Monument Valley Photography Guide

Iconic Buttes, Forrest Gump Point, Rte. 163 & the 17-Mile Loop Drive

Sunset in Monument Valley - taken from the deck of the View Hotel

🎯 In case you were looking for this …

Where exactly is Forrest Gump Point in Monument Valley?"

Forrest Gump Point is located at Mile Marker 13 on U.S. Highway 163, approximately 20 minutes north of the Monument Valley Visitor Center. GPS Coordinates: 37.101393, -109.990973 Best Time for Photos: Morning (sunrise to 11:00 AM) is ideal as the sun will be behind you, illuminating the red rocks. In the late afternoon and sunset, the sun will be in your face, creating a silhouette effect.

And now for the rest of the post!

🏜️ Monument Valley Quick Facts

• Location: Arizona/Utah border on Navajo Nation land | 175 miles from Albuquerque (~3.5 hours)

• Entry Fee: $8/person (Navajo Tribal Park - National Park Pass NOT accepted)

• Hours: Oct-Mar: 8 AM-4 PM | Apr-Sep: 7 AM-6 PM (closed major holidays)

• Best Time: Sunrise or sunset for warm light on buttes and rich color palette

• Route 163 Photography Stops: Mexican Hat Rock, Raplee Anticline, Agathla Peak, multiple monument viewpoints

• 17-Mile Valley Loop Road: 2-4 hours | Rough dirt road | No RVs, ATVs, or trailers

• Forrest Gump Point Location: US-163, Mile Marker 13 (13 mi north of visitor center)

• Essential Gear: 24-70mm & 70-200mm telephoto lenses, polarizing filter

• Elevation: 5,564 feet

• Park Size: 91,696 acres

• Nearest Town: Kayenta, AZ (22 miles south)

• ⚠️ PROHIBITED: Drones, rock climbing, cremation spreading, camping outside designated areas

🎯 Pro Tip: Stay at The View Hotel for sunrise access. Shoot Forrest Gump Point just after sunrise. Drive the valley loop after lunch. Respect Navajo sacred land—this is their home.

Standing Where the West Was Won (On Film)

A rainbow in Monument Valley with Merrick Butte (center) and the east Mitten (left)

There's a moment—usually about 5 minutes into the drive from Kayenta—when Monument Valley suddenly reveals itself. You round a curve and there they are: the Mittens. Two massive buttes rising 1,000 feet from the desert floor, their distinctive "thumb" projections making them instantly recognizable as the most photographed rock formations in America.

This is the landscape of the American West in film. John Ford shot Stagecoach here in 1939, launching John Wayne's career and Monument Valley into cinematic immortality. Over 100 features have been filmed here since, including The Searchers, Easy Rider, Forrest Gump … oh, and and countless car commercials.

But Monument Valley existed long before Hollywood shared it’s wonders with the world. The towering sandstone formations—some reaching 1,000 feet skyward—are the remnants of a vast rock basin carved by wind and water erosion. What remains are vertical monuments to geological time.

For the Navajo people, these formations are sacred. This isn't a playground—it's their ancestral homeland. You're a guest here, and that changes everything about how you should photograph it.

When to Photograph and Visit Monument Valley

Monument Valley after sunset

Best Times at a Glance

• Sunrise (6:45-9:30 AM): Forrest Gump Point & east-facing buttes catch first light. Photographing Mittens and Merrick at dawn requires an overnight stay at the View Hotel for sunrise visibility.

• Sunset (5:30-6:30 PM): West-facing buttes in the Valley glow orange-red and shadows play in the valley like they're alive—absolutely spectacular. Great photos can be taken from the View Hotel - right near the restaurant or in the parking lot!

• Blue Hour (6:30-7:00 PM): Silhouettes against purple sky

• Avoid Midday: Harsh overhead sun flattens formations. Great time to tour and photograph along Rte. 163.

Best Season: Fall (September-October)

Why October is Ideal:

• Pleasant temperatures (60-75°F days, 40-50°F nights)

• Clearer air (less summer haze)

• Dramatic clouds (monsoon season ending)

• Perfect combination with Balloon Fiesta

• Lower tourist crowds than summer

Weather Considerations

Typical Temperatures and conditions in Monument Valley by season:

Spring (Mar-May) 50-70°F Windy, unpredictable

Summer (Jun-Aug) 85-100°F Hot, afternoon thunderstorms

Fall (Sep-Nov) 60-75°F Perfect, dramatic clouds

Winter (Dec-Feb) 30-50°F Cold, occasional snow (beautiful)

Top Photo Ops in Monument Valley

Forrest Gump Point: The Iconic Road Shot

The iconic view from US Rte. 163 & Forrest Gump Point

"I'm pretty tired. I think I'll go home now."

