These Ancient Pale-White “Tents” Are the Most Surreal Formations You Can See in New Mexico

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks, New Mexico

Between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, Kasha-Katuwe’s cone-shaped rocks rise from the desert like a field of giant party hats. These tent rocks, formed by ancient volcanic ash and erosion, create some of New Mexico’s most unique hiking trails through narrow canyons and past towering rock spires.

Volcanic Origins

The tent rocks emerged from explosive eruptions of the Jemez Volcanic Field. The tremendous explosions it spewed pyroclasts (rock fragments), while searing hot gases blasted down slopes in an incandescent avalanche called a pyroclastic flow, depositing pumice, ash, and tuff.

Wind and water worked together over millions of years to sculpt these distinctive shapes, carving through layers of volcanic material that vary in hardness. The harder caprock shields softer, easily eroded rock underneath from erosion, resulting in these cone-shaped formations that characterize the landscape today.

Nature’s Erosion Laboratory

Each tent rock showcases the power of differential erosion, where harder capstones protect columns of softer rock beneath. The most prominent formations feature boulder caps composed of welded volcanic tuff, which shield the underlying layers of pumice and ash from the elements.

Sacred Grounds

The Cochiti Pueblo, whose descendants are thought to have settled near the monument around 5,500 B.C.E., consider the area as their ancestral land and still maintain deep cultural connections to Kasha-Katuwe for over a thousand years.

The Pueblo still resides near the monument and conducts sacred, traditional cultural practices at Kasha-Katuwe. As part of a co-stewardship agreement between the Bureau of Land Management and the Cochiti Pueblo, the Pueblo now has a greater voice in how their sacred lands and community are treated and respected by visitors to the monument.

Desert Gardens

Amid the rock formations, the manzanita shrub, with its striking green leaves and red bark, clings to the cracks and crevices high on the cliff face, standing out against the dull hues of the rocks. This resilient evergreen thrives in harsh conditions, and in the spring, it produces delicate pinkish-white flowers that further enhance its beauty.

Alongside the manzanita, other desert plants such as Indian paintbrush, Apache plume, rabbitbrush, and desert marigold can also be found, each adding a splash of color to the arid surroundings.

Living Landscape

The tent rocks continue their slow transformation through ongoing erosion and weathering. Each rainfall reshapes the soft volcanic material, while freeze-thaw cycles gradually crack the harder capstones.

This constant evolution means that visitors today see a slightly different landscape than those who came before, and future generations will witness their own unique version of these remarkable formations.

Recreational Activities at the Monument

The BLM provides hiking trails, parking, and restrooms at the site. The 1.5-mile (2.4 km) Slot Canyon trail leads through a slot canyon and up 630 feet (190 m) to a lookout with views of the tent rocks.

The 1.2-mile (1.9 km) Cave Loop trail passes near the tent rocks and a cavate similar to those at Bandelier National Monument. The Veterans’ Memorial Scenic Overlook, with a 1-mile (1.6 km) loop trail, offers views of Peralta Canyon and the Jemez Mountains, though it may not be accessible depending on road and weather conditions.

Wildlife at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks

Depending on the season, a variety of birds can be seen in the area, such as red-tailed hawks, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, House Finches, violet-green swallows, Hepatic Tanagers, and sometimes a golden eagle soaring above or nesting in the piñon-covered land near the cliffs.

The ponderosa pine and piñon-juniper forests offer shelter to both large and small animals. Elk, mule deer, and wild turkey are often spotted in the higher elevations, while coyotes, chipmunks, rabbits, and ground squirrels are commonly seen in the lower areas.

Important Considerations

The monument is open for day use only and may be closed at any time by order of the Cochiti Pueblo Tribal Governor. Visitors should be aware of potential hazards, including the risk of flash flooding in the slot canyons, especially during sudden rainstorms, as well as the high elevation, which ranges from 5,570 to 6,760 feet above sea level.

The hike gains about 600 feet in elevation, with the ground composed of volcanic tuff and pumice, which can make the trail challenging.