Shiprock, New Mexico
Shiprock (Navajo: Naatʼáanii Nééz) is an unincorporated community on the Navajo reservation in San Juan County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 7,718 people in the 2020 census. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Shiprock as a census-designated place (CDP). It is part of the Farmington Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Shiprock, New Mexico | |
|---|---|
 Shiprock Chapter House | |
| Nickname: Naat’áanii Nééz | |
 Location of Shiprock, New Mexico | |
  Shiprock, New Mexico Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates: 36°47′34″N 108°41′14″W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Mexico |
| County | San Juan |
| Area | |
| • Total | 13.71 sq mi (35.50 km2) |
| • Land | 13.51 sq mi (34.99 km2) |
| • Water | 0.19 sq mi (0.50 km2) |
| Elevation | 4,892 ft (1,491 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 7,718 |
| • Density | 571.24/sq mi (220.56/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP codes | 87420, 87461 |
| Area code | 505 |
| FIPS code | 35-72770 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0902354 |
Shiprock is named after the nearby Shiprock rock formation. Since 1903, the town has been called Naat’áanii Nééz (meaning “tall leader” in the Navajo language) after the San Juan Indian Agency superintendent William T. Shelton who settled Shiprock for the United States government.
Diné College is a local four-year college (formerly Navajo Community College), a tribally controlled community college with seven other campuses across the Navajo Nation. It is the site of a Chapter House for the Navajo, a Bureau of Indian Affairs agency and the Northern Navajo Medical Center (an Indian Health Service hospital).[3]
The town is a key road junction for truck traffic and tourists visiting the Four Corners, Mesa Verde, Shiprock and the Grand Canyon. It lies at the intersection of U.S. Route 64 and U.S. Route 491 (formerly U.S. Route 666). The annual Northern Navajo Fair is held every October. Since 1984, the community has hosted the Shiprock Marathon and Relay.