Red Rock Scenic Highway Road Trip

The Red Rock Highway (IR-13) travels inside the Navajo Indian Reserve, past the majestic Ship Rock formation, as well as a smaller formation known as Mitten Rock. The two-lane highway stretches across vast high-desert plains, with the massive Ship Rock ever looming in the distance.

Ship Rock, named for its resemblance to a 19th century clipper ship, rises more than 1,500 feet from the desert plain to a peak elevation of 7,177 feet above sea level, and is visible all along this portion of IR-13. Known as "Tse'-Bit'a'i" or "winged rock," it is the subject of Navajo legends. The area surrounding the formation, considered sacred, is closed to the public.