Cathedral Cliff

Cathedral Cliff is a volcanic formation in northwestern New Mexico that rises sharply from the surrounding desert plain. The rock structure stands as a distinctive landmark visible from U.S. Route 491 near the Shiprock community.

The formation was created around 30 million years ago during volcanic activity in the Navajo Volcanic Field. This ancient geological process left behind the distinctive rock structure visible today.

The cliff stands on Navajo Nation territory, where ancestral Puebloan and Diné people developed their societies amid challenging environmental conditions.

The site sits about 13 miles south of Shiprock and is easily viewed from the roadside. Photography works best during early morning or late afternoon when light angles highlight the rock formation.

The formation displays a rare transition between two different types of volcanic activity where rising magma met water-saturated rock. This unusual combination of geological processes is rarely preserved in such clear form at other locations.

Location: San Juan County

GPS coordinates: 36.60806,-108.70722

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:09