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Shiprock

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description Shiprock Overview

Shiprock, known as Tsé Bitʼaʼí ("rock with wings" or "winged rock") in the Navajo language, is a monolithic volcanic neck located in San Juan County, northwestern New Mexico. Rising 1,583 feet (482 meters) above the high-desert plain, it reaches a total elevation of 7,177 feet (2,188 meters) above sea level and has a diameter of approximately 1,650 feet (500 meters) at its base. The formation was created by volcanic activity approximately 27 million years ago and features radiating dikes that extend outward from the main structure. Shiprock holds significant cultural and spiritual importance for the Navajo people and appears prominently in their traditional mythology.

help Shiprock FAQ

Can visitors climb Shiprock?

Climbing Shiprock is prohibited by the Navajo Nation, and visitors should not approach it as a recreational climbing site. The formation is sacred in Diné tradition and lies on Navajo Nation land.

How did Shiprock form?

Shiprock is the exposed core of an ancient volcanic system, left standing after softer surrounding rock eroded away. Long dark walls radiating from it are volcanic dikes that once carried magma through cracks.

What is Shiprock called in the Navajo language?

Its Diné name is commonly rendered as Tsé Bit'a'í, meaning "rock with wings." The name connects the formation with a traditional story about a great bird that carried the Navajo people.

Where is the best legal view of Shiprock?

The formation can be seen from public roads around the town of Shiprock in northwestern New Mexico. Viewers should remain on authorized roads and avoid crossing fences or entering private and tribal land without permission.

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