One of the truly classic hiking trails in the United States, let alone the world, Buckskin Gulch swerves through a subterranean paradise for the senses. Attempt this visually-arresting walk as a day trip, or walk the entire 20 miles over the course of four days.
Located in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (near Kanab, Utah) and Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness (Arizona), Buckskin Gulch trails takes hikers through the veritable layer cake of the Colorado Plateau's geographical wonderment. It is the longest and deepest slot canyon in the Southwest and offers obstacles like rock jams, pools, quicksand, and the potential for flash floods. Yet a day hike option via Wire Pass Trail is moderately easy, and should be a must-do tour on any hiker's list.
Note: there are multiple trailheads that provide access to Buckskin Gulch. Wire Pass Trailhead offers the most direct access for a day hike. This is not to be confused with the Buckskin Trailhead, which follows a wash for several miles before intersecting with Wire Pass Trail and then the confluence with the Paria River.
Photos
Quicklinks
I thought I'd post on a slot canyon in New Mexico. It's at Tent Rocks National Monument- halfway between Santa Fe and Albuquerque. You have to cross indian reservation land to get there, so the road is dirt and washboardy, but generally not bad. The Slot Canyon trail is a one-way trail covering 1.5 miles (2.4 km) through a slot canyon and up a climb of 630 feet (190 m) to a lookout point where the tent rocks may be viewed from above. The Cave Loop trail is approximately 1.2 miles (1.9 km) and leads past the base of the cliffs, near some of the tent rocks and a small cavate similar to.
Fees
- Monument Fee Booth - 505-331-6259
- Private Vehicles - $5
- Groups:
Up to 25 individuals - $25
25-100 individuals - $100 - Schools:
No fee. Day-use permit required from BLM.
Educational Permit Request Form - Commercial Tours, Non-Profit Organizations, Commercial Filming, and Commercial Photography:
Specials-use permit required from BLM. Please contact Rio Puerco Field Office at 505-761-8700.
Season/Hours
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks has changed its hours of operation.
The Monument gates will be open 8am to 4pm, and the Monument will fully close at 5pm.
Hours of Operation
Entry into the Monument between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Closing procedures begin at 3:30 p.m. to clear the Monument by 5:00 p.m.
Visitors must be out of the fee booth gated area by closing time.
During the summer months, the Monument experiences increased visitation. Please be aware that visitors may experience entrance delays starting at 9am due to increased visitation and lack of available parking. Wait times may range from 30 to 90 minutes. As parking is made available, new visitors will be allowed entry.
Notice
To allow for Pueblo de Cochiti cultural observances and routine BLM maintenance, the Monument will be closed on:
Slot Canyon Albuquerque Jobs
New Year's Day (January 1)
January 6
Friday before Easter
Saturday before Easter
Easter Sunday
Monday after Easter Sunday
May 3
July 13
July 14
July 25
November 1
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
New Year's Eve
Accessibility
There are ADA compliant rest rooms, picnic facilities, kiosks and parking.
The Cave Loop Trail is 1.2 miles long and is rated as easy. While the trail is gravel/sand there are a few sections that are accessible to wheelchairs.
At the Veterans' Memorial Overlook you will find ADA-accessible picnic areas, rest rooms, trails and facilities.
Slot Canyon Albuquerque New Mexico
Trail Information
The national monument includes a national recreational trail. It is for foot travel only, and contains two segments that provide opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, geologic observation and plant identification. Both segments of the trail begin at the designated monument parking area.
The Cave Loop Trail is 1.2 miles long, rated as easy. The more difficult Canyon Trail is a 1.5-mile, one-way trek into a narrow canyon with a steep (630-ft) climb to the mesa top for excellent views of the Sangre de Cristo, Jemez, Sandia mountains and the Rio Grande Valley. Both trails are maintained; however, during inclement weather the canyon may flash flood and lightning may strike the ridges.
The Veterans Memorial Trail is a 1-mile long loop trail, rated as very easy and is wheel chair accessible. The Veterans Memorial is located at the end of a 3 mile long gravel surfaced road overlooking picturesque Peralta Canyon and Jemez Mountain peaks. Picnic tables, shelters and toilets are available at both sites.
Prohibitions and Restrictions
The Monument is closed to dogs, excluding service animals.
Day Use Only
No open fires, shooting, alcoholic beverages, glass containers or climbing on the 'tent rocks.'
Do not trespass on tribal, private, or state land.
Access to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks may be closed by order of the Cochiti Tribal Governor. Closures will be posted at the gate.
No motorized vehicles or mountain bikes are allowed.
