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Another view of the unusual landscape along the Church Rock Trail—striped sandstone, scattered junipers, and that dramatic spire always waiting to steal the scene.

Church Rock, NM — Just East of Gallup: Hike Red Rock Park, the Best Leg-Stretch Stop You’ve Never Heard Of 🌄

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Written by newmexicotravelguy
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A scenic stop packed with Navajo history, Jurassic geology, and a highly rated but little-known hiking trail—just minutes from Gallup.

If you’ve ever driven east of Gallup on Interstate 40 and noticed those towering red cliffs glowing in the afternoon light, then you’ve already had a glimpse of one of New Mexico’s most overlooked outdoor destinations: Red Rock Park. At the heart of that dramatic landscape is Church Rock—the namesake of a small Navajo community, a towering sandstone spire, and a surprisingly rewarding hiking trail that deserves a spot on your New Mexico adventure list.

I stopped at Church Rock for a short hike during a drive from Phoenix back to Albuquerque—a spontaneous detour that ended up being one of the highlights of the trip. Red Rock Park offers a blend of Jurassic-era geology and Native American cultural heritage, set against some of the most dramatic rock formations in the state.

Welcome to Church Rock, New Mexico!
Welcome to Church Rock, New Mexico!

Where in New Mexico Are We?

Church Rock is a census-designated place (CDP) in McKinley County, New Mexico—meaning it’s a recognized community for statistical purposes, though not an incorporated town. It’s part of the Navajo Nation and sits along Outlaw Road, a name that sounds like it came straight out of a Western. Surrounded by layered sandstone cliffs and sweeping views, Church Rock is also home to a 640-acre park that ranks among Gallup’s best spots for hiking and outdoor exploration. It’s located about 10 to 15 minutes from downtown Gallup and sits at an elevation of roughly 6,600 feet.

According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Church Rock is home to about 1,500 residents. The broader Church Rock Chapter of the Navajo Nation includes more than 2,800 people across a wider region.

The Church Rock Post Office, quietly doing its job since the 1960s—tucked between red cliffs and slow-moving clouds. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t seem in a hurry to change, and that’s part of the appeal.
The Church Rock Post Office, quietly doing its job on Outlaw Rd since the 1960s—tucked between red cliffs and slow-moving clouds. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t seem in a hurry to change, and that’s part of the appeal.
This massive dome of Entrada sandstone rises just across from the rodeo arena at Red Rock Park. It’s not Church Rock, but it reminded me of a mini Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock)—minus the kangaroos and the 20-hour flight from New Mexico.
This massive dome of Entrada sandstone rises just across from the rodeo arena at Red Rock Park. It’s not the official Church Rock formation, but it reminded me of a mini Uluru (Ayers Rock)—minus the kangaroos and the 20-hour flight.

Brief History of Church Rock, New Mexico

Church Rock, New Mexico may look like a quiet community along I-40, but it carries a story that runs far deeper than the passing traffic suggests. Located on the Navajo Nation and framed by towering sandstone cliffs, Church Rock has long been part of the cultural and spiritual landscape of the Diné people. The striking formation known locally as Church Rock—and officially as Navajo Church, or Tsé Íí’áhí (pronounced ts-eh ee-ee-ah-hee) in Navajo, meaning “rock church”—has stood as a landmark for generations.

By the mid-20th century, another chapter began to take shape—this one driven by the uranium boom. As Cold War fears surged and the U.S. government stockpiled nuclear material, companies set up shop across the Four Corners region. One of those was the United Nuclear Corporation (UNC), which built a uranium mill just outside of Church Rock. From 1977 to 1982, the mill processed ore from nearby mines, storing radioactive waste in a tailings pond held back by a dam that—on paper—should have worked just fine.

