Pets allowed
Not Allowed
Elevation Gain
690.00 ft (210.31 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
3.00 mi (4.83 km)
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This 3-mile out-and-back provides from ever-changing views, geological formations, and even a short slot canyon on the way to the vista. Hikers will start off on the Cave Loop Trail and hike a half-mile to the intersection of the Slot Canyon Trail. Leaving the trailhead, hikers are immediately greeted with the tent rocks for which Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is named.

At the junction of the Cave Loop Trail and the Slot Canyon Trail, hikers will stay to the right to start on the mile-long Slot Canyon Trail. Just beyond the trail junction is a quarter-mile slot canyon that is easy to navigate through. After the slot canyon the trail starts to rapidly ascend to a final vista over the Sandia Crest to the west and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the north.  

The return to the trailhead descends from the vista, and hikers are greeted by the tent rocks that they had their back to on the way to the vista. Hikers can go right at the junction with the Cave Loop Trail if they want to add some more miles on their hike, or stay to the left and return the way they came.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Fall

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

General Day Use Fee

Pros

Geological formations. Wildflowers. Great views.

Cons

Congested.

Trailhead Elevation

5,731.00 ft (1,746.81 m)

Features

Big vistas
Geologically significant

Typically multi-day

No

Location

Nearby Adventures

Jemez Mountains + Sierra Nacimiento, New Mexico

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Central New Mexico, New Mexico

Comments

05/15/2018
We hiked this trail yesterday and thought it was marvelous. The views were great, the slot canyon was easy, fun and beautiful and the rock formations were unique.
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