monument valley tourist information

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Navajo nation park & recreation.

While visiting the Monument Valley, you will need to try the 17-mile loop drive for a view of the scenic beauty and magnificent formations. Currently, with the monsoon season we want all travelers to know that the valley drive has very rough terrain and deep sand dunes.  Motorcycles/RV’s are Prohibited on the loop drive, due to the rough terrain and deep sand dunes. We ask that travelers be prepared for long wait times and inclement weather during the peak season. Which begins in the months of  May to September, the high volume of travelers will create some wait time. So please be cognizant of your surroundings and please obey all signs, stay on designated routes; stay hydrated and stay safe. The safety of our public and community is our utmost importance. Also, wear appropriate attire as the weather is unpredictable and can change at any time. Wearing a hat, t-shirt, long sleeves and tennis shoes will keep you comfortable and avoid the elements. Including, staying hydrated and have water on you at all times which makes you less prone to heat exhaustion and dehydration.

Welcome to the Navajo Nation’s Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. You are experiencing one of the most majestic – and most photographed – points on earth. This great valley boasts sandstone masterpieces that tower at heights of 400 to 1,000 feet, framed by scenic clouds casting shadows that graciously roam the desert floor. The angle of the sun accents these graceful formations, providing scenery that is simply spellbinding.

The landscape overwhelms, not just by its beauty but also by its size. The fragile pinnacles of rock are surrounded by miles of mesas and buttes, shrubs and trees, and windblown sand, all comprising the magnificent colors of the valley. All of this harmoniously combines to make Monument Valley a truly wondrous experience. Enjoy this beautiful land. While on your travel stop and take a look at some of our vendors on the loop road. Our vendors have beautiful hand crafted jewelry and more. You can buy direct from the artisan, which makes your travel experience so much more to have a momentous keepsake with you while at home.

Navajo Name: Tse’Bii’Ndzisgaii – Monument Valley

Hiking Trails : Wildcat Trail 1.5 miles (Sign in/out at Visitor Center).

Monument Valley Hours of Operation:

Park/administration office:   8:00 am to 5:00 pm. monday-friday.

Winter Hours-

Scenic Drive: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday – Sunday. Last Entry at 2:30 pm, Daily.

Tour Booth: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday – Sunday.

Summer Hours-

Scenic Drive: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday – Sunday. Last Entry: 4:30 pm, Daily.

Tour Operator Booth: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday – Sunday.

Monument Valley Closures:

We are Closed during all major Holidays in accordance with the Navajo Nation.

• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
• New Year’s Day

Elevation: 5,564 feet above sea level

GPS Coordinates: N 37.00414 W 110.09889

Backcountry Permit: A Backcountry Permit can be obtained from the Visitor Center, and for San Juan River Permit it can be purchased at the Welcome Center.  Please sign in/out prior to Hiking.  Please proceed with extreme caution. 

Navajo Parks and Recreation is not liable for any damage to vehicle while in loop drive or on Navajo Tribal Park land.

Special Use Permit: Needed for all other types of Land Usage. Photography,  Filming, Weddings, and Paintings.  Please stop by Visitor Center for more information.

Size:  91,696 acres (spans across Utah & Arizona)

Entry Fee: $8 per person, per day.

Additional person: $8 per person, per day, per location.  (subject to change)..

Before human existence, the Park was once a lowland basin. For hundreds of millions of years, materials that eroded from the early Rock Mountains deposited layer upon layer of sediment which cemented a slow and gentle uplift, generated by ceaseless pressure from below the surface, elevating these horizontal strata quite uniformly one to three miles above sea level. What was once a basin became a plateau.

Natural forces of wind and water that eroded the land spent the last 50 million years cutting into and peeling away at the surface of the plateau. The simple wearing down of altering layers of soft and hard rock slowly revealed the natural wonders of Monument Valley today.

From the visitor center, you see the world-famous panorama of the Mitten Buttes and Merrick Butte. You can also purchase guided tours from Navajo tour operators, who take you down into the valley in Jeeps for a narrated cruise through these mythical formations. Places such as Ear of the Wind and other landmarks can only be accessed via guided tours. During the summer months, the visitor center also features Haskenneini Restaurant, which specializes in both native Navajo and American cuisines, and a film/snack/souvenir shop. There are year-round restroom facilities. One mile before the center, numerous Navajo vendors sell arts, crafts, native food, and souvenirs at roadside stands.

Buy local, Buy Navajo!

SCAN QR CODE FOR MONUMENT  VALLEY MAP

How To Visit Monument Valley in 2024: Your Ultimate Guide

Written By: ThePlanetD Team

United States

Published On: January 31, 2024

Monument Valley just hits differently. The red-sand desert floor stretches over 92,000 acres across the Utah-Arizona border, dotted with sandstone buttes and dirt roads. This region is best known for Monument Valley Tribal Park – a once frequent filming location for old Western movies. You’ve already seen the valley on your TV screen. It has featured as a backdrop for all the John Wayne films, plus classics like Forrest Gump. But there is more to the valley than just good looks. You can visit attractions like the Navajo Shadehouse Museum and enjoy incredible hiking trails.

Researching Monument Valley is so much fun. It is one of the most famous sections of any  Arizona road trip  and one of the leading  US road trips . Between the red-sand scenery and Hollywood-worthy scenic drive, Monument Valley has wiggled its way onto millions of bucket lists.

Table of Contents

How to Visit Monument Valley

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know in order to have a fantastic visit. Get ready for a thorough ‘how to’ guide; by the end of this article, you’ll be well-equipped and raring to go. We’ll teach you all about the main attractions in the valley, like Elephant Butte and the Wildcat Trail. But we’ll also provide all the logistics you need, like how to get there and when is best to visit. One of the best parts about Monument Valley is its location, so skip to the end if you’d like some insights into combining your trip with other memorable attractions, like the Grand Canyon.

Are you ready? Here’s what you need to know about visiting the valley.

What is Monument Valley? A Quick Introduction

So, what is Monument Valley? Well, this 92,000-acre region is a particularly beautiful area of red-sand desert. The valley sits on the border between Utah and Arizona, with land in both states. It is most known as Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, which has a beautiful collection of sandstone buttes that attracted Hollywood’s attention. Chances are, you’ve seen Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, John Wayne movies, or the famous ‘Run Forrest run’ scene in Forrest Gump.

You can drive through the valley on the 17-mile Valley Drive, a year-round accessible tarmacked highway. During your visit, you may need an off-road vehicle to tackle a dirt road or two.

The valley is full of red rock formations, and you can book experiences like  guided horseback tours . You can also embark on hikes to overlook points like John Ford’s Point or take guided hiking tours with a Navajo guide to peaks like Totem Pole or the West and East Mittens. Most attractions are off the main Valley Drive, and there are plenty of designated pull-in places to admire views of specific rock formations. Or you can stop by the Monument Valley Visitor Center and enquire about guided tour options.

How to Get to Monument Valley

So, how do you get to Monument Valley? The easiest way is to fly into one of the major cities in Arizona or Utah, renting a car to road trip your way to this remote valley.

Las Vegas and Salt Lake City are the two most famed international airports and around a 7-hour drive from the valley. Flagstaff is another excellent airport to fly into, only a 3-hour drive away and ideally located to combine Monument Valley with the Grand Canyon. You can book domestic or international flights to one of the airports, rent a car, and drive the remainder of the way to Monument Valley.

Alternatively, you could catch an Amtrak train to Salt Lake City or Las Vegas if traveling from within the United States. This would cut unnecessary flights and provide more adventurous, slow travel. You could then rent a car for the remainder of the journey.

Reading this, you can spot the recurring factor – car hire. You must travel with someone with a license if you can’t rent or bring a car yourself. The valley is one of the most remote places to visit in the US. And you’ll need to drive if you want to see it independently. You can check the best prices here on our favorite site.

With that said, there is a caveat slash loophole to this. If driving  really  isn’t an option, you could book a guided tour of Monument Valley. These tours are more expensive, and you’ll be limited in free time, but they are the perfect solution for those without licenses. You can book  Monument Valley day tours from Flagstaff  and from  Sedona . Budget around $250-300 for a group tour, including transfers, and get ready to kick your feet back with a guided tour experience.

In summary, your options to get to the valley are as follows:

• If you are short on time and want cheap flights , Fly to Salt Lake City or Las Vegas and then rent a car to drive 7 hours to Monument Valley.
• If you are short on time,  Fly to Flagstaff and then rent a car to drive 3 hours to Monument Valley.
• If you have plenty of time and want to avoid flying:  Travel by Amtrak to Las Vegas, Grand Junction, or Salt Lake City and then hire a car to drive to Monument Valley in 4.5-7 hours.
• If you aren’t able to hire a car,  Fly into Flagstaff and stay there or in Sedona. You can then book a guided tour to Monument Valley on a day trip for between $250 and $300.

Best Things to do in Monument Valley

The sheer scale of things to do in Monument Valley is awe-inspiring. It is far from just a place to drive through and passively gaze at the scenery, although we won’t knock road-tripping its 17-mile Valley Drive. Monument Valley has a wow factor that inspires you to get involved with outdoor activities, whether hiking to buttes or horse riding through Monument Valley Tribal Park.

In this section, we’ll help you embrace all the excitement that Monument Valley offers. Get ready for natural attractions, trails, and sightseeing opportunities. These are the very best things to do in the incredible valley.

1. Experience Monument Valley Tribal Park on Horseback

One of the best ways to experience Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is undoubtedly on horseback. You can drive the loop road, but horses go where vehicles can’t or aren’t permitted. You can book a  2-hour Monument Valley tour by horseback , getting up close to the buttes. We did this and absolutely loved it. We do recommend you have a little horseback experience, though.

2. Take a Jeep Tour

A great way to experience the valley is via jeep. Book a jeep tour  across the desert floor and past significant sights like the West Mitten butte. Most tours last 1.5 hours to 3 hours. And you’ll get a hassle-free driving experience with narrated sightseeing. This is a great option if you are traveling with the family.

3. Navajo Shadehouse Museum

Navajo Shadehouse Museum is a cultural attraction in Monument Valley worth visiting. It explains all the culture, traditions, beliefs, and history of the Navajo tribe, including things like how Navajo medicine men pray and what hogan homes look like. While the museum is small, it provides incredible insight into the Navajo Nation. And since the valley is situated on Navajo Tribal park land, it is a must-have addition to your itinerary.

4. Visit West, East, and Merrick Butte

If you want stunning rock formations, West, East, and Merrick Butte are the best formations to see up close. This iconic trio of buttes juts up from the valley floor in beautiful red sandstone. The East and West Buttes stand over 6,000 feet above sea level and are a dramatic sight to see up close. It is illegal to climb the formations, but you can walk around their bases.

5. Drive Monument Valley Drive with Photo Stops

We can’t mention the beautiful Monument Valley Drive. In 17 miles of highway, you embrace some of Monument Valley’s iconic landscapes and rock formations. This scenic drive passes Forrest Gump Point, a.k .a. the famous Forrest Gump Highway. The massive sandstone buttes also appeared in Western movies like the Wayne films. It’s easily one of the most famous scenic drives in the US. Allow 3-4 hours to complete the drive, depending on how long you want at each stop.

6. Elephant Butte

This beautiful butte is famously shaped like an elephant and is an excellent option if you want to see the rock formations outside of the standard trio. Again, climbing is illegal, but you can walk to its base and admire the natural landmark. Visit just before sunset for the best views.

7. John Ford’s Point

This is the money shot overlook. It’s named John Ford’s Point after the American producer and director John Ford. Ford directed tons of movies, including several featuring John Wayne. John Ford featured this viewpoint in several old American West movies. You’ll recognize the sweeping views of the buttes and desert landscape.

8. Wildcat Trail

Wildcat Trail is an approximately 4-mile loop hike that crams in the best of Monument Valley’s views on foot. It takes around 2 to 3 hours and is rated as moderate difficulty due to sections with thick sand. You can easily navigate the trail independently if you have a basic fitness level. Your efforts will be rewarded with up-close views of the famed Mitten Buttes and Merrick Butte.

Set off early in the day to avoid the harsh heat in spring and summer. Make sure to bring a camera, too, as Wildcat Trail is one of Monument Valley’s best things to do.

9. Climb Mexican Hat

While climbing isn’t allowed within the valley, you can skip minutes over the border to climb Mexican Hat. This bizarre-looking sandstone rock looks like a tower with a sombrero on top – hence its name. Mexican Hat is popular amongst experienced climbers. If you are experienced enough to tackle medium challenging climbs confidently, you can take on the Bandito Route, a bolted, clip-up route.

If you aren’t a climber, you can still visit to see the rock up close. Plus, you can watch as others tackle the unique rock face.

10. North Window Overlook

Finally, there’s North Window Overlook to visit in the valley. This is brilliant if you want a viewpoint experience in the valley. North Window Overlook offers an alternative view of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park to John Ford’s Point. It is located just minutes from the Monument Valley Visitor Center and is perfect to experience at sunrise or sunset.

When to Visit Monument Valley

It goes without saying that summer is a more challenging time to visit the valley. The sky-high temperatures can reach 94 Fahrenheit in July and August, which isn’t conducive to desert hikes or long drives. Furthermore, summer also means floods of crowds. It is the busiest time of year to visit the valley. So if you are considering visiting in summer, we recommend shifting to the start or end of the season. It is mostly crowded and hot, with fewer parking spaces and shared viewpoints.

So, if not summer, when should you visit the valley? Ideally, you should visit in the fall or spring. Winter can get a little too cold, dropping to 25 Fahrenheit sometimes, so fall and spring are a great compromise. September to early November and March to May are the best periods to experience the valley. You’ll have mild temperatures in the upper 70s Fahrenheit and fewer crowds – a win-win.

Keep in mind what time of day you enter the valley, too. Visiting in the shoulder seasons like fall and spring helps to reduce the crowds. But you can also be tactical with what time of day you visit. Early morning is best if you want to spend a whole day in the park, heading to the most popular sites first. Meanwhile, if you wish to visit only a few sites, late afternoon is a good time to dodge the worst of the crowds.

Of course, choosing accommodation in the valley itself will help you get ahead of the crowds. You’ll also get to tick off sunrise and sunset viewpoints from the comfort of your own home away from home, especially at places like The View Hotel and Campground.

Where to Stay in Monument Valley And Surrounding Area

Where to stay in and around Monument Valley is a fabulous question. There is one important thing to note, though. There are minimal accommodation options inside the park itself. You’ll have to book in advance to stay inside the park boundaries. There are also more B&B or camping-style accommodation options within the valley.

Fortunately, there are many more options for those staying just outside the park boundaries. The small town of Kayenta near the south entrance has multiple inns, and the town of Bluff near the north entrance also has plenty of accommodation choices.

Staying in Monument Valley

Staying within Monument Valley’s park boundaries requires pre-planning and advance booking, but it’s definitely still possible. If you want to make your experience even more unique, snagging those sought-after accommodation reservations is well worth it. You could be bathing in an infinity pool overlooking a beautiful red rock formation or camping in a traditional tipi village. Let’s check out the top options for staying within the valley.

Goulding’s Lodge

Goulding’s Lodge  is a gorgeous property within Monument Valley and easily one of the leading places to stay. Get your reservations in quick. Guests enjoy an indoor pool and a terrace – from which you can actually see the buttes of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. It is a beautiful place to stay and enjoy scenic sunsets and sunrises.

Monument Valley Tipi Village

Monument Valley Tipi Village  is a beautiful accommodation choice for experiencing traditional tipi and hogan stays in Monument Valley. The village is run as part of the Navajo Nation and is a brilliant way to invest in the local community.

The View Campground/The View Hotel

The View Campground and View Hotel  are two adjoining properties in the middle of the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park – the most scenic section of the valley with the dramatic butte scenery. Each guest room in the hotel has a balcony to enjoy private sunrise and sunset views over the Mitte buttes. And you can also enquire about camping experiences in traditional tipis.

Staying Outside Monument Valley

As we explained, the best places to stay outside Monument Valley are Kayenta and Bluff. There’s also Mexican Hat, a tiny census-designated place right at the north entrance with a selection of hotels. Still, we wouldn’t recommend staying here as it lacks facilities.

This section will look at the best places to stay in Kayenta for inn-style accommodation and a quiet vibe. Then we’ll look at the best places to stay in more luxurious and touristy Bluff.

Kayenta is the smaller, quieter option of the two towns. It is located near the south entrance of Arizona. It is a better option for those wanting to go on day trips to Arizona attractions like the Grand Canyon or Navajo National Monument. Kayenta has several town facilities, like Amigo Cafe, the Kayenta Recreation Park, and primarily 3-4-star inns.

Wetherill Inn

Wetherill Inn  is a modest 2-star property ideal for anyone looking for budget-friendly accommodation near Monument Valley. It does have its comfortable perks, though, including an indoor heated pool and a continental breakfast.

Hampton Inn Kayenta

Hampton Inn Kayenta  is a 3-star property, best for those wanting a more mid-range to luxury option. It is a modern property with a tasteful desert-color palette that’s perfect given the reason for your stay. It has an onsite restaurant, which is convenient after a long day in Monument Valley, and a gym and outdoor pool.

Bluff is slightly bigger and best for those who want a busier base while visiting the valley. It has more luxurious places, like Bluff Dwellings Resort and Spa. Bluff also has a few attractions, like the Twin Rocks Trading Post, the Bluff Great House Museum, and the Sand Island Petroglyphs. It is located in Utah, near the north entrance to Monument Valley.

La Posada Pintada

La Posada Pintada  is first up. This 3-star property is beautiful, with traditional rooms, log cabin features and views over the surrounding red rock scenery. A daily continental breakfast is included in your booking rate. Overall, it is ideal for those with a mid-range budget.

Desert Rose Resort & Cabins

Desert Rose Resort & Cabins  is as luxurious as it comes. The property has a deluxe indoor pool, an onsite business center, and thoughtfully decorated rooms featuring traditional stone and wood details. You have all the Bluff facilities on your doorstep and a base where you can rejuvenate between sightseeing in Monument Valley.

Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa

Bluff Dwellings  is another gem in Bluff. The resort has absolutely glowing reviews and a stunning mixture of rooms and suites. The resort is set within a section of rock formations, giving it a remote appeal despite its central Bluff location. As if that wasn’t enough, you also get an onsite pool, gym, and hot tub. Plus, there is an onsite restaurant for those days when you need a quick meal.

Excursions Near Monument Valley

One of the most incredible things about visiting Monument Valley is how perfectly it combines with other bucket list experiences in Utah and Arizona. As you know, the valley is situated on the Utah-Arizona border, meaning it has almost unbridled access to some of the state’s most sought-after destinations and excursions.

You could be trekking through Canyonlands or snapping photos in Arches National Park. You could head south to spend a few days around the Grand Canyon and Sedona. Or you could take longer, multi-day detours through Utah to visit Las Vegas. There are tons of excursions and worthy destinations near Monument Valley.

In this section, we’ll introduce you to the best of these. Here are the top ten excursions – and multi-day detours – you should combine with a visit to Monument Valley.

1. Goosenecks State Park

Goosenecks State Park is a beautiful park just north of the valley. The San Juan River splits the park and contains over 300 million years of geology. Goosenecks is a great day trip if you want to spend a day admiring geological attractions and canyon river views. Pick a hike from the multiple trail options. You can even camp there overnight if you wish.

2. Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park is one of the leading national parks in the US, with some  brilliant hiking trails , including the route to Druid Arch and Lavender Point. You can admire plenty of viewpoints. There’s the stunning Needles District and Green River Overlook. Canyonlands National Park is split into four main zones, including the Island in the Sky mesa.

The national park is only a 3-hour drive from the center of Monument Valley. It is best experienced at sunset when the red rock scenery is even more beautiful.

3. Dead Horse State Park

Dead Horse State Park is just over a 2-hour from Bluff, near the valley’s north entrance. This state park is famous for its desert landscape and seriously stunning canyon scenery. While it is adjoined to Canyonlands, it offers a much more intimate experience, with fewer trails and less than 5,400 acres compared to nearly 340,000 acres.

If you want a more bitesize chunk, Dead Horse State Park is the perfect place to experience similar landscapes without the scale of Canyonlands.

4. Grand Canyon

Who doesn’t want to see the Grand Canyon ? The canyon is a great experience to add to your Monument Valley itinerary. You can visit the canyon in a single day from Monument Valley, taking 4 hours to reach one way. Or you can fly into Flagstaff and spend a few days visiting the canyon and its surrounding attractions before driving to Monument Valley. Either way, you can combine the two.

5. Visit the Four Corners Monument

This monument is extraordinary, marking the point where all four states – Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado – all converge. The Four Corners Monument is located in the Navajo Nation and has its own visitor center. If you want a novelty experience, you can’t beat this monument. After all, you can say you stood in all four states at once.

It takes around an hour to reach Bluff, making it one of the most accessible self-guided excursions from the valley.

6. Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is a brilliant excursion to take from Monument Valley. Once you’ve spent a couple of days exploring the valley, you can drive under 2 hours to Antelope Canyon – the famous canyon that looks like it has rock waves in its walls.

As the canyon is sacred in Navajo culture, it is vital to book through a company offering a Navajo guide for a guided tour.

7. Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park is a brilliant excursion from the valley. It is most known for its abundance of Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, most famously Cliff Palace. A visit to Mesa Verde is ideal for expanding your knowledge of Puebloan history after visiting the Navajo Nation. You can quickly drive to Mesa Verde National Park from Bluff, which takes around 1.5 hours. It is one of  Colorado’s best national parks  and worth the detour.

8. Arches National Park

Arches National Park is a must if you are visiting Monument Valley. It is just too close by to miss out on. The park is named after its dozens of natural arches and is one of Utah’s most beautiful places to visit . It is just under a 2-hour drive from Bluff, near the valley’s north entrance. And you can enjoy  stunning hikes  to see the natural landmarks.

Look into national park passes for multiple parks if you’d like to combine a few of the national parks near Monument Valley.

9. Canyon de Chelly National Monument

This National Monument is one of the best areas of natural beauty within the Navajo Nation. And as a bonus, it is just over an hour’s drive from Kayenta. You can take guided tours, learn about sacred sites, and visit a cliff dwelling and petroglyphs.

10. Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is another leading attraction and excursion from the valley. It is just over 1.5 hours from Kayenta by car by the valley’s south entrance. The park is best known for its dramatic river canyon landscape, featuring a curve in the Colorado River that looks like a horseshoe shape.

While there, you could go hiking or boating. Or sightsee other attractions near Page, like Antelope Canyon.

Visiting Monument Valley: FAQs

Are you excited about visiting Monument Valley? Whether you visit Mystery Valley, drive the Monument Valley loop road, or detour to nearby Goosenecks State Park, you’ll love seeing the part of the US. Monument Valley is a tiny section of fiery, red-rock intensity. It is the scenery of the old West that generations of people grew to love on their TV screens. From a sightseeing perspective, it is one of the nation’s most impressive areas of rock formations. That’s before you even get to the cultural side of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, with all its history of the Navajo people.

Before you rush to appreciate Monument Valley in person, check out these common FAQs. These FAQs could provide you with that extra information that transforms your trip.

Why is Monument Valley so famous?

Hollywood has immortalized Monument Valley. Sure, its culture and geology would have still attracted visitors even if Hollywood hadn’t scouted it as a movie set. However, its appearance in John Wayne films and blockbusters like Forrest Gump is what has made Monument Valley famous worldwide.

What town is closest to Monument Valley?

Kayenta is a super close town to Monument Valley on the Arizona side of the border. On the Utah side of the border, Bluff is the nearest town to Monument Valley. Bluff has more tourist infrastructure, with hotels, inns, and a few attractions.

Can you still drive through Monument Valley?

Yes, Monument Valley is open to drivers. The Monument Valley Loop Road is open all year round, although it does restrict its hours in winter, typically opening between 8 am and 2 pm. The Scenic Drive is available from 6 am until 8 pm in summer.

Is Monument Valley in Utah or Arizona?

Monument Valley straddles the border, meaning it is officially in both Utah and Arizona, not just one or the other. However, most of the park falls within the state boundaries of Arizona.

Monument Valley is exceptional; there’s no doubting that. These 92,000 acres contain so much natural beauty and culture. You can learn about the Navajo Nation and pay for a guided tour to embrace Monument Valley with the Navajo people. You can take a road trip through Monument Valley via Highway 163, passing Forrest Gump Point, Hollywood movie scenes, and stunning rock formations. Or, you can venture out on excursions nearby, like visiting Goosenecks State Park, the Grand Canyon, or nearby national parks. A visit to Monument Valley is one you won’t soon forget.

You now know all the practical information necessary to organize a trip to Monument Valley. We hope you have a wonderful time and encourage you to extend your stay to appreciate the wider region and its surrounding attractions. In need of some extra inspiration? These are the most  stunning places to visit in Arizona . And we have a complete guide on  Utah’s ‘Mighty 5’ national parks . Make the most of visiting a destination right on the Utah-Arizona border.

Plan your Next Trip To Utah Or Arizona Here

• Utah National Parks: How to visit The Mighty 5
• 26 Stunning Places to Visit in Arizona That We Love
• 36 Fun Things To Do In Utah
• 33 Best Things to Do in Arizona

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Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
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Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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Just stumbled upon your Monument Valley guide, and it’s a game-changer for my travel plans in 2024! The advice on local culture and hidden gems is fantastic. Thanks for putting together such an informative piece. Excited to explore this iconic destination!

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Elevation:   5,200 feet (1,585 meters) Location:   San Juan County, UT and Navajo County, AZ

The Monument Valley terrain is ancient, resilient, and breathtaking in its beauty. This distinctive landscape—a hallmark of the Utah desert—came into being through the erosion of the Rocky Mountains' sandstone deposits and geologic uplift, and it was further shaped by the relentless forces of wind and water over many centuries. 

Monument Valley's prominent buttes reveal three main layers—Organ Rock shale, de Chelly sandstone, and Moenkopi shale. The tallest of these stand-alone formations ascends 1,000 feet above the valley floor. Encompassing 91,696 acres, Monument Valley forms part of the expansive Colorado Plateau.

While commonly referred to as Monument Valley Park, the area's Navajo name, T sé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii, offers a more authentic reflection of its character, which roughly translates into 'the valley of the rocks.'

Contrary to what some might assume, Monument Valley is not a National Park, but rather a Tribal Park, as it lies within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation. The Tribal Park’s designation is important in order to preserve its unique heritage and geological wonders.

Monument Valley History

The formation of Monument Valley started 300 million years ago as a low basin. Slowly, the sandstone layers were deposited in this basin, which later became the buttes of Monument Valley. 

Over time, the forces of wind, water, ice, and temperature variations slowly eroded away the softer materials, leaving behind the massive sandstone buttes we see today.

The Navajo Nation

The earliest known inhabitants of the Monument Valley area were the Ancestral Pueblo, who lived there from about 1 AD to 1300.

After the Ancestral Pueblo, the Navajo people later inhabited the area. The Navajo, known as Diné, moved into the American Southwest around the 15th to 16th century. 

They established a pastoral society and lived in harmony with the environment. The land of Monument Valley is sacred for the Navajo people and featured in many of their creative narratives.

European contact  

The first recorded European contact was in 1776 with Spanish explorers. However, Monument Valley remained largely unknown to people other than the Navajo until the late 19th century. 

In the 20th century, the creation of the Monument Valley Tribal Park in 1958 by the Navajo Nation helped to protect the area and promote tourism.

Modern history and popular culture

The area really came into the spotlight in the 1920s when the Goulding family began operating a trading post in Monument Valley. They sold the local population groceries and other supplies, serving as a hub of commerce in the area. Their establishment lasted through the 1960s. 

During their time in this remote area of Utah, Harry Goulding caught wind of a new Western film in the works out in Hollywood. He and his wife packed up their things, went to Hollywood, and managed to arrange a meeting with the film’s location manager. 

They showed him photographs of Monument Valley. Not long after that, the movie  Stagecoach (1939), featuring America’s original cowboy, John Wayne, was filmed with Monument Valley as the setting. Since then, numerous major motion picture films have been shot in the area, along with countless commercials, music videos, and other productions.

Perhaps the most famous of all is the film  Forrest Gump (1994). Monument Valley features in an iconic scene where Forrest Gump and his band of running followers jogged along U.S. Route 163. Fans of the movie often visit this stretch of the highway to recreate the scene or just take a few photos.

Monument Valley embodies the Old West with its iconic red sandstone buttes standing tall against the clear blue sky. However, no film can truly do it justice. Only by experiencing this majestic landscape firsthand can one fully embrace its awe-inspiring spirit!

Visiting Monument Valley

Straddling the border of Utah and Arizona, the magnificent allure of Monument Valley captivates visitors throughout the year. The giant sandstone formations that tower over the desert floor are unique structures you don’t see every day! They aren’t mere mountains, or canyons, or even just big rocks, but something totally different–they are monuments to the power of nature.

These formations have been given interesting names like Mittens, Elephant Butte, Totem Pole, and North Window. But describing them doesn’t do it justice. You need to visit Monument Valley yourself to truly appreciate this magical place!

The most ethereal moments in the valley are perhaps during sunrise and sunset. The play of light and shadow drenches the landscape in an otherworldly glow that compels professional photographers or weekend Instagrammers to capture the breathtaking vistas.

Admission is $8 per person, per entry, per location and National Park Passes are not accepted . 

Things to See and Do in Monument Valley

Goulding’s trading post and museum.

As perhaps the most influential people in putting Monument Valley on the map, the Goulding family’s contribution and heritage are on display at the location where they operated their little trading post and dwelled for years.

The  museum is filled with artifacts and photographs of a past age when a small community brought goods and wares to sell and trade among each other and their Native American neighbors.

Driving Through Monument Valley

One of the most popular ways to experience Monument Valley is from the road! As you follow “The Valley Drive” through the desert, the wide-open spaces and towering rock structures allow for easy viewing of all the natural beauty around you.

This scenic drive takes you across the Utah border and into the Arizona side of Monument Valley, but you can easily return to your hotel on the Utah side when you’re done—it doesn’t take all day! Feel free to pull off to the side of the road and capture the perfect photo or appreciate the skyline from a different angle.

The Valley Drive is a dirt road that runs through Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park when you cross over to the Arizona side of the valley. This scenic route stretches about 17 miles and passes by eleven designated stopping points for visitors. To help with your navigation, each stopping point is marked with a numbered sign and the name of the formation.

The Mitten Buttes and Merrick Butte

When envisioning Monument Valley's iconic landscapes in the American Southwest, one cannot help but conjure images of the renowned trio of buttes: the East Mitten Butte, the West Mitten Butte, and the Merrick Butte.

Named for their uncanny resemblance to enormous mittens emerging from the desert expanse, the East and West Mitten Buttes form a striking visual spectacle. As you pause to admire these formations, your gaze naturally extends to Merrick Butte, positioned just to the south of the Mitten pair. The arrangement of these rocky sentinels appears almost deliberate, crafting a harmonious triangle that embodies a rare marvel of natural symmetry.

The Biannual Mitten Shadow Event

Twice a year, a remarkable phenomenon graces Monument Valley – the 'Monument Valley Mitten Shadow.' This awe-inspiring event occurs during sunset, as the West Mitten Butte casts its flawless shadow onto the East Mitten Butte, drawing photographers and wanderers from across the globe to bear witness.

The magic of this biannual spectacle unfolds in late March, reaching its zenith around the 30th of the month, and then once more in September, reaching its peak around the 13th. Weather permitting, this event stands as an unmissable attraction for those embarking on a journey to Monument Valley. Yet, irrespective of the time of year, the trio of these majestic buttes is certain to leave you utterly mesmerized.

Source : MacNeal Crank

Elephant Butte

It doesn’t look exactly like an elephant, but it kind of does when you use your imagination, right? Either way, it’s another stop on the drive worth pulling over for.

Three Sisters

As the name suggests, the Three Sisters formations are three tall and narrow fingers close together off the edge of a large plateau. You won’t have any trouble finding the Three Sisters from the road. Below the pillars, you can see the crumbling sediment and layers of shale coming down the slope that has been worn away to form these unique structures.

John Ford’s Point

Another stop you’ll come to on the drive, and one you definitely don’t want to skip, is John Ford’s Point. During the mid-1900s, Hollywood film director John Ford used this location for many of his movie scenes. This location helped establish the image of “the American West” in the minds of the rest of the world. John Ford’s Point is still used now and again in  films .

The point serves as a stage overlooking a vast expanse of desert, highway, and sky. It’s widely considered the best view of Monument Valley, so don’t miss out on it when you visit. There is a parking lot where you can leave your car while you go to take in the view. Watch your step! The terrain has been left as rugged and wild as Mother Nature formed it.

Camel Butte

Another stone formation right along the side of the road as you take the Valley Drive, is Camel Butte. Being able to drive up close to the butte allows you to see the detailed erosion and layers that form these rocky “monuments” and it makes you more fully appreciate just how big they are!

The Hub is another geological formation in the valley with a unique appearance. It's a massive, isolated sandstone formation that rises from the valley floor and it resembles a hub or pivot point around which other geological formations seem to revolve.

While the natural beauty and grandeur of The Hub are enough to make it a point of interest, it's also significant in Native American culture and creative narrative. Like other parts of Monument Valley, The Hub has many stories and great spiritual significance associated with it.

Totem Pole and Yei be Chei

When you look at the Totem Pole, you’ll know why it was given that name! The tall spire shoots up from the ground next to a collection of chunkier formations called Yei be Chei.

Totem Pole and Sand Spring

Sand Spring is an area where the red-orange hue of the sandy desert floor can be seen in all directions. From this stopping point, the Totem Pole can be seen from a different angle.

Artist’s Point

Artist’s Point is another overlook in Monument Valley that makes for great photography and breathtaking views. From here, you’ll be able to see a great distance over the open desert and some of the formations you’ve passed, all in one view.

North Window

North Window is a spot on Monument Valley Drive where you can get a clear view of East Mitten Butte, which stands between Elephant Butte and a smaller formation called Cly Butte. This is one of the more popular destinations along the drive.

This stone monument is a little different from the others. The rounded shape of this formation is what gives it its name. The Thumb is the last officially-marked structure on the Monument Valley driving tour.

Monument Valley Tours

Scenic drive tours

While a self-drive is one way to immerse yourself in the beauty of Monument Valley, we  highly recommend a guided tour option.  Not only is the road extremely rough and rugged, your experience will be heightened by a Navajo guide that will provide information on the Navajo history and culture of the area. 

These tours typically follow the 17-mile scenic drive through the park and the additional insights and narratives you receive will enhance your trip that you otherwise wouldn't get from driving the route yourself.

If you want to explore Monument Valley's trails and off-road sites, check out our  list of Navajo-guided tours and outfitters here . 

Mystery Valley

Another great way to explore Monument Valley is to go off the beaten track and visit Mystery Valley. This valley is known for its stunning rock formations, Native American archaeological sites, and petroglyphs.

While the more famous Monument Valley is noted for its dramatic and large-scale buttes, Mystery Valley offers a more secluded experience with natural rock formations, including natural arches, and the site holds a number of Ancestral Pueblo Cultural Sites. 

Mystery Valley is less trafficked than Monument Valley, mainly because access to this area requires a local guide, which helps preserve the delicate Cultural Sites and rock formations.

Visitors can explore ancient dwellings, see pictographs from the Ancestral Pueblo people, and enjoy amazing views. It's an opportunity to learn about the region's rich cultural and geological history and the Navajo people's sacred connection to the land.

Hiking tours 

If you don't want to drive, there are other ways to explore Monument Valley. There are hiking trails outside of the Tribal Park that are unmarked and considered backcountry. Access requires obtaining a $5 day-use permit from the visitor center.

➡️ Self-guided hikes: The Wildcat Trail is the only self-guided walking trail in Monument Valley, located within the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. It's a 3.2-mile (5.1 kilometers) loop that offers a more intimate view of the iconic West Mitten Butte sandstone formations than the scenic drive does.

➡️ Guided hikes: For more in-depth experiences, Navajo guides can take visitors to areas not typically accessible by car. They can guide treks around specific formations or longer hikes through more remote parts of the park.   

Plan a Trip to Monument Valley

Monument Valley is an iconic U.S. site that should be on every tourist’s bucket list!

We in San Juan County, Utah, want to help make your visit exciting and memorable. While it’s likely that you’ll want to spend a good amount of time exploring the unique landscape just over the border in Arizona, many travelers prefer to set up “base camp” in Utah, where there are plenty of places to stay, eat, and  enjoy other attractions .

Utah’s Canyon Country is chock full of amazing activities, parks, canyons, and history! Check out some of our  travel guides and itineraries to plan an incredible vacation in Canyon Country.

Getting to Monument Valley 

Monument Valley's majestic landscape can be accessed via several routes. The northern approach from the Utah cities of Bluff, Blanding, Mexican Hat, and Monticello is particularly striking. Taking US Highway-191 as it merges into Highway-163 is the main thoroughfare into Arizona that winds through Monument Valley, you will be treated to iconic views. This route presents a picturesque tableau of a long stretch of highway flanked by the deep red desert, culminating in the towering mesas of Monument Pass on the distant horizon.

Alternatively, Monument Valley can be accessed from Page, Arizona, situated on the Arizona-Utah border. A journey of approximately 125 miles, usually completed in around two hours by car, offers an alternative route to the valley. Starting from Page, take the U.S.-89 South. Roughly 46 miles into the journey, turn right onto U.S.-160 East near the city of Kayenta. Continue on U.S.-160 East for an additional 23 miles, before taking a left onto U.S.-163 North, which leads directly into the heart of Monument Valley.

Lodging Near Monument Valley 

Mexican hat.

Just a 25-minute drive away, Mexican Hat offers charming lodging options and restaurants and serves as the closest lodging option to Monument Valley outside of staying within the park or Goulding’s Lodge. 

Receiving its namesake from the popular rock formation located right outside of town, Mexican Hat is a wonderful option as a basecamp for your exploration due to its rich Native American history accessible from short hikes or when floating along the  San Juan River . 

Bluff, Utah, serves as a remarkable base camp for valley explorations, offering a range of lodging and dining options.

For the history aficionados, Bluff is a great opportunity to start your educational adventure by checking out the Sand Island Petroglyph Panel, and Bluff Fort before setting off on a short hour-long drive to Monument Valley.

