Running from the states from Arizona and Utah, U.S. Route 163 or U.S. Highway 163 is a 64-mile U.S. Highway that has parts within the Navajo Nation. The highway forms part of the Trail of the Ancients, a National Scenic Byway and also cuts through the heart of Monument Valley and has been featured in numerous movies and commercials. Some of the famous items are Easy Rider and Forrest Gump. It is worth noting that summer temperatures can be unbearable for some with temperatures easily reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.7778 degrees Celsius.

The southern terminus of US Route 163 is at a junction with US 160 south of Kayenta in Navajo County and Navajo Nation, which continues to the south of this junction as Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Route 591. US 163 heads north from US 160 to the west of the Kayenta Airport as it passes through the town of Kayenta. The highway curves toward the northeast in Kayenta before it curves back toward the north and then heads toward Monument Valley and crosses into Utah. The highway then proceeds northeast until the town of Mexican Hat where the highway both crosses the San Juan River and exits the Navajo Nation. From Mexican Hat, the highway travels due east to toward its signed terminus in Bluff.

Length	64.62 miles
States	2 Utah and Arizona
Astronomy Sites	4 places
Cities Close By	2 (Bluff, Utah and Kayenta, Arizona)
Bortle Number	1 and 2, depending on how close to cities

Astronomy Sites

US Highway 163 has several great locations for astronomy that one can use for their telescope and DSLR with really dark skies. Although the majority of these sites lack power plugin and some are right next to the road, they provide excellent dark skies without having to travel too far out of the way.

Goosenecks State Park

The state park is an International Dark Sky park in 2021. It is open year round, with entry fees of $5 per car, is $2 per person when on commercial tour bus or tour group, and is $10 per night for camping. There are some camping trails nearby and has several primitive campgrounds and is a favorite spot for astrophotographers due to its remoteness.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Monument Valley is maintained as a visitor attraction by Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation. Visitors are welcome to drive the 17-mile dirt loop, Valley Drive, on self-guided tours of the valley. Multiple parking areas along the way bring many of the park’s most spectacular rock formations into view. Or set off on the only public hike in the valley, an easy 3-mile loop trail that takes visitors to Mitten Butte, one of the most iconic landmarks of the American West. Visitors can also join guided Jeep tours for up-close views of ancient cliff dwellings and natural arches in more isolated locations. There are many places here that are great for stargazing, but make sure to stay on the trails and don’t trespass.

Forest Gump Point

Made famous by the movie Forest Gump, Forest Gump Point is a great place to pull to the side of the road and take a few DSLR photos at night and do some astronomy with the telescope. Make sure to fully pull over entirely and not be in the road. The benefit is that it doesn’t require a permit nor hiking, but it lacks the safety from light pollution and other cars that these other sites do.

John Ford Point

John Ford’s Point is one of the viewpoints along Valley Drive, the dirt road that allows driving through the valley alongside its impressive monoliths. It is named for the director who shot several movies here. There are basically 2 ways to reach the lookout point, which is either through driving or guided excursion run by the Navajo. This spot is easy to miss when driving alone, so make sure to fully understand where to go. However, the reward is a spot with unbeatable views that makes for an amazing dark sky spot for DSLR photography and telescope views.

Camping/Lodging

There are several campgrounds available, which will be Cities of Bluff, Utah and Kayenta, Arizona do provide some hotels. However, we will be looking at camping opportunities to the traveler who is looking to astronomy.

Goosenecks State Park, Utah

The state park does allow camping in their 8 designated spots, with the camping fee of $10. It is a first come, first serve, no reservations accepted campsite with primitive conditions. There are no services except vault toilets.

Monument Valley National Park Sunset View Campground

It is located within the Navajo National Monument and sits above the canton and is completely free. The services of bathrooms, water, and trash service are provided. Per the NPS website for the campground, “No registration and/or reservations are required. Dry camping only. Please be aware that there are NO RV DUMP SITES OR HOOKUPS at both campgrounds. Group camping isn’t allowed either.” There are 31 sites available.

Monument Valley National Park Canyon View Campground — Currently Closed

This site has 14 sites, with primitive tent campground is a tenth of a mile from the visitor center on an unpaved road. Just like Sunset View Campground, “No registration and/or reservations are required. Dry camping only. Please be aware that there are NO RV DUMP SITES OR HOOKUPS at both campgrounds. Group camping isn’t allowed either.”

Sleeping Bear Campgrounds

Located in Mexican Hat Utah, the campsite provides primitive rustic test camping in a very scenic setting. There are no other amenities other than an outhouse and the site is inexpensive and first come first served.

Make sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and make sure to view our other unique astronomy roadtrips such as this one for more places to view astronomy when on a roadtrip.