In the 1994 film Forrest Gump, Tom Hanks' character stops running at Mile Marker 13 on US-163, with Monument Valley rising in the distance behind him. That spot—now called "Forrest Gump Point"—has become one of the most photographed locations in the Southwest.

How to Find Forrest Gump Point

Location: US Highway 163, Mile Marker 13

GPS Coordinates: 37.1013° N, 109.9898° W

From Monument Valley Visitor Center: 13 miles north on US-163

Directions:

1. Head north on US-163 from the Monument Valley Visitor Center

2. Drive approximately 13 miles (watch for Mile Marker 13)

3. Look for a dirt pullout on the right (east) side of the road

4. Park safely off the highway

How to Photograph Forrest Gump Point

The Classic Shot:

• Stand in the center of US-163 (when safe!)

• Frame the road leading toward Monument Valley

• Use a wide-angle lens (24-35mm)

• Keep the yellow centerline in frame

• Buttes should be visible in the distance

Best Time: Sunrise to mid-morning

• Warm facing light on the buttes

• Dramatic skies

• In October, in the mid to late afternoon, the rock faces become dark obfuscating important details (or creating a ton of post-production work)

Bring a wide-angle lens (16-35mm) for the full road perspective, but also shoot with 50-70mm for tighter compositions emphasizing the buttes.

Alternative Compositions

• Off-center: Stand to the left side of the road to create a different leading line

• Low angle: Get down low to emphasize the road texture

• Silhouette: Place a person in the road for scale

• Long exposure: Use ND filter to blur passing cars into light streaks

• Go to the bottom of the hill: Grab close-up images of the rock formations with brush detail in the foreground

Pro Tip: Be patient! This is a tremendously busy photo location and the selfie / Insta-crew will not observe any kind of photo etiquette.

⚠️ Safety Warning: You'll be standing IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY to get the iconic shot. Watch for traffic carefully. Vehicles come over the rise fast. Have a spotter. Don't risk your life for a photo.

The 17-Mile Valley Loop Drive

Valley Loop drive can be seen below the red rock formations in Monument Valley as the sun sets.

The Valley Loop is a dirt road that winds through Monument Valley, offering close-up views of the iconic formations. It's rough, sandy, and absolutely worth it.

Loop Drive Essentials

• Distance: 17 miles

• Time: 2-4 hours (depending on photo stops)

• Road Surface: Dirt, rocky, washboard sections

• Speed Limit: 15 mph

• Direction: One-way (counterclockwise)

• Difficulty: Moderate (high clearance recommended)

⚠️ Prohibited Vehicles: NO RVs, trailers, ATVs, UTVs, or motorcycles. SUVs are fine, but expect a bumpy ride.

Best Stops on the Loop

1. John Ford's Point

• Iconic overlook used in countless Westerns

• Navajo horseback rider for photos (tip appreciated)

• Vendor stalls with jewelry and crafts

• Shot: Wide-angle of valley panorama

2. Three Sisters

• Three vertical rock spires side-by-side

• Telephoto compression works beautifully

• Shot: 70-200mm at 135-200mm focal length

3. Artist's Point

• Wonderful view of multiple formations

• Best afternoon light

• Shot: Panorama stitching opportunity if you want to try

Pro Tip: Stop at ALL the numbered viewpoints—even if they look similar from the car. The angles change dramatically, and what seems redundant from the road reveals itself as unique once you're standing at the overlook.

Route 163 Roadside Photography: The Approach to Monument Valley

The drive along US Highway 163 isn't just a means of reaching Point B from Point A—it's a truly epic photographic journey. The highway is world-renowned for being exceptionally beautiful, iconic, and often ranked as one of the most scenic drives in the United States. From Mexican Hat to Monument Valley, this 25-mile stretch offers roadside pull-offs with some of the most incredible Southwest views you'll ever see.

Unlike many scenic drives where you glimpse formations from a distance, Route 163 delivers an immersive experience. The road rises and falls across the desert floor, bringing you face-to-face, and through, stunning geological features that span 300 million years of Earth's history.

Photography Strategy: Allow 1-2 hours for the 25-mile drive (normally 30 minutes). Stop at every pullout and find a few of your own! Here are some “must see” spots.

1. Photograph Mexican Hat Rock

Photo of Mexican Hat Rock - the “Hat” is approximately 60 ft in length

Location: 1 mile north of the town of Mexican Hat on US-163

GPS: 37.1583° N, 109.8636° W

If you drove in from Shiprock, you might feel that the drive couldn’t possibly get any better. Well, this is where the visual feast gets even tastier. Mexican Hat is a 300-foot-tall balanced rock formation crowned with a 60-foot-diameter "sombrero" that defies gravity.

