded me of Southern Utah but also felt like outer space, like we were on a Star Wars set. Dope for sure. And again, it's a fairly easy hike. There is a steep ascent near the end, but it doesn't last too long. I did the hike in jeans, a shirt, and allbirds...so you really don't need too much equipment. A lot of people had walking sticks. Just be sure to BRING WATER! Entrance to the park is $5/per car. More than happy to pay that to support our State & National Parks/Monuments. They also only let in a set number of cars at a time, to keep it from overcrowding. We waited at the entrance for about 10 mins on a Sunday (noon) before they let us in.

This site is a reasonable drive from Santa Fe, NM and is totally worth doing! Yes, hike as much of the Slot Canyon Trail as you can (stop when it gets too tough), then hike the Cave Loop Trail. As someone else said, you go to this site because of the spectacular views on the Slot Canyon Trail. However, the views on the Cave Loop are also worth the hike. I liked that there are so many juniper trees on the Cave Loop Trail that the air smells like junipers! Do walk the Cave Loop Trail by following the signs for the Cave Loop and Slot Canyon Trails, which start off together. Don't do the trail backwards, because of the steepness. It will be easier to walk down that steep section, than walk up it. There are no amenities on site, besides bathrooms. There is no running water, etc. The nearest store is several miles way. So make sure you have water and snacks with you, and gas in your tank. This site is maintained by the Bureau of Land Management. I saw no rangers (of BLM staff) on the trails. The attached photos are of the Cave Loop Trail.

Beautiful place to hike! This one is apparently a lot of locals favorite place so I will be detailed for my non-locals. Tent Rocks is about an hour away from Albuquerque and 50 minutes from Santa Fe. Prepare to lose reception on your way so have the map loaded to get there AND get home. Weirdly, I somehow got reception on the top of the mountain at some point so that helped me load the maps back home. It's $5 to park and no additional fees. There is a bathroom onsite but no water sold do bring water to stay hydrated. When the park is at capacity, they don't let anyone else in and they have signs at the pay station that say how long you'll have to wait based on how far back in the line you are. $5 to get in is cash or check only, no dogs or you'll be fined $250. There are picnic tables when you arrive if you'd like to eat. There are two mail trails, Slots Canyon and Cave loop. If you're looking for the pics of people standing in narrow rock formations, that is Slots Canyon, which is the more difficult hike, 1.5 miles one way and a bit strenuous while Cave Loop is 1.2 round trip. We did Slots. In my opinion this trail has three sections, fine, slightly more difficult, and difficult but undetermined difficult since you don't know what's in store for you - that's the uphill last third. My senior mom and I made it to the end of phase one and as we encountered the path narrowing my mom wanted to turn back but another person encouraged her saying what was up ahead was way more beautiful and that turned out to be very true. The rock formations got even more beautiful. We made it to the point where you could see it start getting steeper and people told us to keep going and it's worth it. I am adding a picture of the top so you can decide if it's worth it but there was no swimming pool or giant chocolate bar waiting at the time for me so I'm going with not worth the last third. The "it's worth it!" That people kept muttering as we struggled up seems in retrospect to just be group think to me. Anyway I got duped but you don't have to if you read this review. Here's what you'll see, you decide. Wear good shoes (can't believe what some people were wearing) and if you have any injury, a buddy to help you up or down steep parts. I saw people with children and infants doing this hike and they ranged from excited to miserable. Good for active seniors especially if not alone.

Luckily when we went in early Oct during ballon fiesta, it had rained the night before and there was fog (a novelty in ABQ) in the morning which cleared, so it was almost empty when we went at 9am. I hear it fills quickly though during balloon fiesta (peak tourist season). Once the parking lot is full, they do not let more visitors in until others have left. As a local, we been wanting to make it out there and I can't believe I didn't do it sooner! There is the up & back trail (slot canyon?) that is 3 miles round trip and the flat loop trail that is 1.2 miles (cave loop?). The slot canyon is the tail to take! I did not find it strenuous at all for a young active adult, but my parents also made the hike all the way up. Fun for pictures! It was nice since it wasn't crowded, but the narrow sections would be crowded if there was two-way traffic of hikers. Bathrooms, picnic tables, cash only, no dogs

