Hiking Tour in Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks

A stunning recreational and geological observatory

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Half-Day Tour Available in Santa Fe, NM:

7:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Year-Round

2 GUEST MIN / 8 GUEST MAX

FLY DIRECT to Albuquerque, Santa Fe, or Taos Learn More ›
MEET AT: Santa Fe’s Hotel St. Francis
RETURN TO: Santa Fe’s Hotel St. Francis
- Comfortable shoes
- Hat and/or sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Layered, weather-appropriate clothing
- Water
- Entry to Kasha-Katuwe Monument
- Lunch at Opuntia Cafe in Santa Fe
- Gratuity for your inspired guide.
At high elevations and in a dry climate, proper hydration, warm breathable layers, and sun protection is a necessity. New Mexico weather can also change without much notice.
1 = Easy | 3 = Moderate | 5 = Difficult
1. Easy – Leisurely-paced walking tours with minimal physical exertion. Includes cultural explorations such as gallery visits, shopping tours, or cooking experiences. Suitable for all fitness levels.
2. Mild – Slightly more active than Level 1, these tours may include some walking on uneven terrain or short, easy hikes. Includes beginner-friendly outdoor activities and luxury glamping experiences with minimal hiking.
3. Moderate – Involves a mix of walking, hiking, or light physical activities such as kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). Also includes the luxury stargazing glamping tour, which involves moderate exploration. Suitable for those with a reasonable fitness level who enjoy being active.
4. Challenging – Requires a higher level of fitness and stamina. May include longer hikes, paddling for extended periods, or multi-hour activities in rugged terrain. Some glamping experiences that involve more intensive exploration also fit here.
5. Difficult – Physically demanding adventures designed for experienced and fit participants. These could involve full-day strenuous hikes, technical outdoor activities, or rugged backcountry experiences.

Our Private Tours are not part of our regular Regional Tour Schedule, please fill out our inquiry form or reach our via email to tours@heritageinspirations.com directly to inquire about availability and include the Tour Title in your subject and we will get back with you within 24-48 hours upon your request.

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CANCELLATION POLICY

“We organized a private tent rock guided hike. Communication with this company to set up everything was by far one of the best I’ve encountered. Super responsive and organized. The hike was a great start to our day, we were picked up at our rental and had a relaxed, comfortable ride. Our guide was very prepared with beverages and recommendations and lots of great facts along the way. Was great to have someone along the way to take group photos and to give you information that you wouldn’t have being solo. The hike length was great for feeling like you got in a good sweat but didn’t chew up your whole day. Lunch was included at a local cafe and was a cute spot, we really enjoyed ourselves. I would highly recommend this hike, you won’t be disappointed.”

- Katie

What to Expect: Hiking Tour in Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks

The Bureau of Land Management calls Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument a “remarkable outdoor laboratory” but we like to think of it more as a stunning recreational and geological observatory. Tent Rocks is known for water sculpted sandstone hoodoos (also called tent rocks), which are soft cliffsides that have been eroded by years of weather to form thin cone like spires and slot canyons that look like stretched taffy.

On this 3-mile round trip scenic hike, 25 miles south of Santa Fe, you’ll get to see these incredible tent rock formations with boulder caps, poised like hats, on tall columnar bodies of rock.

Here, two different geologic processes formed the rock layers. It began with volcanic eruptions in the nearby Jemez Mountains 6.7 to 7 million years ago that formed igneous rock. This rock, also called “tuff” was a by-product of silvery-gray pumice and ash ejected from numerous vents that fell throughout the region.

Other eruptions threw out larger fragments of igneous rock called “rhyolite,” which ranges in color from light gray to red. Today, you can see these two types of rock together forming ethereal shapes and scenes and it has developed the multi-colored textured landscape that this region is famous for. These particularly otherworldly shapes and scenes, at Tent Rocks, were created in a micro-climate area where wind and water erosion gradually stripped away the sedimentary rocks’ sides.

After you climb about 650 feet up, going through slight one-person wide tunnels and oohing and ahhing over the slot canyon’s hoodoos and striated rock formations, you’ll reach the top’s dramatic views of the Sandia mountains, the Sangre de Cristo mountains and the Jemez mountain range.

Upon the 45-minute drive back you’ll top off your hiking tour savoring a delicious lunch at Opuntia, one of Santa Fe’s finest neighborhood cafes with a lovely outdoor setting. This will be a lovely way to reflect upon your experience at Tent Rocks!

Have you always wanted to see some ethereal rock formations and wind your way through tall canyon walls? Well, this is your way to do it while on your trip to New Mexico! Book your trip today and we’ll take care of all of the details for your outdoor Tent Rocks adventure.

Hiking Terrain Elevation at 5,731 ft
Slot Canyon Trail | 1.5 miles roundtrip
Involves some climbing and narrow places between canyon walls. Trail switchbacks up 640 feet up to the plateau.
Cave Loop | 1.2 miles optional add-on
Hiking along designated trail following curve along upper edge of a side valley, crossing a view of sandy washes while staying fairly level.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks is a National Monument in partnership of Cochiti Pueblo and the Bureau of Land Management.