Trails 1,660 ft 0.2 mi moderate Unknown Bortle 1 Solitude: 90/100 (remote)

Arizona's minimal 0.2-mile Snake House moderate trail supports four mammal species, 30 bird species, and five wildflower varieties where black bears inhabit rarely crowded terrain. Spring, summer, and fall are ideal with an annual average temperature of 54.7°F.

What to Pack for Snake House Trail, Navajo National Monument

Pack with the terrain and wildlife in mind, and you'll be ready for anything here.

Don't underpack for Snake House. The conditions here — Desert, Continental, bears — call for thoughtful gear choices.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Even cool-weather hiking demands steady hydration, as exertion and altitude increase water loss faster than most expect.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Even well-marked trails have confusing junctions, especially in fog or snow; a GPS unit or downloaded map keeps you on route.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Quality sunglasses prevent snow blindness and reduce eye strain during long days on exposed trails or ridgelines.
First aid kit — Adhesive bandages, antiseptic, and athletic tape handle the most common trail injuries and weigh under a pound.
Extra food — Blood sugar drops fast during sustained effort outdoors, and having a reserve keeps your body and mind sharp.
Headlamp with extra batteries — Batteries drain faster in cold weather; carrying spares ensures you won't be left in the dark when you need light most.
Fire starter — Starting a fire boosts morale and provides light, warmth, and a way to purify water in an emergency.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — If an injury forces you to stop moving, a reflective blanket prevents the rapid heat loss that leads to hypothermia.
Knife or multi-tool — In a survival situation, a blade lets you process tinder, build shelter, and prepare food.
Extra clothing layer — Wet clothing accelerates cooling; a dry backup layer can prevent hypothermia when conditions turn.

Wildlife Gear

Bear canister — A hard-sided canister protects your food from raccoons, rodents, and other camp raiders too, not just bears.
Bear spray — Bear spray works on all bear species; keep it in a hip holster for instant access, not buried in your pack.
Bear bell — On windy trails or near streams where your voice might not carry, a bear bell provides constant, passive noise.
Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Solo hikers are more vulnerable to predatory behavior from mountain lions, which typically avoid groups.
Noise maker — A loud whistle doubles as a rescue signal, serving both wildlife safety and emergency communication.
Gaiters — Beyond snakes, gaiters also protect against thorns, brush, and ticks in overgrown trail sections.
First-aid snakebite kit — A lightweight pressure bandage and marker for tracking swelling take up minimal space but provide critical aid.

Climate Gear

Layering system (wide temp swings) — Removing a layer before you sweat keeps your clothing dry, which is critical for warmth when temperatures drop again.

Terrain Gear

Wide-brim hat — Desert and alpine environments with little tree cover leave you fully exposed; a hat is your primary shade source.
Sunscreen SPF50+ — Apply 30 minutes before exposure and reapply every 2 hours; sweating and pack straps rub sunscreen off faster than expected.
Extra water (desert) — Even well-mapped springs can go dry after low-snowpack years; always carry surplus and check recent trip reports.

Seasonal Gear

Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)

Activities & Best Time to Visit Snake House Trail, Navajo National Monument

The Desert terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.

Activity options at Snake House range from casual () to more demanding ().

The scenery here earns a 65/100 photography rating — Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers.

Activities

hiking — With sturdy footwear and preparation, trails open up expansive views and quiet solitude.
photography — Outdoor photography invites you to slow down and frame the beauty around you.
picnicking — Whether lakeside or in a meadow, it's a relaxed way to savor both the setting and the company.
running — From flat paths to rolling hills, running outdoors adds variety to your routine.
walking — Perfect for all ages, a casual walk can turn any outdoor space into a relaxing nature experience.
wildlife_viewing — Bring binoculars and patience — nature often rewards careful, respectful observers.

Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Terrain: Desert — Rocky outcrops, sand, and dry washes are common features.

Wildlife Safety at Snake House Trail, Navajo National Monument

Before heading out, it helps to know which wildlife to be cautious around.

Responsible visitors at Snake House should be aware of 2 wildlife-related considerations.

Danger rating: 45/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) high

Bears present
Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Remote (234mi from city)

UV risk: high (Mid latitude (37N), Desert (exposed))

Photo score: 65/100

Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Bears

Black Bear have been documented in this area. They're most active from .

Black Bear

Adults typically weigh 150 to 600 pounds, with males substantially larger than females.

If you encounter one, speak calmly, make yourself appear larger, and back away slowly without running.

Store food properly - use bear boxes or hang food bags
Keep a clean camp - no food scraps
Make noise while hiking
Never approach cubs - mother is nearby
Back away slowly if you encounter a bear

Venomous Snakes

3 venomous snake species are found in this area: Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder.

Western Diamondback

Broad triangular head, vertical pupils, and a stout body often exceeding 3 to 4 feet in length.