Definitely a fun hike! Very easy and a good distance. The view was so worth it once you made it to the top. I got there and started hiking around 10:45 and made it to the cliff around 11:25. Time really went by fast and it went be faster when I went back down. Very beautiful there and will visit again when the temperature is cooler

Excellent national monument and landscape looks like another planet. Staff at gate was friendly and give maps to trails. Definitely hike up the canyon slots and the views are one of the best I have seen. 360 degree views and walk along slot canyons was beautiful. The place closes early in winter and sometimes closed if Ice present. Call ahead to confirm weather conditions

The boys and I enjoyed this hike during Thanksgiving week 2016. There were so many places to climb around, jump off, and everything a young kid wants to do. The trail is not difficult and it was not that crowded when we were there. Great views from the peak and highly recommended trail.

Beautiful place. Easy trail and it's fun to walk through the slot canyon. It does get sandy so wear proper shoes. Admission is covered through the national park pass.

We had a blast. We had our 2 year old and our 1 month old with us. My husband wore our 2 year old in a back carrier and I wore the one month old in a wrap carrier. We did the cave trail because I'm still out of shape from the one month old and though out of breath at the end it wasn't too much for me as an inexperienced out of shape hiker. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for beautiful views. There are picnic tables you can eat at at the base of the trails and has pretty clean bathrooms at the start. Also there is a good truck at the visitors center that has the best fry bread and Indian tacos. Rules to know *No dogs allowed they won't let you in the gate. *Parking lot allows 94 cars only if it reaches capacity they do a one for one swap as vehicles leave. *bring water. Once you go through the gate there is no where to buy anything to drink or eat.

We initially planned on doing only the Slot Canyon hike, but we missed the sign and ended up doing the Cave Loop and part of the Slot Canyon. The place itself is absolutely stunning! If you've never been to visit it and are contemplating it, do it! There is so much to see and so many photo opportunities, you won't regret it! This Cave Loop hike is pretty easy. If you are moderately fit you shouldn't have any trouble. There are some sandy areas and moderate inclines, but they are definitely achievable! The Slot Canyon is another story... The views are phenomenal and it will be unlike anything you've ever seen, but be prepared... The hike is definitely a bit of a challenge (if you aren't really into hiking or overall an avid hiker). You will be climbing up rocks, dealing with slippery sand areas, ducking under branches, and contending with crowds. Bring comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and LOTS of water!!! I read another review that mentioned if you had bad knees or bad ankles, it maybe more challenging... That is 100% true. You will be bending your ankles in unusual ways (which is probably unnoticeable to folks with good ankles... but if you have ever had an ankle injury you will feel it). You will be climbing up rocky areas and stretching your legs (especially if you are on the shorter side). If you have a fear of slipping and falling proceed with caution because, you definitely find yourself stepping down and climbing around uneven terrain with care. I personally didn't go all the way up, but the journey is steep. Even though there are shady areas in the Slot Canyon, there are also sunny regions! In the summer months, it will be hot and you will need water! This is an enjoyable visit, but make sure you are in good enough shape and health to journey up the mountain! Again, bring lots of water (I can't stress this enough). You will enjoy this place! Have fun!