Blanding and Monticello

Venturing further north along US Highway-191, the towns of Blanding and Monticello also offer accommodation and dining options.

For those looking to enrich their Native American educational experience, we highly recommend checking out the Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum located in Blanding. For those looking to cross off multiple parks in one trip, Monticello offers a great base camp to travel south to Monument Valley, and north to Canyonlands National Park. 

Monument Valley Climate and Weather

As you plan your trip to Monument Valley it's important to keep in mind the area's seasonal weather variations.

Winters can be chilly with temperatures often dropping significantly, and summer temperatures, while hot, are typically moderated by the valley's higher elevation. Despite the heat, summer temperatures are usually less intense than they would be at lower elevations, which results  in a hot, dry climate.

While snow does make an appearance in Monument Valley's winters, it's generally infrequent and light.

Awareness of these seasonal changes can help you prepare for your visit and enjoy Monument Valley's natural beauty to the fullest, regardless of the time of year.

Other Attractions near Monument Valley

Moki dugway scenic drive / valley of the gods.

The cliff-side view from the  Moki Dugway road provides a fantastic look at the wilderness area known as the Valley of the Gods. This scenic area is north of Mexican Hat, Utah, on UT-261.  

ℹ️  Distance:  37 miles,  45 min

Muley Point 

From the remote location of  Muley Point , visitors can see views of Monument Valley, Four Corners, Valley of the Gods, and Goosenecks State Park.  

ℹ️  Distance: 45 miles, 1hour

Goosenecks State Park 

Check out the view over the winding San Juan River, 1,000 feet down at the bottom of a colorful canyon. Camping options are available at  Goosenecks State Park .

ℹ️  Distance:  35 miles, 45 min. 

Four Corners Monument

Managed by the Navajo Nation, this unique landmark offers visitors the opportunity to stand in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado—all at the same time.

ℹ️  Distance:  105 miles, 1.5 hours

Grand Canyon 

The Grand Canyon, located in Arizona, is one of the world's most iconic and breathtaking natural wonders, stretching over 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep. 

ℹ️  Distance:  180 miles, 3 hours

Nearby Lodging Options

➡️ Goulding's Lodge

➡️ Firetree Bed & Breakfast

➡️ Goulding's Good Sam Park

➡️ Monument Valley KOA  

Click  HERE for a list of guides for Monument Valley Tribal Park. 

For more information on Monument Valley and San Juan County, UT sign up for our newsletter here .

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Monument Valley

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Visiting Monument Valley was a highlight of our West Coast America road trip.

Our American adventure finally started as we walked through the reddish lands of the far west. Up until then, we only got to enjoy these vast territories through classic western films.

As you visit Monument Valley, let your imagination fly to a life-or-death duel between cowboys or an ambush of Indians riding wild horses.

In this guide for planning your visit to Monument Valley in the United States, you will find all the information you need to make the most of your trip.

We spent one night and one morning in Monument Valley during our 10-day West Coast America self-drive holidays. However, if you want to discover this Navajo Indian Reservation in depth, I recommend at least a two-day visit.

TO SUMMARIZE, THESE ARE THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN MONUMENT VALLEY:

• The Mittens and Merrick Butte : See the sunrise from the most famous viewpoint in Monument Valley.
• Hiking routes : Hike the “Wildcat trail”, the only route that you can hike on your own in Monument Valley.
• John Ford’s Point : Shoot the classic western scene of the cowboy and the horse in this viewpoint.
• “Elephant Butte” , “Three Sisters” and “Camel Butte” : Visit some of the most curious formations in the valley.
• Visit the road where Forrest Gump stopped running , located at mile 13 of the Federal Route 163.
• Take a guided Navajo Tour : Like “Hunts Mesa” or “Mystery Valley”.
• Starry Skies : Enjoy one of the best starry skies in the United States with the silhouette of the main rocks of the Valley.
• See historical movie sets : Such as “Stagecoach”, “Fort Apache” or “Back to the Future III”.

VISIT MONUMENT VALLEY

After seeing images of this place, everyone who is planning a West Coast USA road trip wants to visit Monument Valley.

However, you will notice that Monument Valley is on the border between Utah and Arizona, likely the easternmost point of your West Coast trip. Following this, you may consider crossing it out from your travel itinerary because it’s too far from other points of interest.

Well, if you ask me whether visiting Monument Valley is worth it , I would most definitely say yes.

We drove 7 hours from Las Vegas to get to Monument Valley and pitched our tent. We arrived at night, but it only took us 5 minutes to realize how much we would have regretted it if we had not included Monument Valley on our Western USA trip.

If we have persuaded you to include this wonder in your trip planning, I recommend paying close attention to the details of this guide to visiting Monument Valley.

• Best time to visit Monument Valley
• How to get to Monument Valley
• Best things to do in Monument Valley
• Monument Valley Opening Hours
• Monument Valley entrance fee
• Places to stay in Monument Valley
• Monument Valley Map

BEST TIME TO VISIT MONUMENT VALLEY

Visiting Monument Valley is an incredible experience throughout the year, but spring and fall are the most recommended seasons.

When you see the arid and desertic landscape, you might think that temperatures are high during summer. However, being at high altitude (5577 feet), it rarely exceeds 90ºF. The main reason to keep you from visiting  Monument Valley during summer should be the large number of tourists who come here during these months.

On the other hand, if you visit Monument Valley during winter , temperatures can be around 32ºF, so it is not strange to find Monument Valley covered by snow.

HOW TO GET TO MONUMENT VALLEY

If you are going to visit Monument Valley by yourself , keep in mind that you will be driving long distances. The only practical way to get to Monument Valley is by car (or with an RV rental in the USA ).

FIND CHEAP RENTAL CARS IN THE US

You can check our 20 best tips to find cheap rental cars here.

For us, the only reason to not visit Monument Valley would have been the long-distance  travel to get there. However, without any doubt, our visit to Monument Valley was worth it, and the views at the end of the road will make up for it.

If you don’t know where Monument Valley is, I suggest checking this map of the West Coast that we created to help you choose your travel route to the West Coast.

HOW TO GET TO MONUMENT VALLEY FROM PAGE (ANTELOPE CANYON)

People who visit Monument Valley usually also visit the Antelope Canyon. This canyon carved into the reddish sand of Arizona is located in Page. Since Page and Monument Valley are only 124 miles apart, it is not uncommon to visit Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley on the same trip.

I also recommend visiting Horseshoe Bend as it is also in Page a few minutes from Antelope Canyon and can be visited on the same day.

Keep in mind that while the Page and Monument Valley are just three hours apart in the same state of Arizona , the time zone between the two are different during the summer . Although Page also belongs to the Navajo Indian Reservation, it does not observe daylight savings, which maintains the same time throughout the year.

If you are going to spend the night in Page, you can check where to stay near Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend here.

HOW TO GET TO MONUMENT VALLEY FROM LAS VEGAS

The closest international airport to Monument Valley is in Las Vegas, located in Nevada. In addition to this, there are a million things to do in Las Vegas, so it is very likely you are going to visit it at some point. To get to Monument Valley from Las Vegas by car, you will have to travel about 400 miles which will take you at least 7 hours. This is one of my favorite road trips from Las Vegas .

However, if you prefer not to drive you can hire this 3-day tour to Monument Valley from Las Vegas, one of the best tours in Vegas, where you will also visit Horseshoe Bend and the Antelope Canyon.

If you decide to go on your own and spend a few days in the city, you can check the best hotels in Las Vegas here and some tips to rent a car in Las Vegas here.

HOW TO GET TO MONUMENT VALLEY FROM THE GRAND CANYON

The Grand Canyon is the most popular National Park in the United States. There is a  distance between the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley  of 186 miles, which takes about four hours.

Although there are different tour packages to Grand Canyon and Monument Valley in one day, I advise visiting the two Arizonian wonders in at least two days. If you can, I advise you to spend at least two days for visiting the Grand Canyon.

If you’re traveling on your own, you can check where to stay in Grand Canyon Village here.

MONUMENT VALLEY OPENING HOURS

When planning your visit to Monument Valley without a guide, keep in mind that the visiting hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. May to September and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from October to April.

While you can still enter at any time of the day, the Monument Valley Visitor Center will be closed.

HOW MUCH DOES MONUMENT VALLEY COST?

The Monument Valley entrance fee is $ 20 per car (up to 4 people) + $ 10 for each extra person.

If you want to visit Monument Valley for free , enter the park when it is closed and stay at one of its campsites or hotels. This way, you don’t have to pay the Monument Valley entry fee whilst being able to see incredible views the next morning.

Keep in mind that Monument Valley is part of the Navajo Indian Reservation and not a National Park or State Park, so you cannot use your “America the Beautiful” Pass to enter.

The Monument Valley admission fee corresponds with the entry fee to the Navajo Nation, so if you are going to visit different attractions within the Navajo Nation on the same day (i.e. Antelope Canyon + Monument Valley), make sure you only pay this fee once.

BEST THINGS TO DO IN MONUMENT VALLEY

The main attraction of Monument Valley is the diverse rock formations, which you will discover in this section.

There is nothing like exploring through the incredible landscapes of Monument Valley. Driving across the Monument Valley Scenic Drive is the best way to make the most of your trip.

Keep in mind that you will need between 2 and 4 hours to see this arid landscape. Although it is a dirt road, it is not necessary to have a 4×4 car.

You can drive the 16 miles loop and visit the 11 main viewpoints listed in this  Monument Valley map that you will find at the end of the post.

Note: Take into account that some vehicles like motorcycles or RVs are not allowed at the scenic drive .

1. THE MITTENS AND MERRICK BUTTE

From the first viewpoint at the entrance of the reserve, we can see the most famous rock formations of Monument Valley –  The East and West Mitten Buttes and Merrick Butte . They are undoubtedly one of the most imposing structures in Monument Valley as they rise 6500 feet above the vast plains.

The Mittens earned its name due to its silhouette – the shape of a mitten. Merrick Butte, on the other hand, was named after one of the two explorers who discovered Monument Valley.

2. ELEPHANT BUTTE

Following the path, we find the Elephant Butte, a rock formation in the shape of an elephant sitting on the desert sand, only recognizable when the shadows at the end of the day cast over the rock.

3. THREE SISTERS

If you turn around, you will find the Thee Sisters. These three high pinnacles recall the figure of a nun teaching two students.

Mitchell Mesa stands next to them. This plateau is named after another explorer in the area.

4. JOHN FORDS’ POINT

The most exciting viewpoint for Western film lovers. Film director John Ford brought Monument Valley to the big screen in 1939, and since then, Monument Valley has become one of the most filmed locations.

To this day, it continues to serve as a film set, not only for movies but also for cartoons and computer games.

This stop is also perfect for buying Navajo made crafts and taking the famous shot of a man on horseback over the ravine.

5. CAMEL BUTTE

Considering its name, you would expect that the shape of Camel Butte should vaguely resemble a camel lying on the desert. However, do not be frustrated if you do not see it, as most others can’t see it either. It is supposed to be seen facing west.

The road continues toward the Rain God Mesa, named after a sacred place of the Navajos. It was also used by healers to praise the God of rain.

After this, we will get to The Hub, which rises 164 feet above the ground. Its unique and solitary needle shape has a group of Navajo homes at the base.

A secondary path that can only be accessed with a guide starts from here, to Saddle Rock or Ear of the Wind near  Thunderbird Mesa.

7. TOTEM POLE AND YEI BI CHEI

Past the Rain God Mesa, we reach the next viewpoint from where we can see a group of needles called Yei Bi Chei (Navajo spiritual gods) and Totem Pole at 140 meters high.

We can also see Sand Springs from here, although you can see it better from the next viewpoint.

8. SAND SPRINGS

On the way to this viewpoint, we find the Sand Springs, different red-orange dunes and the only natural aquifer in the reserve .

From here, we will get an even better view of Yei Bi Chei and Totem Pole. However, if we want to get even closer to these rock formations, we will have to take the Thunderbird Mesa guided tour.

9. ARTIST’S POINT

It is located in front of Spearhead Mesa, but if we turn around, we can see The Mittens and Merrick Butte here from the end of the valley.

Many consider this to be the second-best viewpoint in Monument Valley, following John Ford’s Point.

Of course, it is the best viewpoint to photograph Monument Valley at dawn, since it is facing west and therefore the reddish stone will be illuminated with the first lights of the day making the color even more vivid.

10. NORTH WINDOW

North Window opens like a window to the north of the reserve in such a way that East Mitten Butte is framed between Elephant Butte and Cly Butte. However, it will be difficult to recognize it from this position since the main finger of the mitten will be hidden.

11. THE THUMB

The Thumb is the last point of interest in the Monument Valley Scenic Drive. Some say that the figure of the rock reminds them of a thumb and others of a cowboy boot.

OTHER THINGS TO DO IN MONUMENT VALLEY

In addition to this scenic drive, there are many other things to do in Monument Valley.

HIKING THE WILDCAT TRAIL

The next free activity to do in Monument Valley is hiking the Wildcat Trail.  The is the only hike that you can do for free in the reserve, which consists of going around one of the most popular rock formations, West Mitten Butte.

It is a 3.7 miles loop with elevation gains up to 656 feet that takes two hours to complete.

We didn’t do it since we were told that it could be a bit monotonous.

STOP AT THE EXACT POINT WHERE FORREST GUMP STOPPED RUNNING

The last free activity in Monument Valley will take you to one of the most iconic spots, a stop at the exact point where Forrest Gump stopped running in the United States.

This stop takes place at mile 13 of Federal Route 163, where you will drive through on your way to Monument Valley. There is a small sign indicating the stop, so you should not miss it.

TAKE A NAVAJO GUIDED TOUR

If you want to dig a little deeper into Monument Valley, you can take a Navajo Indian guided tour. There are several companies approved by the Navajo Parks & Recreation Department. You can find a list of these official companies here .

Each company offers different but similar tours at the same time. Some tours focus on photography whereas others are eager to show the Navajo culture . These tend to dig into the spiritual significance of Monument Valley for the Navajos and can show you their traditions, history, music, and even gastronomy.

Other tours focus on showing you the best places to photograph Monument Valley. Some of these tours are night photography tours, and others are sunrise or sunset photo tours.

You can take your vehicle on some of the tours while others provide 4×4s, and some even offer horseback riding through Monument Valley. While it is quite popular, we do not recommend it since it is not right to use animals as a tourist attraction.

Although many tours take you through the same Monument Valley drive that we can do for free, other tours go across some of the private routes found in the valley. Following are the most outstanding ones:

If you want to see the best views of Monument Valley, you must take a tour to the top of Hunts Mesa  in a 4×4 vehicle. After passing through dunes, the plateau rises 984 feet above Monument Valley, and from here you can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire valley.

This excursion usually takes about 7 hours, but you can also find some tourist agencies that offer overnight tours with tents and sleeping bags supplied. This way, you can photograph Monument Valley at sunset and at sunrise with an aerial view that is difficult to get from another point.

Although the price is higher than other tours, keep in mind that it includes lodging, a Navajo dinner and breakfast, and unique priceless experiences like listening to folktales, native songs, and Navajo flute music around a campfire.

MYSTERY VALLEY

Mystery Valley,  just by Monument Valley, is one of the most exclusive tours of the Navajo Indian Reservation. As the Navajo consider the valley to be sacred, access is only allowed if a member of the tribe accompanies you.

Also, the road is barely visible between the dunes, and there are no traffic signals, so it is not a good idea trying to go on your own.

This tour is somewhat physically demanding since the essential points of interest would be visited on foot. Across the valley, we will find the Anasazi ruins (a tribe that lived in the valley before the Navajos arrived), Navajo family homes and spectacular landscapes that include stone arches and views of Monument Valley in the distance. The guide will also tell you about Navajo culture and traditions.

The tour takes between three and four hours and the best time to do it is at sunset.

TEARDROP ARCH

Another frequently photographed point is one known as Tear Drop Arch,  where you can frame Monument Valley in the tear-shaped opening of the rock. This tour is very short and can be done on foot.

As the location is somewhat unknown, most choose to hire a guide to get there. Once you know the location (36 ° 59’59.5 “N 110 ° 11’16.3” W), it may not be necessary.

CURIOSITIES OF MONUMENT VALLEY

We did not want to forget in our guide to visiting the Monument Vally a section to discuss the main peculiarities of Monument Valley.

HISTORY OF MONUMENT VALLEY AND THE NAVAJO NATION

Did you know that the Navajo Indians are not originally from the United States, but from Canada? Nonetheless, they had been inhabiting in Monument Valley, or Tsé Bii ‘Ndzisgaii (‘Valley of the Rocks’) in the Navajo language, long before the Spaniards arrived.

It was not the first tribe to inhabit the Monument Valley. To date, there are many indications of the presence of Anasazis, an indigenous tribe that inhabited Western United States and ancestors of other indigenous cultures such as the Pueblo Indians, the Zuni, and the Hopi.

Politically, the Navajo Nation, Diné Bikeyah, or Navajoland is recognized as a nation within the United States. However, what may seem like one of the most significant victories achieved by an indigenous tribe is fictitious, since the United States continues to enforce its laws on the Navajo Nation.

HOW MONUMENT VALLEY WAS FORMED

Like the rest of the Colorado Plateau, Monument Valley was a seabed that covered the western part of the United States millions of years ago.

The tectonic movement pushed rocks formed by strata of siltstone and shale up to 5900 feet above sea level.

After this, the erosion shaped the landscape. Rain, wind, and rivers that flowed into the basin ended up forming what we know today as Monument Valley.

The characteristic reddish and orange colors of the Monument Valley landscape are from the iron oxide present in the geological formations.

MONUMENT VALLEY IN FILMS

Monument Valley is one of those places in Western America that looks very familiar to you even if you have never been there.

The first moments of Monument Valley on the big screen was thanks to film director John Ford, who used the landscapes as the main stage of the 1939 film Stagecoach , starring John Wayne.

Since then, it has been one of the most iconic spots for Western films such as Fort Apache or The Searchers.

Later on, other films took place across the incredible background of Monument Valley, like Forrest Gump, Lone Ranger, License to Kill or Back to the Future Part III. Some cartoons and animated films staged these landscapes as a base for their stories, such as Wile E. Coyote, the Road Runner, and Cars.

And of course, we can find in many advertisements or even video games featuring Monument Valley landscapes, such as in GTA San Andreas or Red Dead Redemption.

WHERE TO STAY IN MONUMENT VALLEY

Other useful information that we want to share with you are the best places to stay in Monument Valley. In this section, you will find the best campsite, hotel, and lodge in Monument Valley, so you can choose the option that best suits your needs.

THE VIEW CAMPGROUND

If you ask me what is the best accommodation in Monument Valley , without a doubt I would say it is The View Campground (not The View Hotel). This campsite, with only space for 30 tents, has the best views of Monument Valley. Also, there’s nothing like sleeping in a tent in such a place to feel like an authentic Navajo Indian.

The price is $20 per tent. The camp has bathrooms and a small kitchen. However, they do not have tent rental services, so you must bring your own.

They also have space for RVs, however, the reviews are not as good as it is just a parking without connections or the views from the tent sites. However, if you are interested in that option, check the RV rental in the USA

Though they say that you can make reservations online, the campsites can only be booked via phone by calling +1 435-727-5802. Book well in advance if you want to sleep in the best place in Monument Valley.

