How To Visit Monument Valley in 2024: Your Ultimate Guide
Monument Valley simply hits in another way. The red-sand desert ground stretches over 92,000 acres throughout the Utah-Arizona border, dotted with sandstone buttes and grime roads. This area is greatest recognized for Monument Valley Tribal Park – a as soon as frequent filming location for previous Western films. You’ve already seen the valley in your TV display screen. It has featured as a backdrop for all of the John Wayne movies, plus classics like Forrest Gump. However there’s extra to the valley than simply beauty. You possibly can go to points of interest just like the Navajo Shadehouse Museum and luxuriate in unbelievable mountaineering trails.
Researching Monument Valley is a lot enjoyable. It is without doubt one of the most well-known sections of any Arizona road trip and one of many main US road trips. Between the red-sand surroundings and Hollywood-worthy scenic drive, Monument Valley has wiggled its approach onto tens of millions of bucket lists.
The right way to Go to Monument Valley
On this information, we’ll cowl all the pieces it’s essential know so as to have a incredible go to. Prepare for a radical ‘easy methods to’ information; by the tip of this text, you’ll be well-equipped and raring to go. We’ll train you all about the primary points of interest within the valley, like Elephant Butte and the Wildcat Path. However we’ll additionally present all of the logistics you want, like easy methods to get there and when is greatest to go to. Probably the greatest components about Monument Valley is its location, so skip to the tip when you’d like some insights into combining your journey with different memorable points of interest, just like the Grand Canyon.
Are you prepared? Right here’s what it’s essential learn about visiting the valley.
What’s Monument Valley? A Fast Introduction
So, what’s Monument Valley? Effectively, this 92,000-acre area is a very stunning space of red-sand desert. The valley sits on the border between Utah and Arizona, with land in each states. It’s most generally known as Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, which has a lovely assortment of sandstone buttes that attracted Hollywood’s consideration. Likelihood is, you’ve seen Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, John Wayne films, or the well-known ‘Run Forrest run’ scene in Forrest Gump.
You possibly can drive by the valley on the 17-mile Valley Drive, a year-round accessible tarmacked freeway. Throughout your go to, chances are you’ll want an off-road automobile to deal with a mud highway or two.
The valley is filled with pink rock formations, and you may guide experiences like guided horseback tours. You too can embark on hikes to miss factors like John Ford’s Level or take guided mountaineering excursions with a Navajo information to peaks like Totem Pole or the West and East Mittens. Most points of interest are off the primary Valley Drive, and there are many designated pull-in locations to admire views of particular rock formations. Or you possibly can cease by the Monument Valley Customer Middle and enquire about guided tour choices.
The right way to Get to Monument Valley
So, how do you get to Monument Valley? The simplest approach is to fly into one of many main cities in Arizona or Utah, renting a car to highway journey your method to this distant valley.
Las Vegas and Salt Lake Metropolis are the 2 most famed worldwide airports and round a 7-hour drive from the valley. Flagstaff is one other glorious airport to fly into, solely a 3-hour drive away and ideally positioned to mix Monument Valley with the Grand Canyon. You possibly can guide home or worldwide flights to one of many airports, hire a automotive, and drive the rest of the best way to Monument Valley.
Alternatively, you possibly can catch an Amtrak prepare to Salt Lake City or Las Vegas if touring from inside the USA. This is able to reduce pointless flights and supply extra adventurous, gradual journey. You might then hire a automotive for the rest of the journey.
Studying this, you possibly can spot the recurring issue – automotive rent. You need to journey with somebody with a license when you can’t hire or convey a automotive your self. The valley is without doubt one of the most distant locations to go to within the US. And also you’ll have to drive if you wish to see it independently. You possibly can test one of the best costs here on our favorite site.
With that stated, there’s a caveat slash loophole to this. If driving actually isn’t an possibility, you possibly can guide a guided tour of Monument Valley. These excursions are dearer, and also you’ll be restricted in free time, however they’re the proper answer for these with out licenses. You possibly can guide Monument Valley day tours from Flagstaff and from Sedona. Price range round $250-300 for a bunch tour, together with transfers, and prepare to kick your ft again with a guided tour expertise.
