Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument — Attraction in Four Corners States

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...

Highly recommend!

Went here recently for the first time, with family, and everyone had a lot of fun. I did both, Sloth Canyon and Cave Loop, trails.

Sloth Canyon trail is 3 miles round trip from the parking lot and I highly recommend. This is where you will be passing between the canyons and can truly experience what this monument is all about. Well marked trail is mostly easy except the last climbing part which I would say is moderate. It can be very slippery specially during rain and/or snow. This last part is also where you will be climbing and gaining 630 feet to the top. Of course views from the top is well worth it. It took us about 3 hours, including everything (pictures, rest, etc.), starting from the parking lot and back.

Cave Loop is an extremely easy trail and it is 1.2 miles round trip from the parking lot. Veterans Memorial trail was closed, so I don't know how that experience would have been.

Canyon and Cave trails are not accessible with strollers or wheelchairs.

Entrance fees for private vehicle is $5. Plenty of moderate condition restrooms are available. There are limited picnic tables which most likely will be taken if you go late. Please note that I did not see any availability of water. There is no food availability either. Cell phone signals are intermittent. Entrance and ranger station is 4 miles from the parking lot.

They have limited parking spots, so if it is full then they stop any more entrance and you have to wait until parking spots are available. I heard sometimes wait can be as much as 2 hours!

Last but very important, please check the weather before you go, specially during rainy, gusty winds, and/or winter season. Don't go if it is raining because flash flood may occur, as well as, there may be a lighting strike on the ridges. Also, don't go if it is snowing and/or extremely cold because trails can be very slippery and gusty winds blows through the canyons which makes it even colder as you walk between them.

Check the weather, prepare accordingly, fill up the gas, don't forget food and water, and go early to enjoy this incredible natural...

Had been wanting to revisit Tent Rocks sometime during the summer months and when the time finally came, I was not let down. For a five dollar entrance fee, the park has a lot to offer. Especially, for those either looking to capture some scenic shots or a moderate cardio workout (as the journey up does provide some level of difficulty). The main trail starts at the base on the mesa and winds its way through the canyon and eventually takes you to the top. During my most recent visit I would estimate that it took me no more than 35 minutes to complete the route up. On a hot and sunny day (as it was) the canyon walls offer little relief. If not a fan of hiking in hot temperatures. Then I advise going during the early morning hours, or to simply wait for a more overcast day. The Park itself is well maintained by BLM and the trails are clearly marked so that visitors to not venture too far off in the wrong direction. However, hours of operation are usual and perhaps even unfortunate. As the gates close at the seemingly abnormal time of 4 o'clock. Which is especially curious during the summer season as four more hours of sunlight still remain. That said, if planning a visit for later in the day. Consider the amount of time it will take you to venture up and down the mesa. So that you may provide yourself with enough wiggle room to both enjoy and take in the splendor of the monument. I should also inform you that BLM officials hike up to the top of the mesa everyday at 3:30. In an effort to ensure that the park is cleared of all visitors come closing. So be prepared to encounter them if cutting it close on time. My most recent visit was nothing more than spectacular and Tent Rocks National Monument remains one of New Mexico's most majestic and hidden natural wonders. Truly something every native or visitor to the state should see at least once during...