Shiprock, New Mexico

Ship Rock, New Mexico

Save

View all 4 photos

All 4 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

1 miles

Elevation Gain

10 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Phil Konstantin

An ancient volcanic structure which features the throat of a volcano (rising almost 1,600 feet above the surrounding area); and a long, narrow dike (think HUGE wall) which is often over 30 feet high.

Shiprock (or Ship Rock) in New Mexico. I was here on April 11, 2018. This is an amazing geological feature of Northwestern New Mexico on the Navajo Reservation. Shiprock is what's left of an ancient volcano. Most of the volcano has eroded. The harder throat area has survived. Lava flowed out into a crack between previous flows making a dike or a rill. Here the older formations also eroded, exposing the dike as a long, narrow wall stretching to the south. A few month after my visit, the Navajo tribal government severely restricted access to area around Shiprock and the Dike, unless you get permission. There is a paved road (Indian Service Route 13, off of US 491) to get close to the southern entrance. After that, it is dirt roads. How far you are allowed to walk or drive on the dirt roads are depending on the Navajos. You can easily view it all on ISR 13, though. Be extra careful during rainy or snowy weather. There are no nearby by services or water, except in the town of Shiprock. Below is my personal video about Shiprock and the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness area.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Photography

Hiking

Scenic

Wildflowers

Wildlife

Shiprock, New Mexico Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Explore Shiprock

Situated on the border of Arizona and New Mexico is an ancient throat of a volcano. You can see Shiprock for miles, as you approach the quiet New Mexico town. It's jagged edges and large spine, that extends to the South, cut straight out of vast flat landscape that surrounds it. You cannot miss it, you won't mistake it. The closer you get to the 4 corners region, the more distinct it becomes. ...

Visit Four Corners Monument

Hike to Long House and Step House at Mesa Verde National Park

This is a great opportunity to see two historic cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park within a relatively short period of time. Schedule your day around getting tickets to Long House, then taking a bit of a side trek to the Step House when you have the time. The tour begins at the Weatherhill Mesa information kiosk, and is a two hour ranger-guided excursion. You will learn all about the h...

Hike Nordenskiold Site No. 16 Trail

This two mile round-trip trail leaves from the information kiosk near Long House and Step House, and leads through and area severely burned by the 2000 Pony Fire. There's no shade on this trail, so if you are doing it during the hotter months, be sure to bring a lot of water and sun protection. The trail is very straightforward out and back, well marked and easy to follow. From the information...

Explore Mesa Top Loop

The 6-mile Mesa Top Loop Road, open 8 am to sunset, stops at 12 sites including surface ruins and cliff dwelling overlooks. The most famous feature of the park, Cliff Palace, is visible from the Sun Point and Sun Temple overlooks. Sunrise photography isn't possible on the loop due to operating hours, but stunning sunsets can be captured from the cliff trails before the road closes.

Explore Balcony House

Starting at the trail head at 7,000 feet, you will head down the trail until you get to the cliff dwellings. There will be a wooden ladder you will have to climb, a recreation of the ladder used hundreds of years ago by the tribes living there. Once you get to the top of the ladder, the trail will continue under the cliff and through the once used living area. You will then hit the tunnel where...