Monument Valley – Highway 163 Scenic Drive
Monument Valley – Highway 163 Scenic Drive
Monument Valley – Highway 163 Scenic Drive
4.5
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Scenic drive from Kayenta to Mexican Hat on US 163
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
124 reviews
Excellent
95
Very good
24
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
1
atlas993
Elk Grove, CA551 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
We did this drive in early October during the pandemic, so it was sad not seeing all of the crafts and such being sold along the road, but the lack of crowds was nice. It was a beautiful drive and amazing scenery and I’d strongly recommend anyone in the area take this drive. As you’re driving along make sure you stop for a quick picture at Forest Gump Hill!!
Written 15 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brandon K
Flagstaff, AZ2,034 contributions
Oct 2021
While the park allows you to see the formations up close, this drive is a great way to see the valley and see many of the formations together in one view. Be aware that Mexican Hat restaurants close down from Fall to Spring, so you should eat in Monument Valley or Kayenta before taking the ride. Plenty of pull out areas for you to take photos. As you drive, be aware that there are people being idiots and walking out into the highway taking photos. There is even an area that has a serious speed reduction because of how many people are pulling off and walking next to (or even in) the road. On the way back toward Monument Valley, I recognized the Forrest Gump hill as well.
Written 16 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,479 contributions
Sept 2022
There are some travelers who insist that driving U.S. Route 163 for the 76 miles from Bluff, Utah, to Kayenta, Arizona, directly through Monument Valley. is more exhilarating and awe-inspiring than taking a guided tour of the desert landscape that was made famous by motion pictures directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne. I'm not sure I agree with that assessment but I admit that anyone who visits Monument Valley should take time to make that trip. It definitely is one of the most scenic drives in the country, comparable to California's Pacific Coast Highway, Florida's Overseas Highway, Hawaii's Hana Highway, Colorado's Trail Ridge Road and Beartooth Highway in Montana and Wyoming. If you've seen Ford's Stagecoach or She Wore A Yellow Ribbon or The Searchers or Cheyenne Autumn, you've seen Monument Valley. If you've seen Forrest Gump, you've seen U.S. Route 163. It is pictured vividly in the scene where Forrest gets "pretty tired" and decides to go home. Trust me, you don't get tired of Monument Valley. The drive along U.S. Route 163 offers marvelous panoramic views and many photo ops of Monument Valley's towering buttes and mesas and other unique and stunning rock formations, including Mexican Hat and a mesa in nearby Hidden Valley where a B-52 once made a crash landing. U.S. Route 163 from Bluff to Mexican Hat to Kayenta is unlike any other road you've ever driven.
Written 21 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Woodys5
Sydney, Australia375 contributions
May 2023
Half the fun is stopping at the Forest Gump scenic spot. I can see why the area is not landmarked with a sign. Lots of people standing in the middle of the road.
We were almost witnesses to a car accident, when one car decided to pull over without warning and the vehicle travelling right up their backside gave the horn a workout. Be prepared for tourists doing tourist things in this particular area. Slow down a little to accommodate all around.
We always had one member of our party watching the other direction for cars as the rest stood on the road to take photos. It was also fascinating people watching. Very entertaining.
Beautiful drive along the road.
We were almost witnesses to a car accident, when one car decided to pull over without warning and the vehicle travelling right up their backside gave the horn a workout. Be prepared for tourists doing tourist things in this particular area. Slow down a little to accommodate all around.
We always had one member of our party watching the other direction for cars as the rest stood on the road to take photos. It was also fascinating people watching. Very entertaining.
Beautiful drive along the road.
Written 14 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steven R
Vancouver, WA14 contributions
Aug 2021
Take the drive toward Mexican Hat which is exactly 21 miles from Monument Valley roundabout. Along the way, you can stop at Forrest Gump Hill (Where Forrest quits running and all his followers say,"What the hell do we do now?) and take a few pictures of running up the hill yourself. There are three pull offs. I guess because of Covid, aside from a few tourists, both Mexican Hat and Gump Hill were DESERTED. Had it all to ourselves. Well worth the drive. You get to see Monument Valley from the sort of outside rear end. Drop dead beautiful, fabulous scenery. There's a dirt road that goes right up to the Mexican Hat rock formation so you can take whatever photos you like from both near and far. Great enjoyment.
Written 7 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blimey2010
Houston, TX438 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
This Highway gem is very popular because of the Forrest Gump movie. The monument Valley park is currently closed, so there was no real opportunity to drive through except to stop on highway 163 for the picture moments. Be careful driving through as many people stop and actually walk in the middle of the road to take the pictures. It’s a beautiful site, but nothing more to do there at the moment due to the temporary closure.
Written 2 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaryEllenM27
Kalispell, MT18,194 contributions
Sept 2020
Highway 163 heading south from Medicine Hat offers great views at any time. Make that drive if you can. You will get some wonderful photos and can...at the same time, escape the Covid quarantines and shut downs at home. Its a good way to experience some outdoors and freedom.
Written 22 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Len L
Westlake, OH216 contributions
Oct 2021
From the time one comes into the Valley from the north or south on Hwy 163, it's possible that the traveler might think that he/she was on the surface of Mars.
The incredible size and shape of the mesas and buttes, spread throughout the vast area can't be appreciated by just looking at the usual photos and paintings of the Valley.
By actually being there we knew that there couldnt be another place on the planet that comes close to what exists here.
And the beauty of it all is that it's in great part, a major element in the ancient history of the Navajo Nation and its ancestry.
A sight to behold for anyone and everyone.
The incredible size and shape of the mesas and buttes, spread throughout the vast area can't be appreciated by just looking at the usual photos and paintings of the Valley.
By actually being there we knew that there couldnt be another place on the planet that comes close to what exists here.
And the beauty of it all is that it's in great part, a major element in the ancient history of the Navajo Nation and its ancestry.
A sight to behold for anyone and everyone.
Written 27 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Itsya36
Alexandria, VA54 contributions
Nov 2020
We took this vacation in 2008 I could not choose the correct date. I would advise all folks to go out there.. it is truly breathtaking and worth every minute. When I reviewed our Videos it was like being there again. When the Pandemic is over I would like to go out there again. I saw some other reviews advising to fly CHICAGO.. DO NOT DO THIS.. fyi. Driving from Williams or Flagstaff.. and we stayed in Winslow.. and flew in and out of Vegas is the best way to go for the full driving tour. I planned and drove the trip with my partner Felix.
Written 9 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BobN06
Avondale, PA721 contributions
Jan 2022
Scenic drive up route 163. Make sure to go all the way to Mexican Hat (past the town of Mexican hat) for views of the rock formation and the San Juan river. Ever changing views of the distant mountains and the unusual rock formations. Plenty of turnouts for photos. The Forrest Gump hill is notable by the reduced speed limit signs to buy the tourists more time to get off the road for vehicles. Also, if you wonder what the large gravel "lake" is off to the right as you drive north - it's a radioactive waste disposal site. They used to mine uranium in the area.
Written 30 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Discover05882526393
Mason, Michigan
Can you drive thru Monument Valley, come out the other side on our way to Cortez??
Written 13 February 2022
yes - head south to hwy 160 then east to
cortez.
please consult a road map
Written 14 February 2022
Is it possible to drive the loop road in tribal park in an SUV? Is it worth it or does one see enough on Hwy 163?
Written 3 July 2019
It’s worth it. You won’t see the most popular 3 rocks from 163. And there are very good spots to take the panorama pictures outside of the store. You should stop by before or after driving on the loop. The loop is good enough for driving a small sedan on it.
Written 4 July 2019
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