Zuni Salt Lake

Zuni Salt Lake is in a remote corner of Catron County, formed in the collapsed vent of a volcanic maar. To the Zuni it is Ma’l Oyattsik’i, or Salt Woman, and the lake holds deep religious significance for the Navajo, Hopi, Acoma, Laguna, and Apache as well, several of whom make annual pilgrimages to gather salt and hold ceremonies. The land was returned to the Zuni Tribe in 1985 and is not a tourist destination.

What to Do

There is no public access road, no visitor facilities, and no infrastructure of any kind at the lake. Visiting requires explicit permission from the Pueblo of Zuni, and photography, recording, and collecting are prohibited.

How Much Time to Spend

None really, as this is not a place intended for casual visits.

Getting There

The lake sits on Zuni trust land far from a maintained public route. If you want to learn about the lake’s history and significance, the Zuni Pueblo Visitor Center is a good place to start.

If you want to see a salt lake, Estancia Salt Lakes are a much better option!