In abstract, your choices to get to the valley are as follows:
- If you’re brief on time and need low-cost flights, Fly to Salt Lake Metropolis or Las Vegas after which hire a automotive to drive 7 hours to Monument Valley.
- If you’re brief on time, Fly to Flagstaff after which hire a automotive to drive 3 hours to Monument Valley.
- If in case you have loads of time and wish to keep away from flying: Journey by Amtrak to Las Vegas, Grand Junction, or Salt Lake Metropolis after which rent a automotive to drive to Monument Valley in 4.5-7 hours.
- In case you aren’t capable of rent a automotive, Fly into Flagstaff and keep there or in Sedona. You possibly can then book a guided tour to Monument Valley on a day journey for between $250 and $300.
Greatest Issues to do in Monument Valley
The sheer scale of issues to do in Monument Valley is awe-inspiring. It’s removed from only a place to drive by and passively gaze on the surroundings, though we received’t knock road-tripping its 17-mile Valley Drive. Monument Valley has a wow issue that conjures up you to become involved with outside actions, whether or not mountaineering to buttes or horse driving by Monument Valley Tribal Park.
On this part, we’ll enable you to embrace all the joy that Monument Valley affords. Prepare for pure points of interest, trails, and sightseeing alternatives. These are the perfect issues to do within the unbelievable valley.
1. Expertise Monument Valley Tribal Park on Horseback
Probably the greatest methods to expertise Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is undoubtedly on horseback. You possibly can drive the loop highway, however horses go the place automobiles can’t or aren’t permitted. You possibly can guide a 2-hour Monument Valley tour by horseback, getting up near the buttes. We did this and completely cherished it. We do advocate you’ve gotten a bit of horseback expertise, although.
2. Take a Jeep Tour
An effective way to expertise the valley is through jeep. Guide a jeep tour throughout the desert ground and previous vital sights just like the West Mitten butte. Most excursions final 1.5 hours to three hours. And also you’ll get a hassle-free driving expertise with narrated sightseeing. This can be a nice possibility in case you are touring with the household.
3. Navajo Shadehouse Museum
Navajo Shadehouse Museum is a cultural attraction in Monument Valley price visiting. It explains all of the tradition, traditions, beliefs, and historical past of the Navajo tribe, together with issues like how Navajo medication males pray and what hogan houses appear like. Whereas the museum is small, it supplies unbelievable perception into the Navajo Nation. And for the reason that valley is located on Navajo Tribal park land, it’s a must-have addition to your itinerary.
4. Go to West, East, and Merrick Butte
If you’d like beautiful rock formations, West, East, and Merrick Butte are one of the best formations to see up shut. This iconic trio of buttes juts up from the valley ground in stunning pink sandstone. The East and West Buttes stand over 6,000 ft above sea stage and are a dramatic sight to see up shut. It’s unlawful to climb the formations, however you possibly can stroll round their bases.
5. Drive Monument Valley Drive with Photograph Stops
We will’t point out the gorgeous Monument Valley Drive. In 17 miles of freeway, you embrace a few of Monument Valley’s iconic landscapes and rock formations. This scenic drive passes Forrest Gump Level, a.okay .a. the well-known Forrest Gump Freeway. The large sandstone buttes additionally appeared in Western films just like the Wayne movies. It’s simply one of the well-known scenic drives within the US. Permit 3-4 hours to finish the drive, relying on how lengthy you need at every cease.
6. Elephant Butte
This stunning butte is famously formed like an elephant and is a wonderful possibility if you wish to see the rock formations exterior of the usual trio. Once more, climbing is prohibited, however you possibly can stroll to its base and admire the pure landmark. Go to simply earlier than sundown for one of the best views.
7. John Ford’s Level
That is the cash shot overlook. It’s named John Ford’s Level after the American producer and director John Ford. Ford directed tons of flicks, together with a number of that includes John Wayne. John Ford featured this viewpoint in a number of previous American West films. You’ll acknowledge the sweeping views of the buttes and desert panorama.