THE VIEW HOTEL

Another option is to book at The View Hotel , a sister establishment that also manages the campsite. While not as authentic as camping in Monument Valley, if you are looking for comfort, this is the best hotel in Monument Valley . Online booking is available for this hotel.

The premium cabins , though much more expensive, offer very similar views you can see from the campsite.

You will need a credit card to do the check-in for either the hotel or the campground.

GOULDING’S LODGE

A little further away, but still very close to the valley, we found Goulding’s Lodge .

Unlike the previous one, this hotel offers a pool and a museum about the Navajo Nation. The price follows the quality of its rooms, but the possibilities of last-minute vacancies are higher than at The View.

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MORE INFO ABOUT MONUMENT VALLEY

To finish with this complete guide to Monument Valley, we are going to give you some tips for visiting Monument Valley in this section. We will explain, among other things, the time zone that they follow (one of the biggest curiosities of Monument Valley) so that you don’t arrive late to your next destination.

At the end of this section, you will have all the necessary information you need to visit Monument Valley.

MONUMENT VALLEY TIME ZONE

Monument Valley is located within the Navajo Indian Reservation. Navajo Nation follows Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) during the summer months to increase daylight hours.

However, you should know that Arizona, the state in which Monument Valley is located, observe Mountain Standard Time (MST) and does not participate in the summertime change. Instead, it maintains the same time throughout the year.

The reason why Arizona decided not to observe Daylight Savings is because increased daylight hours also meant increased hours of heat and therefore more electricity consumption from the air conditioners.

During summertime, the state of Utah (north of Arizona) and the Navajo Nation (within Arizona) is one hour behind Arizona. However, during the rest of the year, all three are observing the same hours.

We advise you to keep this time difference in mind, especially when you hire tours, for example, to visit Antelope Canyon (which follows MST all year) and you plan to come from Monument Valley (which follow MDT in the summer) or vice versa.

GAS STATIONS IN MONUMENT VALLEY

There is only one gas station in Monument Valley, and that belongs to the Goulding’s Lodge hotel. As with every service, when demand exceeds supply, refueling in Monument Valley will be quite expensive, so we recommend coming into Monument Valley with a full tank.

BEST RESTAURANTS IN MONUMENT VALLEY

There are just a few places to eat in Monument Valley , and they are essentially the hotel restaurants that we have already mentioned.

One of the most outstanding is the restaurant at The View Hotel, where you can find Navajo cuisine (quite similar to Mexican) as well as American classics.

The Goulding’s Lodge also has a restaurant with common Navajo dishes, although its menu is somewhat small.

With both cases, if you’re going to eat in Monument Valley, you can order take-out food and enjoy it throughout your visit, while driving across Monument Valley Scenic Drive.

TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR USA

Do not forget to hire   travel insurance in the United States . Although I always recommend buying the best travel insurance wherever you go, for the US, your policy must have excellent coverage (never consider hiring anything that covers below $300,000).

The cost of healthcare in the US is very high, and if you have to go to the hospital without any insurance, you will have to pay between $10,000 and $15,000 per night at the hospital.

You can get the best quality-price insurance with Heymondo . Right now, I’m traveling with their long term travel insurance plan.

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MAP OF MONUMENT VALLEY

You will find the Monument Valley map below. As you can see on the map, Wildcat Trail is marked as the only hiking trail through Monument Valley that can be done on your own.

Also, you will find the loop that can be done in Monument Valley by car, with the different stops and most outstanding viewpoints.

Finally, you can also see the different Navajo guided tours that can be hired, to discover other places such as Mystery Valley, Hunts Mesa and Lower Monument Valley that are off limits without a Navajo guide.

We hope that you have found all the information to visit Monument Valley  through this guide. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to write us 😉

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3 replies on “ The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Monument Valley ”

Thank you for providing such detailed itinerary of the west coast trip. Really helps. Very nicely done. Keep up the good work. Did you guys visit any of the monument valley points like tear drop or mystery valley etc in your own vehicle? Or it can only be done with a guided tour.

Hi Karishma, We need to come back to do the Mystery Valley. It’s one of the best views in all the west coast! Sadly, If you want to visit Mystery Valley you need to take a tour. For the tear drop arch, I think you can visit it by yourself. It is only 500m from the road. The exact location is (36°59’59.5″N 110°11’16.3″W).

Let me know if you have any questions.

Hi Can you plan our itenary for 9 days of travel in west coast we are two people traveling with a toddler. Driving is fine with us.

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Monument Valley: Everything You Need To Plan Your Visit (2024)

If you’re traveling through the southwestern United States, visiting Monument Valley is a must. There’s a reason this unique area has been featured in countless Hollywood films and it’s well worth a day or two of any road trip.

The southwestern states are home to some of the USA’s most dramatic landscapes, and one of the best places to visit when you are traveling through the region is Monument Valley, Utah.

Found within the vast expanse of land that forms the Navajo Nation, Monument Valley is known for the imposing rock formations that rise sharply from the otherwise flat plateau.

This is arid, desert-like land too, and it’s Monument Valley that has been featured more than any other location in Hollywood movies set in the Wild West. 

While its landscapes might have been romanticized by famous Westerns, and more recently by Instagrammers living the Van Life and road-tripping west, Monument Valley will always be unnervingly beautiful to see firsthand.

It’s one of the best stops in the southwest, and to inspire your journey, here’s our ultimate guide to Monument Valley. 

Don’t leave home without:  Lonely Planet Southwest USA (Travel Guide)

Where is Monument Valley?

Table of Contents

Monument Valley is located within the Navajo Nation, and it straddles the border between the states of Utah in the north and Arizona in the south.

The valley is just a small part of the vast Colorado Plateau, and Monument Valley itself stretches for around 17 miles in length, through a protected area known as the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.  

How to Get to Monument Valley

Monument Valley is best accessed on a self-drive tour. If you don’t drive, then your best option is to join a multi-day excursion on an organized tour through the southwest because Monument Valley is in a remote location – it’s not exactly the day-tripping kind of destination! 

Monument Valley is located along Highway 163, which passes through the valley itself on its way from Utah south into Arizona. The highway is around 60 miles long, and starts in Bluff, Utah, and continues south to Kayenta in Arizona.

The entire highway is a beautiful place to road trip, as it passes not only through Monument Valley but through this spectacular desert-like part of the southwest. 

But part of the beauty of Monument Valley lies in its veritable isolation from the rest of the world. This is not a place you can simply visit on a whim, purely because it’s a long way from any major cities.

For this reason, you will want to consider putting together a longer road trip , that takes in many more of the sights in the Utah-Arizona area and across the Colorado Plateau. 

In fact, the nearest major cities are a long way from Monument Valley, and the closest large airport is almost 200 miles to the south in Arizona, in the provincial city of Flagstaff.

There are few connections here – certainly no international ones anyway – and you will need to pass through larger hubs such as Phoenix, Las Vegas, or Salt Lake City anyway, giving you yet another reason to simply turn this into one large road trip through the southwest.

Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City are all at least a 6 hour drive in different directions , but they are great places to start or end your trip, as you can easily pick up hire cars or campervans at the airports.

Depending on how much time you have, you can even start or end your trip on the Pacific coast, in Los Angeles , San Diego , or San Francisco, but be prepared for a lot of driving. 

There are a lot of great places to see in the area, and you can incorporate monumental destinations such as the Grand Canyon , Horseshoe Bend , and Antelope Canyon into your itinerary if you are traveling through Arizona.

To the north of Monument Valley, in Utah, you can call into the Canyonlands, into Moab or you can see the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, amongst many more sights and attractions too. 

Best Time to Visit Monument Valley

As with most other places in the American Southwest, the best time to visit Monument Valley is during the late Spring and early Fall. That is if you want to avoid the peak season crowds and heat that come with the summer months of June through September. 

If you want a totally unique visit, consider the off-season, which runs from late Fall to early Spring. There will be very few people and you will have a high degree of weather fluctuation. The days will be mostly sunny but that intense heat from summer will be gone. 

During these seasons you can also expect cold evenings, overnights, and mornings. Our visit to Monument Valley was in mid-March, during our road trip from Las Vegas to Denver. I can attest to both colder weather and small crowds. 

When we went to dinner in the evening, we had to wear sweaters. When we got up for a sunrise backcountry tour to photograph the sunrise, we had to wear down jackets . It was freezing cold until later morning when the sun was fully up. 

If you are really looking for a unique experience, consider visiting Monument Valley during the winter, when the valley is occasionally blanketed in snow. 

Things to do in Monument Valley, Utah

Monument Valley is a Navajo Tribal Park and is administered and cared for directly by the Navajo Nation. For this reason, you must pay $8 per person to enter the park. National park passes are not accepted.

The Navajo Nation also arranges more in-depth tours, as some areas of Monument Valley can only be accessed with local guides. 

Our Top Recommended Tours in Monument Valley:

• Monument Valley Guided Tour
• Monument Valley Daytime Tour
• Sunset Tour of Monument Valley
• Monument Valley Extended Back-country Tour

Tribal Park Loop

The main thing to do in Monument Valley is to drive the beautiful Tribal Park Loop. This 17-mile long road passes through the best natural sights that the valley has to offer, including the iconic rock formations and rock pillars, and past excellent viewpoints.

In fact, if you are only paying the $20 entrance fee, this is the only part of the tribal park that you can actually access in your vehicle, as anywhere else requires you to be on a tour with a Navajo guide.

The Tribal Park Loop is the best way to see the highlights on an independent trip though, and if this is all you can afford or all you have time for, then don’t worry too much, because you’ll experience the best of Monument Valley anyway!

The Tribal Park Loop starts and ends at the local visitor’s center at the entrance to Monument Valley. While the road is a dirt track, it’s very well maintained and a four-by-four vehicle is not necessary to drive the loop.

West and East Mitten Buttes

One of the most iconic sights that you’ll see on the Tribal Park Loop, is the sight of the West and East Mitten Buttes.

These are the tall, imposing rock formations that rise dramatically from the otherwise flat valley floor, and it’s these rock formations that always seem to make it into scenes from Hollywood Westerns, they even formed an integral backdrop to the HBO TV series, Westworld, a few years ago. 

These enormous rocks are so named because they appear to look like hands wrapped in mittens, pointing toward the sky!

Wildcat Trail

The Wildcat Trail is a fantastic, short hiking trail that takes you around the base of West Mitten Butte. There are few trails in the park that you can hike without a Navajo guide, but the Wildcat Trail is one that you can self-walk.

It’s around 4 miles long, and quite literally takes you into the shadow of the butte, offering you the best view of the rocks. Remember to take lots of water, as the sun can be brutal in summer in Monument Valley. The hike will take around two hours, with plenty of time for taking photographs along the way. 

Lower Monument Valley

If you have more time to explore Monument Valley, then it’s worth joining a tour with a local guide to visit Lower Monument Valley. This area of the tribal park isn’t accessible by the public unless they are accompanied by a Navajo Guide. 

You will not only be given a four-by-four tour of more remote areas, but you’ll also have the chance to learn about Navajo history and culture at the same time.

The highlight of Lower Monument Valley is the Totem Pole, a tall, fragile, and thin-looking piece of rock that rises sharply from its base in the valley – like a Totem Pole.

Most tours last around three hours from start to finish and offer you the opportunity to experience not only a Monument Valley ‘safari’, as they call them, but parts of the park that you cannot visit on your own accord, and that consequently, are much quieter than points on the standard Tribal Park Loop. 

Forrest Gump Point

Monument Valley formed the backdrop to an iconic scene in the quirky movie, Forrest Gump. Partway through the movie, Forrest Gump begins running across the USA, and there’s a famed clip of the character, played by Tom Hanks, running along Highway 163, with the monumental rock formations of the Mitten Buttes in the background.

In fact, Forrest Gump Point, which is around 8 miles north of the state border, has become one of the most photographed spots in the valley, as the highway runs almost perfectly straight towards the rocks in the distance.

If you see a picture of Monument Valley from any road trip, on any Instagram account, it’s going to be from Forrest Gump Point. 

Take a Sunrise Photography Tour

We simply could not resist the opportunity to take a specialized sunrise tour into the backcountry of Monument Valley. We had the opportunity to see and photograph places in the park that are completely inaccessible to the general public. 

The tours generally start around 3 AM (or around there depending on the time of year and sunrise times) from the lobby of the View Hotel . So if you’re not staying there, you will need to make sure you have a rental car or have arranged a ride there from one of the other hotels nearby. 

The tour we did lasted 4 hours and took us to many iconic spots located in the private Navajo areas of the park. The guide was knowledgeable and great about showing us the famous angles for each stop. 

Plan Your Monument Valley Itinerary

One of the biggest challenges you’ll face is just how much time you should give yourself for this massive site. Truth be told, the more time you can give it the more enriching experience you will have. 

At the very least, try to give yourself 2 full days if you can. This would mean spending two nights, with a later in the day arrival before the first night. As we were pressed for time on our road trip and wanted to pack in several famous sites, we only spent one night. 

What it really comes down to is planning ahead and then making the most of your time while there. This is how we put together our itinerary in Monument Valley.

Day 1: Arrival at Monument Valley by car from Page, Arizona just after lunch. Drove the Tribal Park Loop for the afternoon, stopping at various lookouts for photographs. Checked into Goulding’s Lodge then drove up to Forest Gump Point. Dinner at Goulding’s Stagecoach Restaurant.  

Day 2: Early Sunrise Photography tour in the backcountry followed by breakfast at The View Restaurant. We then took a tour of the Lower Monument Valley before leaving Monument Valley and heading East to the Four Corners National Monument.

Where to Stay When Visiting Monument Valley

While you might pass through Monument Valley and spend a few hours exploring and driving around, before continuing your road trip north or south on the highway, you can also take the time to stay nearby and spend longer in the area. 

This is a great idea if you want to catch that early morning sunrise over Highway 163, over the epic rock formations, or if you want to join more in-depth tours with Navajo guides across the valley, rather than simply driving the usual loop.

The nearest towns are Kayenta, which is just under 30 miles to the south, while Bluff is around 50 miles to the north. The intriguingly named town of Mexican Hat is a little closer to the north, but there are fewer hotels or accommodations here than in Bluff.

In Bluff and Kayenta you can find an array of hotels, while you can also find a few camping areas along the highway. These are our recommendations for accommodation during your visit:

• Goulding’s Lodge : (we stayed here in a cabin) Located 2km outside of the park entrance, this hotel offers both standard room and cabin options. The cabins have stunning views over the valley. They have an onsite restaurant too. 
• The View Hotel : Offers comfortable accommodation with onsite dining. This hotel offers insane valley views. They also offer premium cabins too. 

Places to Eat Near Monument Valley

Your options here are limited if you are planning to stay at one of the two places we recommend above. Each of the hotels offers its own onsite restaurant. The options are limited and expensive but you can’t really trade the convenience.

The day we arrived, we ate dinner at the Goulding’s Lodge Stagecoach Restaurant . They were offering a salad bar and a menu with a variety of entrees. The salad bar reminded me of a typical dinner club salad bar, much as we have in Wisconsin. Fresh ingredients and a decent variety.

I would highly recommend that you give the Navajo Tacos a try! They are delicious. 

After our sunrise tour, we opted to try breakfast at The View Restaurant . They offered the typical breakfast options that you would find in any diner across the states. The food was good but as I said, options are limited so you’re going to be left with little choice. 

The alternative is making the drive to either nearby Kayenta or Bluff, where you can find a wider variety of options, gas stations, and some fast food. 

Monument Valley, Utah FAQs

Yes. Anyone can pay to enter Monument Valley and drive the scenic road, as well as partake in a few short hikes. Note that certain areas are off-limit unless you are with a Navajo guide.

Absolutely! It’s a very unique destination and even if you’re visiting other landmarks in the West, Monument Valley still stands out.

Mexican Hat is technically the closest town, though you’ll find little there. Bluff and Kayenta are where most people choose to spend the night.

It will take about 2 to 4 hours, depending on how frequently you stop. There are many different outlooks and photo opportunities, plus some short hikes, so take your time and enjoy!

It costs $8 per person to enter Monument Valley, plus additional fees for any tours with Navajo guides. Note that they do NOT accept national park passes.

The road in Monument Valley that you see in the movies (including Forrest Gump!) and on postcards is Highway 163 Scenic Drive.

Almost all cars can drive the scenic road through the valley. It is not paved but it is well kept, so in most cases, an SUV or even 4×4 is not necessary.

Yes, you can drive Highway 163 Scenic Drive without a Navajo guide. You just need to pay the $8 per person entry fee.

You might also like:

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• What to Do in Kanab, Utah (Attractions, Hiking, Canyons & More)
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• 13 Best Cities to Visit in the USA

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Lina is an award-winning photographer and writer that has been exploring the world since 2001. She has traveled to 100 countries on all 7 continents. Member: SATW, NATJA, ATTA, ITWA

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Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Iconic Western landscapes inspire visitors to set off on scenic Arizona road trips.

Located in Northern Arizona, Monument Valley’s collection of crimson mesas and towering sandstone buttes capture colors that appear only in nature. The astonishing scenic beauty of the desert landscape also reflects the reverence Arizona’s tribal communities have for the land. Please be respectful of Navajo Nation regulations when visiting Monument Valley to help preserve this ancient site.

Take a Tour

Monument Valley is maintained by Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation. Visitors are welcome to drive the 17-mile dirt loop, Valley Drive, on self-guided tours of this pristine area. Multiple parking areas along the way bring many of the park’s most spectacular rock formations into view. Visitors can also immerse themselves in the natural surroundings on the only public hike in the valley. The Wildcat Trail is an easy 4-mile loop around Mitten Butte, one of the most iconic landmarks of the American West. Or join Jeep tours with local guides for up-close views of ancient cliff dwellings and natural arches in more isolated locations. While up north, add other Navajo Nation natural wonders to the trip, including Antelope Canyon and Canyon de Chelly .

Shop for Traditional Artwork

Meet the silversmiths, potters and weavers who preserve Navajo traditions in their artwork. Inside the park, the Trading Post at The View Hotel offers one of the largest collections of Navajo rugs in the Four Corners area of Arizona. Visitors also find a selection of traditional and contemporary Navajo art such as squash-blossom necklaces, concho belts, hand-woven baskets and sand paintings. Artisans also set up roadside markets along Valley Drive to sell their authentic Native American arts and crafts.

Explore the Colorado Plateau

The high-desert area encompassing the Arizona-Utah border features some of the most scenic drives in the United States. While this area is remote and offers limited services, small towns such as Kayenta and Dennehotso have restaurants and convenience stores to stock up on road trip supplies. Inside the park, The View Hotel offers an overnight option with rooms and cabins that frame magnificent panoramas of the valley. Options for RVs and camping in Monument Valley allow visitors to fully surround themselves with stunning rock outcroppings that come to life with color every sunrise and sunset.

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Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park: The Complete Guide

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Things to Do

Hiking in monument valley, types of tours, park guides, where to camp, where to stay nearby, how to get there, accessibility, tips for your visit, monument valley.

Straddling the Arizona/Utah border, Monument Valley is one of the nation’s most recognizable landscapes, thanks to its appearance in classic Westerns and movies like “Forrest Gump.” (Forrest decides to stop running against the backdrop of Monument Valley’s iconic buttes.) But it’s not your typical national park. In fact, it’s not a national park at all. Located on Navajo lands, Monument Valley is actually a tribal park operated by the Navajo people, who consider it a very sacred place.

