Cathedral Rock (Coconino County, Arizona) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cathedral Rock
Southeast aspect
Highest point
Elevation	3,942 ft (1,202 m)
Prominence	342 ft (104 m)
Isolation	2.61 mi (4.20 km)
Parent peak	Paria Plateau
Geography
Cathedral Rock Location in Arizona Show map of Arizona Cathedral Rock Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Coconino County, Arizona, U.S.
Parent range	Colorado Plateau
Topo map	USGS Navajo Bridge
Geology
Age of rock	Triassic
Type of rock	Sandstone
Climbing
Easiest route	class 3+ scrambling

Cathedral Rock is a tall, natural rock pillar in northern Arizona. It stands about 3,942 feet (1,202 m) high. This amazing rock is located inside the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. It is in Coconino County.

You can find Cathedral Rock less than a mile northwest of Navajo Bridge. It is also about 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of Lees Ferry. This is where the Paria and Colorado River meet. The rock towers over 400 feet (120 m) above the land around it. It is a very important landmark in the area. You can even see it from nearby U.S. Route 89A at Marble Canyon. People started calling it Cathedral Rock before the year 1900. The name became official in 1969. This was done by the United States Board on Geographic Names.

What is Cathedral Rock Made Of?

Cathedral Rock is part of the Colorado Plateau. This rock formation is what's left after a lot of erosion. Erosion is when wind and water wear away the land. The rock is made of red sandstone. This sandstone comes from the Moenkopi Formation. It was formed during the Triassic period. That was a very long time ago!

On top of the sandstone is a harder layer. This layer is called a Shinarump Conglomerate caprock. A caprock is like a protective hat for the rock. Rainwater flows off Cathedral Rock. This water then drains into the nearby Colorado River. The river is only about half a mile to the east.

Climate Around Cathedral Rock

The area around Cathedral Rock has a very dry climate. This is known as an arid climate zone. Summers are hot and very dry. Winters are chilly, but they get very little snow.

The closest town with weather information is Page, Arizona. Page is about 12 miles northeast of Cathedral Rock. The weather there shows how dry the region is.

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