The Slot Canyon Trail is the real reason you stopped by Tent Rocks National Monument. If you are going to hike both, then do this one first. Hike the first 0.5 miles of the trailhead, which takes you to an area for the two hikes to begin.
Going right at the fork will take you on the 1.5 miles trek up the canyon to the end, where an overlook is present. Here you will be able to view the hoodoos, the Rio Grande Valley, and a few mountains like the Jemez or Sangre de Cristo. Hiking this trail will show you some of the lands amazing scenery, with the cone-shaped rock formations and winding slot canyons.Â
Plan on a hike where you will have to climb over some rocks and up a steeper incline, towards the end. The first part you will need to hike is a mostly flat dirt path, that will lead you into narrow canyons. A few places will have small boulders you will need to climb over.
Once you exit the more narrow slot canyons, you will start the 630 feet climb up. This is the more difficult part, but can be done by most people. As we were hiking it, we noticed a few younger kids and older people who were going slow, but made it all the way up. Hiking the trail in and out should take 2 to 3 hours.Â
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