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Voykit pocket guide · United States
Mexican Hat
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Mexican Hat; stay 1 night if you need a base for nearby parks.
Mexican Hat is a tiny Utah village (≈30 residents) on US‑163, ideal for a quick stop to see the iconic Hat Rock, Goosenecks State Park, Valley of the Gods and the dramatic Moki Dugway road. One night covers the sights; a day‑trip works if you’re staying elsewhere.
- Country
- United States
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (heat)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.
- Daily spend
- Budget $50–80 excl. bed · Mid $80–120 excl. bed · High $120+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and straighteners from 230 V countries need a converter.
- Tipping
- Sit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.; Taxi / ride-hailing: 15–20%, in the app.; Hotel housekeeping: US$3–5 a night.; Porter / valet: US$2–5 per bag or car.; Tour guide: US$10–20 per person for a day tour.; Counter service / tablet prompts: Optional; 0–15%.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations. Rest areas on highways are free.
Get in
By air
- CNY · Canyonlands Field Airport
- about 70 mi (≈112 km (70 mi)) drive east via US‑191about 70 mi (≈70 mi (112 km)) drive east via US‑191
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The village is walkable; the main road US‑163 runs through it. Drive to nearby sites (Moki Dugway, Valley of the Gods) on a rented car.
See and do
Known for
- Mexican Hat Rock
- Goosenecks State Park
- Valley of the Gods
- Moki Dugway
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monument Valley | Drive west on US‑163, about 20 mi (≈32 km (20 mi))Drive west on US‑163, about 20 mi (≈20 mi (32 km)) | ≈45 min each way |
| Goosenecks State Park | Drive north on US‑163, about 5 mi (≈8 km (5 mi))Drive north on US‑163, about 5 mi (≈5 mi (8 km)) | ≈10 min each way |
| Valley of the Gods | Drive east on US‑163, about 15 mi (≈24 km (15 mi))Drive east on US‑163, about 15 mi (≈15 mi (24 km)) | ≈20 min each way |
| Moki Dugway | Drive north on US‑163, then turn onto UT‑261, about 12 mi (≈19 km (12 mi))Drive north on US‑163, then turn onto UT‑261, about 12 mi (≈12 mi (19 km)) | ≈30 min each way |
Sleep
- Hat Rock Inn
- Pool, free breakfast, wifi, in‑room coffee; alcohol served.
- Mexican Hat Lodge
- Steak & Beer Garden, basic rooms.
- Valley of the Gods Bed and Breakfast
- North of town, quiet rural setting.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Where is the gas station? | ¿Dónde está la gasolinera? |
| How far is the next town? | ¿Qué tan lejos está la próxima ciudad? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'hi, how are you?' — reply 'good, thanks'; avoid: Treating the question as a real health enquiry
- Restaurants: Tip 18–22% and wait for the check; avoid: Leaving without tipping
- Personal space: Keep an arm's length in queues; avoid: Standing close to strangers
- Politics and religion: Listen more than you speak; avoid: Opening with hot-button topics
- Smoking: Smoke only in marked areas; avoid: Smoking near doors or in parks where banned
Scams and watch-outs
- Very limited services – fuel, groceries and medical care are in Blanding (~40 mi).
- Moki Dugway is a steep, narrow road; check weather and vehicle suitability.
Generally safe; limited services and remote location mean carry water, fuel and a spare tire; watch for wildlife on roads.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Mexican Hat yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Mexican Hat Rock
- Goosenecks State Park
- Valley of the Gods
- Moki Dugway
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Mexican Hat, revision 5239627 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5239627
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Mexican Hat
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/mexican-hat). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.