5 days ago
New Mexico's Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks reopens with renewed focus and access
About 40 miles west of Santa Fe, in the high desert of north-central New Mexico, the landscape transforms into a dreamscape of pale, cone-shaped spires. Known as Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, this surreal cluster of hoodoos — some reaching 90 feet high — was carved by ancient volcanic eruptions that layered the terrain with ash, pumice and meaning 'white cliffs' in the Keresan language of the Cochiti Pueblo people, is a geological wonder and a sacred site of cultural significance. Shuttered since March 2020, first due to COVID-19, then to address over-visitation, the monument reopened to the public in February after a seasonal closure in December, with new measures in place to safeguard this landscape for future generations.
Sacred Land, Renewed Access
Before the 2020 closure, Tent Rocks saw more than 110,000 annual visitors — double what the site could reasonably manage. Crowding became a serious problem, adversely affecting not just the fragile rock formation but the Cochiti Pueblo community at reopening ushers new in era, with the monument now managed through a co-stewardship agreement between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Cochiti Pueblo people, reflecting a larger federal effort to enhance Indigenous-led stewardship of public lands.'This model strengthens conservation efforts, honoring the living cultures tied to these special places, while encouraging a shared responsibility to protect them,' says Jey Bernal, tribal tourism development officer for the New Mexico Tourism daily visitor numbers are capped, and entry now requires two separate passes:• A $5 timed-entry reservation (first pilot vehicle leaves at 8:00 am, last one at 1:00 pm) available on with entry windows limited each day. Kids under 15 are free, and the America the Beautiful pass waives the fee.• A Cochiti Pueblo Tribal Access Pass, available online via or at the Cochiti Pueblo Visitor Center. Adults pay $20; children 2–15 are $2; under 2 are the day of your visit, visitors check in at the Cochiti visitor center, then follow a pilot vehicle to the monument. 'Through implementing a reservation system, we have the opportunity to customize our visitation flow,' says Jamie Garcia, public affairs specialist for the BLM's Albuquerque District Office. 'This has improved the visitor experience by reducing vehicle wait time at the gate, overcrowding on the trails and trail erosion.'
Deeper Connections
Beyond hoodoos, narrow slot canyons, and sweeping mesa-top views of the Sangre de Cristo, Jemez and Sandia mountains, visitors can connect with the region's deeper heritage, including stewardship practices that honor the significance of Kasha-Katuwe.'The broader public and visitors at large can now gain a richer, more accurate understanding of the land's significance,' Bernal adds. 'This goes beyond standard narratives to include Indigenous perspectives and storytelling, leading to more meaningful visitor experiences.'
A New Model for Public Lands
The new co-management approach is part of a growing shift in how public lands are cared for and shared — one that emphasizes closer collaboration with tribal nations. Visitors can explore natural landscapes and cultural sites jointly stewarded by Pueblos, Tribes and Nations working alongside state and federal Mexico is at the forefront of this movement. At the Jemez Historic Site, a partnership with Jemez Pueblo, invites visitors to explore Giusewa Pueblo and a 17th century Spanish mission. Meanwhile, BLM works with Navajo Tours USA to offer guided experiences at Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness. 'These collaborations reflect a vital shift toward centering Native voices in how public land are managed and experienced,' Bernal more public lands embrace co-stewardship models, places like Kasha-Katuwe offer a glimpse into a more thoughtful future — one where conservation, cultural respect and deeper visitor understanding and connection go hand in hand.
