After a four-year closure, the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument will reopen later this month with Cochiti Pueblo in charge of day-to-day operations, the pueblo and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced Thursday.
When the monument reopens Nov. 21, other changes will include higher fees and mandatory pre-registration with both the BLM and Cochiti Pueblo to visit the site, which is known for its striking geologic features that can be accessed only by crossing tribal land.
The monument, located southwest of ·è¿ÍÖ±²¥ Fe on the Pajarito Plateau near Cochiti Lake, was established in 2001 with the understanding that BLM and the pueblo would work closely together to manage the site.
At first, annual visitation was low, said BLM spokesperson Jamie Garcia. But by 2020, it was averaging around 100,000 visitors annually — around twice what the BLM had estimated. At its peak, the national monument attracted 130,000 visitors in a year.
Visitors come to see the so-called tent rocks — cone-shaped formations up to 90 feet high created by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. The formations are reached by a trail located thousands of feet above sea level.
“People love it so much, they want to see it,†Garcia said. “It was starting to degrade the trail.â€
The new registration system will limit the number of daily visitors — the goal is no more than 75,000 people annually — to ensure that limited parking spaces and the monument itself aren’t overcrowded. will show the daily availability.
The BLM will begin accepting reservations Nov. 12. The fee will be $5 for visitors 16 and older and are free to anyone younger. America the Beautiful Passes waive the ticket price, and can be applied to both the pass holder and up to three additional guests. Cochiti Pueblo Tribal Access Pass. It is $20 for people ages 16 and older, $2 for kids ages 2 to 15, and free for kids under 2.Â
The slightly higher fee “will really help us continue projects and different things within the monument as time goes along,†Garcia said.
Visitors must check in at the visitor center, starting at 7:45 a.m. The last of the pilot vehicles, which will guide visitors to the monument, departs at 1 p.m. Visitors must leave by 4 p.m.
“This unique management relationship with Cochiti Pueblo is an asset to the Monument,†BLM Albuquerque District Manager Sabrina Flores said in a statement. “Pueblo members know this Monument well, and we will continue to work closely with the Pueblo on management decisions that will best serve the land, the visitors to the Monument, and the Pueblo.â€
The national monument was closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and remained closed even after pandemic restrictions were lifted. Over-visitation, long lines, staffing challenges and resource protection concerns were cited as reasons for the ongoing closure.
“BLM recognized over-visitation impacted not only the natural resources within the monument, but also the gateway community of Cochiti Pueblo,†a news release said.
A 2021 business plan recommended the reservation system and fee increase.
For the past two years, the BLM and Cochiti Pueblo have been negotiating under the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act. Ultimately, it was decided Cochiti Pueblo would take over day-to-day operations of the monument.
Calls to the Cochiti Pueblo government were not immediately returned Thursday, but in a statement, Gov. Joel Arquero called the agreement “a new beginning.â€
“The Pueblo now has a greater voice in how we want our sacred lands and community to be treated and respected by our visitors to the Monument. This will help us preserve our traditions and culture for generations to come,†the statement said.
Correction: This story has been amended to reflect the following correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly reported the pricing structure for the Cochiti Pueblo Tribal Access Pass. It is $20 for people aged 16 and older, $2 for kids aged 2 to 15, and free for kids under 2.Â
