Tent Rocks National Monument

The Low Down

Hike a national recreational trail that takes you through a slot canyon and up onto a mesa where there are great views of the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez Mountains. Along the way view the cone-shaped rock formations that form one of New Mexico's most unusual vistas. These formations are the products of volcanic eruptions that occurred 6 to 7 million years ago.

Tent Rocks

Getting There

From Albuquerque, take the exit for Santo Domingo/Cochiti Lake Recreation Area (exit 259) off I-25 onto NM 22. Follow the signs of NM 22 to Cochiti Pueblo and Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. Turn right off NM 22 at the pueblo water tower (painted like a drum) onto Tribal Route 92, which connects to Forest Service Road 266. Travel five miles on a gravel road to the national monument's designated parking/picnic area, fee station and trailhead.

Route Finding

The trail is for foot travel only and is made up of The Cave Loop Trail (1.2 miles) and the Canyon Trail (1.5 miles). Both begin at the parking area. The former trail is easy and the latter is the more interesting and challenging one. It has a steep (630 foot) climb to the top but the effort is well worth it as there are wonderful views of the Rio Grande Valley, the Sangre de Cristo, Jemez, and Sandia Mountains. The trail is well signed and children would enjoy the hike.

Trail Resources

There are covered picnic tables and clean restrooms at the trailhead. Both the Cave Loop Trail and the Canyon Trail can easily be done together and it is recommended that the latter be hiked first as it then joins the loop trail. Two things to think about before choosing this hike is that summer temperatures can be very hot and it is dangerous to hike during or when a thunderstorm is approaching.

Helpful Hints

Bring water.

Activities Allowed

This area provides opportunities for dayhiking, photography, birdwatching, geologic observation, and plant identification

External Links

Bureau of Land Management