The Geology:

• Caprock (the "Hat"): Cedar Mesa Sandstone - light tan, erosion-resistant

• Pedestal: Halgaito Formation - red shale and siltstone

• Age: Permian Period (250-286 million years ago)

• Formation Process: Differential erosion—the softer shale eroded faster beneath the harder sandstone cap

How to Photograph It:

• From Highway: Visible from multiple roadside pull-offs (my preference)

• Up Close: Turn east on dirt road, drive 0.5 miles to base

• Best Angle: Southwest side shows the "hat" profile most clearly

• Best Light: Late afternoon (4-6 PM) when warm light hits the formation

• Lens: 70-200mm from highway, 24-70mm up close

Behind Mexican Hat, look for Raplee Anticline—a colorful, triangular rock formation with wavy, tri-colored layers (red, white, gray). Locals compare its patterns to Navajo rug designs.

2. Raplee Anticline (Raplee Ridge) Image

Photo of the Raplee Anticline along Route 163

Location: Coming from Mexican Hat toward Monument Valley it will be on the left side with (and just past) Mexican Hat rock.

This is one of the Southwest's most photogenic anticlines—an upward fold in rock layers - creating a dramatic exposure of geological strata.

What You're Seeing:

• Tilted rock layers from a massive fold in the Earth's crust

• Red, white, and gray bands representing different geological periods

• Approximately 300 million years of geological history visible at once

Photography:

• Use telephoto (135-200mm) to compress the layered bands

• Shoot with the sun overhead or later in the afternoon when light illuminates the banding. Later in the day shadows will creep on this area.

3. Goosenecks State Park

Note: While often confused with Arizona locations due to its proximity to Monument Valley, Goosenecks is located just across the border in Southern Utah (near Mexican Hat).

This primitive park offers one of the most impressive examples of "entrenched meanders" in North America, where the San Juan River twists 1,000 feet below a massive plateau. It is a quick but essential stop for photographers.

2 Photographic Highlights:

1. The Double Meander (Main Overlook): You need an ultra-wide angle lens (14mm-16mm) or a panorama stitch to capture the full "double loop" of the river in a single frame. The scale is massive, and standard lenses cannot fit it all in; think Horseshoe Bend and the Colorado River.

2. Astrophotography: Designated as an International Dark Sky Park, the lack of light pollution makes it a world-class location for Milky Way photography. The flat horizon allows for full-dome star charts.

Don’t forget to look behind you!

Every twist and turn reveals a new side to the hills and buttes along Route 163.

4. Agathla Peak (Church Rock)

Location: Visible east of US-163, approximately Mile 17 (south of Mexican Hat)

The Geology:

• Rock Type: Volcanic breccia (solidified magma core)

• Age: 25-30 million years old

• Formation: Ancient volcanic vent; surrounding softer rock eroded away

• Name: "Agathla" is Navajo for "much wool" (resembles sheep wool)

Photography:

• Multiple pullouts on US-163 for different angles

• Telephoto (100-200mm) isolates the dramatic spire

• Best at sunrise or sunset when side-lit

• Include desert foreground for scale

Roadside Photography Tips for Route 163

Time of Day Expectations:

• Late Afternoon (3-6 PM): Warm light, buttes illuminated. Nice for Mexican Hat. But, IMO you should be in the park a couple of hours before sunset!

• Early Morning (7-9 AM): Cool light, fresh air, emptier road. Great time to photograph Forrest Gump Point.

• Midday: Harsh overhead light flattens formations. Some Rte. 163 formations and hillsides will photograph well mid-day.

Essential Gear:

• 24-70mm: Versatile for roadside compositions

• 70-200mm: Compress distant buttes, isolate formations

• Polarizing Filter: Deepen blue sky, saturate red rocks

• Tripod: Optional (plenty of light, but useful for bracketing and experimentation)

Photography Techniques for Monument Valley

West Mitten Butte in Monument Valley - late day

1. Use a Telephoto Lens

Wide-angles make the buttes look small and distant. Telephoto lenses (70-200mm, even 100-400mm) compress the formations and make them dominate the frame.

Technique:

• Shoot at 135-200mm focal length

• Compress multiple buttes into layered compositions

• Isolate single formations against sky

2. Shoot in Warm Light

The red sandstone GLOWS in warm light. Sunrise/sunset is essential.