Remove constrictive items and remain calm; do not cut, suck, or apply ice to the wound.

Mojave

Distinct facial stripe behind the eye and a prominent rattle.

Keep the victim calm and monitor breathing while awaiting medical care.

Sidewinder

Usually under 2 feet long with a relatively short rattle.

Do not attempt to capture the snake; focus on reaching emergency care quickly.

Watch where you step and place hands
Stay on trails
Wear boots and long pants in snake country
Do not reach under rocks or logs
If bitten: stay calm, immobilize limb, seek medical help immediately
Do NOT: cut wound, suck venom, apply tourniquet, ice, or alcohol

Nature & Wildlife at Snake House Trail, Navajo National Monument

The Desert terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.

From towering Frémont Cottonwood and single-leaf ash to delicate Eastwood's monkeyflower and Smallflower Fishhook Cactus, the vegetation here creates habitat for 4 mammal species and 30 birds.

Trees (2)

Frémont Cottonwood — The bark is light gray and furrowed on mature trunks.
single-leaf ash — The bark is light gray and fissured with age.

Wildflowers (5)

Eastwood's monkeyflower — Compact perennial in rocky habitats.
Smallflower Fishhook Cactus — Low-growing barrel shape covered in dense spines.
Sego Lily — Slender stems rising from narrow grass-like leaves.
cardinal flower — Brilliant scarlet blooms arranged along a single stalk.
firecracker penstemon — Slender stems rise above narrow leaves in spring and early summer.

Shrubs (1)

Roundleaf buffaloberry — Red berries appear in late summer.

Other Plants (5)

Sacred Datura
black maidenhair fern
gilia beardtongue
Scarlet Gilia
Tamarisks

Mammals (4)

Bighorn Sheep — Sure-footed build adapted to steep cliffs.
American Beaver — Stocky body adapted for swimming.
Black-tailed Jackrabbit — Lean body built for speed.
North American Porcupine — Short legs and blunt snout.

Birds (30)

Bushtit — Soft fluffy plumage
Wild Turkey — Paler Rio Grande subspecies in the West
Common Raven — Heavy bill and wedge-shaped tail
Juniper Titmouse — Dark eye
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay — White throat

Reptiles (10)

Common Side-blotched Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long including the tail.
Desert Spiny Lizard — Usually 5–7 inches long.
Ornate Tree Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long.
Western Whiptail — Typically 8–12 inches long including the tail.
Western Rattlesnake — Typically 2–4 feet long.

Amphibians (4)

Northern Leopard Frog
Canyon Tree Frog
Woodhouse's Toad
Red-spotted Toad

Insects (8)

Shining Leaf Chafer Beetle
Yellow-legged Mud-dauber Wasp
White-lined Sphinx
Hoary Comma
Great Basin Wood-Nymph

Fungi (1)

hoary cobblestone lichen

Other Wildlife (10)

Channel Catfish
Bluegill
European Carp
Striped Bass
Arizona Bark Scorpion

Nature Bingo at Snake House Trail, Navajo National Monument

Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.

Wildlife Challenge

Common Raven (bird)
Bighorn Sheep (mammal)
Common Side-blotched Lizard (reptile)
Northern Leopard Frog (amphibian)
Sacred Datura (plant)

Botany Challenge

Achnatherum Pinetorum
Aquilegia Coerulea Var. Pinetorum
Arabis Holboellii Var. Pinetorum
Asclepias Engelmanniana
Echinocereus Engelmannii
Almutaster

Snake House Trail, Navajo National Monument Climate & Sun

The numbers behind the best (and worst) times to visit Snake House.

Reference climate data for planning your visit to Snake House — temperatures, precipitation, and daylight hours.

Climate type: Continental

Annual avg temp: 54.7°F

Annual precipitation: 7.8 in

With an average annual temperature of 54.7°F and 7.8 inches of precipitation, Snake House has mild, arid conditions. Summer highs average around 78°F, while winter lows drop to 33°F.

Best months to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct.

Winter 33°

0.7"

Spring 52°

0.4"

Summer 78°

0.8"

Fall 56°

0.9"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	33°F	0.7 in
Feb	38°F	0.8 in
Mar	45°F	0.7 in
Apr	52°F	0.4 in
May	62°F	0.4 in
Jun	73°F	0.2 in
Jul	78°F	0.8 in
Aug	76°F	0.9 in
Sep	68°F	0.9 in
Oct	56°F	0.9 in
Nov	43°F	0.4 in
Dec	33°F	0.7 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 9.7 hours in winter to 14.7 hours in summer — a difference of 5 hours.

