Searching for a dispersed campsite near Kayenta? Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from it all and to disconnect. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Arizona excursion.
Lots of sites, all free, primitive. GREAT views of the Mexican Hat geological features. Good for 2wd cars.
The beautiful Cedar Mesa sandstone monoliths, pinnacles and other geological features of this enchanting area are known as a Miniature Monument Valley. These sandstone sentinels were eroded by wind and water over eons of time. The 17 mile loop through the Valley of the Gods is a graded gravel and clay surface road (San Juan County Road #242), that has a few sharp turns, and crosses several washes. Driving time is approximately one to two hours. It is suitable for passenger cars when the road conditions are dry. However, road conditions vary throughout the year with regional weather conditions. Local inquiry should be made during and after periods of inclement weather. There are several car camps along this route. However, no campfires are allowed.
Traveler
Never in my life have I heard of Mexican Hat, let alone the rock it’s named after. Jeez this place was cool, the river was beautiful, the dispersed camping areas were great under the stars, and that dang Mexican Hat Rock juxtaposed to the unforgiving sea of desert just put a huge smile on my face.
Guide
Very easy to drive on road, we took a 2WD car and had no issues. Plenty of spots so you’ll always find a place to camp for the night.
Great views at every spot and barely any road noise from the highway. Good AT&T coverage.
No fires allowed here so keep that in mind
Guide
You need clearance to be able to enter this spot, there’s a large rut which stopped us from getting into the spot, we had to turn around - so only attempt to come here if you have a 4x4 or a vehicle with clearance
ScoutNot free anymore but still an enjoyable experience. I was the only camper there on a weekday.
ScoutI arrived here late afternoon, big sign in the beginning- pay online under www.mexicanhatrocks.com - it’s 18$ per night for just a place to park- no toilets. . No reception with T-mobile to pay online. Went to gooseneck state park campground instead, only 10$ per night and they have toilets.
Guide
When we arrived it was howling wind and blowing sand. We worried the side of our van would be nothing but primer in the morning. Fortunately by the morning it was sunny and calm with stunning vistas. The area is exposed with few secluded opportunities. Despite mid week in May, many spots were taken. That said, it was so beautiful we would not hesitate to visit again.
LegendThe scenery is amazing and there are ample places to camp. Very little cell reception. The dirt road is in good shape.
GuideWe found a spot about 3km in from the 163 entrance. Great views. Windy in the afrernoon but dies down around 5pm.
Guide
Was able to find a great spot to stay at right on the rim. There were 3 sites with fire rings no one around when I was there.
ScoutAs a dispersed camping area, it's a wonderful location with beautiful vistas with radiant pastel colors splattered everywhere. The weather was perfect towards the end of October.
The roads are rutted and although I see plenty of passenger cars back here, my 25 ft travel trailer pulled by my F150 did all it could to pull thru the ruts, hills and hollows. Don't go off the main road without dessert 4x4 capabilities. Spots filled up Friday thru the afternoon. I arrived around 12pm and luckily got a nice spot about a mile in as I did not want to pull my trailer any further in.
Stayed all weekend!
GuideThe valley of the gods is astoundingly, beautiful and spending the night in the valley was near perfection.
GuideAmazing hiking, breathtaking view. You could see car lights from the highway at a distance, but I feel like we could have parked at a different angle to block it.
TravelerAbsolutely gorgeous place to park the van for a night. Super easy to find and plenty of areas to find a quiet spot to yourself. Roads were a little rutted coming in but nothing crazy.
GuideThere are many camping sites distributed throughout the well maintained roads around the Mexican Hat. A regular 2WD passenger car shouldn't have a problem getting to many of them. There are smaller trails that require 4WD with a bit of clearance and articulation, but didn't see anything a unibody crossover couldn't do.
You get plenty of privacy and seclusion at each site with beautiful views in the morning. And please respect the land and its people! We are lucky they are generous enough to allow us to camp here.
TravelerSecond time camping with my kids here. This time we got the remote site we were hoping for.
Most sites are right off the main road. Easily accessible by rv’s and cars. Our site was off the main road. Don’t venture off the main road without high clearance and perhaps 4 wheel drive. If you can tho the few sites set up this way are even more remote and awesome!
Only bummer was no campfires allowed at this time.
