Shiprock

Shiprock is a volcanic rock formation in San Juan County, New Mexico, rising about 1,583 feet above the surrounding desert floor and composed of dark minette stone. Several dikes radiate outward from the main body across the landscape, creating sharp contrasts against the sandy ground.

A volcanic eruption around 27 million years ago created the rock formation, which became visible as softer surrounding material eroded over millions of years. The first documented ascent took place in 1939 by a Sierra Club expedition that pioneered the use of expansion bolts for protection.

The name Tsé Bitʼaʼí comes from the Navajo language and translates as rock with wings, referring to stories of a giant bird that once carried people across long distances. The formation remains sacred today and is closed to visitors out of respect for spiritual traditions.

The formation stands at an elevation of about 7,177 feet (2,188 meters) and is located roughly 10.75 miles (17 kilometers) southwest of the town of Shiprock in New Mexico. The area is closed to visitors, but the silhouette can be viewed clearly from the nearby road.

The structure is a volcanic neck with solidified magma that has been exposed through millions of years of erosion. The radiating dikes extend for several miles and represent remnants of magma flows that pushed through cracks in the surrounding rock.

Location: San Juan County

Elevation above the sea: 2,188 m

GPS coordinates: 36.68750,-108.83600

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:47