Shiprock rises nearly 1,800 feet above the desert plain west of Farmington, a jagged black volcanic plug visible from 30 miles away. It is one of the most dramatic landforms in New Mexico and a sacred site for the Navajo Nation. Climbing is prohibited, but you can drive close to it on the paved road off US-491 and walk around its base — the volcanic dikes that radiate outward from the main rock are visible for miles.
The best views are from the road approaching from the east, where the full height and isolation of the formation is most apparent. The nearby town of Shiprock has services. There's no formal visitor facility, but the BLM land around the base allows access for walking.