8. Wildcat Path
Wildcat Path is an roughly 4-mile loop hike that crams in one of the best of Monument Valley’s views on foot. It takes round 2 to three hours and is rated as reasonable issue as a result of sections with thick sand. You possibly can simply navigate the path independently when you have a fundamental health stage. Your efforts will probably be rewarded with up-close views of the famed Mitten Buttes and Merrick Butte.
Set off early within the day to keep away from the tough warmth in spring and summer time. Make certain to convey a digital camera, too, as Wildcat Path is certainly one of Monument Valley’s greatest issues to do.
9. Climb Mexican Hat
Whereas climbing isn’t allowed inside the valley, you possibly can skip minutes over the border to climb Mexican Hat. This bizarre-looking sandstone rock seems like a tower with a sombrero on prime – therefore its identify. Mexican Hat is well-liked amongst skilled climbers. If you’re skilled sufficient to deal with medium difficult climbs confidently, you possibly can tackle the Bandito Route, a bolted, clip-up route.
In case you aren’t a climber, you possibly can nonetheless go to to see the rock up shut. Plus, you possibly can watch as others deal with the distinctive rock face.
10. North Window Overlook
Lastly, there’s North Window Overlook to go to within the valley. That is good if you’d like a viewpoint expertise within the valley. North Window Overlook affords another view of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park to John Ford’s Level. It’s positioned simply minutes from the Monument Valley Customer Middle and is ideal to expertise at dawn or sundown.
When to Go to Monument Valley
It goes with out saying that summer time is a more difficult time to go to the valley. The sky-high temperatures can attain 94 Fahrenheit in July and August, which isn’t conducive to abandon hikes or lengthy drives. Moreover, summer time additionally means floods of crowds. It’s the busiest time of yr to go to the valley. So in case you are contemplating visiting in summer time, we advocate shifting to the beginning or finish of the season. It’s principally crowded and sizzling, with fewer parking areas and shared viewpoints.
So, if not summer time, when do you have to go to the valley? Ideally, it is best to go to within the fall or spring. Winter can get a bit of too chilly, dropping to 25 Fahrenheit generally, so fall and spring are an incredible compromise. September to early November and March to Might are one of the best intervals to expertise the valley. You’ll have gentle temperatures within the higher 70s Fahrenheit and fewer crowds – a win-win.
Consider what time of day you enter the valley, too. Visiting within the shoulder seasons like fall and spring helps to cut back the crowds. However you may as well be tactical with what time of day you go to. Early morning is greatest if you wish to spend an entire day within the park, heading to the preferred websites first. In the meantime, when you want to go to just a few websites, late afternoon is an effective time to dodge the worst of the crowds.
In fact, selecting lodging within the valley itself will enable you to get forward of the crowds. You’ll additionally get to tick off dawn and sundown viewpoints from the consolation of your individual house away from house, particularly at locations like The View Lodge and Campground.
The place to Keep in Monument Valley And Surrounding Space
The place to remain in and round Monument Valley is a wonderful query. There’s one vital factor to notice, although. There are minimal lodging choices contained in the park itself. You’ll need to guide upfront to remain contained in the park boundaries. There are additionally extra B&B or camping-style lodging choices inside the valley.
Happily, there are a lot of extra choices for these staying simply exterior the park boundaries. The small city of Kayenta close to the south entrance has a number of inns, and the city of Bluff close to the north entrance additionally has loads of lodging selections.
Staying in Monument Valley
Staying inside Monument Valley’s park boundaries requires pre-planning and advance reserving, nevertheless it’s positively nonetheless doable. If you wish to make your expertise much more distinctive, snagging these sought-after lodging reservations is effectively price it. You might be bathing in an infinity pool overlooking a lovely pink rock formation or tenting in a conventional tipi village. Let’s try the highest choices for staying inside the valley.
Goulding’s Lodge
Goulding’s Lodge is a beautiful property inside Monument Valley and simply one of many main locations to remain. Get your reservations in fast. Visitors get pleasure from an indoor pool and a terrace – from which you’ll be able to really see the buttes of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. It’s a stunning place to remain and luxuriate in scenic sunsets and sunrises.
