About Shiprock

Shiprock, New Mexico is located in the Four Corners region of the United States (Four state borders come together at a single point, UT, CO, NM, and AZ). Shiprock is at the intersection of US Highway 491 and US Highway 64, adjacent to the San Juan River, about 25 miles west of Farmington, New Mexico.

Shiprock was originally named Naat'aanii Nez (Tall Chief) after Superintendent William Shelton, who founded Shiprock as a government settlement for the San Juan School and Agency in 1903.

The Spanish Conquistadors saw the rock on the horizon as they came into the area in the 1500's and thought it looked like the sails of a ship. Navajo's call the rock Tsé Bit'A'i, or "rock with wings." It is a sacred mountain to the Navajo.