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  • Mexican Hat, Utah

    Top Spots in and near Mexican Hat

    • Mexican Hat, Utah

      Camp in the Valley of the Gods

      5.0
      The dirt road loop is relatively smooth and can be driven on by just about any car, campervan, or RV. However, check the weather beforehand because some areas can become flooded after rain and will be a difficult mud crossing. It can be driven in either direction. One entrance is off Highway 163,...
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    • Mexican Hat, Utah

      Hike the Honaker Trail

      3.5
      5 mi / 1010 ft gain
      In the days of Utah's Wild West gold rush (circa 1890s), a man named Henry Honaker decided to build a supply route from the San Juan River to the cliffs tops, roughly 1200 feet, above. The roughly hewn trail that Henry built; aptly named the ‘Honaker Trail’ was to act as a supply route for the go...
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    • Mexican Hat, Utah

      Camp at Muley Point

      5.0
      0.25 mi
      Muley Point on the southern end of the Cedar Mesa is one of the finest camping (and car camping) sites in North America, towering some 2400' above the San Juan River Canyon (and The Goosenecks State Park) looking south directly into the northern mouth of Monument Valley. It is a breathtakingly be...
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    • San Juan County, Utah

      Camp at Goosenecks State Park

      4.3
      Located near the southern border of the state, Goosenecks State Park is a small slice of Grand Canyon views in Utah. The park overlooks the meanders of the San Juan River, and canyons that have eroded over the millennia. This park is great for anyone hoping to learn about geology, get far away fr...
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    • San Juan County, Utah

      Goosenecks Viewpoint Trail

      1.86 mi / 66 ft gain
      For a small entrance fee of $5, you have the chance to photograph a beautiful canyon view without having to hike miles and days to get to it. Enjoy this rare luxury! There is a pavilion with a picnic table for dinner while you wait for the sunset, and there are also bathrooms if you need them. ...
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    • Mexican Hat, Utah

      Raft the Lower San Juan River

      The put-in for the lower segment of the San Juan river is in the center of Mexican Hat. This is a permitted section of river run by a lottery, and you work to secure a permit through https://www.recreation.gov/permits/250986 Briefly after take off, the canyon walls begin to climb taller above the...
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    • Bluff, Utah

      Raft the Upper San Juan

      The "Upper" San Juan is about 27 miles of river, and can be completed in a 2-4 day float. It is a permitted river, and trips launching between April 15 - July 15 obtain permits through a lottery draw negotiated on https://www.recreation.gov/. Applications for this lottery are accepted through the...
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    • San Juan County, Utah

      Backpack Great Gulch: Kane Gulch to Bullet Canyon

      5.0
      25 mi
      One of the many wonderful hidden gems in Utah (so just tell you close friends about it).Kane Gulch is located four miles south of the Highway 95/Highway 261 junction. At the Kane Gulch ranger station you will be able to use restrooms, overnight park your vehicle, pick up permits, and purchase are...
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    • San Juan County, Utah

      Backpack Grand Gulch

      10 mi / 600 ft gain
      Bears Ears National Monument is a truly special place. We voyaged willingly on a journey of discovery into the roots of who we are as human beings, and we were not disappointed: the ruins accessible in the canyons brought tears to our eyes. While Bears Ears used to receive just 9,000 visitors ann...
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    • Mexican Hat, Utah

      Explore Forrest Gump Hill

      5.0
      If you are in or around Monument Valley, the drive and corresponding effort to get to Forrest Gump Hill is minimal. The location is known most notably as the spot where Forrest Gump ended his cross-country run in the movie. It's also simply an unbelievable view. From the most iconic site within M...
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    • Lake Powell, Utah

      Hike to Horse Collar Ruin at Natural Bridges National Monument

      5.0
      3.2 mi / 500 ft gain
      Natural Bridges National Monument is one of Utah's many geologic wonders. While this monument is primarily known for its bridges, it also has an impressive collection of cliff dwellings known as Horse Collar Ruin. The dwellings have passed the test of time after being abandoned by native people m...
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    • Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Arizona

      Explore Hunts Mesa at Monument Valley

      / 1200 ft gain
      Though there are many unique viewpoints from within and around Monument Valley, none is as grand as the view from Hunts Mesa! Not easily accessible, the only way to get to Hunts Mesa is through an authorized tour guide via a ~2 hour off-road drive around the backside of the mesa. Even if you did ...
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    • Oljato-Monument Valley, Arizona

      Wildcat Trail in Monument Valley

      5.0
      3.98 mi / 397 ft gain
      When facing The View from the parking lot, Wildcat Trail is off to the left where the campground is located. It's a 3.2 mile, self-guided loop that takes you around the West Mitten Butte. If you're hiking during the summer be sure to go early and bring a lot of water. You're fully exposed on t...
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    • Oljato-Monument Valley, Arizona

      Camp at The View Campground in Monument Valley

      4.4
      3.2 mi / 0 ft gain
      Other than the spectacular landscape, the park really doesn't possess any of the attributes one would associate with the "wild west." Rather, an introduction to the Navajo culture is what awaits visitors. Located on the Navajo Reservation, a vast parcel of land spanning portions of Western New Me...
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    • Oljato-Monument Valley, Arizona

      Drive the Scenic Loop of Monument Valley

      5.0
      17 mi
      Be ready to embark on this 17 mile monumental scenic drive. The loop includes 11 numbered viewpoints and you can expect to spend between 2-4 hours in the park. For the best experience, check park hours and arrive early before the 15 mph traffic begins to stack up.  You will find the beginning of ...
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    • Oljato-Monument Valley, Utah

      Hike to Goulding Arch

      0.6 mi / 78 ft gain
      ...Who doesn't enjoy short hikes to beautiful landscapes?! I know I do when I'm pressed for time! This 0.6 out and back hike will lead you to an arch that doesn't get as much recognition due to it being directly across the street from Monument Valley Road taking you into the park. The hike starts...
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    Camping and Lodging in Mexican Hat

    Sand Island Group Sites
    Bluff, Utah

    Sand Island Group Sites

    Monument Valley KOA Journey
    Oljato-Monument Valley, Utah

    Monument Valley KOA Journey

    Nizhoni
    Blanding, Utah

    Nizhoni

    Devils Canyon
    Monticello, Utah

    Devils Canyon

    Buckboard
    Monticello, Utah

    Buckboard

    Halls Crossing RV and Campground
    Halls Crossing, Utah

    Halls Crossing RV and Campground

    From $47 / night

    Guides, Insights and Stories from Mexican Hat

    How Do You Find Balance between Being in the Moment or Behind the Lens?

    How Do You Find Balance between Being in the Moment or Behind the Lens?

    Jonathan Ronzio

    Top 5 "Grand" Canyons to Explore This Summer

    Top 5 "Grand" Canyons to Explore This Summer

    The Outbound Collective

    7 Reasons to Escape to Lake Powell This Fall

    7 Reasons to Escape to Lake Powell This Fall

    The Outbound Collective

    6 Adventures to Inspire a Summer Trip to Lake Powell

    6 Adventures to Inspire a Summer Trip to Lake Powell

    The Outbound Collective

    Messengers: A 250-mile Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Running Story

    Messengers: A 250-mile Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Running Story

    Greg Balkin

    The Future of Bears Ears

    The Future of Bears Ears

    Michael Graw