Mexican Hat

Mexican Hat is a village in Utah.

Understand

Mexican Hat is a very small town in San Juan County, Utah about 20 miles from Monument Valley. The town's name comes from a nearby rock formation that looks like a sombrero. There are less than three dozen inhabitants and only the very basic components of a village, including a few inns and restaurants, a gift shop, and a gas station. Nevertheless, it's a useful stop for travelers searching for a place to stay while touring the unearthly beauty of the surrounding landscapes.

Get in

There's only one road through the village: US-163.

Get around

The town is small enough that you can get everywhere on foot.

See

• 1 Mexican Hat Rock, Mexican Hat Rock Road. This rock formation is northeast of the town of Mexican Hat, and this rock formation looks like a hat. (updated Apr 2018)
• 2 Goosenecks State Park. Features red rock canyons formed by the flowing of rivers over millennia. (updated Jun 2019)
• 3 Valley of the Gods, ☏ +1 435-587-1500. A park featuring almost Martian landscapes of red sandstone formations (updated Jun 2019)

Do

See the gorgeous landscapes nearby. They're worth staying in a town with almost nothing else.

Drive the road 261 through the scenic 1 Moki Dugway - literally a road carved into mountain side.

Buy

• 1 Valle's Trading Post, 120 US-163. (updated Jun 2019)

Eat

There are restaurants in the Hat Rock Inn, Valley of the Gods Bed and Breakfast, and Mexican Hat Lodge. See the "Sleep" section for details. The closest actual supermarkets and other restaurants are probably in the larger towns like Blanding 40+ miles away.

Drink

Mexican Hat is not on the nearby Navajo reservation, so it's possible to buy alcohol at the very few restaurants here.

Sleep

• 1 Hat Rock Inn. It overlooks the San Juan River. Amenities include a swimming pool, in-room coffee, wifi, micro-fridges, free breakfast, restaurant. Mexican Hat is not on the reservation so beer & alcohol is available along with the freedom to hike the many trails & enjoy the refreshing San Juan River. (updated Apr 2018)
• 2 Mexican Hat Lodge, 100 Main Hwy 163, ☏ +1 435-683-2222. Home of the Swingin' Steak & Beer Garden. Go there for the steaks, and ignore the other food. (updated Apr 2018)
• 3 San Juan Inn, toll-free: +1-800-447-2022. (updated Apr 2018)
• 4 Valley of the Gods Bed and Breakfast (North of Mexican Hat), ☏ +1 970 749-1164. (updated Apr 2023)

There are chain hotels in the larger towns nearby, but they don't have the splendid view you get in Mexican Hat.

Go next

• Monument Valley - Navajo tribal park with a dramatic landscape that was used in many Western films.
• Goosenecks State Park