But on July 16, 1979, the dam failed. More than 94 million gallons of acidic, radioactive wastewater—and over 1,000 tons of solid waste—burst into the Puerco River, flowing downstream through Navajo land. While the Three Mile Island incident that same year dominated national headlines, the Church Rock uranium spill—the largest radioactive release in U.S. history—barely made the news. Many residents weren’t warned, and some unknowingly waded through the contaminated water before sunrise.

A warning sign posted by the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Division near the Puerco River, following the 1979 Church Rock uranium mill spill—the largest release of radioactive waste in U.S. history. (Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
A warning sign posted by the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Division near the Puerco River, following the 1979 Church Rock uranium mill spill—the largest release of radioactive waste in U.S. history. (Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)

The health and environmental effects were immediate and long-lasting. Livestock sickened. Wells were contaminated. Families who relied on the Puerco River for daily use found themselves without answers or support. In the decades since, the site has been added to the EPA’s list of Superfund cleanup locations, and community-led efforts like the Church Rock Uranium Monitoring Project have stepped in to monitor contamination and push for accountability. In 2005, the Navajo Nation banned uranium mining across its lands, though debates around economic development and environmental risk continue today.

In more recent years, the Church Rock community has also focused on cultural restoration. Since 2010, the Church Rock has hosted the annual Treaty Day Festival on June 1, marking the signing of the Treaty of 1868 between the Navajo Nation and the U.S. government. That treaty ended the forced relocation of the Navajo people to Fort Sumner (Bosque Redondo) and allowed them to return to their ancestral lands. The festival is a celebration of endurance and sovereignty—offering space for reflection, pride, and community connection.

Church Rock is many things—a geologic landmark, a Navajo community, and the site of a major environmental tragedy. But most of all, it’s a place of resilience. The story here isn’t just about what happened in the past—it’s about what continues: the long push for cleanup, the preservation of culture, and the strength of a community that keeps moving forward. Visitors to Red Rock Park may come for the scenery—but the real story of this landscape runs much deeper than the sandstone.

Red Rock Park: What You’ll Find

While you might see it referred to as Red Rock State Park, it’s not part of the New Mexico State Parks system. Red Rock Park is a municipal park, jointly managed by the City of Gallup and McKinley County. You won’t find it on any official state park list—but what it lacks in state-level branding, it more than makes up for in scenery and substance.

The park is home to high ridges, spectacular red cliffs, and ancient sand dunes hardened into stone. It sits at the base of Navajo Church, aka Church Rock. With its towering spires and layered sandstone, the formation rises like a cathedral from the high desert floor and has become the signature landmark of Red Rock Park.

The reddish-orange silty layers, yellow sandstone bands, and rounded rock formations here aren’t just photogenic—they’re part of a geologic story that goes back to the Jurassic period. Specifically, this area showcases two major formations: Entrada Sandstone and the Morrison Formation. The Entrada Sandstone, responsible for the park’s distinctive red cliffs, formed roughly 160 million years ago from windblown sand dunes and tidal flats—similar to what you’d see in parts of southern Utah today. Just above that lies the Morrison Formation, a rock layer famous for containing some of the richest dinosaur fossil beds in North America. While you won’t find fossils sticking out of the rock here, these formations offer clues about a time when this region was home to rivers, floodplains, and giant prehistoric creatures.

Red Rock Park takes its name from the surrounding formations, but it offers more than just a scenic backdrop. As a community-run park, Red Rock Park facilities include:

  • Picnic Areas: Scattered throughout the park, these areas offer on-site restrooms and are great for a quick lunch or a shaded break.
  • Campgrounds (Main and West): Red Rock Campground features two campgrounds that provide electric and water hookups, along with bathrooms and showers. The Main Campground also features a small post office. Reservations are required; for more information, the office phone number is (505) 722-3839 or you can email a staff member at [email protected].
  • Camp Store: Located near the campgrounds, the store offers basic supplies for campers and hikers.
  • Red Rock Park Museum: Located next to the Red Rock Park Convention Center, the Red Rock Museum highlights the history and cultural traditions of the Zuni, Hopi, and Navajo peoples. Exhibits include jewelry, pottery, rugs, and other Native American art, along with displays tracing the region’s cultural timeline from the Ancestral Puebloans (300–1200 CE) to the present day.
  • Rodeo Arena: This outdoor venue seats up to 5,000 people and hosts a range of events, including rodeos, Arenacross (indoor-style motocross racing on a dirt track with jumps and tight turns), and Native American dance showcases. Just behind it is the Butler Jackpot Arena, a smaller venue used for team roping and other rodeo events, including jackpot-style competitions during the annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial. Horse stalls are also available for rental.
  • Red Rock Park Convention Center: Located on the west side of the park, the center offers meeting and dining facilities suitable for events and gatherings.
  • Park Office: Open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the office provides maps and information about the park.

Whether you’re into hiking, geology, local culture, or just looking to stretch your legs during a road trip (like I did), Red Rock Park is worth the stop.

Another view of the Church Rock Post Office, with the nearby RV park and campground just beyond. Red Rock Park offers two campgrounds (Main and West) with electric and water hookups, picnic areas, and on-site bathrooms and showers. It’s a convenient base for hiking the trail—though reviews of the camping experience tend to be mixed.
Another view of the Church Rock Post Office, with the nearby RV park and campground just beyond. Red Rock Park has two campgrounds (Main and West) with electric and water hookups, picnic areas, and on-site bathrooms and showers. It’s a convenient base for hiking the trail—though the camping experience gets mixed reviews, with limited privacy and a fair number of long-term residents.

The Church Rock Trail: Overview and Highlights

Starting from the east side of the Red Rock Park Campground, the Church Rock Trail is a 2.2-mile out-and-back route with a short loop section. It’s listed as moderate on AllTrails, mainly due to some rocky stretches and brief, steep scrambles—but I’d say it’s on the easier end of moderate. Take your time, wear good hiking shoes, and most people will find it both manageable and rewarding.

The trail gains just under 300 feet of elevation, so while there’s a bit of climbing, there aren’t any serious hills to contend with. The trickiest sections are on the slickrock, where the footing can get uneven or slippery—especially after rain. Depending on your pace (and how often you stop to take photos… which, in my case, was often), plan on spending 1 to 2 hours on the trail.

If you’re looking for a longer outing, you can tack on the nearby Pyramid Rock Trail, which links into a larger loop network within Red Rock Park.

Here’s a link to Church Rock Trail on AllTrails in case you want to check recent reviews, trail conditions, or download a map.

Trail Stats and Tips

  • Distance: 2.2 miles round trip
  • Elevation Gain: ~255 feet
  • Time: 1–2 hours, depending on pace and photo/snack breaks
  • Trailhead: Near the east end of the main campground
  • Restrooms: Available near picnic areas and the Red Rock Park Office
  • Difficulty: Moderate—mostly due to rocky sections and a few short, steep scrambles
  • Best Time to Visit: Fall or spring; summers can be hot, and winter winds can be brutal
  • Pro Tips:
    • Red Rock Park is generally safe, but it’s best to lock your car and keep valuables out of sight—standard advice for any well-traveled hiking spot.
    • Download a trail map in advance. While cell service is decent in most areas, you may hit a few dead zones along the way.

What You’ll See

As you climb, you’ll make your way through layers of brick-red siltstone, thin sandstone bands, and the occasional outcrop of orange rock—classic markers of this ancient Jurassic landscape. The trail eventually brings you to the base of Church Rock itself. From the high point, you’ll get a wide-angle view of the cliffs and mesas that define this part of New Mexico.

You might spot a few lizards sunning themselves, a raptor riding the thermals, or just a whole lot of wind-carved stone. But rather than try to describe every detail, I’ll walk you through the hike in photos—so here goes.

