Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

In my last two posts about the splendor of the hikes you can take around Santa Fe, I headed north of Santa Fe where we scrambled up and down ladders at Bandelier National Monument, and then another day head towards the stark inspirational beauty of Plaza Blanca.  Our third and final hiking excursion during our stay was to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, which is between Santa Fe and Albuquerque and about an hour away if you start at either of those cities.

What makes this hike fun is that it’s a relatively easy hike that includes walking through (and a few climbing over rocks) in the slot canyons as well as hiking up to the top of the cliffs for some stunning views of the rocks from bottom to top, if you take the 1.5 mile each way Canyon Trail to the overlook 630 feet up. Then on the way back join up with the rest of the 1.2 mile round trip easy Cave Loop and take the other fork to circle back to the parking area, which also takes you past a man made cave.

What makes this hike special are the the unique rock formations that are tent like, giving Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks their name. Kasha Katuwe means White Cliffs in the language of the Cochiti Pueblo people – you drive through some of their tribal lands to get here. We visited on a day after a huge rainstorm, and so the rocks still were retaining the moisture which resulted in more color and being able to really see the geologic layers of all the many thousands of years before us.
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument 40 miles S of Sante Fe. Kasha-Katuwe means White Cliffs in the Keresan language of the nearby Cochiti Pueblo. It so happened that there was a big rain storm system that went through earlier in the week though, so instead of being white there is some color in the rock from the absorbed moisture that show off the layers Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument 40 miles S of Sante Fe. Kasha-Katuwe means White Cliffs in the Keresan language of the nearby Cochiti Pueblo. It so happened that there was a big rain storm system that went through earlier in the week though, so instead of being white there is some color in the rock from the absorbed moisture that show off the layers Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument 40 miles S of Sante Fe. Kasha-Katuwe means White Cliffs in the Keresan language of the nearby Cochiti Pueblo. It so happened that there was a big rain storm system that went through earlier in the week though, so instead of being white there is some color in the rock from the absorbed moisture that show off the layers

Walking through the canyons on Canyon Trail, you’ll be able to see the details of these layers up close.
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument 40 miles S of Sante Fe. Kasha-Katuwe means White Cliffs in the Keresan language of the nearby Cochiti Pueblo. It so happened that there was a big rain storm system that went through earlier in the week though, so instead of being white there is some color in the rock from the absorbed moisture that show off the layers Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument 40 miles S of Sante Fe. Kasha-Katuwe means White Cliffs in the Keresan language of the nearby Cochiti Pueblo. It so happened that there was a big rain storm system that went through earlier in the week though, so instead of being white there is some color in the rock from the absorbed moisture that show off the layers Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument 40 miles S of Sante Fe. Kasha-Katuwe means White Cliffs in the Keresan language of the nearby Cochiti Pueblo. It so happened that there was a big rain storm system that went through earlier in the week though, so instead of being white there is some color in the rock from the absorbed moisture that show off the layers Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument 40 miles S of Sante Fe. Kasha-Katuwe means White Cliffs in the Keresan language of the nearby Cochiti Pueblo. It so happened that there was a big rain storm system that went through earlier in the week though, so instead of being white there is some color in the rock from the absorbed moisture that show off the layers

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, taking the Canyon Trail Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, taking the Canyon Trail

Walking through the canyons, they eventually get tighter into the slot canyons. When you visit, do be aware of any storm systems as slot canyons can be susceptible to flash flooding so take precautions. We saw the trails left behind from the flows of water the day before, but it was all dry for us with some areas of mud for the hike. Of course we weren’t visiting during monsoon season, and I still checked weather reports for flash flood risk.
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. Part of the trail is going to incude going through some slot canyons that some points require a little scrambling or fit only one person at a time Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. Part of the trail is going to incude going through some slot canyons that some points require a little scrambling or fit only one person at a time

There may be a few points which require a little climbing over rocks and under a boulder to get through, one person at a time. That just makes it more fun, right?
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. Part of the trail is going to incude going through some slot canyons that some points require a little scrambling or fit only one person at a time Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. Part of the trail is going to incude going through some slot canyons that some points require a little scrambling or fit only one person at a time Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. Part of the trail is going to incude going through some slot canyons that some points require a little scrambling or fit only one person at a time Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. Part of the trail is going to incude going through some slot canyons that some points require a little scrambling or fit only one person at a time

After the slot canyon section, you will come to the clearly formulated tent rocks. The cloudy skies cleared for us and provided a brilliant New Mexico blue sky contrasting background. The tent features of the rocks, also called hoodoos, might bring to mind the otherworldly “fairy chimneys” of Cappadocia in Turkey, which is the only other place in the world with these formations. In both cases, it was volcanic activity that then eroded over time into the cliffs, canyons, and cones of softer pumice and tuff.
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

Sometimes the softer rock portion is topped by a harder caprock, often resulting in fascinating rocks that appear to be barely balanced.
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument were formed by volcanic activity that then eroded over time into the cliffs, canyons, and cones of softer pumice and tuff often topped by a harder caprock, often resulting in fascinating rocks that appear to be barely balanced. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument were formed by volcanic activity that then eroded over time into the cliffs, canyons, and cones of softer pumice and tuff often topped by a harder caprock, often resulting in fascinating rocks that appear to be barely balanced.

