RV route guide
US-163 — the Monument Valley scenic drive
The iconic Forrest Gump highway runs through the heart of the Navajo Nation. Photography rules apply.
US-163 from Kayenta, Arizona, to Mexican Hat, Utah, traverses the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, passing some of the most photographed landscapes in the American West. The road is paved its entire length and RV-friendly. The land is sovereign Navajo Nation territory, and photography of certain landscapes and any Diné people requires permission. PickRV's guide is for respectful RV travel on Navajo lands.
- Tier
- Scenic byway
- State
- Arizona
- Best season
- Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October). Summer heat intense; winter cold but driveable.
- Sources
- Cited official (.gov / .org)
What are the rules for driving Monument Valley in an RV?
US-163 itself is a public highway and free to drive in any vehicle. To enter Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park (the developed area with the Visitor Center and the iconic Mitchell Mesa drive) requires a per-vehicle entrance fee and check-in at the visitor center. Photography of the iconic landscapes from US-163 is permitted. Photography of individual Diné people requires permission. Don't photograph private homes or hogan structures without permission. Many of the most famous photographs are taken from designated US-163 pull-outs.
- US-163 is a free public highway
- Tribal Park entrance fee for developed area
- Photography rules: never photograph people without consent
- RV-friendly throughout
- Mile-Marker 13 pull-out is the iconic Forrest Gump view
At a glance
Route facts worth checking before you roll out
Conservative, source-minded numbers for planning — always confirm against current conditions and state DOT 511 before you depart.
Distance
45 mi
Kayenta AZ to Mexican Hat UT
Drive time
1–2 hr
Add 2-3 hours for park visit
Elevation
4,200–5,640 ft
RV compatibility
RV-friendly
Best season
Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October). Summer heat intense; winter cold but driveable.
Cell coverage. Limited. Verizon has the best Navajo Nation coverage. AT&T and T-Mobile thinner. Plan offline.
Elevation profile
Kayenta at 5,640 ft. Monument Valley floor about 5,200 ft. Mexican Hat at 4,200 ft.
Vehicle restrictions
- No posted RV restrictions on US-163
- Monument Valley Tribal Park scenic drive: paved + dirt mix, dirt section RV-unfriendly
- Use the developed visitor center as base for any scenic loop drives
Navajo Nation sovereign territory
Navigating Monument Valley with cultural respect
Monument Valley is on sovereign Navajo Nation lands. Visitors are welcome and the Navajo Nation operates tourism infrastructure (Visitor Center, scenic drive, View Hotel, ranger guides). But this is not federal land or national park — it is a working tribal park managed by the Navajo Nation.
Photography rules: photograph the landscapes freely from US-163 and the developed scenic drive. Don't photograph Diné people without explicit permission. Don't photograph individual homes or ceremonial sites. Commercial photography requires a separate permit.
Cultural respect: the Diné language is Athabaskan-family and one of the most spoken Indigenous languages in North America. Greeting in Diné Bizaad ('Yá'át'ééh') is welcomed when met with respect. Don't approach private dwellings or fenced areas. Don't pick up rocks or other natural objects — they have cultural significance.
Acknowledgements
- Navajo Nation (Diné)
What to actually do on this route
Drive US-163 north or south through the valley. Pull out at Mile Marker 13 (the iconic Forrest Gump view facing south). Continue to the Monument Valley Tribal Park entrance, register at the visitor center, and decide whether to drive the 17-mile scenic loop (paved + dirt sections, slow for RVs but doable in capable rigs) or hire a Diné-guided tour (Mystery Valley, Hunts Mesa, etc.).
Camping: Goulding's Lodge has an RV park. Monument Valley View Hotel + The View Campground (tribal park) accept RVs. Mexican Hat has small private RV camping. Plan reservation 3+ months out.
Real warnings
Photography respect
Never photograph Diné people without consent. Never photograph private homes.
dangerDirt scenic loop in big rigs
The 17-mile scenic loop has dirt sections that big rigs handle poorly. Consider parking + walking or hiring a Diné guide.
cautionLimited fuel
Kayenta and Mexican Hat have stations. Don't run below 1/4 tank between them.
cautionWatch for livestock
Open range. Cattle and horses on the road.
caution
What Visit Utah + Visit Arizona + Hollywood doesn't tell you
Monument Valley appears in dozens of films from John Ford westerns to Forrest Gump. The cinematic mythology treats the landscape as backdrop. The Diné view is different: this is home, sacred ground, working tribal lands.
Visitor coverage often treats the Tribal Park as a National Park. It is not. The fee structure, the photography rules, and the tour-guide economy all reflect Navajo Nation sovereignty. Visit accordingly.
What official tourism doesn't always communicate: hiring a Diné guide is genuinely the best way to experience Monument Valley. The areas off the scenic loop (Mystery Valley, Hunts Mesa) are accessible only with a guide. The cultural and historical context the guides provide is the value-add that tourism marketing flattens out.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit to drive US-163?
- No — US-163 is a public highway, free to drive. The Tribal Park scenic loop has an entrance fee.
- Can I camp anywhere I want on Navajo lands?
- No. Dispersed camping on Navajo lands requires permits. Use developed campgrounds (Goulding's, The View, Mexican Hat).
- What if my RV gets stuck on the dirt scenic loop?
- Tribal park rangers help with extraction but service is limited. Don't attempt the dirt scenic loop in a big rig if you have doubts. Hire a guide instead.
Authoritative sources
Verify current conditions with state DOT 511 systems before departure. RV restrictions may change. Weather may close roads.
Cultural respect
This route crosses or commemorates lands and histories of Indigenous, African American, or other communities. Travel with cultural awareness. Visit tribal cultural centers and support tribal-owned businesses. Respect photography restrictions and sacred sites.
Planning an RV trip along US-163?
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