Church Rock in McKinley County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Chaco Cliffs

Photographed by Maribeth Robison, May 15, 2018

1. Chaco Cliffs Marker

Inscription. Great cliffs of red sandstone form the southern boundary of the San Juan basin. The strata that are exposed here are the gently upturned edge of the structural basin which contains coal, uranium, oil and gas resources. The Zuni mountains to the south represent the old basement rock upon which the basin strata were deposited. Elevation is 6,900 feet.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.

Location. 35° 31.834′ N, 108° 36.449′ W. Marker is in Church Rock, New Mexico, in McKinley County. It is at the intersection of I-40 Frontage Road (U.S. 66) and County Road 566, on the right when traveling west on I-40 Frontage Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Church Rock NM 87311, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Mexico’s Navajo Nation

and in the San Juan Basin.

It is also in the American Southwest,

in Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Gallup (approx. 3.7 miles away); Fort Wingate (approx. 5½ miles away); Emma Estrada (1933-1997) / Parteras of New Mexico (approx. 6.9 miles away); Navajo Code Talkers (approx. 7½ miles away); CN Cotton Warehouse (approx. 7½ miles away); Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial

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(approx. 7½ miles away); Kitchen's Opera House (approx. 7½ miles away); Historic Buildings (approx. 7½ miles away).

Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2018, by Maribeth Robison of Moriarty, New Mexico. This page has been viewed 557 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photo 1. submitted on October 11, 2018, by Maribeth Robison of Moriarty, New Mexico. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of the marker showing its surroundings • shot of the back of the marker • Can you help?