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Natural Arches in San Juan County, New Mexico

10 natural arches in San Juan County. Every location page has sunrise and sunset azimuths, a monthly golden hour table, Milky Way windows and nearby spots.

Top natural arches

Natural Arch
Arch RockSan Juan County
Natural Arch
Cox Canyon ArchSan Juan County
Natural Arch
Snake BridgeSan Juan County
Natural Arch
Outcrop ArchSan Juan County
Natural Arch
Little Delicate ArchSan Juan County
Natural Arch
Burro Spring BridgeSan Juan County
Natural Arch
Crow Canyon ArchSan Juan County
Natural Arch
Cutter Lake ArchSan Juan County
Natural Arch
Gobernador Canyon ArchSan Juan County
Natural Arch
Pemada Canyon ArchSan Juan County

Map

How to photograph natural arches

Arches glow when reflected light bounces off nearby rock — the underside of an arch often turns bright orange just after sunrise or before sunset.

  • Frame distant features through the opening of the arch for a natural window.
  • At night, arches make classic Milky Way foregrounds; low-level lighting or blue hour exposures keep the rock detailed.
  • Use a wide lens and get close to emphasize the span against the sky.
  • Never climb on arches; many are fragile and climbing is prohibited on park lands.
  • Midday sun creates hard shadows, but can light the underside through reflection in narrow canyons.

Season: Spring and autumn offer mild temperatures in desert arch country; summer heat is extreme at midday.