Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument Ticketed Entry
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
There are two steps to complete to gain admission to the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument (Monument):
- Reserve a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ticket Reservation from this webpage beginning November 12. The Monument is open for visitation Thursday through Monday between November 21 and December 14, except for Thanksgiving, (11/28).
- Purchase a Cochiti Pueblo Tribal Access Pass from Cochiti Pueblo, via https://www.purplepass.com/cochitikktr .
Review the BLM Ticket Reservation fees and information on this webpage AND the Cochiti Pueblo Tribal Access Pass fees https://www.purplepass.com/cochitikktr to understand all fees and visitation details prior to making a reservation.
The Monument, managed by the BLM, is reopening on November 21, 2024. Upon reopening, the BLM will implement a modified fee and reservation system to help provide a more positive visitor experience and protect the Monument’s fragile resources. Reservations are available Thursday through Monday, for the dates of November 21 to December 14, 2024 (Monument is closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, November 28, 2024). The BLM will provide additional reservations for future opportunities to visit the Monument as soon as possible, following the Monument's seasonal closure dates of December 15, 2024, to January 31, 2025. Please check back here for updates.
Visiting the Monument
- All visitors must check in at the Cochiti Visitor Center prior to entry into the Monument.
- Check-in can begin no earlier than 7:45 a.m. and will continue through 1:00 p.m.
- Visitors will be led into the Monument by pilot vehicles.
- First pilot vehicle will leave at 8:00 a.m.
- Pilot vehicles will leave the Cochiti Visitor Center regularly.
- Last pilot vehicle will leave the Cochiti Visitor Center at 1:00 p.m.
- Pilot vehicles will escort visitors back to the Cochiti Visitor Center. Visitors are asked to wait for a pilot vehicle to leave the area (unless there is an emergency).
- All visitors must exit the Monument by 4:00 p.m.
About the Monument
Designated by U.S. Congress in 2001, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is part of the Pajarito Plateau in north-central New Mexico. Wind and water erosion has created unique cone-shaped rock formations from pumice, ash, and tuff deposits from volcanic eruptions that occurred 6 to 7 million years ago. This area is recognized as the ancestral homelands of the Cochiti and is managed today in close cooperation with the Pueblo. Visitors can experience the geology and cultural significance of this area by hiking the challenging Slot Canyon Trail or taking a moment to reflect at Veterans’ Memorial Overlook.
There are two steps to complete to gain admission to the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument (Monument):
- Reserve a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ticket Reservation from this webpage beginning November 12. The Monument is open for visitation Thursday through Monday between November 21 and December 14, except for Thanksgiving, (11/28).
- Purchase a Cochiti Pueblo Tribal Access Pass from Cochiti Pueblo, via https://www.purplepass.com/cochitikktr .
Review the BLM Ticket Reservation fees and information on this webpage AND the Cochiti Pueblo Tribal Access Pass fees https://www.purplepass.com/cochitikktr to understand all fees and visitation details prior to making a reservation.
The Monument, managed by the BLM, is reopening on November 21, 2024. Upon reopening, the BLM will implement a modified fee and reservation system to help provide a more positive visitor experience and protect the Monument’s fragile resources. Reservations are available Thursday through Monday, for the dates of November 21 to December 14, 2024 (Monument is closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, November 28, 2024). The BLM will provide additional reservations for future opportunities to visit the Monument as soon as possible, following the Monument's seasonal closure dates of December 15, 2024, to January 31, 2025. Please check back here for updates.
Visiting the Monument
- All visitors must check in at the Cochiti Visitor Center prior to entry into the Monument.
- Check-in can begin no earlier than 7:45 a.m. and will continue through 1:00 p.m.
- Visitors will be led into the Monument by pilot vehicles.
- First pilot vehicle will leave at 8:00 a.m.
- Pilot vehicles will leave the Cochiti Visitor Center regularly.
- Last pilot vehicle will leave the Cochiti Visitor Center at 1:00 p.m.
- Pilot vehicles will escort visitors back to the Cochiti Visitor Center. Visitors are asked to wait for a pilot vehicle to leave the area (unless there is an emergency).
- All visitors must exit the Monument by 4:00 p.m.
About the Monument
Designated by U.S. Congress in 2001, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is part of the Pajarito Plateau in north-central New Mexico. Wind and water erosion has created unique cone-shaped rock formations from pumice, ash, and tuff deposits from volcanic eruptions that occurred 6 to 7 million years ago. This area is recognized as the ancestral homelands of the Cochiti and is managed today in close cooperation with the Pueblo. Visitors can experience the geology and cultural significance of this area by hiking the challenging Slot Canyon Trail or taking a moment to reflect at Veterans’ Memorial Overlook.
Need to Know
- Tribal Access Pass Required
All visitors to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument (Monument) must also purchase a Cochiti Pueblo Tribal Access Pass which is only available via the website for Cochiti Pueblo (https://www.purplepass.com/cochitikktr). The Cochiti Pueblo’s Tribal Access Pass and the BLM Ticket Reservation are separate. All visitors must have obtained both to access the Monument. The Cochiti Pueblo Tribal Access Pass is not eligible to be waived by the America the Beautiful Pass.
- Dogs & Drones
Dogs and drones are not permitted in the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument at any time.