Trailhead parking at Red Rock Park, just behind the rodeo arena. From here, it’s a short and scenic hike to Church Rock—the spire in the distance that gives the trail (and the town) its name.
Trailhead parking at Red Rock Park, just behind the rodeo arena. From here, it’s a short and scenic hike to Church Rock—the spire in the distance that gives the trail (and the town) its name.
Before you even reach the official trailhead, you’ll cross a wide stretch of red earth—soft, sunbaked, and unmistakably New Mexico.
Before you even reach the official trailhead, you’ll cross a wide stretch of red earth—soft, sunbaked, and unmistakably New Mexico.
The official start of the Church Rock Trail, marked by a sand-dusted kiosk and a weathered map. This 2.4-mile loop winds through Navajo sandstone and slickrock shelves, offering sweeping views and a close encounter with the iconic Church Rock formation.
The official start of the Church Rock Trail, marked by a sand-dusted kiosk and a weathered map. This 2.2-mile loop winds through Navajo sandstone and slickrock shelves, offering sweeping views and a close encounter with the iconic Church Rock formation.
Church Rock Trail travels through soft sand and climbs up toward the slickrock. Trails are open during daylight hours only, and the rock can be steep and slippery when wet—so good shoes (and good judgment) go a long way.
Church Rock Trail travels through soft sand and climbs up toward the slickrock. Trails are open during daylight hours only, and the rock can be steep and slippery when wet—so good shoes (and good judgment) go a long way.
Parts of the Church Rock Trail run close to steep drop-offs like this one, so it’s best to stay centered on the path—especially if the rock is wet or your footing’s feeling questionable.
Parts of the Church Rock Trail run close to steep drop-offs like this one, so it’s best to stay centered on the path—especially if the rock is wet or your footing’s feeling questionable.
Follow the cairns. These stacked rocks are the trail’s way of saying, “Yep, you’re still going the right way.” Especially handy when the path gets faint—or when your phone has no clue where you are.
Follow the cairns. These stacked rocks are the trail’s way of saying, “Yep, you’re still going the right way.” Especially handy when the path gets faint—or when your phone has no clue where you are.
Here’s a closer look at one of the rock cairns marking the Church Rock Trail. You’ll see a few signs along the way, but these stacked stones do most of the work when the path isn’t obvious—simple, subtle, and time-tested.
Here’s a closer look at one of the rock cairns marking the Church Rock Trail. You’ll see a few signs along the way, but these stacked stones do most of the work when the path isn’t obvious—simple, subtle, and time-tested.
Here’s where the Church Rock Trail shifts from soft sand to solid stone. The views open up, the footing gets trickier—and the real fun begins.
Here’s where the Church Rock Trail shifts from soft sand to solid stone. The views open up, the footing gets trickier—and the real fun begins.
Another view of the slickrock portion of the Church Rock Trail, carved through layers of ancient Navajo sandstone. The footing’s firm, the views are wide, and the geology tells a story written 180 million years ago.
Another view of the slickrock portion of the Church Rock Trail, carved through layers of ancient Navajo sandstone. The footing’s firm, the views are wide, and the geology tells a story written over 160 million years ago.
In steeper sections of the slickrock, steps have been carved right into the stone—offering a bit of traction and a reminder that you’re not the first one to climb this route.
In steeper sections of the slickrock, steps have been carved right into the stone—offering a bit of traction and a reminder that you’re not the first one to climb this route.

Here’s a quick video to give you a wider look at the landscape from this point along the trail.