Protect live trees and shrubs. You may not cut green trees or firewood without a permit.
No collecting of plants, rocks, obsidian 'apache tears,' or wildlife.
Please stay on designated roads and trails.
Geocaching is prohibited.
Slot Canyon Albuquerque Hotel
Please, do not feed the wildlife
Slot Canyon Albuquerque
Hunting and recreational shooting is not allowed in the Monument.
Brochures, Maps, and Publications
Photos
Quicklinks
I thought I'd post on a slot canyon in New Mexico. It's at Tent Rocks National Monument- halfway between Santa Fe and Albuquerque. You have to cross indian reservation land to get there, so the road is dirt and washboardy, but generally not bad. The Slot Canyon trail is a one-way trail covering 1.5 miles (2.4 km) through a slot canyon and up a climb of 630 feet (190 m) to a lookout point where the tent rocks may be viewed from above. The Cave Loop trail is approximately 1.2 miles (1.9 km) and leads past the base of the cliffs, near some of the tent rocks and a small cavate similar to.
Fees
- Monument Fee Booth - 505-331-6259
- Private Vehicles - $5
- Groups:
Up to 25 individuals - $25
25-100 individuals - $100 - Schools:
No fee. Day-use permit required from BLM.
Educational Permit Request Form - Commercial Tours, Non-Profit Organizations, Commercial Filming, and Commercial Photography:
Specials-use permit required from BLM. Please contact Rio Puerco Field Office at 505-761-8700.
Season/Hours
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks has changed its hours of operation.
The Monument gates will be open 8am to 4pm, and the Monument will fully close at 5pm.
Hours of Operation
Entry into the Monument between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Closing procedures begin at 3:30 p.m. to clear the Monument by 5:00 p.m.
Visitors must be out of the fee booth gated area by closing time.
During the summer months, the Monument experiences increased visitation. Please be aware that visitors may experience entrance delays starting at 9am due to increased visitation and lack of available parking. Wait times may range from 30 to 90 minutes. As parking is made available, new visitors will be allowed entry.
Notice
To allow for Pueblo de Cochiti cultural observances and routine BLM maintenance, the Monument will be closed on:
Slot Canyon Albuquerque Jobs
New Year's Day (January 1)
January 6
Friday before Easter
Saturday before Easter
Easter Sunday
Monday after Easter Sunday
May 3
July 13
July 14
July 25
November 1
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
New Year's Eve
Accessibility
There are ADA compliant rest rooms, picnic facilities, kiosks and parking.
The Cave Loop Trail is 1.2 miles long and is rated as easy. While the trail is gravel/sand there are a few sections that are accessible to wheelchairs.
At the Veterans' Memorial Overlook you will find ADA-accessible picnic areas, rest rooms, trails and facilities.
Slot Canyon Albuquerque New Mexico
Trail Information
The national monument includes a national recreational trail. It is for foot travel only, and contains two segments that provide opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, geologic observation and plant identification. Both segments of the trail begin at the designated monument parking area.
The Cave Loop Trail is 1.2 miles long, rated as easy. The more difficult Canyon Trail is a 1.5-mile, one-way trek into a narrow canyon with a steep (630-ft) climb to the mesa top for excellent views of the Sangre de Cristo, Jemez, Sandia mountains and the Rio Grande Valley. Both trails are maintained; however, during inclement weather the canyon may flash flood and lightning may strike the ridges.
The Veterans Memorial Trail is a 1-mile long loop trail, rated as very easy and is wheel chair accessible. The Veterans Memorial is located at the end of a 3 mile long gravel surfaced road overlooking picturesque Peralta Canyon and Jemez Mountain peaks. Picnic tables, shelters and toilets are available at both sites.
Prohibitions and Restrictions
The Monument is closed to dogs, excluding service animals.
Day Use Only
No open fires, shooting, alcoholic beverages, glass containers or climbing on the 'tent rocks.'
Do not trespass on tribal, private, or state land.
Access to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks may be closed by order of the Cochiti Tribal Governor. Closures will be posted at the gate.
No motorized vehicles or mountain bikes are allowed.
Protect live trees and shrubs. You may not cut green trees or firewood without a permit.
No collecting of plants, rocks, obsidian 'apache tears,' or wildlife.
Please stay on designated roads and trails.
Geocaching is prohibited.
Slot Canyon Albuquerque Hotel
Please, do not feed the wildlife
Slot Canyon Albuquerque
Hunting and recreational shooting is not allowed in the Monument.
Brochures, Maps, and Publications
Slot Canyon Albuquerque Nm
Rocks Rock!Hit the Trails Learning Education Initiative