Summer: 5:03 AM – 7:42 PM

Winter: 7:28 AM – 5:08 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:28 AM, Sunset 5:08 PM Golden hour from 4:28 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:03 AM, Sunset 7:42 PM Golden hour from 7:04 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:36 AM, Sunset 6:29 PM Golden hour from 5:55 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:04 AM, Sunset 6:32 PM Golden hour from 5:58 PM

Snake House Trail, Navajo National Monument Trip Planning & Access

Time to plan the details — access, cost, and travel information for your visit.

Here are the logistics for getting to Snake House and what to expect on arrival.

Nearest city: Phoenix (234 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $58.41 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 188.8 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

Accessibility: dog-friendly (likely_allowed), family-friendly (excellent), elderly-friendly (highly_suitable).

Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
Families: excellent
Elderly: highly_suitable (Unpaved surface)
Strollers: possible (50/100)
Beginners: Good starting point (Moderate difficulty (+5))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Places Near Snake House Trail, Navajo National Monument

Looking for more? Here's what else is close by.

Close-by alternatives and additions to your Snake House visit include these 8 destinations.

Nearby Trails

Canyon View Trail, Navajo National Monument 15.35 mi
Vc Sidewalk, Navajo National Monument 15.35 mi
Vc Sidewalk, Navajo National Monument 15.35 mi
Navajo Nm Trail, Navajo National Monument 15.35 mi

Nearby Campgrounds

Sunset View Campground, Navajo National Monument 15.27 mi
Canyon View Campground - Temporarily Closed, Navajo 15.35 mi
Keet Designated Camping Area, Navajo National Monument 18.91 mi

Stargazing & Night Sky at Snake House Trail, Navajo National Monument

Clear nights in this area reveal more stars than most people expect.

The darkness at Snake House is rated Bortle class 1, offering Excellent dark-sky site conditions year-round.

Bortle 1 Excellent dark-sky site

Constellations

Key constellations visible from this latitude include Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus.

Ursa Minor — Visible throughout the year in much of the United States, Ursa Minor rotates steadily around the North Celestial Pole.
Cassiopeia — Visible year-round in northern states, Cassiopeia is especially prominent in autumn evenings.
Cepheus — Though its stars are modest in brightness, Cepheus is visible year-round from most of the U.S.

Meteor Showers

The Geminids peaks around December 13-14 and is the best meteor shower visible from here.

Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)
Find a dark location away from city lights and give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust for peak rates.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)
Look toward the northern sky after midnight for the highest activity.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)
Expect fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs under dark skies.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Plan for early morning viewing; activity increases in the hours just before sunrise.
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)
Southern states often see stronger activity due to radiant placement.

Planets

Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:

Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star
Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky
Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light
Mars — The Red Planet, recognizable by its reddish-orange hue

Equipment Guide

Naked eye: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury (with care)
Binoculars: Jupiter moons, Uranus, Saturn rings (barely)
Small telescope: Saturn rings, Jupiter bands, Mars surface features, Neptune

Viewing Tips

Check planets rise/set times for your specific date
Planets appear along the ecliptic (zodiac path)
Planets don't twinkle like stars - steady light
Venus and Jupiter are unmistakable - brightest objects after Moon
Use a stargazing app to confirm planet positions
Best viewing: when planet is highest in sky (transit)

Best Viewing Months

Evening: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Morning: Jul, Aug, Sep

Seasonal Highlights at Snake House Trail, Navajo National Monument

What you'll encounter here shifts with the calendar — here's a seasonal overview.

The experience at Snake House shifts with the seasons. Here's a month-by-month overview.

Spring Wildflowers

Peak bloom: April - May

Check local park websites for bloom reports

Fall Foliage

Peak color: September 15 – October 10

Best trees for color: Aspen, Cottonwood, Scrub Oak

At 5459ft elevation, expect peak 1-2 weeks earlier

Bird Migration

Spring peak: April - May

Fall peak: September - October

Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges

Snake House Trail, Navajo National Monument Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Snake House sits within a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Here's what researchers and surveys have documented about this area.

Bedrock Geology

Rock Type: Glen Canyon Group
Formation: Navajo Sandstone; Kayenta Formation; Moenave Formation
Lithology: Major:{sandstone}, Minor:{siltstone,sandstone mudstone}
Age: Jurassic

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences: 31
Unique Species: 17
Oldest: 201.4 million years ago

Endangered Species

Species at Risk: 1478
ESA Endangered: 29
ESA Threatened: 16
Conservation Score: 100/100

Wildfire History

This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.

Recorded Fires: 1
Largest Fire: Geishi Canyon (64 acres)
Most Recent: 2017
Fire Risk: Low

Watershed

Watershed: Black Sage Canyon-Navajo Creek
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0%

Snake House Trail, Navajo National Monument Safety & Conditions

Plans set? Check the latest conditions before you head out.

Before any visit to Snake House, a quick check of these official sources can prevent surprises.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: BETATAKIN, AZ US (15.35 mi)