I am the second worst kind of tourist. I'm not the "disrespectful, loud, and obnoxious" tourist, but I am frequently the "entirely unprepared, and have no idea what I'm getting myself into, so I'm just going to show up and wing it" kind of tourist. There are so many things that I wish I had known before starting my hike at the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks. Here's the annoying part: they're all things that were stated by many others in these reviews, but I couldn't be bothered to read them. Because I looked at the pictures and went "Oooooooh, pretty!" and then hit the "Bookmark" button without thinking about it any further. So again... Second worst kind of tourist... Here are my amateur instructions in semi-listicles style, so as to make reading easier for you. Or you can also ignore this and go, "Oooooooh, pretty!" and then hit the "Bookmark" button without thinking about it any further. [] Please Note the Following [] - Bring $5 (per car) to get in. - Bring some bottled water or the like (to drink, obviously). - Avoid the Cave Loop Trail. It is boring, and I was annoyed that we wasted time on it once we finished the Slot Canyon Trail. The Slot Canyon Trail is why you paid the $5. - If you're still intent on checking out the Cave Loop Trail; supposedly it's wheelchair accessible, but I don't see how, unless you have some rugged tires on said wheelchair (and incredible upper body strength) to navigate certain parts of it. The Slot Canyon Trail is most definitely not wheelchair accessible. - Show up early in the day. We showed up at 7:15 am, hiked the Cave Loop Trail first, and then the Slot Canyon Trail and ran into maybe 4 other people on the way up. But on the way back down, at around 9:30 am, the trail was already filled with 4-5 people every 10 yards. And the trail is relatively narrow, so we kept interrupting family photo ops, and dodging kids that were wandering underfoot. Also, a rule-breaking young woman managed to sneak in a large dog somehow... - There's a point on the Slot Canyon Trail where you have to kind of climb up using your hands. This seems to be where people get nervous and change their minds about reaching the summit. Keep going (carefully of course). Take your time. Another good reason to go early is that you won't feel pressured to hurry because of the people behind you. This is also the point where you generally stop taking pictures for Yelp, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. I remember thinking, "People can come here and see this for their damn selves if they want. Why am I trying to capture this moment on camera?" Also, I needed to use both hands to hold onto things so that I wouldn't fall stupidly to my death. - The pictures don't do this place justice. The Slot Canyon Trail early in the morning is beautiful. The air smells amazing, there's a nice cool breeze occasionally, and the sun isn't beating down on you. And there are certain parts of the trail (if you show up early enough to avoid the crowds) where there is absolute, pin-drop silence. I don't think I can remember the last time in my life where I've experienced a quietness like that before. Like... no sound. At all. No wind. No animals. Nothing. It's beautiful, and alien, and slightly scary, because it feels like your sense of hearing has stopped working. - Give yourself a couple hours. If you skip the Cave Loop Trail (again, skip the stupid, boring Cave Loop Trail), it shouldn't take you longer than that. We walked through both trails, and went all the way to the top of the Slot Canyon Trail, and it took us... 2.5 hours to tackle the whole thing. We could have started our breakfast an hour earlier if we had known to skip the Cave Loop like others had recommended. Gah! Stupid me for not reading these other reviews. - Show. Up. Early. Seriously. I can't emphasize this enough. If we had arrived even a couple hours later, I don't think we would have enjoyed it as much. [] Summary [] Do it. Do it now. Or tomorrow. But do it regardless. We're from Oklahoma City, where the elevation is 1,200 feet above sea level. So managing to complete the whole hiking endeavor (at a reasonable pace) to an elevation of approximately 6,700 feet above sea level had us feeling pretty elated by the end of it. Or that could have been the oxygen deprivation...

Amazing ans fantastic family place. I would have giving it a 5 star because isntrily a fabulous place My only suggestions is for the entrance rangers to be a little less "grumpy" and a tiny bit friendlier As a national park we get visitors from all over and we definitely would love for people to see our new Mexico welcoming is warmer and friendlier

We went to Tent Rocks in March 2020 and it was a stellar hike! Took me and my hubs around 2hrs total (including dozens of stops for pictures). We went mid-day and it wasn't too crowded (though they did have signs that said they don't allow cars in if the park is crowded, and signs leading up to the park that tell you how long you will wait at that point).

This has been one of my favorite hikes so far, and Cochiti is SO CLOSE to Albuquerque. You MUST add this to your NM bucket list. Volcanic rock and ash and pumice helped create these stunning rock formations. It feels like you're on a location set for Star Wars or some kind of fantasy or post apocalyptic film. It is absolutely mesmerizing. Couple of important details worth jotting down: 1)best time to hike these are likely going to be late February/March and late September/October/November...why? Because it can get freakin' HOT otherwise. 2)try to do it early if possible, 10amish? 3)bring water 4)when you start the trail, early on you come to a "y" fork in the road, take the right trail. Trust me on this. The left trail isn't much to look at, and just loops around. I mean, it's cool and all, but you can do it when you come down from the other trail. Now the right trail, the 1.7ish mile one, that's the where you're gonna get the money shot. repeat after me: EPIC VIEWS!!!!!! The right trail takes you THROUGH these incredible rocks...yes THROUGH! Tunnels, cave like, and then up semi-sandy trail, and then up rocks to climb (not too hard), and then when you summit.....sighhhhh. The soul exhales. You can look down on those phenomenal cones you just hiked through and see for miles upon miles. Takes your breath away!!!! Do this hike!!!!!