And you may even see shapes that you recognize in the rock formations, similar to seeing shapes in clouds… I felt like I was passing guardians along the path at both these points here.
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. Some of the structures have caprocks perched on top of them; an amazing balancing act on the part of Mother Nature. This one looked like a little person Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. Some of the structures have caprocks perched on top of them; an amazing balancing act on the part of Mother Nature. This one looked like a little person

As you begin to ascend steeply at one point on the trail, you get a chance to see the tent rocks from bottom to top to from above as you continue to walk up the path. The top of the mesa affords you a view over the Tent Rock formations,  down Peralta Canyon and across to the far away Sangre de Cristo and Jemez Mountains. This was my favorite view of the hike.
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. Now we are going up a pretty steep part of the hike so that we get a chance to see the tent rocks from above on the cliffs. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. Now we are going up a pretty steep part of the hike so that we get a chance to see the tent rocks from above on the cliffs. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. Now we are going up a pretty steep part of the hike so that we get a chance to see the tent rocks from above on the cliffs. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. Now we are going up a pretty steep part of the hike so that we get a chance to see the tent rocks from above on the cliffs.

Here is the  famous view of the Tent Rocks at Kasha-Katuwe and the gorgeous landscape for miles and miles around us.
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. The reward for those steep rock stairs - a view of the tent rocks from above, and the gorgeous landscape for miles and miles around us Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. The reward for those steep rock stairs - a view of the tent rocks from above, and the gorgeous landscape for miles and miles around us

There’s a few more cool spots as you walk towards the end of the trail before you turn around go back and look down from the top at some of the canyons you had walked through earlier and also see a few more formations.

Looking into the canyon of Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument from the cliff top. Looking into the canyon of Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument from the cliff top. Looking into the canyon of Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument from the cliff top.

As you head back, you should get back on the other half of the Cave Loop trail where it branched, you follow it so that you will eventually get to where can view a manmade cave. The cave still has blackened walls from cooking fires, and notice how it’s high off the ground for safety from animals an weather and enemies.
Cave at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument Cave at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument Cave at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

Then when you are almost at the parking lot you will walk past more tent rocks which are more triangular and almost like teepees. I swear there’s a face in one of them…
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument Rock Face at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

In the parking lot, besides a self pay station for the park admission, there is a restroom, as well as several picnic tables for eating before or after your hike if you wish. There are animal friends around hoping you will picnic.
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument wildlife friend we encountered by the parking lot by the trailhead Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument wildlife friend we encountered by the parking lot by the trailhead

On the trail we encountered 3 other wildlife “friends”. I would not call them my friends, but F was pleased. This is pretty consistent with all our hikes – he’s always looking for all wildlife while I’m mesmerized by the views and getting them from different angles.
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument wildlife friend we encountered on the trail Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument wildlife friend we encountered on the trail

As I said before, of our 3 nature day trips, this was the most fun for hiking because of the variety in the path. We rewarded ourselves on our way back to Santa Fe by stopping at Duel Brewery, which specializes in Belgian style beers .They also have a tasting room under construction in Albuquerque,, so check for an update on their website because you might find it on your way to stop by too even if driving back to ABQ instead. The tasting room we visited at Parkway Drive in Santa Fe also showcases lots of paintings. They offer some light food of cheese, meat or vegetable plates to go with the beer.
Duel Brewing and Taproom specializes in Belgian Style beers. They also had a large variety of art in their tasting room. Duel Brewing and Taproom specializes in Belgian Style beers. They also had a large variety of art in their tasting room. Duel Brewing and Taproom specializes in Belgian Style beers. They also had a large variety of art in their tasting room. Duel Brewing and Taproom specializes in Belgian Style beers. They also had a large variety of art in their tasting room. Duel Brewing and Taproom specializes in Belgian Style beers.

What do you think of the tent rocks? Have you been to New Mexico before, what was your favorite day trip or hike? Of the three easy hiking day trips I’ve now shared, which sounds or looks most appealing to you?
Looking into the canyon of Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument from the cliff top.

Here’s the summary of my series of posts on Santa Fe, New Mexico Travels

Signature

Comments

  1. Oh my gosh, so excited you posted this. I was really curious if the Tent Rocks were worth it. Your photos prove YES! Not sure if I agree with Fred’s assessment of the “animal friends” in the spider though 😉

    • I wasn’t sure either but it was our favorite in terms of physical activity and there’s still quite a view payoff. But yeah, watch for those giant spiders… that one crossed the path and Fred helped it along it’s way to make sure it got across. Yay.

  2. Gaah I love and miss the landscape of New Mexico (I’m from AZ and there are several parts of the state that are quire similar). I’m so ready for a vacation. I actually just texted my sister today whining about wanting a quiet nature retreat, to go somewhere beautiful in nature with no wifi… just to get away from the world for awhile. This sounds lovely, EXCEPT for the hairy tarantula!!! Eek. Just looking at that pic made me squeal a bit.

  3. Oh wow, the tent rocks are amazing, and I really like thinking of them as fairy chimneys! I have always wanted to go to New Mexico, it’s just so beautiful.

  4. Amazing photos, Pech!! I totally see the face in that one too. And what the heck with that spider??! That’s no friend of mine, either… yikes. This looks like such a peaceful place to visit. It’s been at least 20 years since I’ve been to New Mexico. Think it’s time I add it back to our travel list!

    • It was awesome how much New Mexico was an different atmosphere and pace from Portland during our vacation escape, and I loved how they really celebrate nature and Native American culture more as well as influences from the south in terms of food from Mexico.

  5. WOW! This place looks so amazing. I love the colors that run through all the rocks. I never knew this place existed!! I will be looking into this asap. Great recap and WONDERFUL pictures!

  6. I have never heard of the Tent Rocks before, but this place is gorgeous!! I’ve driven through New Mexico on our way to Texas so we didn’t stop for any hikes. I would certainly love to visit this place in person, though! Amazing!

Speak Your Mind

*