As a result, access is restricted within the park. While you can drive a 17-mile section through the park on your own, you’ll need a Navajo guide to do anything more than that. However, that’s part of what makes Monument Valley so unique—you learn about Navajo history, culture, and traditions from the tribal member welcoming you into their lands. Plan to spend the night at the park’s hotel, The View, so you can watch the sunrise, sunset, or both over the amazing rock formations.

If you’re short on time, drive the 17-mile, extremely rough dirt road past the Mittens and Totem Pole formations on a self-guided tour. If you have more time, book a tour with a Navajo guide online or at the park’s visitor center. Tours range from 90 minutes to full-day adventures. Some guides even offer traditional meals, entertainment, and overnight stays in a Hogan.

Beyond that, activities are limited in the park. There are no ranger-led programs, helicopter rides, or hot air balloon rides here. You can’t mountain bike, off-road, or ride your own horse through the park either. Want to climb the monuments? Forget that, too. Rock climbing is strictly prohibited.

TripSavvy / Lauren Breedlove

The Wildcat Trail is the only one you can hike unescorted in Monument Valley. If you want to do anything more, you’ll have to hire a Navajo guide. Book a hiking tour before you go. Otherwise, there’s no guarantee a guide at the visitor center will be available—or prepared—to take you on a hike when you arrive.

Wildcat Trail: This 3.2-mile trail begins at the campground next to The View Hotel and loops around the Left Mitten before returning. Go at sunrise. Not only is it cooler, but the soft light washes the valley in ever-changing color. 

Most people experience Monument Valley on a 4x4 tour, but there are other options, including horseback rides and photography tours. Each Navajo guide or company offers slightly different tours, but these are the common ones available in the park:

• Basic Scenic Tour: Lasting about 90 minutes, these tours follow the 17-mile route through the park that you could drive on your own. So why pay the $65 to $75 per person charge for a guided tour? Many drivers don’t want to subject their vehicles to the treacherous road, but Navajo guides also give you insights on how the formations came to be, point out where movies were filmed, and share their culture.
• Cultural Tour: Held late in the afternoon, this tour builds on the full valley tours, adding a cultural experience like a weaving demonstration or live music. As the sun begins to set, the tour continues with a Navajo dinner, usually puffy fry bread topped with meat and beans, followed by traditional dancing and music.
• Time of Day Tour: Because light can change the color of the rock formations dramatically, several tours revolve around the time of the day. Many consider sunrise the best time to take one of these tours, but sunset can be equally impressive as can a night with a full moon. Often a photographer leads these tours.
• Photography Tours: Led by Navajo photographers, these tours are usually for any skill level with any type of camera—even a cell phone—but you may want to check with the guide or company before committing.
• Overnight Tours: Want to experience Monument Valley at night? Several companies offer the option to stay overnight in a Hogan, a traditional Navajo structure. Dinner and breakfast are included.

You’ll find a list of guided tour operators on the Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation website. It’s not unusual for individuals and smaller guide companies to stop offering tours for a length of time only to start up again later, sometimes under another company name, but some companies are fixtures in Monument Valley. These companies have experienced guides and provide a consistent experience for their guests.

• Roy Black’s Guided Tours : Started by a Navajo person who grew up in Monument Valley, this company specializes in sharing Navajo culture. Tours include the 4x4 adventures and overnight Hogan stays. Roy Black’s Guided Tours is one of the few companies in Monument Valley with guided horseback tours, from 30 minutes to six hours long.
• Monument Valley Simpson’s Trailhandler Tours : Guides with Monument Valley Simpson’s Trailhandler Tours know the valley better than anyone—they were all born and raised here. The company has an extensive list of tours including Hogan stays, cultural experiences, sunrise/sunset outings, and guided hikes.
• Goulding’s Lodge Tours : Operated out of Goulding’s Lodge, 5 miles from the park’s entrance, this company takes guests on partial and full-day tours of the valley. It also offers sunrise, sunset, and full moon tours as well as tours of the areas surrounding Monument Valley Tribal Park.

TripSavvy / Lauren Breedlove 

You can camp inside the park at The View Campground. Nearby, camping is also available at Goulding’s RV & Campgrounds and Monument Valley KOA.

• The View Campground : Located inside the park, this campground has dry RV and tent camping with unobstructed views of the Mittens. The RV sites do not have hookups. Restrooms and showers are available for all campers.
• Goulding’s RV & Campgrounds : Five miles outside the park, near Goulding’s Lodge, this campground has RV sites with full hookups and tent camping. In addition to restrooms and grills, the campground has Wi-Fi and access to the laundromat, convenience store, and indoor pool at the lodge.
• Monument Valley KOA : Campers will find full hookup RV and tent sites about 1.5 miles north of the park entrance at Monument Valley KOA. Campsite amenities include a dog park, basic Wi-Fi, and firewood for sale.

You can actually stay inside the park at The View, aptly named for its balconies overlooking the valley. However, you’ll pay extra for the privilege and have very limited dining options. Nearby, Goulding’s Lodge is a convenient option with similarly limited food options. Kayenta, 25 miles south of the park’s entrance, has chain hotels and several decent restaurants, some serving Navajo specialties. 

• The View Hotel : The only hotel in the park, The View Hotel is operated by the Navajo tribe and boasts some of the most outstanding views in the Southwest. Each of its 96 rooms has its own private balcony, and you can sample Navajo dishes at its restaurant. You’ll also find a gift shop and the park’s visitor center on-site.
• Goulding’s Lodge : Originally a trading post and a base for director John Ford and his crew when they filmed in Monument Valley, Goulding’s Lodge has 152 rooms, Wi-Fi, and cable TV. There’s also a restaurant, indoor swimming pool, museum, theater, laundromat, and convenience store onsite. Planning on a guided tour through Monument Valley? Goulding’s has its own tour company that leaves from the property. 

Monument Valley is quitw remote, the nearest major cities of Phoenix and Albuquerque are both roughly 320 miles away.

From Phoenix, take I-17 north to I-40. Head east to the edge of Flagstaff, and follow signs to pick up US-89 north. Drive approximately 70 miles and turn at US-160, heading east towards Tuba City. Follow this to Kayenta. Turn north on US-163 and continue 25 miles to the park’s entrance.

From Albuquerque, take 1-40 west to Gallup. At Gallup, head north on US-491. Before leaving Gallup, turn left onto SR 264 and head west to Burnside. There, take US 191 north and drive 40 miles north to Indian Route 59. Where IR-59 intersects US-160, turn left. Go 8 miles, and turn right at US-163. Head north 25 miles to the park’s entrance.

The visitor center and facilities are accessible. However, tours may not be. Check with the guide or company before hiring them. Stops on the 17-mile drive are no paved and may be difficult for some to navigate.

• Park admission is $20 per vehicle transporting up to four people. Since this is not a national park, America the Beautiful and other passes are not honored here.
• Navajo Nation observes daylight savings times even though the rest of Arizona does not. When you book a tour, confirm whether daylight savings times will be in effect and adjust your schedule accordingly.
• Drones, weapons, and alcohol are prohibited on Navajo land.
• Because the monuments are considered sacred, you are not allowed to climb them.

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• Parks & Outdoors

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

• Weather: Sunny, 70F

Monument Valley, an iconic symbol of the American West and the sacred heart of the Navajo Nation, is the ideal setting for your next adventure in the warm, high desert climate of southeastern Utah. Visitors may explore the 17-mile scenic drive in private vehicles or book a jeep tour to explore the area's backroads and sacred lands with the help of a local guide.  The valley is host to towering sandstone rock formations that have been sculpted over time and soar 400 to 1,000 feet above the valley floor. Combined with the surrounding mesas, buttes and desert environment, it truly is one of the natural wonders of the world. Stay the night and step out after dark to appreciate the timelessness and wonder of the Milky Way. Stopping to appreciate the rhythms of this ancient, sacred land has the ability to change your perspective if you take the time to let it.

Winter in Monument Valley How to Visit Tribal Lands

Monument Valley Fees, Permits & Hours

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is located on the Navajo Nation Reservation, along the state line of southeast Utah and northeast Arizona. The park is a three hour drive from Moab, a little under one hour from Bluff and about 5 hours from Phoenix. Check ahead for current conditions and entrance fees.

• Fees: $8 per person per day. Children 7 and under are free. 
• Visitor Center hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., year-round. 
• Scenic Drive summer hours: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Last vehicles are permitted onto the drive at 6 p.m. and must depart it by 8 p.m.
• Closed during all major holidays in accordance with the Navajo Nation: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
• Permits are required for backcountry hiking, camping, filming and various special uses such as weddings. Visit the park’s website for more information on  current fees and permits .
• GPS coordinates of park visitor center: 37.002449, -110.172615

Visitor Center

Monument Valley Weather

Visitors come to Monument Valley year-round, but most come during spring and autumn to best enjoy the high-desert environment. The onset of searing summer heat usually begins in late May, and it can persist into mid-September. Autumn provides some of the most stable weather of the year. Temperatures may reach mid-90s F in July and August. Clear, warm, sunny days and cool nights make this one of the most delightful seasons to visit.

Winter in Monument Valley can be cold and windy, although there will be some nice days. Average highs in the winter are in the 40s, so you'll want to pack layers and water when you venture out to enjoy serene, sometimes snow-dusted, panoramas.

Utah Weather

Goulding's Lodge is tucked under soaring rimrock cliffs two miles west of the Monument Valley.

Photo: Austen Diamond

Where to Stay

The nearest town to Monument Valley is Mexican Hat , a short drive to the northeast on U.S. 163. For more lodging and dining options, continue along this same highway for another 20 minutes to reach Bluff . Accommodations are also available in Kayenta, Arizona, south on U.S. 163. Goosenecks State Park (near Mexican Hat) also has a campground. 

Gouldings Lodge is another nearby option and the most convenient place to eat inside the park. This lodge is tucked under soaring rimrock cliffs two miles west of the Monument Valley turnoff from U.S. 163 in Utah. Gouldings also has a nice campground that offers RV hookups, a pool and separate cabins. Explore their guided tour opportunities as well.  

The View Hotel is the only lodging inside Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Reservations well in advance are a good idea if you want to enjoy the amazing views of Monument Valley from this modern hotel.

Things to do in Monument Valley

Guided jeep tours.

Butte after butte and mesas upon mesas are calling your name. Guided jeep tours of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park are a great way to take in the iconic landscape. It is just as much fun for kids as adults, and a great morning or afternoon activity for families.

Hiking the Wildcat Trail

The Wildcat Trail is a 3.2-mile loop hike (4 miles total, including the return to the trailhead and parking area) into one of the most scenic areas that Monument Valley has to offer. This trail lets hikers feel like they stepped back in time into the Wild West.

Mexican Hat

Mexican Hat, one of Utah’s strangest rock formations, balances a flattened pancake disk atop a 300-foot-high talus cone. It’s a novel route and quick summit for expert desert rock climbers.

Monument Valley Area Scenic Drives

A scenic drive around Monument Valley is one of the area’s most popular activities, and for good reason. High-clearance vehicles are recommended to navigate the dirt, gravel and red rock road.

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Visit with Respect

• You are a guest on the reservation and tribal park land, and allowed on site with the permission of the tribe. Act accordingly. Learn more about Native Nations in Utah .
• Avoid taking pictures of people or events unless you have permission. Remember, this is where people live and work. (Watch: Voices of Bears Ears — The Navajo ).
• Act respectfully at all times, but particularly at important sites and burial grounds.
• Don’t remove pottery or other artifacts you may find — this is a violation of federal law. (Read: How to Visit Rock Imagery Sites )

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Your Complete Guide to Exploring Monument Valley, Utah

You’ve probably seen Monument Valley before, even if you’re not quite sure what it is. There’s a famous scene in Forrest Gump where Tom Hanks is running up a hill in the desert, beard gone mad, dozens of people following him, and he just stops. He turns to his followers and says that after three years of running he’s pretty tired and it’s time to go home.

In the background, massive sandstone buttes rise from the red desert floor. A lonely road divides them in the distance. This is Monument Valley at the border of Utah and Arizona, and it’s one of the most fascinating landscapes on earth. 

That hill that Forrest stopped at is now a popular tourist stop on the road through Monument Valley, which can be roughly defined as the area of red sandstone rock formations in southern Utah and northern Arizona.

The region lies entirely within Navajo Nation (more on that later) and is a playground for desert nature lovers. Read on to learn all about how to visit this stunning area of the southwestern United States. 

Read on to learn all about how to visit Monument Valley, Utah, an incredibly stunning area of the southwestern United States.

Monument Valley, Utah – What You Need to Know

Lay of the land, oljato-monument valley and the tribal park, goosenecks state park, valley of the gods, a bit further from monument valley, monument valley, utah – faqs, final word .

Note: this article contains affiliate links, which means that should you purchase something or get a quote through them I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps keep the site running with up to date information. I do not represent Booking.com, GetYourGuide, or Discovercars.com. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy the product mentioned in this article..

Where is Monument Valley?

Monument Valley, Utah Along Highway 163 between Mexican Hat, UT and Kayenta, AZ. The nearest city of any sizeable population is Flagstaff, AZ about three hours south. It’s essentially the middle of nowhere. It’s about a six hour drive from Las Vegas through some of the most fascinating scenery the United States has to offer.

What is Monument Valley?

Monument Valley is a loose term used to describe the region of sandstone rock formations along the AZ/UT border. There is no official boundary to the region. There is also a town named Oljato-Monument Valley that straddles the border and a protected area of Navajo Nation named Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. When someone says “Monument Valley” they are most likely referring to the general area. 

How do I get to Monument Valley?

This is rural America, so you’ll need a car unless you’re visiting on an organized tour. It’s also not really close to any major city so a weekend trip is out of the question unless you live in Phoenix or Albuquerque (maybe Las Vegas or Salt Lake City).

The closest airport you can realistically get a commercial flight to is in Page, AZ. But you’ll likely hit Monument Valley as a part of a longer road trip across southern Utah .

No matter where you start from you can use Discover Cars to book the cheapest possible rental car here .

Food in the area

There are not a lot of options for places to eat in the region unless you go down to Kayenta, the only formidable town nearby. There you can find all your typical American fast food.

But why do that? In the town of Monument Valley there is one proper restaurant at Goulding’s Lodge , the Stagecoach Restaurant. They also have a pretty decent grocery store if you’re cooking yourself.

There is also a restaurant at the tribal park as well as a few dining options in Mexican Hat. For the local specialty, try a Navajo taco. It’s unlike anything you’d expect from a taco. 

What’s the weather like?

It’s the desert so it’s hot and dry. But thanks to its relatively high elevation (5000 – 6000 feet), it doesn’t get as quite hot as say Phoenix, Las Vegas or recreation areas like Saguaro National Park . But it can still get damn hot, so plan any hikes in the morning.

The area is also known for summer thunderstorms. We were treated to a night time lightning show on our first night there. 

Electricity

This might sound surprising but a sizable portion – about 30% – of Navajo Nation is off the electrical grid. Many houses will have their own solar power and some just don’t have electricity. Our guest house had solar power, but it couldn’t last all night. There was a backup generator for when the solar ran out, but often we just slept without the electricity on. 

When should I visit Monument Valley?

Monument Valley is a year-round destination. The buttes can look quite cool with snow on them in the winter. It doesn’t get deathly hot in the summer either, as this is the high desert in Utah. Fall and spring are the best time to go to avoid crowds at the main attractions and have the best chance for perfect weather.    

Where should I stay in Monument Valley?

There are not that many places to stay in the region. There is Goulding’s Lodge in the town and The View Hotel at Monument Valley Tribal Park, as well as a couple hotels nearby in Mexican Hat and Kayenta . There’s a KOA on the Utah side if you fancy some camping.

There are, however, some truly amazing places you can rent on Airbnb. We stayed at a guest houses that goes by the “ Dream Catcher House ” and we highly recommend it. The owner – Nate – built it by himself. It has the absolute best views of Monument Valley of anywhere you can stay and gets an amazing sunset.

The Dream Catcher House also comes equipped with an outdoor kitchen, trampoline, and fire pit. The entire property runs on solar power so the electricity is spotty, but you won’t want to do anything but sit outside and enjoy the view!

How long should I stay?

Two days is more than enough time to see Monument Valley. You can also see all the main sites in one day, but you won’t have much time to relax or get out on a walk through the desert.  

Navajo Nation

Sparing you the American history lesson of how Native Americans ended up on reservations, the Navajo people own this land that is now world famous. It lies within both Utah and Arizona – and thus the United States – so it’s not technically a country.

It does have its own government and laws though. There’s nothing special you have to do but just be aware that this area is very important to the Navajo people and respect their guidelines, customs and laws. 

Travel Insurance

Americans can skip this section. But if you are an international visitor you will need travel insurance for your trip to the States and it must cover medical expenses. We don’t have universal healthcare here in the US of A and an overnight hospital stay can easily cost your entire savings or more. 

Insubuy provides medical travel insurance for international visitors to the US. You can book your insurance using this link . 

In this post I’m considering Monument Valley to be the general area of large sandstone buttes in southern Utah and Northern Arizona. This can area can be broken down into the following sub-areas:

• Oljato-Monument Valley town and Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
• Goosenecks State Park and Mexican Hat

The majority of this lies in Utah, with only a small portion in Arizona that accounts for the majority of the tribal park. I’ll skip Kayenta and its immediate surroundings because it is not as impressive as the areas I’ll discuss here.

There are also some neat rock formations along the roads passing through Navajo Nation in Arizona. There are tons of places to stop for awesome views, but I’ll stick to the tribal park in my discussion here. 

US Highway 163 is the only road through the region. Coming from the south you’ll first hit Oljato-Monument Valley town and the tribal park, followed by Goosenecks and Mexican Hat and finally Valley of the Gods before you ascend a hill into a completely different terrain heading north towards Moab, UT.

Coming from the north you’ll hit the sights the opposite way. Some would argue coming from the north is more beautiful because you get the most famous Monument Valley view as you’re driving in. 

There is a lot to see in the immediate region of the UT/AZ border. The town of Ojlato-Monument Valley is actually split between the states. The most famous views of Monument Valley you’ve seen in movies or on Instagram are from around here. So let’s walk through the things to see and places to go. 

Oljato-Monument Valley Town

“Town” is a loose word here. It’s not really a town but more of a village of houses with a grocery store and one hotel. This is where we stayed at the guest house I mentioned previously. There are great views of some of the best sandstone buttes from the town. 

From behind Red Door Mesa , you can do a nice hike through a canyon where you will be surrounded by red rocks towering over you. You probably won’t see any other people on this trail as it’s not well known. I couldn’t even find it online, so below I’ve taken a screenshot of the trail and highlighted it. You can access it from behind the Airbnb I mentioned earlier or from Rock Door Canyon Road.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is the crown jewel of the region. Most of the large mesas are found within its borders. For an entry fee of $20 per vehicle, you can take the scenic drive through the red rocks.

There are many gorgeous viewpoints to stop at and some short walking trails you can do. Some of the views you might recognize from old western movies with John Wayne or from National Lampoon’s Vacation.  

If you’re up for a hike, the most popular trail – the Wildcat Trail – starts right by the visitors center. It’s mostly flat and looks pretty similar to the hike around Uluru in central Australia . 