Who would have known of this hidden gem in New Mexico?! We stopped by here on our little road trip to Sante Fe. It is about 30 minutes from Sante Fe. Entrance fee is required like other National Monument/Parks. Unless you have a park pass. The views here are amazing! We hiked the Slot Canyon Trail and The Cave Loop Trail. The Slot Canyon was my favorite. It reminds me of Antelope Canyon, but with different colors. The Slot Canyon Trail, starts off hiking in sand through some trees and then move into the canyon. After the canyon, it is up hill that brings you to the top of the mountain that overlooks the park and surrounding area. Easy hike, but it is not for everyone.

Okay, confession time: I didn't actually go ALL the way to the top (emoji: sad face), but I did make it as far as I could go....AND, I enjoyed every minute of it! Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rock is about 1-2 hours away from Albuquerque. It is truly breathtaking and shouldn't be missed when you are visiting New Mexico. Known for its scenic cone-shaped formations, composed of pumice, ash and tuff deposits from volcanic eruptions 6-7 million years ago. This monument now receives tons of visitors that explore this area every single day! I actually think New Mexico can be easily passed as a state that has 'nothing to offer'. Many people think of New Mexico as a "dead" state. I know I am guilty of having the same thoughts but after searching things to do, I realized that New Mexico has tons to offer, and this national monument is definitely one of them. You pay $5 to enter. Once you enter, get those cameras ready because every turn is a Kodak moment. The whole trail is 1.5 miles with about 2-3 hour to complete. My girlfriend and I took our time taking photos and really exploring the area, this hike took us about 3-4 hours. We came here during our weekend visit in January and fell in love with this place. First off, don't let the small parking lot discourage you. We waited about 10 minutes and parking started to clear out. I would advise getting here early in the morning to do this hike. When it's crowded, this place can become very congested (plus, hard to take photos, if you're anything like me). The Monument includes a National Recreational Trail for hiking and contains two sections; the Cave Loop Trail is 1.2 miles long, rated as easy. The difficult Canyon Trail is a 1.5-mile, one-way trek into a narrow, "slot" canyon with a steep (630-ft) climb to the mesa top for excellent views of the Rio Grande Valley. Make sure you take the Slot Canyon pathway as it's the most interesting hike I've ever done! This was definitely testing my fear of heights. My home girl was amazing at giving me encouragement to climb up the most challenging rocks, especially when there were times where I swear I thought I wasn't going to make it. P.S. there is tons of climbing! Be prepared and dress comfortable, also wear good shoes! You would not make it wearing sandals! The trail has many narrow spots and areas. The Slot Canyon trail is a steady uphill that leads to stunning vistas at the top. This is one of my favorite places in New Mexico. It is relatively unknown. The scenery is fantastic. The hike is not difficult. The rock formations make you think you are in a different world! I definitely recommend when in New Mexico! There are many great places to see in New Mexico and this one is a must do. Absolutely beautiful and weird formations everywhere. Be sure to have plenty of water before you start because the trip can be challenging in the heat. Kasha-Katuwe is an experience you will never forget! Enjoy!

One activity you need to make time for is a drive out to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. The drive is only an hour outside of Santa Fe and so worth the trek! Bring some tennis shoes so you can get a short hike in while you take in the beauty of nature! The hiking part is fairly easy (I did it in a dress and boots) but it would be more comfortable in proper attire! The natural corridors of layers of different colored rock are so awe inspiring and the cone shaped rock formations will ignite your wonder at the spectacle of nature. Around every bend there is another scene that will stimulate your senses. Honestly I could have spent hours longer here than I did because it was truly that beautiful! Make sure you give yourself enough time to explore throughly.

Such a beautiful hike! I didn't see the cave, but I did do the canyon run and went up to the summit. This hike is okay for people in all sorts of shape because there are varying levels of difficulty depending how far you decide to go, but it is just as beautiful at the bottom as it is from the top. It took me about an hour on the way up and I stopped for pictures all over the place. Best $5 I ever spent.