- Entry Rules
This reservation does not assign a parking space but allows for one vehicle entry into the Monument starting at 8:00 a.m. All visitors within the vehicle must have a BLM Ticket Reservation and Cochiti Pueblo Tribal Access Pass to enter. The last pilot car will leave the Cochiti Visitor Center at 1:00 p.m. Visitors must exit the Monument by 4:00 p.m.
- How many reservations do I need?
One BLM Ticket Reservation is required for each person.
- Reservation Requirements
The BLM Ticket Reservation must be purchased online at Recreation.gov or using the Recreation.gov mobile app. BLM Ticket Reservations will not be sold at the Monument. BLM Ticket Reservations are non-transferable, and resale or auction of BLM Ticket Reservations are prohibited.
- Park Closing Time
Park Rangers begin closing procedures at 1:30 p.m. from the end of the Slot Canyon Trail on top of the Mesa. The Monument will close promptly at 4:00 p.m. in consideration of the local gateway community of Cochiti Pueblo.
- Passes
If you have an America the Beautiful Annual or Lifetime Pass, a timed reservation is still required. These passes will waive your per-person BLM Ticket Reservation Fees for you and up to three guests, but each guest must have a reservation. Please note, each visitor must also purchase a Cochiti Pueblo Tribal Access Pass. Valid entrance passes currently accepted are: Interagency Annual Pass, Interagency Senior Pass, Interagency Access Pass, Interagency Volunteer Pass, Interagency Military Pass, Interagency 4th Grade Pass, Golden Age, Golden Access. Valid ID that matches the pass is required at the entrance station.
- Arrive Early
In order to ensure enough time to complete the Slot Canyon Trail, visitors should arrive before 1:00 p.m.
- Facilities and Trails
The trails are for foot traffic only. No horses, bikes, dogs, drones, or motorized vehicles.
The Cave Loop Trail is 1.2 miles long, rated as easy.
The Slot Canyon Trail is an out-and-back trail which is 1.5 miles (3 miles total) into a narrow canyon with a steep (630-ft) climb to the mesa top for excellent views of the Sangre de Cristo, Jemez, Sandia mountains and the Rio Grande Valley. It is considered moderately strenuous, requiring the use of hands and feet to scramble up and through narrow cracks and along steep ledges above drop offs. Sturdy footwear is recommended.
The Veterans Memorial Trail is a 1-mile-long loop trail, rated as very easy. While the Trail is flat and graveled, wheelchair use may be difficult.
The Overlook path from the Accessible parking location is paved and wheelchair accessible.
- Weather
Summer temperatures can exceed 90 degrees. During the summer monsoon season, the canyon may flash flood and lightning may strike the ridges.
Winter can bring snowstorms and temperatures below freezing. Please be aware that trails may become icy.
Both winter and summer storms could cause the Monument to close.
- Services
No food or water is available at the Monument. Visitors are advised to bring at least one quart (one liter) of water per person.
- Amenities
Accessible picnic tables, shelters and vault toilets are available at both trailheads.
- Leave no Trace
Please leave natural resources and cultural artifacts, rocks, and structures alone. Pack out what you brought in and take only pictures home with you.
Booking Windows
Beginning November 12, 2024, BLM Ticket Reservations are required for access to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument (Monument).
At this time, BLM Ticket Reservations are only available Thursday through Monday, for the dates November 21 to December 14, 2024. (Please note, the Monument will be closed on Thursday, November 28, 2024, for the Thanksgiving holiday.)
The BLM will provide additional reservations for future opportunities to visit the Monument as soon as possible, following the Monument's seasonal closure dates of December 15, 2024, to January 31, 2025. Please check back on Recreation.gov for updates.
Changes and Cancellations
Amenity Fee:
$5.00 for each visitor over age 16
$0.00 for each visitor 16 and younger
America the Beautiful Annual and Lifetime Pass holders must book BLM Ticket Reservations and will be prompted to provide their pass number during the reservation process to ensure there is no fee for the reservation, (each pass holder is allowed up to three guests with you). Be prepared to show your Annual or Lifetime Pass, associated valid ID, and your BLM Ticket Reservation. Please note, America the Beautiful Passes are not for sale at the entrance booth to the Monument. All BLM Ticket Reservations must take place on Recreation.gov. Visitors may purchase America the Beautiful Passes online or find locations that sell passes at https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes.
The Monument accepts only the Valid entrance passes accepted below:
- Interagency Annual Pass
- Interagency Senior Annual or Lifetime Pass
- Interagency Access Pass
- Interagency Volunteer Pass
- Interagency Military Pass
- Interagency 4th Grade Pass
- Golden Age Pass
- Golden Access Pass
Cancellation Policy: If you cannot make a trip, please cancel your BLM Ticket Reservation. Cancellations must be made by midnight prior to the day of arrival for a full refund. Refunds will not be given for tickets cancelled or modified after midnight on the day of the reservation. To submit your cancellation, please log in to your Recreation.gov account to view and cancel your BLM Ticket Reservation.
No Show Policy: If you do not arrive during your reserved day, your BLM Ticket Reservation fee will not be refunded, and you will be refused entry into the Monument.
If the Monument is closed due to a weather-related or unforeseen event, the BLM Ticket Reservation fee will be refunded.
For the Cochiti Pueblo Tribal Access Pass cancellation policy, visit https://www.purplepass.com/cochitikktr
Contact Information
Mailing Address
Rio Puerco Field Office 100 Sun Avenue NE Albuquerque NM 87109
Phone Number
505-761-8700