Forrest Gump Point

Arguably the most famous Monument Valley view in Utah, thanks to the best movie ever (Forrest Gump), this spot is up a serious hill looking down onto some of the buttes within the tribal park. From here, the buttes are about 7 miles away, which gives you a perspective of just how big these sandstone rock formations are. 

Forrest Gump point is a pretty popular spot for people to stop at, so depending on how busy it is you might have to wait to get your photo running up the highway like Forest did in the movie.

You’ll also have to wait for a time clear of cars. Luckily, the road is straight for about 4 miles so you will see cars coming towards you well in advance. Behind you the visibility isn’t as good, but you’ll have plenty of time to move if you hear a car coming. 

There are also many other viewpoints along Highway 163. You really can’t go wrong. Some of them will have Navajo artists selling their art or jewelry. Don’t go beyond any fences though, as most of the land is privately owned. 

Ancient Ancestral Puebloan Cave Dwellings

A few miles off the main highway there are the ruins of some ancient Native American cave dwellings. The Anasazi people in this region used to live in cave cities, much like many cultures 1200 years ago. If you’re not going to make it to Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado to see the ancient cave cities, which is not too far from here, these could be worth a visit.

Monument Valley Tours

If all this is a bit overwhelming and you’d rather have a local show you around, then an organized tour might be for you. You can off-road on a jeep, ride a horse, or just a guided tour of the tribal park. GetYourGuide offers all sorts of tours of Monument Valley. You can see some of these tours in the banner below. 

The little known stepchild of Canyonlands National Park, Goosenecks ($5 per vehicle) is an impressive Utah state park with a wild river that cuts through a canyon. The San Juan River “goosenecks” through the canyon, creating awesome views as it twists and turns around sharp bends.

Goosenecks is an easy 30 minute stop when driving along Highway 163, just outside of Mexican Hat. There really isn’t much to do in the park – unless you’re hiking into the canyon – other than take in the views. There is a small parking area with some picnic tables right at the edge of the canyon.

We went for sunset and packed a simple dinner and some beers, staying about 90 minutes total. That included having dinner and scrambling on the rocks down a bit into the canyon before sunset. 

There is a primitive camping site – i.e. just a patch of dirt – that you can camp overnight at if you wish. It’s also a popular spot for campervans to park overnight. If you want to hike into the canyon there is only one trail, the Honaker Trail, and it’s a bit of a ways from the parking lot.

You have to walk along the canyon rim for a bit to get there before descending steeply into the canyon down to the river. Check out the trail on AllTrails for more information. 

Another hidden gem is the often overlooked Valley of the Gods . This is essentially a scenic drive around more sandstone monoliths. The unique thing about it is that it’s not crowded at all and you really feel like you have the entire desert to yourself. The scenic drive is about 16 miles and the entire time we were there we saw one other car. 

The start of the drive is right off of Highway 163. It’s easy to miss, as it’s just a small dirt road and there isn’t any signage other than a simple “Valley of the Gods” sign about 200 feet before the turn. The entire drive is on a dirt road but it’s in good condition and is no problem with a standard 2WD car. 

The road spits you out on a side road – route 261 – north of Goosenecks State Park. From there it’s about 7 miles back to the highway. Or if you want an aerial view of the valley head north on route 261 and you’ll climb right up the red rocks to look down on the Valley of the Gods. 

The desert southwest in Utah and Arizona is – at least in my opinion – the most beautiful place in the United States and one of the most beautiful places on earth. There is no shortage of incredible places to visit in this region.

Monument Valley should be just one stop on a road trip through this barren land of red rocks and endless canyons. For more places to check out, below you’ll find a list of some awesome places all within a 4 hour drive of Oljato-Moument Valley. 

• Antelope Canyon (AZ)
• Horseshoe Bend (AZ)
• Grand Canyon North Rim (AZ)
• Vermilion Cliffs (AZ) (good luck getting a permit for The Wave , instead consider Valley of Fire right outside of Las Vegas)
• Petrified Forest National Park (AZ)
• Lake Powell (UT)
• Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (UT)
• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (UT/AZ)
• Arches National Park (UT)
• Canyonlands National Park (UT)
• Dead Horse State Park (UT)
• Zion National Park (UT)
• Capitol Reef National Park (UT)
• Bryce Canyon National Park (UT) (OK it’s more like 5 hours but this place is so amazing you must go)
• Four Corners Monument (UT/AZ/NM/CO)
• Mesa Verde National Park (CO)
• San Juan National Forest (CO) (check out my post on the Ice Lake Trail )
• Telluride (CO)
• Durango (CO)

There are many more I can list. But this should get you started. You could spend an entire year travelling around the area in a four hour radius of Monument Valley and still not see all the sights. It’s truly spectacular. 

Can you just drive through Monument Valley? 

You can drive through Monument Valley. In fact, it’s mostly a driving destination, with limited hikes. Whether you are inside Monument Valley Tribal Park or outside the park boundaries, driving is the best way to see the spectacular landscape.

What is so special about Monument Valley?

Monument Valley is special because it features unique sandstone rock formations unlike anything you can see anywhere else in the world. The region is a relatively flat high desert with giant buttes that arise from the desert floor, seemingly out of nowhere in random locations.

Is Monument Valley worth going to?

Monument Valley is absolutely worth visiting. It’s one of the most unique landscapes on the planet and it’s not too difficult to get to. There are scenic drives, a few hikes, and other activities to keep you entertained while you’re there.

What movies have been filmed in Monument Valley?

Way too many to list. However, some of the most famous are: -Forrest Gump -Stagecoach -Billy the Kid -The Searchers -The Lone Ranger -National Lampoon’s Vacation The list goes on and on!

Can you see Monument Valley for free?

You can see Monument Valley for free, but not Monument Valley Tribal Park. The park – owned by Navajo Nation – contains the most stunning rock formations in the region. But there are plenty of amazing things to see and do outside the park as well, and those are free.

Monument Valley and its immediate surroundings present a unique landscape found nowhere else on earth. There are so many amazing places to stop and see that you’ll want to keep coming back. If you’re lucky you might even witness a desert thunderstorm. Have you been to Monument Valley and think I missed something important in this post? Let me know in the comments below!

Chris Heckmann

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Monument Valley Travel Guide: Discover the Valley of the Rocks

So, you’re heading to Monument Valley and wondering what to do? You’re in luck – discover the best things to do in Monument Valley with this handy guide.

Monument Valley might just take the title for strangest place in America. And, If you know me, you’ll know I love strange places.

With towering sandstone buttes, immense mesas, and panoramic vistas of some of the most intriguing landscapes, it’s no surprise that this 92,000-acre park is so popular. 

Not only is this valley a photographer’s heaven, but it has also starred in a few iconic Hollywood Westerns. Some of which I’ll definitely nerd out over later.

So buckle up and grab your cameras; I’ve got all the info on what to do in Monument Valley for an unforgettable time. 

Looking for a place to stay around Monument Valley? Look no further than Goulding’s Lodge , situated just outside the park. 

Top 5 Best Things to Do in Monument Valley

Hit the road on the monument valley scenic drive.

Alright, so this is arguably THE best thing to do in Monument Valley. 

This 17-mile Monument Valley Scenic Drive starts and ends at the visitor’s centre and takes about two hours to complete. It’s the perfect way to see some of the top Monument Valley attractions if you’re short on time. 

I’d suggest driving a high-clearance vehicle, as the unpaved dirt road can be tricky to navigate. 

It’s well worth the dodgy terrain, though. You’ll get to pass by some of the best things to see in Monument Valley. These include the Three Sisters, the Mitten Buttes, Elephant Butte, and North Window — an excellent spot for photos. 

Note that this is the only part of the park you can access with a private vehicle, and you’re not allowed to deviate from the road. If you’d like to get closer to any attractions, you’ll have to book a tour with a Navajo guide . 

Visit (And Stay at) The View Hotel

The View Hotel is the only hotel in Monument Valley. Designed to blend into the natural landscape, the hotel has a pinkish facade overlooking the valley. 

Each room has a spacious balcony for excellent views. There are also cabins, the Monument Valley campground, and a trading post where you can purchase Native American art items like stunning pots, rugs, and jewellery. 

Whether you’re looking for accommodation, souvenirs, or some traditional Navajo cuisine, a visit to this hotel should be on your itinerary.

Snap Photos at John Ford Point

John Ford is a panoramic viewpoint that offers one of the most iconic frames of Monument Valley and is a popular photo spot. 

It got its name from a film director known for films like Stagecoach and The Grapes of Wrath . Many of his films featured the stunning Monument Valley, which was unknown until the 1930s. 

This significantly contributed to its growing popularity – as well as another famous film I’m going to tell you about later. 

To reach this viewpoint, follow Valley Drive until you meet a fork in the road near Camel Butte. There are usually a few vendors selling souvenirs. You can also take an iconic image on a horse overlooking the valley like a cowboy in a Hollywood Western (tips are welcome).   

Take a Guided Tour

Monument Valley is a sacred area that falls under the Navajo Nation Parks, meaning you can’t visit many attractions without a Navajo guide.

A tour with a Navajo guide will get you up close to lesser-known attractions like Ear of the Wind, Big Hogan Arch, Totem Pole, and Moccasin Arch. You’ll also get to learn more about Navajo culture and the spiritual significance of Monument Valley. 

There are plenty of tour options available, including guided backcountry Jeep tours and shorter scenic tours . 

Hike the Wildcat Nature Trail

If you’re looking for epic Monument Valley hikes, this 3.9-mile moderate loop trail is the only self-guided hiking trail in the park. 

Wildcat Nature Trail kicks off at the northwest end of the visitor centre parking lot and takes you near the towering West and East Mittens (these two buttes look like mittens coming out of the earth, hence the adorable names). 

The hike takes about two hours to complete, so it’s manageable for even the most unseasoned trekkers. That said, the trail is sandy and has no shade, so bring a comfy pair of shoes , a good sunhat and sunscreen, and plenty of water. 

Brilliant Things to See & Do in and Around Monument Valley 

Watch the sunset or sunrise in monument valley.

Sure, I’m a sunrise lover, so this next activity is a little biased. But nothing quite beats seeing the sun wash over the reds and oranges of the valley. 

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to catch the sun rise or set in Monument Valley.

The free option is to stop at the View Hotel. Alternatively, you can take a guided sunrise or sunset tour . This tour lets you get close to some stunning sights with a Navajo guide after park hours, so you can snap a few memorable shots. 

Run in the Footsteps of Forrest Gump 

Calling all Forrest Gump fans, it’s time to snap photos at one of the film’s iconic scenes where Forrest halts his cross-country run and decides to turn back. You’ll find this point on the US-163, with the GPS coordinates 37.101393, -109.990973. 

The Forrest Gump Monument Valley viewpoint is about a 20-minute drive from the Visitor Center and can get quite crowded. But getting that famous shot will be worth the wait.

Gaze at the Stars

Monument Valley is an excellent place to go stargazing. Understatement of the century, I know. And the great news is that if you’re staying in the park, you can try to spot some of the stars from your balcony. 

You can also take a guided tour to get after-hours access to the park. On the tour, you’ll get to gaze through a telescope, put your photography skills to the test, and enjoy a ceremonial music performance. All while the twinkling stars dance above. Sighhhh .

Walk Through the Valley of the Gods 

No, no – this isn’t Egypt . The Valley of the Gods is like a miniature version of Monument Valley, and it’s the perfect detour if you’d like to avoid crowds. 

For that reason alone, visiting this area is one of the best things to do near Monument Valley, less than an hour’s drive away. 

As you follow the 17-mile Valley of the Gods Scenic Drive, you’ll see plenty of fascinating buttes and mesas. Entrance to the park is free, and you can camp, picnic, or simply explore the area on foot. 

Highlights here include the Lady in the Bathtub Butte (this one’s funny) and Castle Butte (this one’s more of a squint and see situation). 

Must-Try Bars & Restaurants in Monument Valley

The View Restaurant

As the name suggests, you’ll have excellent views of Monument Valley while enjoying dishes like Navajo tacos and frybread at The View . 

I’ll level with you – the food is fine. It’s certainly not mind-blowing cuisine but the highlight here is the view (it’s well worth it) and the convenience of not having to leave the park. 

Goulding’s Stagecoach Dining Room

Situated just outside the park, Goulding’s Lodge is a good alternative if you want to explore beyond the park. Expect large portions of classics like burgers and chips and traditional dishes like Navajo tacos. 

Linda’s Frybread Stand

This little food stand is a buzzing spot near John Ford Point. Here you can indulge in tasty frybread (a Navajo flatbread) at one of the most scenic places in the park. 

While I wouldn’t recommend driving out of your way to visit the Amigo Cafe in the nearby town of Kayenta (it’s about half an hour’s drive from the visitor centre), if you’re passing by this is a great place to stop for lunch. 

What’s on the menu? A whole lot, actually – Amigo Cafe offers generous Mexican and Navajo dishes. Everything is finger-lickin’ delicious.

Best Hotels in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

The View Hotel

The only hotel in Monument Valley, this spot offers hotel rooms with valley views, cosy cabins, a tent, and RV campground. Besides the stellar views, you’ll find a restaurant and trading post where you can try Navajo dishes and purchase a few souvenirs.  

Check Rates and Availability

Goulding’s Lodge

Goulding’s Lodge offers spacious rooms and apartments with stellar vistas of Monument Valley in the distance. 

Wake up among towering rock formations, enjoy coffee at the on-site restaurant, and take a cooling dip in the pool before taking a complimentary shuttle to the park. 

Hampton Inn Kayenta Monument Valley

Situated along US Highway 160, Hampton Inn Kayenta is just under an hour’s drive from Monument Valley. 

Hampton Inn offers a pool for hot days, a gym and a complimentary breakfast. Be sure to stop by the nearby Blue Coffee Pot restaurant to sample more excellent food. 

Visiting Monument Valley: Practical Tips for Your Trip

How Long to Visit Monument Valley? 

I suggest spending an entire day in and around Monument Valley to experience its beauty fully and savour the sunrise or sunset (or both!). 

Best Time to Visit Monument Valley

The best time to visit Monument Valley is during spring and fall when temperatures are milder, and the park is less busy. 

Where Should I Stay in Monument Valley? 

The best place to stay in Monument Valley is at The View hotel, which offers rooms, camping facilities, and unbeatable views. 

How to get to Monument Valley?

If you’re wondering how to visit Monument Valley, you’ll have to drive from one of the following airports: 

• Phoenix Airport – 5 hours/ 320 miles
• Las Vegas Airport – 6.5 hours/ 400 miles
• Salt Lake City Airport – 6.5 hours/ 380 miles
• Albuquerque Airport – 5 hours/ 324 miles

Recommended Tours in Monument Valley 

• Monument Valley: 3.5-Hour Extended Tour & Backcountry Access | GetYourGuide
• Monument Valley: Scenic 2.5-Hour Guided Tour | GetYourGuide  
• Monument Valley and Mystery Valley Full-Day Tour | GetYourGuide
• From Sedona or Flagstaff: Full-Day Monument Valley Tour | GetYourGuide
• Monument Valley: Scenic 3.5-Hour Cultural Tour | GetYourGuide  

Top Things to Do in Monument Valley: Map 

Read More Monument Valley Guides

• The Ultimate Guide to Forrest Gump Point
• Stunning Hikes in Monument Valley
• Beautiful Places in the USA to Visit

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I’m Julianna Barnaby - a professional travel writer and geek extraordinaire. I started The Discoveries Of to help you to discover the best of new destinations from around the world.

Discovering new places is a thrill - whether it’s close to home, a new country or continent, I write to help you explore more and explore differently.

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The One Stop Monument Valley Guide for Travelers Visiting Southern Utah

LAST UPDATED: 1/28/24 – Monument Valley Guide

If Monument Valley looks familiar to you, there is a very good reason for that.  It is one of the most used locations for media of all formats.  Over the decades there have been dozens and dozens of movies that were filmed among Monument Valley’s beautiful buttes and mesas.  These movies include such blockbusters as the list of films I have included in my Monument Valley guide below:

Monument Valley Guide Navigation Menu

Popular films featuring monument valley.

• Stagecoach (1939)
• The Eiger Sanction (1975)
• National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)
• Back to the Future Part III (1990)
• Mission Impossible II (2000)
• Windtalkers (2002)
• The Lone Ranger (2013)
• The Lego Movie (2014)
• Transformers:  Age of Extinction (2014)

In addition to being a popular movie filming location, Monument Valley has also been used quite a bit by the music industry over the years.  This includes the following list in my Monument Valley guide below:

Monument Valley in the Music Industry

• The Eagles used Monument Valley on the cover of their 1985 UK Best Of Album.
• On the cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Album Twenty.
• Part of the music video for Metallica’s “I Disappear” was filmed in Monument Valley.
• Part of the music video for Panic! at the Disco’s “Hallelujah (Panic! at the Disco song)” was filmed in Monument Valley.

One of my favorite uses of Monument Valley in film has to be in the movie Forrest Gump.  Do you recall the scene where Forrest Gump is running across the country, and after gaining a large group of followers, decides it is time to stop?  Well, that absolutely gorgeous scenery in the background is Monument Valley. In case you don’t recall the scene, I have included a short clip in my Monument Valley guide below that might jog your memory.

In fact, that scene in Forrest Gump garnered so much attention because of the beauty of Monument Valley that the viewpoint location was actually added to Google Maps.  Try and Google it and see for yourself.

Because of its incredible beauty and iconic role in the film and music industry, Monument Valley has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the American Southwest.  The vistas are absolutely breathtaking, but navigating the area can be quite difficult because of the gravel roads. However, with the help of my Monument Valley guide, you will know exactly where to go and what you will need to get there.

In some locations, these roads are really rough.  So please, make sure you have the proper vehicle if you plan on doing a lot of exploring within Monument Valley.  And of course, always make sure you bring enough water.

How to Get to Monument Valley

Monument Valley is located on both sides of the Utah and Arizona border, with the most popular parts of the monument located in Arizona.  To give you a sense of where Monument Valley is located in reference to national parks, other public lands, and large cities in the area, I have put together the table in my Monument Valley guide below for your reference.

View Larger Map

Driving Distance and Time from Other Areas of Interest

Whether you are coming from the North or the South, you will use Highway 163 to get to Monument Valley, as the highway runs right through the valley.  If you are coming from the North, the Forrest Gump Point is located just outside of the town of Halchita. 

If you are interested in checking out John Ford Point , which is another popular viewpoint for Monument Valley, you will need to take Main Monument Valley Rd and Indian Rte. 42 about 10 miles South. For more detailed instructions on how to get to the valley, please review the Monument Valley directions map that I have included in my Monument Valley guide below.

As I mentioned previously, one thing you need to be aware of when visiting Monument Valley is the conditions of the roads.  The roads to and from Monument Valley are paved, but once you pass the visitor’s center the roads are all gravel.  In some places, these roads can be quite rough.  This can be especially true after the area gets some rain.

Within the Park, the Wildcat Trail is a really nice trail that allows you to get a little more up-close-and-personal with the valley.  If you do decide to do some hiking, please make sure you practice proper trail etiquette and leave no trace of your visit.  It is our responsibility to future generations to preserve these beautiful places as they are. For more information on navigating within Monument Valley, please review the Monument Valley map that I have included in my Monument Valley guide below.