Turning into the hiking person I am now, I was stoked to come here and check out Tent Rocks. My sister had done this hike before so she new where the trail went from pretty easy to a little harder. There are some bigger rocks to climb over and a few tight squeezes, but personally I did not find it to difficult, but it you have mobility issues, the second half of the trail that gets you up to see Tent Rocks might be difficult. I'd love to do the trail again but I'd also like to explore more trails. Definitely a place to check out if you are in ABQ.

Absolutely beautiful, stunning, spectacular! An easy day trip from Albuquerque or Santa Fe. It costs $10 to get in so bring some cash. No vending either, so also bring some water. Then get to it! Hit the trail and bask in wonder and loveliness! The trail through Slot Canyon (and the Cave view trail) is fairly easy and probably able for most people to handle. The climb to the top on the other hand is more challenging. Particularly if you go in the winter...when the path is not only steep and narrow, but covered in ice! No matter if you climb to the top or not, Tent Rocks is worth a visit. The views and landscape are spectacular!

I love to hike and must say that Tent Rocks is one of the best hikes I've taken. If you allow 2-1/2 to 3 hours to make it to the summit and take lots of photos along the way, it will be time well spent. The scenery continually changes along the way with great views all around. Over time, wind and water erosion left colorful line patterns in the rock. Volcanic explosions deposited some amazing holders that stand on the tops of peaks and look like they could drop on a moment's notice. The terrain can be rocky in spots and the final trek to the summit can be tricky. It pays to wear really good hiking shoes. Sneakers are not advisable. Hiking in the Fall is ideal to avoid the intense summer heat and blistering cold winter.

Rules to know for a good time! I enjoyed the hike, the drive and the beauty in the 505; however, nobody on this thread explained the rules, so read this before you go. The park only has 94 parking spaces. So once they are full the rangers do not allow anyone to drive the 5 miles from the gate to the parking lot until a car leaves (one for one). You can be stuck at the gate for up to 90 minutes waiting on hikers to leave. Do not go on 3 day weekends or Balloon Fiesta week. Never! If you do, be at the gate at 8 sharp. If you are at the gate when the lot is full at 9am, you will be waiting for 90 minutes. Or go 3 hours before sundown. Also, they only take cash. It's $5! And no dogs! They won't let you drive up to park with one in your car. NO DOGS If you are hiking in hot sun, you will need 32 ounces of cool water. It can get very hot in the summer when the sun is straight up. But it is a great hike!

Nice for the whole family. You don't have to climb all the way to the top, know you're limits. Saw many people who didn't really plan. Key tips to follow: 1. Wear proper shoes, hiking shoes, boots, trail or tennis shoes. 2. Bring water (there is nothing at site for you) 3. Gloves will help a lot in the slot canyon. 4. A snack at the top would be nice (not required) 5. You must get there early, because when the parking lot is full they don't allow anyone else in. You have to wait in line for a car to leave. 6. Allow enough time. (Took us 2.5 hrs & we are in good shape). 7. Do the Slot Canyon first, then the nice walk around the cave trail. You will love the views & amazing rock formations.

Awesome hike! We loved the trail - adventurous, fun and exciting. The trail offered a variety in terrain, views, and more. This was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Santa Fe. The hike all the way up to the top and back took about 3 hours (we also had a little one with us so stopped frequently). Tips: - Go early (to beat the crowds and before the sun is beating down) - Wear hiking shoes (with the rocky terrain, your feet will thank you) - Wear a hat - Pack water

This is a must see! Once of my most favorite hikes to date. Be sure to wear appropriate hiking boots that offer ankle support!

One of the most amazing places I have ever been. Tent Rocks National Monument gets my highest recommendation of places to visit in New Mexico. I am so thankful to the concierge at the La Fonda hotel for recommending this place. I'm not a hiker and I loved this place. So if you are thinking that you can't go because you can't climb and amble over boulders, get that thought out of your head! We visited during March 2015 and the weather was perfect. You can park and walk directly onto the path. As you move down the path, the rock formations get more interesting and in the distance you can see some pretty amazing test rocks. There are benches and rocks along the way where you can sit and catch your breath, especially if you are from sea level like me. Then, you will get to the slot canyon part. Don't stop. Keep going. No matter how far you can go, the view is amazing. Make sure to look up as you walk along the easy path. I walked as far as I could until there was a large boulder (close to 4 feet tall) in my path. That's where I stopped, but my husband continued. The path up until that point was easy. The path after that, my husband tells me was more challenging. You can stop at any point and turn around, but if you can physically make it to the top, do it. The view of the tent rocks from the summit is amazing. I saw kids going up the cliff and my husband said kids who looked to be 10 were at the summit. Even if you can't get to the top, it's worth it. It's so beautiful. Also, there is a looping trail that you can take back. I saw several people on the trail who decided the hike to the top was too much. Tent Rocks is less than 1 hour from Santa Fe and worth the drive. No question. Go to the bathroom before you get there. Tips: bring water, wear sunscreen, and take your time.

