Forrest Gump Point

Question

Hello to everyone, maybe mine is a silly question, but it will be my first time in that area:

on 9th of August we wil be driving from Phoenix straight to MV, spending a night at the View and the next day (after a tour on the Jeep visiting that place) we are supposed to go to Page. My question is; in which day will be possible take some photo at Forrest Gump Point ? On 9th (Phoenix-MV) or 10th (MV-Page) ?

thanks to all of you

Answer

Forrest Gump Point, the iconic viewpoint along US Highway 163 just outside Monument Valley, is typically photographed from the pull-off along the highway looking south toward the valley. Timing your photo opportunity depends on your itinerary and how much daylight you have.

Given your plans:

August 9 – Phoenix to Monument Valley: This is a long drive, approximately 6.5 to 7 hours without long stops. You are likely to arrive at The View in the late afternoon or early evening. If you are not rushed and want to catch the golden hour light, you could technically stop at Forrest Gump Point on the way, but it would require a short detour from the highway before reaching your hotel. However, depending on traffic and timing, you might be arriving closer to sunset, which is actually ideal for photos but limits time for exploring.
August 10 – Monument Valley to Page: You will be doing a guided Jeep tour in the morning and departing for Page in the late morning or early afternoon. If your tour begins early and you leave the valley around midday, stopping at Forrest Gump Point on the drive to Page is straightforward. The viewpoint is along the highway, so you can take photos without a significant detour. The light will be harsher than early morning or late afternoon, but it is still possible to capture nice shots.

Recommendation:

If you want softer, dramatic lighting, consider taking a very early morning stop before your Jeep tour on August 10, or plan a brief stop late on August 9 if time allows and you are comfortable with a late afternoon arrival at your hotel.
Many visitors coordinate Forrest Gump Point photos either right before sunrise (for dramatic lighting) or around sunset. Both options are accessible from The View or along US-163.
Make sure your camera or phone is ready, as it can be busy with tourists during the day, and there is limited space along the pull-off.

In summary, both days offer opportunities, but the most practical and least rushed option is to take the photo either during the late afternoon of August 9 on your way into Monument Valley, or in the morning of August 10 before your Jeep tour begins.

Forrest Gump Point

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