V iew Larger Map

Best Times to Visit Monument Valley

Monument Valley is accessible year-round, but depending on your tolerance for really hot weather, some months might be more uncomfortable than others.  During the Summer months of June through September, temperatures can be very hot.  The months of July through October see the highest levels of precipitation throughout the year as well.

In my opinion, the best months to visit Monument Valley are the Spring months of April and May.  During these months the weather is much more moderate and the levels of precipitation are rather low. 

In addition, you will also miss most of the crowds that tend to build throughout the summer months. For more information on the weather at Monument Valley throughout the year, please refer to the charts that I have included in my Monument Valley guide below.

Average Temperature (°F)

The climate in Southern Utah is unique because most of the area is located on a high desert plateau. In fact, other areas of Southern Utah, like Cedar Breaks National Monument on the Western side of the state, are at over 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) of elevation.

While Monument Valley isn’t that high, it is still at 7,096 feet of elevation. To put that into perspective, the city of Denver (known as the Mile-High City) is only at 5,287 feet of elevation. This means, that despite being a desert landscape, the temperatures around Monument Valley are typically much colder in the winter months.

For instance, during the summer months of June through August, the high temperatures can reach 100’s Fahrenheit. During the winter months of December through February, it isn’t uncommon to have low temperatures below freezing.

So, if you are planning your trip to Monument Valley, you will want to review the temperature chart in my Monument Valley guide below to know what type of temperatures to expect when you visit.

Average Precipitation (Inches)

While understanding the average temperatures in the area is important when planning your trip to Monument Valley, it is even more important to understand the average precipitation levels.

If the area gets a lot of rain, the unimproved roads in Monument Valley become very difficult (more so than they already are) to drive on. Not to mention, if you plan on spending any time exploring the slot canyons that are nearby, flash flooding becomes a real danger in these canyons.

For that reason, I would strongly recommend avoiding the late summer and early autumn months of July through October if you want to have the best chance of avoiding the rain. Instead, I would target the early spring months of April and May.

Where to Stay Near Monument Valley

Campgrounds

When visiting the national parks, monuments, and other areas of interest in the United States, it is a really neat experience to camp out during your visit.  Some of the best campgrounds in America can be found inside the country’s national parks, monuments, recreation areas, and the surrounding areas. 

This is especially true of the area surrounding Monument Valley. The extra dark skies in the surrounding area make it a great place to star gaze. If you are interested in camping out during your visit, I have included a map and list of some recommended campgrounds for you to review in my Monument Valley guide below.

If camping is not your speed, you need not worry as there are a variety of good hotels for you to choose from in the area as well.  In fact, three nearby cities have several reasonably priced hotel options for you to choose from.

You will find hotels and motels at various price points in the city of Kayenta to the South and the cities of Mexican Hat and Bluff to the North of Monument Valley.

If you are in the process of planning your trip to see the Monument Valley area, then you are in luck. I have included a map and list of recommended hotels at different price points for you to review in my Monument Valley guide below.

Other Things to See in the Area

In addition to the beauty of Monument Valley, there is a wealth of other incredible things for you to see in the Southern Utah and Northern Arizona areas. In particular, there are several national parks, slot canyons, and viewpoints that I would recommend checking out in the Moab, Utah, and Page, Arizona areas. If you are starting to plan your trip and are looking to fill out your itinerary, I have provided you with some good suggestions in my Monument Valley guide below.

Moab, Utah Area

Moab, Utah is what I would consider to be the outdoor adventure capital of the United States. Not only are two of America’s most popular national parks located just a short distance from the city, but it also has a vast number of hiking and mountain biking trails to offer in the area.

If you are into climbing, the area is also one of the most popular rock-climbing destinations in the Western United States, with many different areas to enjoy some time on a pitch.

In addition, the Moab area is also near what I consider to be one of the most underrated natural rock arches and slot canyons in all of Southern Utah. For more information on what I recommend seeing in the Moab area, please see my suggestions below.

Arches National Park

Arches National Park is one of the most popular parks in the United States. With one of the highest densities of natural rock arches, plus a wide array of other beautiful sandstone rock formations, the park is an absolute must-see when in the Moab, Utah area. For more information on Arches National Park and tips for how to visit, please see my Arches National Park Guide linked below.

Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park is one of my favorite national parks in Southern Utah. It has some of the most breathtaking canyon vistas you will find anywhere in the world. In addition, it is also a great place to go back-country canyoneering and backpacking.

With a variety of different trails for different skill levels, the park has something for visitors of all hiking skill levels to enjoy. And if you aren’t into hiking at all, the roadside viewpoints alone are worth visiting. For more information on how to visit Canyonlands National Park, please see my visitor guide linked below.

Corona Arch

While the beautiful Delicate Arch in Arches National Park may get most of the glory, I think the breathtaking Corona Arch gives it a run for its money. Located outside the national parklands, just a short drive from Moab, the Corona Arch is a gigantic natural rock arch that takes your breath away. The best part is the hike to see this arch isn’t very difficult. For information on how to hike to see the Corona Arch, please refer to my Corona Arch Hiking Guide linked below.

Leprechaun Canyon

While the Leprechaun Canyon isn’t technically in the Moab area, it is located between Moab and Monument Valley, which makes it a wonderful addition to any trip involving both of those destinations.

While not nearly as long as Antelope Canyon or Waterhole Canyon, Leprechaun Canyon isn’t located on Native American tribal lands, so you do not need a guide to see it. It is also located just a short distance off the roadside pullout, so it isn’t very hard to get to either.

The canyon is a popular spot for rock climbers, who like to explore much deeper and higher within the canyon, but the beginning portions of the canyon are very easy and safe to access without climbing gear. For more information on viewing Leprechaun Canyon, please see my visitor guide linked below.

Page, Arizona Area

The other area that I strongly recommend exploring if you are planning a trip to see Monument Valley is the Page, Arizona area. Located right on Lake Powell near the border between Utah and Arizona, Page is another city that is popular with outdoor adventurers. Like Moab, the city of Page is near a wealth of incredible things to see and do. While I don’t cover them all in this guide, I do want to give you some of my top recommendations to see if you plan to visit the Page, Arizona area.

Antelope Canyon

By far, the most popular tourist spot in the Page, Arizona area is the breathtaking Antelope Canyon. This incredible slot canyon took social media by storm more than a decade ago, and since then it has been one of the American Southwest’s most popular tourist spots.

The stunning slot canyon is renowned for its beams of light that enter the canyon at certain times of day, making it a photographer’s dream. However, if you do want to visit Antelope Canyon, you will need to plan ahead.

It is located on Navajo tribal lands, so the only way to see it is on a tour. Because of the popularity of the canyon, these tours sell out well in advance. For information on how to plan your visit to Antelope Canyon, please see the guide I linked to below.

Horseshoe Bend

I still can’t believe that Horseshoe Bend used to be an obscure, unmarked pullout on the side of the highway with a gravel path. Today, there is a paved parking lot and walking path with shaded benches because of how popular this spot has become.

You can no longer visit for free, but that doesn’t mean a stop at Horseshoe Bend isn’t worth the time. This breathtaking horseshoe bend of the Colorado River is one of the most incredible river canyon views that you will ever see. The colors of the sky, red rock canyon, and blue water seem to paint a portrait that touches your soul.

Even though I have seen it countless times, every time I am back in the area, I cannot help but return. For more information on how to see this wonderful viewpoint, please see my Horseshoe Bend visitor guide linked below.

Waterhole Canyon

If you aren’t able to find an open tour to see Antelope Canyon, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to see a breathtaking slot canyon during your visit to Page, Arizona. While the Waterhole Canyon doesn’t get the iconic light beams that Antelope Canyon is renowned for, it is an equally beautiful slot canyon in every other aspect.

In fact, it is much longer than Upper Antelope Canyon, so you get to see more canyons during your tour. Like Antelope Canyon, Waterhole Canyon is located on Navajo tribal lands, so you will need to book a tour to see it.

When I visited, it wasn’t nearly as busy as Upper Antelope Canyon, but I imagine that will change as word gets out. If you want to plan your visit to see this beautiful slot canyon, please see my Waterhole Canyon guide linked below.

Monument Valley Photo Gallery

Monument Valley is a truly beautiful place that has a long history with both Hollywood and the music industry.  Even if you haven’t been to Monument Valley before, the odds are you have seen it in one form of media or another.  In my Monument Valley guide below, I have included a gallery of some of the photos that we have taken at this beautiful place throughout the years.

If you would like to see more of my travel photography, I would also encourage you to give me a follow on Instagram . Putting this blog together to pass on my free guides, itineraries, and travel photography tips is a lot of work and your support in the form of a follow-on Instagram would be so very much appreciated!

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Published by Josh Hewitt

Avid traveler and photographer who loves to see new places, meet new people, and experience new things. There is so much this world can teach us, we just need to explore! View all posts by Josh Hewitt

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10 comments ›.

More stunningness! You are playing havoc with my wanderlust! Mel

Thank you so much Mel !!!

Fantastic photos! I thought the first one was my favorite until I saw the others. I can’t pinpoint what makes this place so beautiful. It’s desolate, not a big variety in color… but wow!

Thank you so much !!! I know what you mean. Something I can’t put my finger on either makes it special.

Despite all my years living in and exploring the Four Corners area, I have not been to Monument Valley. I was under the impression that the entrance fee was quite high.

It is definitely worth the visit!

Beautiful photos! We are going to Utah in October and staying in St. George. Can not wait!

Thank you so much! You are going to have a blast. I am going to be writing about Zion National Park (right by St George) this week. Safe travels!

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Nice Blog, Thanks for sharing this informative blog. We also provide nepal tour package. Nepal tour Package

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How To Visit Monument Valley: Which Tour to Pick?

In this post I explain everything you need to know to plan your visit to Monument Valley. I describe why taking a tour is the best way to experience this special place. I provide information on the tour operators available and the best tour to take.

I was talking to a friend recently who was planning a road trip around the American South West. (For an epic southwest road itinerary read this!) She mentioned that she had seen a sunrise photo of mine at Monument Valley and was excited for her visit.

I explained that to see the view from that photograph it was necessary to do a tour in the valley. This got me to thinking – maybe other people would like to know the best way to visit Monument Valley?

Disclaimer:  Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through them I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. This helps cover the cost of running this blog. Thanks for your support!

A Brief Introduction to Monument Valley

The broad term Monument Valley typically refers to the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. It is an area of sandstone buttes on the Colorado Plateau .

Access to the Monument Valley Tribal Park is on US-163, just north of the Utah-Arizona border. The nearest major airport is Flagstaff, Arizona.

Monument Valley is a little out of the way so tourist numbers were typically never too high. However, with the inclusion of Monument Valley in numerous films over the years, visitor numbers have grown.

Monument Valley has featured in classic westerns such as Stagecoach as well as more modern action movies such as Transformers. If you take a tour in the valley your guide will point out which locations have been used for filming.

How to visit Monument Valley – Should I do a tour?

Absolutely yes!

The first time I visited Monument Valley I didn’t know about the available tours. I had very little money to spare and just a basic rental car so driving into the valley for a self guided tour wasn’t an option (high clearance and 4WD recommended).

I admired the buttes from the viewing points, explored the visitor centre and watched a storm roll by during sunset.

It was an incredible sight which I absolutely loved. However, little did I know that in a few years time I would return to Monument Valley for an overnight tour that would lift this special place to a whole new level.

Below, I describe the kind of experience you can expect to have on one of these tours.

Which Monument Valley Tour to Pick?

There are many tour operators offering a wide variety of tours around Monument Valley. There are tours specifically for sunrise or sunset, some for a few hours and some that last all day.

I will focus on the tour that I believe allows you to see the best Monument Valley sights, as well as providing a unique experience which wouldn’t be possible on a self guided visit. That tour is the overnight package.

Tour operators offering an overnight package include: (Click on the tour operator name to visit their site)

What to expect on a Monument Valley Tour

In short you can expect a magical experience that might be your highlight on a trip around the USA.

Yes it’s that good!

The exact itinerary will depend on which tour you book but all will include an unforgettable sunset and sunrise, dinner and entertainment and a night camping or sleeping in a traditional hogan.

I have done the Simpson Trailhandler Tour four times with my groups and I believe it is the best way to see Monument Valley.

On the Simpson Trailhandler tour you set off from the visiter centre just a few hours before sunset. Driving along Monument Valley Scenic Drive you visit popular scenic spots such as John Ford’s Point, before heading deeper into the park.

The informative local guides tell stories and sing traditional songs as you explore the valley.

“We feasted on a steak taco dinner before enjoying a traditional Pow Wow – a chance to experience Navajo dancing and singing around the campfire”.

After fun and games joining in with the dancing, it’s time to lay your heads down for the night.

The inclusion is to sleep in a Hogan – the traditional dwelling of Navajo people. However, I always chose to sleep outside under the stars. Deep down in the valley there is little to no light pollution so the night skies are absolutely incredible.

Early in the morning the guides wake you to head off to the totem pole, where you can enjoy a beautiful sunrise. This area is unaccessible unless on a guided tour. A basic breakfast is provided before slowly making your way back out of the valley.

A truly unforgettable experience.

Monument Valley was always a highlight of my North American Tours and is a must on any Utah bucket list .

Read more about the highlights of our epic overland journey from Alaska to Panama, in a converted American school bus called Betsy!

What to pack on an overnight visit in Monument Valley

A small basic overnight bag that will fit in the jeeps, which includes:

• Warm clothes for the evening
• A warm sleeping bag and matt – in the desert temperatures can plummet to sub zero at night.
• Extra batteries and sim card for your camera and/or a power bank for charging whilst you camp. I use a Zendure power bank for my travels as its robust and provides multiple charges for my devices.

The Best Time to Visit Monument Valley

The best time to visit Monument Valley is during the quieter months of Spring or Fall (May and September). During the peak summer months the temperatures are high and the crowds at their most busy.

Useful things to know before you go

• Monument valley crosses two state lines – Utah and Arizona.
• Tribal Lands don’t recognise daylight saving hours. So in the summer months, even though your phone might tell you you are in Arizona on daylight saving time, you’ll actually be on Utah time who also don’t observe daylight saving time!
• Monument Valley is not a National Park of the Southwest so is not covered by the National Parks Pass. Entrance costs $20 per car. This is not included in the tour package.
• Don’t forget to stop at the Forest Gump Point for that classic photograph. “I was running” (Route 163, 13 miles north of the Arizona-Utah border)
• After Monument Valley why not continue north to Moab? You can discover all the awesome things to do in Moab in this post! Alternatively head west and challenge yourself to a Grand Canyon adventure or embark on a road trip around the best national parks on the west coast .

Final Thoughts On Visiting Monument Valley

Monument Valley is a very special place to visit on a trip to the South West. The way to see of what Monument Valley has to offer to spend a night in the valley and the only way to do this is through booking onto a tour. On the tour you can enjoy beautiful sunset and sunrise at unique locations as well as a traditional Pow Wow and night in a Hogan.

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Louise is a Mountain Leader and Snowboard Instructor from South Wales. As a former Adventure Tour Leader she has spent the last 15 years travelling Asia, Africa and the Americas. Louise is a published photographer and is currently based in the UK.

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Visit Monument Valley: Things to Do and How to Plan Your Trip

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The three red sandstone buttes that mark the horizon of Monument Valley have now become a symbol of the ideal of the American Far West (great Hollywood westerns were shot here). It is no coincidence that we have chosen them for our page dedicated to the US parks .

So let’s talk about visiting Monument Valley , focusing in particular on what to see and what to do along the scenic drive, the best route to reach the valley, what organized tours are available for the visit and where to stay overnight in Monument Valley or in the immediate surroundings.

How to Get to Monument Valley?

Monument valley time zone, where to stay overnight in monument valley, entrance to monument valley: prices, admission and hours, best time to visit monument valley, monument valley tour, valley drive map: visit monument valley park by car, trails and walks, video: the best things to do in monument valley, monument valley map, restaurants, attractions nearby…, first, some useful recommendations.

Before we focus on the beautiful natural attractions of this wonderful tribal park, here is some useful information for planning your visit.

Monument Valley is run by the Navajo Nation  and is located on the border between Arizona and Utah . To get there we recommend taking I-163 (Scenic Byway 163), a scenic road that will take you straight to the majestic buttes of the valley.

Can You See Monument Valley from Highway 163?

On Highway 163 you will find the famous Forrest Gump Point (picture above), a picture that any tourist with self-respect will take on the road in America.

How to Get to Monument Valley from Las Vegas?

To complete this stretch you can refer to Bernardo’s detailed upcoming travel diary: From Las Vegas to Monument Valley: itinerary between Utah and Arizona.

Pay attention to the time. Unlike Arizona, which is always on daylight saving time, Monument valley is on daylight saving time in spring and summer, so there is a difference of one hour with the surrounding areas and cities (the ones you’ll probably travel from to get to the park). We talked about it extensively in our article about the Arizona-Utah time zone .

If you are looking for accommodations overnight the best are probably The View and Goulding’s Lodge . Both have wonderful views of the valley. Alternatively, you can look in the nearest town, Kayenta , which is not particularly charming, but with a number of different hotels where you can stay for a good price. For more information about finding accommodations you can have a look at our article on Monument Valley Hotels .

Our tips for sleeping in Monument Valley

The general admission to Monument Valley costs $8 per person (children 0-7 are free). There is an option to purchase admission online at the official website ($9 including tax), but this does not allow you to skip the line at the park entrance (“first come, first served”).

Can I get in with the America the Beautiful Pass? As it was explained in a previous article, Monument Valley is not included in the national parks pass because is not managed by the National Park Service; instead, it is managed by the Navajo Nation.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Visitor Center Hours

• Peak season (22 April – 30 September) 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, 7 days a week
• Low season (1 October – 30 March) 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, 7 days a week
• Thanksgiving Day – 8:00 am – noon
• New Year’s Eve – Closed
• Christmas Day – Closed

Scenic Valley Drive Hours

Valley Drive Hours:

• 6 AM to 8 PM (peak season). Last entry: 6 PM
• 8 AM to 5 PM (October to March)

Monument Valley is open and can be visited year round and each season can obviously present, as expected, both pros and cons, but nothing that would prevent you from enjoying the beauty of the site. The best seasons are spring and fall , when, thanks to favorable temperatures, your visit will be more enjoyable.

Summertime, the time of year when there are more tourists, can be very hot and you must take the usual precautions (we are in a desert after all). Even if you drive through Monument Valley, the “standard” way to visit the park, you will suffer somewhat from the heat. In winter if you’re lucky you can see snow and take some unforgettable pictures of the snow-covered buttes. For more information I recommend our guide on the best time to visit Monument Valley .

 How to Visit Monument Valley: Take a Tour or Visit It on Your Own?

When you visit Monument Valley you have basically 2 possibilities. Either book one of the many guided tours organized by the Navajo , or explore the valley by a self-guided drive tour . A less commonly chosen option is to go on a hiking tour. Each choice, as always, has its pros and cons. Let’s take a look at all the possibilities:

There are 2 good reasons to opt for a tour:

• The possibility to explore otherwise inaccessible areas
• The fact that you don’t have to drive on Valley Drive, the unpaved bumpy scenic road of Monument Valley

Below is a short list, but for a more detailed overview you can read our article on the Monument Valley tours available.

