Mexican Hat

Mexican Hat is a small community in the Colorado Plateau high desert that sits along the San Juan River, surrounded by russet-colored rock formations. The setting features expansive arid landscapes with dramatic stone structures and wide open views that echo the approach to Monument Valley.

The settlement took its name from a natural rock formation that resembles a large sombrero rising at the community's edge. The place developed as a waypoint along early trade routes through this remote desert region.

The area sits near Navajo Nation lands and offers access to sacred sites and traditional communities that remain central to regional identity. Visitors encounter a landscape deeply woven into the heritage and ongoing presence of Native American peoples.

The area remains quite isolated with minimal services, so visitors should check supplies and gear before arrival. Spring and fall offer the best visiting conditions, avoiding summer heat extremes while road conditions remain most reliable.

A bridge crossing the San Juan River carries the name of a local figure who served in an elite military unit. This detail ties the small community to a personal story of service that visitors might easily overlook when passing through.

Location: San Juan County

Elevation above the sea: 1,294 m

GPS coordinates: 37.16500,-109.86528

Latest update: December 7, 2025 09:22