 |
| Church Rock , Red Rock State Park, NM |
The park is located 10 miles east of Gallup in McKinley County, north of I-40 via NM-566. Red Rock State Park is extremely easy to reach being just north of the Interstate and makes for a terrific and uniquely scenic short side trip for your New Mexico vacation planner.The park is open to the public seven days a week from 8A to 5P.
The park’s most famous feature is Church Rock, visible from the park and the road as you drive to Gallup on Route 66/interstate 40.
Red Rock State Park is the home to scenic desert cliffs, buttes and spectacular rock formations. The red cliffs which surround the Park on three sides began formation 205 million years ago. Several archaeological sites in Red Rock State Park record the presence of the Ancestral Puebloans, a prehistoric farming culture that began and continued in the area from A.D. 300 to 1200.
There is a wide variety of geologic formations you'll view at Red Rock. Rocks seen include Middle to Upper Jurassic (175-145 million years old) and Quaternary ( less than 1 milllion years). Older rocks, the Triassic river deposits of the Chinle Group, are viewed in the plains to the south of the park and younger Cretaceous rocks form the high ridges north of the park. The rocks around Red Rock Park were exposed to centuries of erosion, mostly by wind and rain, and this is what formed the mesas and spires such as Navajo Church.
Plenty of Things to Do at Red Rock State Park in New Mexico
Enjoy the wildflowers during spring, summer, and early fall. In addition to this hikers can enjoy the two very popular hiking trails offered. The Pyramid Rock Trail is a three mile long trail and connects to the three and one-half mile Church Rock Trail. The Church Rock Trail reaches an elevation of almost 8,000 feet, and has amazing views. Church Rock Trail, 2 miles round trip, begins at the Outlaw Trading Post parking lot and takes you towards fascinating views of the Church Rock sandstone spires.
 |
| Red Rock Park hiking trail views |
Red Rock State Park hosts the annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial which takes place over four to five days each August. The gathering first began in 1922 and features tribal dances from more than fifty tribes as well as a Ceremonial Rodeo. It's estimated that over 50,000 people attend this event. The Red Rock State Park arena seats 5,000. Rodeos are featured throughout the summer months.
Every December, Red Rock State Park hosts a Balloon Rally. About two hundred balloons ascend during this event and is a remarkable sight with the backdrop of the red sandstone cliffs.The Red Rock Balloon Rally is held during the first full weekend of December and attracts participants from around the world. Rally organizers refer to this event as the second largest balloon rally in the world. A good event to add to your road trip planner if you're in western New Mexico in early December.
Links to four additional Western Trips photo articles you'll enjoy are the Homolovi Ruins near Winslow Arizona...the Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado and the Historic Route 66 Landmarks.
 |
| Formations at Red Rock State Park, NM |
The Area's Scenic Sites
Red Rock State Park being located just a few miles east of Gallup New Mexico allows tourists there the opportunity to visit several of the other historic sites in the immediate area. Visit the El Rancho Motel in Gallup which at one time was the movie headquarters for many western films shot in the area. Also, Window Rock Arizona which is the capital of the Navajo Nation. Window Rock is about a 26 mile drive northwest of Gallup. Also consider visiting the very scenic Canyon de Chelly National Monument which is located north of Window Rock Arizona and about 64 miles northwest of Gallup.
(Photos are from author's private collection)
View Larger Map