• Golden Hour: Buttes turn orange-red

• Blue Hour: Silhouettes against purple sky

• Avoid Midday: Harsh light flattens formations

3. Include Foreground Elements

• Sagebrush

• Desert wildflowers (spring)

• The road (Rte. 163 / Valley Loop)

• Sand ripples (if hiking backcountry with permit)

4. Work the Polarizer

A polarizing filter can be helpful in Monument Valley.

• Deepens the blue October sky

• Increases contrast between sky and buttes

• Saturates the red sandstone colors

Rotate the polarizer until the sky reaches maximum blue saturation. The contrast with red buttes will be stunning.

Camera Gear for Monument Valley

Essential Gear

• 70-200mm f/2.8 or f/4: Your primary lens

• 24-70mm f/2.8: Wide scenes, Forrest Gump Point

• Circular Polarizer: Essential for sky/rock contrast

• Tripod: For low-light sunrise/sunset

• Remote trigger: Avoid button pressing shake

• Extra Batteries: Cold mornings drain power

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is Monument Valley a National Park?

  No, Monument Valley is not a National Park; it is a Navajo Tribal Park. Because it is tribally owned and managed, the "America the Beautiful" National Park Annual Pass is not accepted here. You must pay the tribal entry fee (typically $8 per person) at the welcome center booth.

• How much is the Monument Valley entry fee?

  Description text goes here

• What time zone is Monument Valley in?

  Monument Valley is on Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) and observes Daylight Saving Time. This can be confusing because the state of Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time.

  • Summer Rule: Monument Valley is usually one hour ahead of the rest of Arizona (like Phoenix or Page). It follows the same time as Utah.

  • Winter Rule: It is on the same time as the rest of Arizona.

• Do I need a 4x4 to drive the Scenic Loop?New Item

  While a 4x4 is highly recommended, it is not strictly required. The 17-mile Valley Drive is a dirt road that is often rough, washboarded, and sandy. Most standard SUVs and crossovers can handle it fine. Sedans and low-clearance vehicles can attempt it, but you risk bottoming out or damaging your suspension. If you are unsure, guided tours in open-air jeeps are available.

• Can I fly a drone in Monument Valley?

  No. Flying drones is strictly prohibited within Monument Valley and arguably across the entire Navajo Nation. The tribal government has a "No Drone" policy to protect privacy and cultural sanctity. Rangers are vigilant, and fines can be significant. If you see drone footage online, it was likely filmed with a rare commercial permit or illegally.

• Is alcohol allowed in Monument Valley?

  No. The Navajo Nation is a dry reservation. The possession and consumption of alcohol are illegal within the tribal park boundaries. This applies even if you are just camping or staying at the hotel. Do not bring beer or wine in your cooler; you risk having it confiscated.

• Are dogs allowed in Monument Valley?

  Yes, with restrictions. Unlike many National Parks (which ban dogs on trails), Monument Valley is surprisingly pet-friendly.

  • Scenic Drive: Dogs are allowed in your vehicle on the 17-mile loop.

  • Hiking: Dogs are allowed on the Wildcat Trail (the only self-guided hike) as long as they are on a leash.

  • Tours: Some open-air jeep tour operators allow dogs, but you must call ahead to confirm.

• Does the entrance booth take credit cards?

  Yes, but bring cash as a backup. The entry booth accepts credit cards, but internet connectivity in the high desert can be spotty. If the card reader is down, they may require cash. The fee is typically $8 per person (not per car), so having small bills is a smart "just in case" strategy.

🙏 Respecting Navajo Sacred Land

Monument Valley is not a National Park—it is Navajo Nation territory. Known to the Navajo as Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii ("Valley of the Rocks"), this is sacred land and the home of the Navajo people.

Please Honor Navajo Laws and Culture:

• ✅ Stay on designated roads and trails

• ✅ Purchase from Navajo vendors (jewelry, crafts)

• ✅ Ask permission before photographing Navajo people

• ✅ Pack out all trash—keep the land clean

• ❌ NO drones (strictly prohibited by Navajo law)

• ❌ NO rock climbing on formations (sacred sites)

• ❌ NO dogs (prohibited at all Navajo Tribal Parks)

• ❌ NO spreading cremated remains (desecration)

• ❌ NO camping outside designated areas

Walking in Beauty (Hózhó): The Navajo concept of Hózhó represents living in harmony and balance with nature. Please visit with this spirit of respect.

Ready to Photograph Monument Valley?

Monument Valley delivers the iconic Southwest landscape you've seen in countless films—and it's even more spectacular in person. The combination of massive buttes, warm desert light, and Navajo cultural richness creates an unforgettable photography experience.

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Last updated January 2026.

© 2026 Don Mennig Fine Art Photography