Heard about this from a coworker and came to check it out for ourselves. There are 2 trail options and we went with the easier one since we had our 11mo with us, though we might try the other trail next time to get some better pictures. The loop didn't take us very long; we went from the left to start and there are some mild inclines but I'm sure it was only more tiring because I was carrying 26lbs of extra weight on me! Parking is $5 (different rates depending on group size) and there can be a bit of a hold up waiting to get in and pay for parking. They have some benches along the trails for you to take a break, and several tables and benches at the entrance so you can bring some lunch for after. There are also bathrooms at the entrance with toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

I was very happy to make it to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Park on the last day of my New Mexico trip. We had gone in February and a freak snow storm closed down Bandelier. Kasha-Katuwe stayed open even though one of their trails (Slot Canyon) was shut down because of ice. It was worth it to do the drive even with only access to the Cave Loop Trail. The drive is long and the visitor center is far away from the park. But keep going and you will reach the parking lot and see other people. Cave Loop Trail is not long (1.2 miles) and very easy to accomplish. I even saw people with strollers. The sights are amazing and you get to see the tent shaped hoodoos. Saved me a trip to Cappadocia. I would have loved to experience the Slot Canyon Trail but safety first and really, I think there is plenty to see in New Mexico that would warrant a return trip. Slot Canyon next time!

Wow, what an underrated National Monument. The tent rocks reminded me of Cappadocia in Turkey. The view is amazing, and if you are able, the Slot Canyon Trail is a must! The trail is considered "moderate" but 90% of the trail is easy. There are some large rocks to step over heading to the peak, and I saw lots of people able to finish the trail. I was rarely on all fours. $5 per car, and you get your NPS passport stamped at the gate (not the visitors center that is about 5 miles away from the entrance of the park itself). GPS was a little iffy, so we followed signs for Cochiti Pueblo and the brown NPS signs and had no problem. The parking lot is also not as big as I thought. No dogs allowed!

This was the definite highlight of our Santa Fe weekend. I am so glad that we took a day off from fantastic shopping and tequila sippin' and took the drive to Tent Rocks. Truly a magical day! Take the Slot Rock Trail. Keep your hands free, as it was tough to do parts of the climb with hands full and I had to actually hold the bottles in my shirt for part of the way. But with sandy surface, and narrow trails, I needed my hands free to get me over some steep steps. Definitely amazing views. Truly awesome experience and sights. If this isn't sacred... don't know what is! Amazing trail.

About 45 minutes or so if a drive from Santa Fe. $5 fee per car and you'll get a little brochure about the park. 4 miles in you'll park and you have two trails you can take. Further up there's another but we didn't get that far. We did the Cave Loop and then hoped on the Canyon Tail (which was my favorite). I would say it is a moderate trail. Climbing over rocks and some narrow spaces. We ended up spending about 3 hours here between the two trails and taking photos. Today was a little windy so make sure to bring a light jacket! If you enjoy the outdoors and how rock formations came about then this trail will interest you!

Visitor center is nice to stop for a bathroom break & maybe stuff you forgot to buy for the hike...it's a hike to see the cool stuff! Need cash to get into park (like any national park). We went in March, brought light sweater & weather was both cool and warm depending on winds and sun that day. Bring water!!! Wear hiking or trail shoes. Also, you have no reception on cell.

I I love go to Tent Rocks , because is easy hikes, is beautiful place to visits, is have see some of unique Mountain in sudden area, great! Views, i has been there 6 times in 2 years. Love it! Ill go back there again

This was one of the greatest hikes I've taken in NM so far I'm not an expert or hike often. This hike is kid friendly, has a restroom available also picnic tables to rest and have lunch. No dogs allowed :( . My son had such a wonderful time that we have done this hike several times.

