Popularly known as the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National monument, it is one of the most beautiful, unique, and fascinating destinations to visit. Located in New Mexico, the tent rocks are named just as they look, having cone-shaped rock formations. It is made of different colours of cliffs ranging from beige, white, and pink. The popular name Kasha-Katuwe originated from the traditional Keresan language that lives nearby. The name means “white cliffs”.
If you are up for a 3 miles hike and getting a rewarding view, then this is for you. The first 1.2 miles of the trails is easy but the last 1.5 miles are the most difficult.
When in Mexico, never miss the chance to visit this awe-inspiring sight. But if you are not a fan of hiking, you might ask yourself questions like can I see the tent rocks without hiking? You are not the only one having these thoughts, a lot of people do not want to go through the stress of hiking.
In this article, you will get to know if you can see the Kasha-Katuwe tent rocks without hiking. You will also get to know about how the rocks were formed and trails that can lead you to the hilltop. You will also get to know if any entrance fees will be paid or not.
Grab a cone of popcorn, you never know this can be an addition to your bucket list for when you visit New Mexico.
Can You See Tent Rocks Without Hiking?
No, you can not see the tent rocks without hiking. The tent rocks are 100 feet tall with some slightly taller than others. To be able to see the beautiful formations of these historical rock tents, you need to hike up a trail to get the amazing view and appreciate it.
Visitors troop year in and year out but mostly during the summer months to see the tent rocks. There is an available parking lot where you park your vehicle or motorcycle and then hit the trail.
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What Are The Trails of Tent Rocks?
If you are ready to hike the trails to see the tent rocks, lace up your hiking boots or shoes as I take you on a journey of the different trails you can use to get that amazing view. The trail is well marked right from the parking lot, so it won’t be a hard one. There are two options for the trail at the tent rocks.
- If you are up for a challenge, then the canyon trail is the one for you. The first 3-mile on the canyon trail is Sandy with a mixture of evergreen and desert landscapes. You will get to experience the amazing softness while towering high. There is also an amazing contrast between light and shadow. After the slender gorge, there is 630 feet of elevation to get to the top. This might make you rethink why you choose this trail, but never forget you took the challenge to do so. Once you get to the Apex of the path you will behold the amazing view of the tent rocks. You can also view the Rio Grande Valley, Jemez and the Sandia Mountains, and the Sangre de Cristo which is a bonus. You can enjoy your view for as long as you want within the visiting hours, take as many pictures as you want, and descend the trail back to the parking lot.
- The second trail is the Cave loop trail. If you do not have the courage to steep ascent and feel dizzy from height, then this trail is the one for you. From the parking lot, for a half-miler, you walk towards the slot canyon and turn to your left at a junction. From there the ground is fairly leveled to a cave named after the trail. Once at the cave, you will notice how high off the ground the cave is. History has it that is what the ancestral native Americans prefer. They stayed there during storms and hardly do wild animals enter. The cave opening is small, probably due to the short stature of the native Americans. There are smoke stains which indicates that people have stayed in the cave. After seeing the cave, you can descend back to the parking lot.
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How Did The Tent Rocks Come About?
When you get to the Tent rocks, you immediately see where it got its name. Above the valley floor, there are legions of cone-shaped Rocky formations with beige, white and pink colours.
The tent rocks were formed about 6-7 million years ago and it comprises nearly 100 feet of pumice, ash, and tuffs. Strolling among these giant work of nature make the feeling a unique one.
Most of the spikes look like giant golf balls on a tree. The tent rocks are a fascinating place to visit and walking around will give you a better view of the rocks.
Is There Any Wildlife At The Tent Rocks?
Yes, you will encounter some friendly wildlife. You might see birds of different varieties, Chipmunks, Squirrels, and Rabbits.
Depending on the season you are visiting, you might even get to see larger animals like wild turkeys or even deer and elks.
Do You Pay Gate Fees At The Tent Rocks?
For those with a Golden eagle pass, no entry fee is charged. If you don’t have one you will be charged a fee at the gated area. You can check their website to know how much they charge at the time you will be visiting because the amount changes.
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What Time Can You Visit The Tent Rocks?
The Kasha-Katuwe tent rocks monument opens at 8:00 a.m and 4:00 pm. This is a very good time to catch the sunrise and sunset. These times are also good for amazing pictures and videos which you can share with friends, on Instagram, and frame some for your wall. The monument starts all the closing procedures at 3:30 pm and by 5 pm, the monument is cleared. All visitors are out of the fee booth area by 5:00 pm.
The monument is usually closed on New year’s Eve and Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas day, Fridays and Saturdays before Easter, and the Sunday and Monday after Easter.
The monument experience a high number of visits mostly during the summer months. If you happen to visit at these times, entrance might be delayed due to the number of people. You might also experience a lack of parking space for your vehicle due to the high number of visitors.
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Conclusion
The tent rocks are one sight to behold, having an old history as far as 6-7 million years ago. You need to hike a few miles up two different trails depending on the one you chose to get the amazing view of this historical sight.
There are a few days when the monument is closed, but it is open most of the year. A lot of people visit the tent rocks with higher numbers during the summer months. If you want to visit during those times when there are surely going to be a lot of people.
You will pay an entrance fee to the gated area of the monument. This fee changes but when you finally get to the lookout area and get the view. It will all be worth it.