A quick video to give you a wider look at the landscape from this point along the trail.
It’s sections like this where cairns really earn their keep. With no defined path across the slickrock, those little stacks of stone are your best bet for staying on course.
It’s sections like this where cairns really earn their keep. With no defined path across the slickrock, those little stacks of stone are your best bet for staying on course.
The real Church Rock—rising like a sandstone cathedral from the desert floor. It's the namesake of the town, the park, and just maybe the reason you're reading this blog post in the first place.
The real Church Rock—rising like a sandstone cathedral from the high desert floor. It’s the namesake of the town, the park, and just maybe the reason you’re reading this blog post in the first place.
Another view of the cairns that guide your way across the slickrock.
Another view of the cairns that guide your way across the slickrock.
One of the small arroyos you’ll cross along the Church Rock Trail—dry most of the year, but a reminder that water still has a say in shaping this landscape.
One of the small arroyos you’ll cross along the Church Rock Trail—dry most of the year, but a reminder that water still has a say in shaping this landscape.
Another view of the fascinating landscape along the Church Rock Trail—layers of wind-sculpted sandstone, open sky, and the occasional cairn to keep you pointed in the right direction.
Another view of the fascinating landscape along the Church Rock Trail—layers of wind-sculpted sandstone, open sky, and the occasional cairn to keep you pointed in the right direction.
Another view of the unusual landscape along the Church Rock Trail—striped sandstone, scattered junipers, and that dramatic spire always waiting to steal the scene.
Another view of the unusual landscape along the Church Rock Trail—striped sandstone, scattered junipers, and that dramatic spire always waiting to steal the scene.
From this vantage point, you can spot the Church Rock Trail parking area in the distance—proof that while the landscape feels remote, you’re never too far from your starting point.
From this vantage point, you can spot the Church Rock Trail parking area in the distance—proof that while the landscape feels remote, you’re never too far from your starting point.
Church Rock Trail passes by more of the striped sandstone cliffs that give this area its distinct look.
Church Rock Trail passes by more of the striped sandstone cliffs that give this area its distinct look.
The final straightaway back to the Church Rock Trail parking lot—flat, sandy, and a good stretch to soak in the last views before calling it a day.
The final straightaway back to the Church Rock Trail parking lot—flat, sandy, and a good stretch to soak in the last views before calling it a day.

Final Thoughts: Why Church Rock Deserves a Visit

New Mexico has its share of headline attractions—White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns, Bandelier—but Church Rock? This isn’t a place you typically stumble upon unless you’re looking for it.

If you’re someone who leans toward silence and sandstone over noise and neon—then Church Rock should be on your radar.

The Church Rock Trail is a walk through millions of years of sedimentary storytelling, set against the kind of backdrop that makes you stop, breathe deep, and remember why you love this state.

Want to hike it yourself? Pack water, good shoes, and a sense of wonder. Church Rock is waiting.

Another stretch of soft sand on the Church Rock Trail, leading you toward the rocky section ahead. It’s an easy stroll—for now. The slickrock is waiting just up ahead.
Time to hit the trail and start your own Church Rock adventure.

Thought for the Week

For this week’s edition of the “Thought for the Week,” I went with a theme of listening—to the land, to the quiet, and to whatever else might rise to the surface when things slow down. It felt like a good fit after hiking Church Rock Trail. There’s something about walking through ancient sandstone and towering cliffs that shifts your attention. Not just outward (though I did take far too many photos), but inward too.

I often listen to a podcast or audiobook while exercising, but these days, I’m making a point of not bringing any headphones with me when I hike. That felt especially true at Church Rock—it just didn’t seem like the kind of place for background noise.

That’s why this week’s quote comes from the Navajo people who live at Church Rock. It’s a reminder that the land has something to say—if we’re paying attention.

Whether you’re out on a trail or just trying to cut through the noise of everyday life, I hope you find a moment to be still—and listen.

“Be still and the earth will speak to you.”
— Navajo Proverb

Thanks for reading and happy travels!

Mark (The New Mexico Travel Guy)

Mark Aspelin, The New Mexico Travel Guy (www.newmexicotravelguy.com), is a travel writer and author of two books who has enjoyed a wide variety of adventures in his travels to over 100 countries and all 50 U.S. States.  His current project involves visiting EVERY town in his home state of New Mexico (there’s over 500 towns) and writing a story about each one.  He’s on track to finish the project by his early-mid 100s. When not traveling, Mark lives as a recluse in the mountains outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

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