If you are around Albuquerque and looking for a relatively easy day hike that isn't too far of a drive, this will probably work. It's a 30-40 minute drive North of ABQ off of I-25N. Compared to some National Parks that are within 5 hours of ABQ, this one isn't quite as epic but still worth the drive. There are several trails, one of which is considerable to walking in your backyard in terms of ease, and the other is a little more challenging. Both trails have pretty cool views. Bring plenty of water, your camera, and leave Fido AT HOME.

Each time I take in the beauty and energy of Tent Rocks, I'm amazed at how different it feels. A short and easy ride from Santa Fe, the hike can be as easy or challenging as you see fit. Whether you are spending a quiet moment in the slot canyon listening to the wind, or 3-point climbing over some more challenging parts of the trail, it feels sort of otherworldly realizing how long these rocks have been on earth. Although the hike to the summit is challenging, especially for those of us who live closer to sea level, the payoff views are breathtaking. Be sure to stop in and support the Cochiti Pueblo Visitor Center. Really nice staff and you get to mark a map with your home state. Also be prepared with water, a hat and sunscreen, lots of exposure along the way.

Plusses: it's only an hour from ABQ (which in NM is a nothing drive.) It costs only $5 per car. The slot canyon hike is fairly easy, but still challenging. The park is clean. Really clean.* And of course, it's beautiful and magical. The rock strata is well defined, the canyon formation is amazing, and there are enough random evergreens to provide some variation to the landscape and relief to your eyes. The air is very still in the canyon, but I could imagine that in the wind season it would be darn treacherous. Minuses: Limited parking and it gets full fast and early. Don't go on a warm holiday weekend (like me) because you will need to wait for an hour just to get into the park. Boo. Also, it gets crowded so you will not be having a private moment with nature. You will be having a semi-private moment with photo ops. And, use the bathroom before you hit the trail, because there are no potty spots at the end. *except for the bozo who left the almost empty blueberry energy drink can sitting on a bench. Who does that? This is a national park. Pack your trash.

Awesome short hike to do. It was about 3.5 miles. It's just amazing to see the rock formation. When my friends and I went there was practically no one there. I always love when the hikes are secluded and not overcrowded. It allows you to enjoy the scenery a bit more. Some parts were sunny and some parts where cold and windy. It's very safe to hike this. It's not hard at all. You don't need hiking boots but it definitely makes things easier.

I can not rate this area although I really was looking forward to seeing this. Do to the pandemic this attraction was closed!

Amazing! The cone shaped tent rock formations is a must see. Be prepared to hike and walk the picturesque trail through the mountains. It's about a 2 hr hike to complete the trail. Bring water, comfortable shoes and a camera. I have never seen anything like this before. It is absolutely beautiful and serene. It's not too far from Sante Fe and very much worth the stop.

We got up here at 9:00 and there was a 2 1/2 hour wait to get in and they would not let you park outside and walk in. We went up the road 5 miles to the Lake by the dam and hiked down to the dam and back up. It was fun. Met some people from Paris, France and Hollister, Ca. along the way. Next time we will get there much earlier to guarantee getting in. The pictures of the place look incredible, so we will be back. Disappointed that we could not get in, but sitting in a line waiting in your car for 2 1/2 hours, we had better things to do!

We drove there and no where does it says Dogs are not allowed. If you go into the Park with a dog it's $250 fine. You can't leave them in vehicles. So if you drive there like we did with a dog, you are out of luck! Shouldn't this be posted clearly on their website?

Stunningly beautiful hike and views! Definitely do the slot canyon trail and skip the cave trail. Will take about 3 hours for everything (including breaks). Not a lot of shade on the trail but the narrows provide some breezes and cooler temps. Not a lot of amenities at the park so make sure to go to the Cochiti visitor center on your way in to get water and snacks. $5 entrance fee for cars and ample parking.

This was such a fun excursion! I was in NM on spring break from college with a friend, and we made time to stop here after seeing pictures. The hike isn't bad (just give yourself a minute to get used to the altitude). Definitely do the Slot Canyon Trail - it gets a little harder and you need a bit more effort (and use of your hands), but don't stop, because the view is amazing! The rangers were nice and the weather was beautiful. Highly recommend.