It is hot in July, but cools off at night. Constant breeze, no bugs. Bring shade as there are no trees except for a couple of spots by dry river beds. The trees do bring bids with them…
Amazing views and no light pollution or sound at night.
GuideThe view was absolutely gorgeous. Unfortunately we didn’t arrive until 10pm, way after sunset. The view is facing towards the west so it would’ve been quite a view if we were able to watch the sun set.
When getting to the area you need to drive up the mesa. The drive up is unpaved but not bad. It consist of dirt and some pebbles, not gravel like other unpaved roads we’ve been on. We were able to drive up with relative ease in a 2017 Prius. Keep in mind to drive up slowly especially in the evening since some parts get rather narrow. I was concerned about what we were to do had there been another car coming from the on coming traffic. It wasn’t till the morning that we were able to see how close the road was to the ledge at some parts.
There was not as much wind in the evening compared to the morning. Make sure to wear a windproof jacket if you want to keep warm. The evening did drop to the 30s if you are planning to stay in a tent.
The evening sky was absolutely gorgeous. There weren’t any light pollution. The sky was littered with stars. The morning view over was breath taking. You can view the valley right from the tent.
GuideThis was a great spot to camp, quiet, and the view was just amazing. Numerous spots available and access to the San Juan River. If there isn’t anything available, Vally of the Gods is right in the area with endless available sites as well and worth a the scenic drive. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to camp in this area.
GuideI road in at night and the road was sandy and wiggly. If you can make it all the way down to where the trail ends, it’s a pretty dank opening to the water. Be respectful, friendly, and never put a sign in “your spot” that says “taken” or “occupied” — you are on native land and that’s also an obnoxious, unfriendly Karen move.
ScoutReally beautiful.
Road condition: probably want all wheel drive, but you might get to some spots without it
Fee: there’s a hand-painted sign that says to pay online but it was unclear who manages the site. There isn’t a gate or anything like that
River access: at first fork in the dirt road I took a left and it led down to campsites close by the river
Spread out: On a Friday night in May I wasn’t on top of anyone at all
TravelerWe got here late after a long day of hiking and driving. There were enough people that it felt safe but enough space that there was plenty of privacy. Great spot to watch stars, we saw 6 shooting stars. Can get a little dusty, but we’re in the middle of a desert so that’s to be expected.
TravelerDo not hesitate to follow the pretty accessible dirt road to reach the San Juan river and its nearby spots (turn left at the fork before the “Mexican hat” rock). Really quite amongst the trees.
LegendWhat a cool place to visit for a night or two! Lot's of cool features to see!
We stayed a night here and loved it. Very easy to get to and park. Just beware that as you pass the 1st section of "well kept" camping sites, the road gets a bit bumpy, various sizes of rocks, so just take your time and you'll be fine. We are in a 40' 5th wheel and had no problem.
FYI.. We found that if you need water, there is a 7-11 in Mexican Hat that has a spigot you can use. Just patronize the establishment as a way of saying "Thanks!"
GuideFirst of all it’s free so you can’t argue with that. We got in around 4 PM, thought for sure other people would show up later but no one did so we got the place to ourselves. Like anywhere there is going to be some litter; fortunately there wasn’t a lot so we filled a trash bag of old cans. Got to enjoy the quiet solitude and enjoy the sunrise coming up over the Hat Rock in the morning which was beautiful.
TravelerVery clean area, no problem finding a camp area. Try to get there before night, so you won’t get disoriented.
GuideCouple campsites just of the road. Better ones if you go down the hill behind Mexican Hat rock next to the river. Lots to explore. Seen a bunch of deer.
GuideStayed here close to monument valley so I could be there for sunrise. Roads are pretty okay, camping areas are not very even. No one was here when I got here.
ScoutA friend clued me into this amazing site high above the San Juan River and Monument Valley. Please take good care of this beautiful place if you go. The road out down the canyon wall is called the Mooki Dugway. It’s a thrill too but not for big rigs.
Camping near Kayenta, Arizona, offers a unique experience surrounded by stunning landscapes and rich cultural history. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of options to explore.
Camping near Kayenta, Arizona, is a fantastic way to connect with nature and enjoy the stunning landscapes of the Southwest. Whether you're in an RV or tent camping, there's something for everyone in this beautiful region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Kayenta, AZ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Kayenta, AZ is Dispersed Mexican Hat Camping with a 4.6-star rating from 32 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Kayenta, AZ?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Kayenta, AZ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
