Muley Point Overlook - Mexican Hat, Utah - Panoramic view, primitive camping, scenic drive



Muley Point is a high peninsula that provides vast panoramas high over the desert landscape of northern Arizona and southern Utah. This Overlook allows you to see the sandstone forms of Monument Valley in the distance. Closer in you can view rugged and pristine canyons carved by the San Juan River and its tributaries. The only facility at this location is a vault toilet. There are no designated camping areas, but travelers camp informally near the point.

Located at the end of a dirt road five miles west of Hwy 261, the turn-off for Muley Point Overlook is thirteen miles northwest of Mexican Hat and twenty eight miles south of Natural Bridges National Monument. All sources reported that this area is difficult to find. Here is an excerpt from a local review that gives more specific directions to the site:

"Take UT 261 away from Mexican Hat. It branches northwards off US 163, and has a near-straight ten mile stretch across the valley floor (goes alongside the edge of Valley of the Gods), then the road temporarily deteriorate to a gravel road with steep inclines and 180 degree turns as it ascends 1,200 feet to the top of a high plateau (Cedar Mesa). This area is known as the Moqui Dugway after an old Mormon term for the Anasazi people who once inhabited this region. There are warning signs on this road to discourage vehicles of over 20 feet, but if driven carefully, RVs of 25 feet or over can make the journey easily enough. There are significant views here, but keep going. At the top of the dugway a 5 mile gravel track leads southwest through BLM land to Muley Point overlook, which has more incredible views south over the twisting, entrenched canyons of the San Juan River and the desert beyond.''

Because this location is way off the beaten path, this is a very quiet location. There are several places where you can drive off road and camp right at the edge of the sheer cliffs. This is one of the best (free) camping places in Utah. If you continue to the very end of the road that takes you to Muley Point, you'll run into a deep branch of the San Juan River and be unable to go further.

Important note for travelers from another reviewer, "From the junction with the gravel track it is about sixty miles north along UT 261 and UT 95 to the upper end of Lake Powell at Hite along White Canyon. This drive passes close to many sites of interest including the Cedar Mesa plateau - crossed by many canyons containing numerous Anasazi ruins, Natural Bridges National Monument, White Canyon and its tributary slot canyons and Dark Canyon.

June 2009 reviewer said, "Although it's not the easiest road to find, the road to Muley Point is just off to the left after you reach the top of the Mokey Dugway - although if you are heading in the other direction there is a sign you'll see. The road is in far better condition this year (June 2009) than I'd seen it on three previous visits in the past 15 years - although I think it does suffer if there is heavy rain. The view at the end is stunning - down into the Canyon as well as across to the distant Monument Valley. If it's a very windy day you should take extra care - and obviously children and pets need to be under close control with such an exposed drop. The whole trip north from Monument Valley is full of top attractions - the view from Milepost 13, Mexican Hat, Goosenecks SP, Valley of the Gods, Mokey Dugway and finally Muley Point to top it all off (unless you are continuing to the Natural Bridges area, which is a bit of a letdown in contrast).''

A second reviewer said, "A great remote viewpoint that few people know. After driving up the Moki Dugway on an exciting steep dirt road, you make a left (but be careful, the Muley Point overlook is not signposted) and after a few minutes you will find a spectacular 360° panorama from the top of the mesa including Monument Valley, Goosenecks of San Juan River, the dirt road crossing the Valley of Gods on the left, and the Glen Canyon NRA on the very right side. Quiet and peaceful as few places can be, it gives an impressing idea of how this landscape between Utah and Arizona can offer beauty, magnificence and variety at the same time.''

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