[3] The capital lies within the boundaries of the St. Michaels Chapter, adjacent to the Arizona and New Mexico state line.

Until 1936, the area was sparsely populated and known by the Navajo only by its ceremonial name Niʼ Ałníiʼgi ("Center of the World").

Due to this, the BIA chose the name of the major local landmark, the rock-with-hole-through-it (Navajo: tségháhoodzání) for this Indian agency site.

The greater Window Rock area comprises the Fort Defiance and St. Michaels chapters, and the hamlets of Hunter's Point and the Summit in Arizona, and Tse Bonito on the New Mexico side of the border.

Window Rock is categorized as being within the 6a USDA hardiness zone, meaning the average annual extreme minimum temperature is between −10 and −5 °F (−23 and −21 °C).

The surrounding community is also served by Hilltop Christian School, operated by Across Nations offering pre-K through 6th grade learning curriculum.

In addition, the Saint Michaels Association for Special Education, Inc. (SMASE) school serves the greater Navajo Nation in Arizona and New Mexico.

A non-profit school, founded by Sister Marijane Ryan in 1970 serves as an educational and residential center for individuals with disabilities of all ages.

Window Rock attracts a large number of tourists and visitors due to its close proximity to many national parks and sites and Navajo government.

[15] The Navajo Tribal Zoo opened in Window Rock in 1963 featuring reservation animals such as bear, coyotes, snake, elk, and the golden eagle.

The Navajo Nation Zoological and Botanical Park offers a wide variety of plants, animals, fishes, birds and insects native to the Four Corners area of the Navajo Nation such as elk, mule deer, Mexican gray wolf, black bear, cougar, golden eagle, bighorn sheep, lynx, Rio Grande wild turkey, raccoon, Canada goose, and fox.

[16] The Ch'ihootso Market Place offers many vendors with Navajo arts and crafts along with Hopi, Zuni and local artists.

Window Rock is served by two regional shopping centers: Diné Bashas' and Lowe's Market.

This includes local business, such as Navajo Arts And Crafts Enterprise, Caffeinated Ape, Dee Barber Shop, Shima Grill & Catering, Ch'ihootso Indian Market Place, Arizonian's Bookstore, Window Rock Coffee Company, Navajo United Way, IndigeHub, Navajo Technology Services, LLC, the DVD Collection, National Flowers, and New Mexico Chile Fair.