Slot Canyon Tent Rocks

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Tent Rocks Slot Canyon and Cave Loop CLOSED is a 3.1 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round. Length 3.1 miElevation gain 839 ftRoute type Loop. Slot Canyon Trail The Slot has beautiful examples of rock strata, hoodos, the effects of wind and water. The hike goes through some tunnels and up ledges. Stay on the trail as it is the formations is a religious site of the Cochiti Pueblo. Tent Rocks, Sandoval County, NM, USA GPS accuracy is poor while in the slot canyon but there is little chance of going off the trail. Amy Kelman 2 years, 7 months ago Sandoval County to Tent Rocks, Sandoval County, NM, USA.

4.9
3 miles - Out-and-Back Trail

Added by The Outbound Collective

This 3-mile hike with minimal elevation gain lets you explore Incredible desert hoodoos and beautiful slot canyons. Take in expansive views from the mesa top.

Hiking at Tent Rocks is a must-do for anyone in the northern New Mexico area. It's an accessible trail that gives you incredible rewards with little effort. The cone-shaped 'tent rocks' are the result of erosion following a volcanic explosion 6-7 million years ago, making for some incredible and unusual hoodoo formations.

The trail starts out at a well-marked parking lot. There are restrooms and picnic tables here should you need them. There are two trails - a shorter loop that stays at the base of the rocks and a longer one-way route that will end with huge views from the mesa top over Tent Rocks and the surrounding area. To take this route, stick to your right and follow the clearly marked signs.

The trail will meander through an arroyo with beautiful old trees dotting the landscape here and there, with the canyon walls rising up above you on either side. You'll soon come to a narrowing of the trail where it twists and turns through the narrow slot canyon. Be very mindful of thunderstorms when hiking in monsoon season (mid-June to mid-September) and do not hike if there is any danger of flash floods in the slot canyon. Exiting the slot canyon the area will open up more and you'll get closer to some massive hoodoos. The trail starts to climb from here for a short while until you reach the mesa top, dotted with gnarled old juniper trees.

Take a break and enjoy the view up here before heading back the way you came. If you're heading north to Santa Fe, stop by Second Street Brewery for a great beer and green chile cheeseburger.

Getting there: From Santa Fe, take the Cochiti Pueblo Exit 264 off I-25 onto NM 16. Turn right off NM 16 onto NM 22, and follow the signs to Cochiti Pueblo and the National Monument. The parking lot is on your right about five miles after the fee station. Note that this is a day use only site and the gate closes at 4pm during winter and 6pm during summer.

This adventure was featured in The Outbound's Santa Fe County is Adventure True - Summer Lookbook 2019

Hiking
Easy Parking

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Reviews

Jenna Mulligan

🥇Top Contributor

6 months ago

slot canyons

I've been driving between Durango and Albuquerque for years, and had heard great things about this hike. I finally detoured for it and it was worth the hype - the tent rocks are stunners but my favorite section of the trail was the slot canyon

5.0

Isabella Whalen

12 months ago

Breathtaking views! Unlike anything

I went on a weekday, and wasn’t too busy. Apparently it gets to be a two hour wait just to park, so plan accordingly! Such unique formations, truly unlike anything I’ve seen before. Felt like I was teleported to another planet. Sweeping views at the summit of the entire surrounding area are worth the climb.

5.0

Brittney Dennisson

over 1 year ago

Gorgeous

Easy hike and a fun run if you need a challenge! Beautiful natural rock monuments. Locals leave zen rock stacks or cairns as they hike up and down the trail.

5.0

Madison Sankovitz

Explorer

🥇Top Contributor

over 2 years ago

Slot Canyon Tent Rocks

Beautiful Slot Canyons

This 3-mile hike with minimal elevation gain let me explore an incredible desert landscape and beautiful slot canyons. I took in expansive views from the mesa top.

5.0

SlotTent

Haley Churchill

🥉Contributor

over 2 years ago

Beautiful Tent Rocks

This was such a beautiful hike, definitely doable at any level. Pro Tip: bring at least 72 ounces of water with you on this 3 mile hike. Hiking in the heat catches up to you, but so worth it.

