I left Navaho NM and headed north towards Monument Valley. Along the way the road passes the town of Mexican Hat and a little further north, the rock formation that the town is named after.

There are not many signs along the highway pointing out the direction to Monument Valley. With a good map or GPS unit there should be no problem finding place. As you get closer, you start seeing the lone buttes and spires. North of Kayenta I came upon this scene.

There was a line of cars stopped at this location when I stopped and they all disappeared by the time I walked across the road. Owl Rock is on the left and Agathla Peak is on the right.

4. Monument Valley Navaho Tribal Park, Arizona

The last time I was here the place seemed very remote. Now there are several new structures outside of the Monument Valley Navaho Tribal Park. Before there was only Goldings Trading Post and Hotel to the left (west) and the Monument Valley Visitor Center to the right (east) of the intersection. Now there are new buildings constructed near the intersection and the Navaho Tribal Park Monument Valley visitor center is also being remodeled.

This is the most photographed scene at Monument Valley Tribal Park. In the center of the photo is a portion of the dirt road that leads closer to the monuments and other structures that cannot be seen from the visitor center. The last time I visited there was no charge to drive the road although it was very bumpy. I am not sure if access to the road is still free.

I specifically returned to Monument Valley to find the often-published view seen in the movie Forrest Gump. I thought I found the location while driving into Monument Valley from the south but after leaving Monument Valley Tribal Park and continuing north I encountered a group of people along the road taking pictures. A quick glimpse in my rearview mirror revealed the view I was looking for. I had already passed the turnout so I continued on with a plan to circle back. Fortunately a turnout appeared at the next rise and I parked the car.

Here was the view I was looking for but there was too much traffic for me to stand in the middle of the road and take a picture.