On Highway 163 headed towards Monument Valley
Mexican Hat is asmall desert community of 50 or so people near the
southeastern corner of Utah. It sits
along the beautiful San Juan River with impressive rock formations in every direction that you look. It's along the way for those traveling to Monument Valley
(22 miles southwest) and Natural
Bridges National Monument (44 miles north). Mexican Hat is also
a central base for those exploring the San Juan River. A few other
attractions -- Goosenecks
State Park, Muley Point Overlook and the Valley
of the Gods -- are within 15 miles of town.
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Mexican Hat is located on Hwy 163, 24 miles west of Bluff.
It has a few small motels, a private campground, a few restaurants,
service stations and some gift shops. Mexican Hat gets its name from
a rock formation north of town that resembles an overturned sombrero.
Private Campgrounds
Burch's RV Park
Hwy 163; Box 337
435-683-2221
8 sites
Valle's Trailer Park
Hwy. 163
435-683-2226
Public Campgrounds
Goosenecks State Park is a undeveloped park with an outstanding view
of gooseneck turns in the San Juan River 1,000 below. Camping is available
in the park's desert terrain around the gravel parking area. 8 sites;
vault toilets; no water; elev. 5,000'; open year round; no fee.
Muley Point is a high peninsula providing vast panoramas of southern
Utah. It does not have any designated camping areas, but travelers
do camp informally among the desert vegetation near the point. There
are no facilities other than a vault toilet.
There is also camping in Bluff (24 miles east) and at Monument Valley
(22 miles southwest).
Helpful Publications
San Juan County Visitor Guide
Travel council guide to the towns and sites in the southeastern corner
of Utah. Provides very basic overviews of the Abajo Mountains, Blanding,
Bluff, Canyonlands,
Lake Powell,
Mexican Hat, Monticello,
Monument
Valley, Natural
Bridges Nat. Mon. and the San Juan River. Also contains lists
of outfitters and lodging. To order call 800-574-4386. (70 pages;
San Juan County Travel Council; published annually)