Monument Valley Tipi Village
Monument Valley Tipi Village is a lovely lodging alternative for experiencing conventional tipi and hogan stays in Monument Valley. The village is run as a part of the Navajo Nation and is a superb method to put money into the local people.
The View Campground/The View Lodge
The View Campground and View Hotel are two adjoining properties in the midst of the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park – probably the most scenic part of the valley with the dramatic butte surroundings. Every visitor room within the lodge has a balcony to get pleasure from personal dawn and sundown views over the Mitte buttes. And you may as well enquire about tenting experiences in conventional tipis.
Staying Exterior Monument Valley
As we defined, one of the best locations to remain exterior Monument Valley are Kayenta and Bluff. There’s additionally Mexican Hat, a tiny census-designated place proper on the north entrance with a choice of motels. Nonetheless, we wouldn’t advocate staying right here because it lacks services.
This part will have a look at one of the best locations to remain in Kayenta for inn-style lodging and a quiet vibe. Then we’ll have a look at one of the best locations to remain in additional luxurious and touristy Bluff.
Kayenta
Kayenta is the smaller, quieter possibility of the 2 cities. It’s positioned close to the south entrance of Arizona. It’s a higher possibility for these eager to go on day journeys to Arizona points of interest just like the Grand Canyon or Navajo Nationwide Monument. Kayenta has a number of city services, like Amigo Cafe, the Kayenta Recreation Park, and primarily 3-4-star inns.
Wetherill Inn
Wetherill Inn is a modest 2-star property ideally suited for anybody on the lookout for budget-friendly lodging close to Monument Valley. It does have its comfy perks, although, together with an indoor heated pool and a continental breakfast.
Hampton Inn Kayenta
Hampton Inn Kayenta is a 3-star property, greatest for these wanting a extra mid-range to luxurious possibility. It’s a trendy property with a tasteful desert-color palette that’s good given the explanation on your keep. It has an onsite restaurant, which is handy after a protracted day in Monument Valley, and a fitness center and outside pool.
Bluff
Bluff is barely greater and greatest for many who need a busier base whereas visiting the valley. It has extra luxurious locations, like Bluff Dwellings Resort and Spa. Bluff additionally has a couple of points of interest, just like the Twin Rocks Buying and selling Publish, the Bluff Nice Home Museum, and the Sand Island Petroglyphs. It’s positioned in Utah, close to the north entrance to Monument Valley.
La Posada Pintada
La Posada Pintada is first up. This 3-star property is gorgeous, with conventional rooms, log cabin options and views over the encircling pink rock surroundings. A each day continental breakfast is included in your reserving price. General, it’s ideally suited for these with a mid-range price range.
Desert Rose Resort & Cabins
Desert Rose Resort & Cabins is as luxurious because it comes. The property has a deluxe indoor pool, an onsite enterprise heart, and thoughtfully embellished rooms that includes conventional stone and wooden particulars. You’ve all of the Bluff services in your doorstep and a base the place you possibly can rejuvenate between sightseeing in Monument Valley.
Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa
Bluff Dwellings is one other gem in Bluff. The resort has completely glowing evaluations and a shocking combination of rooms and suites. The resort is ready inside a piece of rock formations, giving it a distant enchantment regardless of its central Bluff location. As if that wasn’t sufficient, you additionally get an onsite pool, fitness center, and sizzling tub. Plus, there’s an onsite restaurant for these days if you want a fast meal.
Excursions Close to Monument Valley
One of the unbelievable issues about visiting Monument Valley is how completely it combines with different bucket checklist experiences in Utah and Arizona. As you realize, the valley is located on the Utah-Arizona border, that means it has nearly unbridled entry to a few of the state’s most sought-after locations and excursions.
You might be trekking by Canyonlands or snapping photographs in Arches Nationwide Park. You might head south to spend a couple of days across the Grand Canyon and Sedona. Or you possibly can take longer, multi-day detours by Utah to go to Las Vegas. There are tons of excursions and worthy locations close to Monument Valley.
On this part, we’ll introduce you to one of the best of those. Listed below are the highest ten excursions – and multi-day detours – it is best to mix with a go to to Monument Valley.
