Snake Bridge Arch

Snake Bridge spans about 204 feet over Sanostee Wash on the Navajo Nation in far western San Juan County. It’s the second-largest natural bridge in the United States, behind only Rainbow Bridge in Utah. Visiting it in person is complicated however.

What to Do

For ordinary visitors, nothing at present. Snake Bridge lies in Sanostee Wash west of Sanostee on the Navajo Nation, and it is not an established public recreation site. The Natural Arch and Bridge Society describes public access as closed, and Snake Bridge does not appear among the Navajo Nation’s currently designated public hiking areas. Do not attempt to reach it without explicit authorization from Navajo authorities or a local guide.

How Much Time to Spend

None I guess. Snake Bridge is worth knowing about, but it should not be treated as a sightseeing stop unless you have confirmed authorized access in advance.

Getting There

There is no established public trailhead or visitor route to Snake Bridge. The formation is in a remote part of the Navajo Nation roughly 13 miles west of Sanostee, reached by backcountry roads through Sanostee Wash.

Navajo Nation regulations restrict access to tribal lands, and you should reconsider trying to navigate to the bridge independently. Snake Bridge is nevertheless one of New Mexico’s most interesting geological formations. Its measured span is about 204 feet, making it the largest documented natural arch in New Mexico.

For travelers who simply want to see impressive natural arches in northwestern New Mexico, Cox Canyon Arch and Arch Rock near Aztec are much more practical alternatives, with published visitor directions and established access.