Guided tours starting from the park

These are guided tours on foot, by bus, 4×4 or on horseback that allow you to explore the park more deeply, visiting places that you would not be allowed to access on your own. Obviously these tours have a cost and they begin directly at the park, so you will have to reach Monument Valley on your own. You’ll find many tours on this page , but the jeep tours available, I suggest you take a look at this one .

If instead you are looking for an unconventional tour that goes into the most remote regions of the park (and shows you breathtaking views!), I suggest you take a look at our in-depth guide of Hunts Mesa .

Some tours can also be found on the official website , although often times they are not really easy to book (often refers to rather outdated sites, not really well done and require  booking tours by phone). Also for this reason we have made a list of the best guided tours available in Monument Valley .

Monument Valley Tour Departing from Nearby Cities

Other tours are more convenient since they depart from nearby cities , often hubs for those wishing to tour the area: Flagstaff (enchanting city near the Grand Canyon ), Sedona (charming city, see the article “Sedona what to do” ), Page (ideal destination to visit Antelope Canyon , Lake Powell , Horseshoe Bend and Vermilion Cliffs ) and Phoenix itself (the capital of the State of Arizona ).

For those who plan their itinerary as they go, stopping in these cities can make the journey considerably easier, reducing the mileage and energy spent the journey. Below you will find some particularly interesting tours of Monument Valley :

1. Monument Valley and Navajo Indian Reservation Tour

• Departures: Flagstaff and Sedona
• Duration: 10 hours
• Pick-up directly at the hotel

A tour designed to explore the beautiful scenery of Monument Valley while getting to know the Navajo way of life. An experienced guide will accompany you not only as you explore Monument Valley, but will also take you to traditional Native homes, bringing you directly into contact with their customs and traditions.

About the tour

2. Navajo Monument Valley Air Tour *

• Departures: Page, Lake Powell
• Duration: Approximately 90 minutes

Do you want to be one of those who can say they flew over the natural wonders of Utah and Arizona by plane? This tour will give you the opportunity you to see not only the stunning Monument Valley from above but also other natural marvels such as Rainbow Bridge National Monument , Lake Powell and more.

*Tour momentarily not available

3. Monument Valley Tours by Plane and Jeep

• Departure: Phoenix
• Duration: 8 hours

“The Best of Both Worlds” as the Americans would say. This is the best solution for those who do not want to miss the thrill of an airplane flight over Monument Valley, but at the same time do not want to give up the exploring it in a jeep, for a closer view of the wonderful valley.

If you plan on driving, you will be a little more limited in terms of where you can go (you will not be allowed to access in some areas, or to stray too far from the road to make an excursion near the hills), however you can travel along the entire Valley Drive , a beautiful scenic road, bumpy but still drivable, which will allow you to go through the buttes and bizarre rock formations of the valley. Right now we will talk about this is the route!

Along Valley Drive you can enjoy a dozen truly spectacular places . Here are the main ones, arranged in order starting from the visitor center. To find your way around, you can also consult this map, with the numbers marking the stops of the route (click to enlarge):

This map is part of the brochure that you will receive at the entrance once you have paid the admission fee. The star indicates the starting point and the route marked in red is the road that you can drive. The southern part (under Rain God Mesa) is accessible only with organized tours.

1) The Mittens and Merrick’s Butte

These three sandstone buttes form one of the most famous landscapes in the world, the true symbol of Monument Valley; it is impossible not to see them, they are close to the visitor center and The View hotel.

2) Elephant Butte

One of the many gigantic and bizarre rock formations of this park. The name comes from the fact that it’s supposed to resemble an elephant. What does it look like to you?

3) Three Sisters

Three rather peculiar thin pinnacles stand out among the much thicker and denser buttes of the surrounding landscape.

4) John Ford’s Point

A decidedly scenic area dedicated to the director who immortalized Monument Valley as the Hollywood symbol of the Far West. Here, if you want, you can take the picture on a horse, just like John Wayne, for just a few dollars. Be careful not to try not to miss this point because it is not well marked. During the route on Valley Drive, near Camel Butte (on your left), you will find yourself at a fork in the road. Instead of continuing on the main road, turn right. You will arrive at a clearing with some shops, where you can view John Ford’s Point .

5) Camel Butte

A large, complex and striking rock formation, called “camel’s hump”.

6) Rain God Mesa

It is a magnificent rock formation situated in the center of the valley, which is striking for its size and grandeur.

7-8) Totem Pole

The strange pinnacles of Totem Pole offer some of the most beautiful views of the Monument Valley. Don’t miss them!

9) Artist’s Point

Another exquisite overlook, where the horizon fades into view.

10) North Window

The “North Window” is the ideal place for a scenic view of the valley from the North.

11) The Thumb

This is another bizarre monolith in its own right, the landmark along the way.

Would you like to get an even better idea of what it means to drive on Valley Drive ? Watch this video below.

Since is on a reservation managed by the Navajo, a good part of the territory is not freely accessible and as a consequence there are not many trails. However, you can still take a nice walk with a close view of the famous  buttes of the valley. The trail is called Wildcat Trail and is the only one in Monument Valley that can be accessed without a guide.

The trail is a 3.7 miles loop round trip and is quite easy and is on predominantly flat sandy terrain. The only real obstacle may be the temperatures that are typical of a desert area. To go on this trail you need to look for the Wildcat Trail sign in the northwest area of the visitor center parking lot in Monument Valley. Along the trail you will also find the Navajo warning signs, including:

• bring enough water
• stay on the marked trail
• do not take plants or rocks
• Look out for animals which may include dangerous animals (such as snakes and various insects)

Another much shorter trail (0.6 miles round trip) that is rewarding and requires minimal effort is located outside the park, just before the entrance. It is called Goulding Arch Trail and it starts at the Goulding Campground ( here the address ). The trail leads to a beautiful natural rock arch unknown to most people.

The GPS coordinates of the Monument Valley visitor center are: 36.982259, -110.111372. Below you can find your way around with an interactive map.

Monument Valley is certainly not known for excellent cuisine, indeed, in general you can say that the quality of the dining options near the park is nothing special. Not to mention the above-average prices of food due to the beautiful landscape that surrounds you and certainly not due to its quality. That being said, here are the places where you can stop for a bite to eat:

• The View Restaurant (inside the park): The food is average and the view is amazing. Probably the best choice if you do not want to leave the beautiful rock buttes of the valley.
• Linda’s Frybread Stand (inside the park): near the John Ford Point and not far from the Ericson Cly Memorial and the Navajo All Native Arts & Craft market is Linda’s traditional frybread stand, which specializes in frybread (a typical Navajo flatbread) that you can enjoy in front of a beautiful view.
• Goulding’s Stagecoach Dining Room (1000 Gouldings Trading Post Road): Goulding ‘s Lodge   dining room lacks a great atmosphere and the food is nothing special either. The menu includes meat dishes, Mexican specialties and frybread.
• The Swingin Steak (2265 US-163, Mexican Hat): in my opinion the best place around . It is located in Mexican Hat, a tiny village with a small population 20 minutes away from the park. The specialty of this place is the way that the meat is prepared. It is cooked on a giant tilting grill. Since it only has outdoor seating (even though it’s sheltered from the elements), the restaurant closes during the coldest months of the year (usually from November to February). NOTE: The restaurant has changed its name and is now simply called Mexican Hat Grill, but everyone still knows it by the old name.
• Olde Bridge Grille (2256 US-163 Scenic, Mexican Hat): Also in Mexican Hat, this restaurant is part of the San Juan Inn hotel complex, which also includes a food court (Trading Post). Here they serve breakfasts, lunches and dinners, and you can also try the typical frybread. According to my experience (I had breakfast here) the quality of the dishes is average.
• Amigo Café (US-163, Kayenta): If you head to Kayenta (but this is more than 30 minutes away from the park) you will find a better value for your money and if you like Mexican cuisine this place is for you.
• Twin Rocks Cafe (913 East Navajo Twins Dr, Bluff): Located at the foot of the scenic Twin Rocks , this is one of the most popular restaurants in the area. The food served is phenomenal, served in good portions and you can have a nutritious breakfast here as well. The only drawback is that it is located near Bluff, about 1 hour away from Monument Valley. However, it can be easily included in an itinerary going from the park to the Moab area or vice versa.

The most interesting attraction you’ll find just outside the park is certainly the Goulding’s Museum & Trading Post ( 1000 Gouldings Trading Post Road), a museum (and at the same time historical residence), which can be visited quickly and is in my opinion worth it, because it gives you a taste of the history of this park and helps you understand how it has established itself as an iconic location for western movies over the years.

This was once the home of Harry Goulding , who moved to the valley in the ’20s and started a profitable trade with the Navajo. In the ’30s, it was he who went to Hollywood to propose to director John Ford that he use the Monument Valley as a set for his western movies. Thus beginning the long history of using this park as a film location and symbol of the American Far West.

In the museum, housed in the current hotel Goulding’s Lodge (1000 Gouldings Trading Post Road), there are preserved frames, posters, photos and other documents that attest the so-called “Golden Age” of Hollywood, well represented by a topographic map with all the locations where the movies were shot. Another interesting place for movie lovers is the John Wayne’s Cabin , whose exterior was used for the film The Knights of the Northwest

But this museum goes far beyond the purely cinematographic interest. It also has a comprehensive display on the historical and cultural aspects that determined the history of the place, Navajo artifacts and objects belonging to the Goulding family, and it gives a small but interesting insight into the lifestyle and commercial activities of the time.

A short distance from the valley there is another park that can be considered basically a counterpart of Monument Valley. Its called the Valley of the Gods and I suggest you consider it as a stop on your West Coast travel . Another area unknown to most but worth a visit is Mystery Valley , an arcane place where, beyond red rock landscapes there are ruins of ancient peoples.

Warning: Operating hours can change and closures for extraordinary events can occur, so we strongly suggest to check the venues official websites.

lorenzo puliti

I am fascinated by the wonders of the world I never tire of going in search of them.

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16 thoughts on “visit monument valley: things to do and how to plan your trip”.

Can I drive my Honda CRV on this road through the park in October?

Hi Sharon. There are no restrictions for driving on Valley Drive based on a specific type of vehicle; nevertheless, one must exercise caution to avoid issues as indicated in our article.

Good morning!

I happened to be looking at your article and I used your link to see the main page for buying tickets to see Monument Valley. I noticed that the Navajo Nation has posted on their page that during the off season, October 1 – March 30, they have listed that they park is only open Mon thru Fri, 8am – 4pm.

Your article shows it to be open 7 days a week.

I wanted to let you know, just so you have up-to-date information.

Thank you for your article. I have it saved for my family and I to use on our trip this year!

Honestly, it’s quite challenging to understand the official Navajo website. In fact, even though the schedule is as you say, it’s possible to book tickets on weekends even beyond October.

Do you need a jeep or 4WD for the drive?

Hi, yes. Generally, a 4wd vehicle is recommended.

I’ve been visiting Monument Valley for over 25 years. And, still, when I visit, with all the photographic stops, it can take me 4 – 6 hours; especially to catch the light, shadows and coloration of the monuments during the morning glow and evening glow. Slow down to Mother Nature’s pace otherwise, you will miss alot, like the wild horses. sheep herds and photo opportunities of the formations thru the juniper.

Please keep in mind Valley Drive is on Navajo Tribal land, is not very well maintained and is extremely bumpy in places (i.e. rocky); especially on the back side of Thunderbird Mesa near Totem Pole view point.

If you just drive through with no stops, you can do the drive in about 90 minutes; perhaps a little less.

Check ahead of time when the Tribal Park opens and closes as their times often changes with the seasons and they only take debit or credit at the entrance station: no cash.

You can drive a little north of MV (i.e. near Forrest Gump point) to avoid the lights from Gouldings Lodge and villas area. It is very close, away from any lights.

We are going to drive through the valley in our car. Would we be able to take our dog? Thanks

Hello, we think there is no problem with dogs, but we suggest you check the official website of the park.

Hi Cooper I am planning to visit Monument Valley for the first time after completing the Antelope Canyon around 12 pm. If I start my trip from Antelope Canyon by 12:30 in the afternoon, will I have sufficient time to explore Monument Valley and nearby areas before returning to Antelope Canyon by night? I have already booked a hotel stay and plan to visit Bryce Canyon the following day.

You can spend a few hours in Monument Valley and then return. It’s not the ideal solution, but if you don’t have any other choice, you can do it.

Thank you!!!

Hi Bernardo Pacini, If I arrive at 3PM. Is that enough to visit? and I don’t stay at The view hotel at night. Where I can to stop to see start at night.

Hei Yang, you will need about 2-3 to travel Valley Drive. Outside the park, you can go in the Goulding’s Lodge area for stargazing.

I was wondering how long the trip to Monument Valley should take assuming I choose to drive it myself according to your itinerary?

Hi Robert! I would say about 2 hours, depending on how many stops you make along the way.

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A minimalist look at the American Southwest, Monument Valley has big rocks, big sky, and…nope. That’s it.

The brisk march of progress passed right by Monument Valley. Which is great, because in places like this, “progress” has nothing to offer. The southeast corner of Utah looks about like it did 300 years ago, which looked like it did 3,000 years ago: vast, wild and sunbaked, with deep canyons and towering buttes variegating the desert plain. You’ll see the sky, bigger and bluer than you remembered. You’ll see the earth, red, rough and unpredictable. And you won’t see anything else. Monument Valley is what wind and water can make with enough time and creative license. Stand stranded at its center, struck by astounding simplicity. It will never happen again.

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Where is monument valley.

Good question. Maps aren’t exactly ALL CAPS-ing its name. And part of the charm of Monument Valley National Park is its remoteness, about 60 miles west of the zero-dimensional Utah–New Mexico border on U.S. Highway 163. (You should probably go ahead and check Four Corners off your bucket list while you’re in the neighborhood.)

How to Get There

Most major airlines fly into Salt Lake City, and there are several regional airports across Utah. All of them are several hours from Monument Valley, Utah, so you’ll need a vehicle to drive the rest of the way. But there’s plenty of scenery to see along the jaunt, including Arches National Park . Consider the entire trek a part of your adventure.

• Salt Lake International Airport: 407 miles, 7 hours
• Provo Airport : 359 miles, 6.5 hours 
• Harry Reid International Airport (Las Vegas) : 437 miles, 7 hours
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport: 334 miles, 5.5 hours
• St. George Regional Airport : 295 miles, 5 hours
• Canyonlands Field Airport : 178 miles, 3.3 hours

When you arrive, you’ll find a tiny town with a lodge, camping, outfitters and a few restaurants. Some comfy hotels are located nearby. The visitor center is open seven days a week.

• May to September : 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
• October to April: 8 a.m-4 p.m.

Oljato-Monument Valley

If you’re driving north to Monument Valley via Highway 163, you’ll pass by the town of Oljato-Monument Valley, on the Arizona side of the Utah-Arizona border. It’s about 30 minutes from Utah’s section of the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

Exploring Monument Valley

A 14-mile graded dirt road will show you around most of the major monuments — The Mittens, Three Sisters, John Ford’s Point, Totem Pole, Yei Bi Chai and Ear of the Wind. Navajo guides can lead you deeper, into Mystery Valley, Hunts Mesa and more. A handful of outfits will show you through the area on horseback, just the way people have been exploring it for hundreds of years. Book early for peak season .

There are plenty of things to see in Monument Valley, including natural bridges and a wealth of Ancestral Pueblo ruins. Find them on one of a dozen hikes nearby (mostly easy with a few that get tricky).

History and Culture

​​The earliest people to mark the area were Ancestral Puebloans (formerly referred to as Anasazi), who settled in around 1200 BCE. Their art and building structures remain, hinting at an ancient resourcefulness that found promise in a foreboding desert.

The Navajo culture took root centuries before Spaniards entered the area in 1581, and 250,000 of their descendants still live on the 16-million-acre Navajo Nation . Monument Valley is a window into their culture. Explore their history, their way of life, their cuisine and their art. You can even take a little home in the form of handmade jewelry or a dyed wool rug.

Monument Valley isn't a national park. It's not even a national monument. But it's as American as it gets.

Movie Magic

Monument Valley captured a larger audience’s attention via director John Ford’s Westerns. Beginning with 1939’s “Stagecoach,” starring John Wayne, Ford’s many happy returns to Monument Valley shaped how much of the outside world pictures the American West. 

It has since been featured as a backdrop in countless movies, including 1994’s “Forrest Gump.” Put on your smiley face T-shirt and a trucker hat to pose at the finish line — you know, where the title character said he was tired. Groupies not required. 

Monument Valley Itinerary

After you’re awestruck by the scenic drive, there are other things to do in Monument Valley.

Trading Post

Hollywood’s interest in Monument Valley was piqued by local trading post owner Harry Goulding. He went to Los Angeles armed with photos of the unique landscape, hoping to convince directors to come here to film their Westerns. Today, you can see the persuasive photos, as well as artwork, pottery and family mementos at the Goulding Trading Post Museum. They also serve a mean Navajo taco.

Mexican Hat

Several adventure tour companies are located in Mexican Hat , about 30 miles northeast of Monument Valley. The town’s namesake rock formation — an upside down sombrero —  is about 1.5 miles away and is popular with rock climbers. There’s also lodging, food and fuel.

Goosenecks State Park

Travel north along scenic Highway 163 , then west on State Route 261, to reach Goosenecks State Park , a must see while you’re near Monument Valley. There you’ll get a stunning aerial view of the winding San Juan River. And we mean winding — 7 miles of twists and turns via water, but less than 2 as the bird flies. Talk about taking the long way around.

Keep following Highway 163 northeast and you’ll come to Valley of the Gods , a cousin to Monument Valley, with similar wide open ranges and random rock castles — just fewer of them. But because it's Bureau of Land Management land, you can climb the rock formations and camp in the area, both activities that are strictly prohibited within the Navajo Park. There are no services nearby, so plan ahead.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is located in a remote area on the Utah/Arizona border. Here's an idea of how far it is from notable destinations:

• Lake Powell : 143 miles
• Moab : 160 miles
• Grand Staircase-Escalante : 163 miles
• Grand Canyon North Rim : 260 miles
• St. George : 289 miles

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Monument Valley, Arizona - Tourism Resources

Helpful tourist offices, city, state, federal,....

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Addresses, phone numbers and contact information for visitor centers and other organizations that provide tourism information in the Monument Valley area are listed below. Feel free to call any of them during normal business hours with your questions.

Monument Valley Tourism Resources

Search monument valley tourism resources, 7 tourism resource result s, more info official website arizona office of tourism.

• 118 N 7th Ave., Ste. 400, Phoenix
• 866-275-5816

More Info Official Website San Juan County Multi-Agency Visitor Center

• 117 South Main Street, Monticello
• 800-574-4386

More Info Official Website Utah Office Of Tourism

• 300 North State Street, Salt Lake City
• 800-200-1160

More Info Goosenecks State Park

• 435-678-2238

More Info Monument Valley Visitors Center

• Box 289, Monument Valley
• 435-727-3287

More Info Navajo National Monument

• 928-672-2700

More Info Navajo Tourism Department

• 520-871-6636
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Below are the Free Visitor Guides for Monument Valley. More Visitor Guides are available in Arizona. Click here to view them all! Select All

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