5.0

Tent

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on.

4.9
3 miles - Out-and-Back Trail

Added by The Outbound Collective

This 3-mile hike with minimal elevation gain lets you explore Incredible desert hoodoos and beautiful slot canyons. Take in expansive views from the mesa top.

Hiking at Tent Rocks is a must-do for anyone in the northern New Mexico area. It's an accessible trail that gives you incredible rewards with little effort. The cone-shaped 'tent rocks' are the result of erosion following a volcanic explosion 6-7 million years ago, making for some incredible and unusual hoodoo formations.

The trail starts out at a well-marked parking lot. There are restrooms and picnic tables here should you need them. There are two trails - a shorter loop that stays at the base of the rocks and a longer one-way route that will end with huge views from the mesa top over Tent Rocks and the surrounding area. To take this route, stick to your right and follow the clearly marked signs.

The trail will meander through an arroyo with beautiful old trees dotting the landscape here and there, with the canyon walls rising up above you on either side. You'll soon come to a narrowing of the trail where it twists and turns through the narrow slot canyon. Be very mindful of thunderstorms when hiking in monsoon season (mid-June to mid-September) and do not hike if there is any danger of flash floods in the slot canyon. Exiting the slot canyon the area will open up more and you'll get closer to some massive hoodoos. The trail starts to climb from here for a short while until you reach the mesa top, dotted with gnarled old juniper trees.

Take a break and enjoy the view up here before heading back the way you came. If you're heading north to Santa Fe, stop by Second Street Brewery for a great beer and green chile cheeseburger.

Getting there: From Santa Fe, take the Cochiti Pueblo Exit 264 off I-25 onto NM 16. Turn right off NM 16 onto NM 22, and follow the signs to Cochiti Pueblo and the National Monument. The parking lot is on your right about five miles after the fee station. Note that this is a day use only site and the gate closes at 4pm during winter and 6pm during summer.

This adventure was featured in The Outbound's Santa Fe County is Adventure True - Summer Lookbook 2019

Hiking
Easy Parking

We're committed to building a better, more inclusive home for the modern outdoors. Go PRO to support our mission and get benefits like gear deals, no ads, and more!

Join the community

Reviews

Jenna Mulligan

Slot Canyon Tent Rocks

🥇Top Contributor

6 months ago

slot canyons

Slot Canyon Tent Rocks New Mexico

I've been driving between Durango and Albuquerque for years, and had heard great things about this hike. I finally detoured for it and it was worth the hype - the tent rocks are stunners but my favorite section of the trail was the slot canyon

5.0

Isabella Whalen

12 months ago

Breathtaking views! Unlike anything

I went on a weekday, and wasn’t too busy. Apparently it gets to be a two hour wait just to park, so plan accordingly! Such unique formations, truly unlike anything I’ve seen before. Felt like I was teleported to another planet. Sweeping views at the summit of the entire surrounding area are worth the climb.

5.0

Brittney Dennisson

over 1 year ago

Gorgeous

Easy hike and a fun run if you need a challenge! Beautiful natural rock monuments. Locals leave zen rock stacks or cairns as they hike up and down the trail.

5.0

Madison Sankovitz

Explorer

🥇Top Contributor

over 2 years ago

Beautiful Slot Canyons

This 3-mile hike with minimal elevation gain let me explore an incredible desert landscape and beautiful slot canyons. I took in expansive views from the mesa top.

Tent Rocks Slot Canyon Trail Cochiti Pueblo

5.0

Haley Churchill

🥉Contributor

over 2 years ago

Beautiful Tent Rocks

This was such a beautiful hike, definitely doable at any level. Pro Tip: bring at least 72 ounces of water with you on this 3 mile hike. Hiking in the heat catches up to you, but so worth it.

5.0

Slot Canyon Tent Rocks National Monument

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Slot Canyon Tent Rocks Slot Canyon

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on.