Forrest Gump Monument Valley filming locations. The main reason most people come to southern Utah!

At least, finding the Forrest Gump filming locations was one of the main reasons I went to southern Utah.

My mom and I had just finished up in Page, Arizona. Our next stop was Mancos, Colorado, so when I found out that the exact location Forrest gave up on his cross-country run and decided to go home was on our way, I was ecstatic.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is a sacred (and gorgeous!) place that deserves a visit on any southwest road trip. It’s even one of the things Utah is famous for. So even if you think you’d just like to stop by Forrest Gump Point, try to budget an extra two or three hours to take in the entire area, instead of just stopping for a photo and skedaddling.

Here’s all you need to know about the movie magic in the area:

The Forrest Gump Monument Valley Filming Locations

Finding the Forrest Gump filming locations in Monument Valley is actually really easy. While the buttes look amazing up close, to find the perspective that’s in the movie, you want to be heading North on Highway 163 towards Mexican Hat, Utah.

If you type “Forrest Gump Point” into Google Maps, it will lead you to a spot on the highway that has a small dirt turnaround off the right side of the road (when facing North) so you can park your car.

There is usually a small crowd of people on Forrest Gump Hill, so as you approach the area make sure to drive slowly so you don’t hit anyone…as most of them are standing right in the road trying to get a photo.

For some reason, Apple Maps and Waze were both not able to locate “Forrest Gump Point,” so make sure to have Google Maps downloaded before you head out.

Staying Safe at Forrest Gump Point

Much like Abbey Road in London (where the iconic photo of the Beatles was taken), Highway 163 is very much a real road and tourists have to kind of risk their lives to recreate an iconic shot. So be careful!

The speed limit on the highway is about 60MPH and the photo point in on the top of a small crest.

Because of this, you can see the cars coming from far enough away to safely clear the road for them, but it’s still a good idea to have a dedicated lookout person, just in case because the cars might not see you.

How long did Forrest Gump run?

If you really want to recreate the Forrest Gump scene, then you’ll need to run three years, two months, 14 days, and 16 hours before quitting in the photo spot. That’s a little bit of a long commitment if you ask me.

Top Tips for Forrest Gump Monument Valley Locations

Everything to keep in mind to get the most out of your visit.

• Best time of day to visit Forrest Gump Hill

I’ve heard that early in the morning is the best time to go for photos because of the light in the area, but I went in the middle of the afternoon (and it was actually kind of cloudy out as well) and my photos turned out fine, so I wouldn’t worry about it.

Just arrive when it’s convenient for you (but obviously before dark lols).

• Crowds at the Forrest Gump Monument Valley Location

For such a remote location, the Forrest Gump Monument Valley locations are actually quite popular. There were probably about 15 – 20 other people there wanting to take photos when I visited, but the nice thing is that there are plenty of different angles and perspectives to choose from, so it’s quite easy to get a shot without anyone else in it.

The group of tourists there were also very willing to wait patiently for their turn for the perfect photo, so if you have a particular vision in mind,  just be kind and you’ll have your turn.

• The Forrest Gump Sign 

If you would like to take a photo with the Forrest Gump Sign as well, stand with your back to the buttes at Forrest Gump Point. About 500 feet up on your left you will see a small structure that local Navajo tradesmen sometimes use to sell their work. It may or may not be occupied, but the sign is right in front of it.

With your back to the buttes, you can’t see the engraving on it and it kind of just looked like a blank piece of wood, but once you get over to it, you’ll see the inscription.

• Run, Forrest! Run!

What’s the point of even going if you don’t yell this to the other people there at least once while on Forrest Gump Hill?

Best photo location on Forrest Gump Highway

Some of the people I spoke to while waiting for photos were not happy with the perspective of the buttes in the background from Forrest Gump Hill. They wanted them to be a bit closer up without zooming in. So, they drove back towards them and away from the official filming location to get better shots.

If you aren’t happy with the way your photos look, or if there are too many people to get the shot you want, drive a little bit closer to the buttes to grab the photo. Just be careful as there won’t be an official parking area or turn around point.

Other things to do in Monument Valley

When you are finished visiting Forrest Gump Point, there are heaps of other interesting things to do in the area. You can go on hikes, ride horses, or even stop by the visitor’s center for a cultural experience (or to use the bathrooms). The sky’s the limit!

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Emily Kammerlohr

Emily’s all over the place. She’s an expert on working holidays, studying abroad, and turning your #GapYear into a #GapLife. Learn how here.