1. Goosenecks State Park
Goosenecks State Park is a lovely park simply north of the valley. The San Juan River splits the park and comprises over 300 million years of geology. Goosenecks is a superb day journey if you wish to spend a day admiring geological points of interest and canyon river views. Choose a hike from the a number of path choices. You possibly can even camp there in a single day if you want.
2. Canyonlands Nationwide Park
Canyonlands Nationwide Park is without doubt one of the main nationwide parks within the US, with some brilliant hiking trails, together with the path to Druid Arch and Lavender Level. You possibly can admire loads of viewpoints. There’s the beautiful Needles District and Inexperienced River Overlook. Canyonlands Nationwide Park is cut up into 4 principal zones, together with the Island within the Sky mesa.
The nationwide park is just a 3-hour drive from the middle of Monument Valley. It’s best skilled at sundown when the pink rock surroundings is much more stunning.
3. Lifeless Horse State Park
Lifeless Horse State Park is simply over a 2-hour from Bluff, close to the valley’s north entrance. This state park is known for its desert panorama and significantly beautiful canyon surroundings. Whereas it’s adjoined to Canyonlands, it affords a way more intimate expertise, with fewer trails and fewer than 5,400 acres in comparison with almost 340,000 acres.
If you’d like a extra bitesize chunk, Lifeless Horse State Park is the proper place to expertise comparable landscapes with out the dimensions of Canyonlands.
4. Grand Canyon
Who doesn’t wish to see the Grand Canyon? The canyon is a superb expertise so as to add to your Monument Valley itinerary. You possibly can go to the canyon in a single day from Monument Valley, taking 4 hours to succeed in a technique. Or you possibly can fly into Flagstaff and spend a couple of days visiting the canyon and its surrounding points of interest earlier than driving to Monument Valley. Both approach, you possibly can mix the 2.
5. Go to the 4 Corners Monument
This monument is extraordinary, marking the purpose the place all 4 states – Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado – all converge. The 4 Corners Monument is positioned within the Navajo Nation and has its personal customer heart. If you’d like a novelty expertise, you possibly can’t beat this monument. In any case, you possibly can say you stood in all 4 states directly.
It takes round an hour to succeed in Bluff, making it one of the accessible self-guided excursions from the valley.
6. Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is a superb tour to take from Monument Valley. When you’ve spent a few days exploring the valley, you possibly can drive underneath 2 hours to Antelope Canyon – the well-known canyon that appears prefer it has rock waves in its partitions.
Because the canyon is sacred in Navajo tradition, it’s vital to guide by an organization providing a Navajo information for a guided tour.
7. Mesa Verde Nationwide Park
Mesa Verde Nationwide Park is a superb tour from the valley. It’s most recognized for its abundance of Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, most famously Cliff Palace. A go to to Mesa Verde is good for increasing your information of Puebloan historical past after visiting the Navajo Nation. You possibly can shortly drive to Mesa Verde Nationwide Park from Bluff, which takes round 1.5 hours. It’s certainly one of Colorado’s best national parks and definitely worth the detour.
8. Arches Nationwide Park
Arches Nationwide Park is a should in case you are visiting Monument Valley. It’s simply too shut by to overlook out on. The park is known as after its dozens of pure arches and is certainly one of Utah’s most beautiful places to visit. It’s just below a 2-hour drive from Bluff, close to the valley’s north entrance. And you’ll get pleasure from stunning hikes to see the pure landmarks.
Look into nationwide park passes for a number of parks when you’d like to mix a couple of of the nationwide parks close to Monument Valley.
9. Canyon de Chelly Nationwide Monument
This Nationwide Monument is without doubt one of the greatest areas of pure magnificence inside the Navajo Nation. And as a bonus, it’s simply over an hour’s drive from Kayenta. You possibly can take guided excursions, study sacred websites, and go to a cliff dwelling and petroglyphs.
10. Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend is one other main attraction and tour from the valley. It’s simply over 1.5 hours from Kayenta by automotive by the valley’s south entrance. The park is greatest recognized for its dramatic river canyon panorama, that includes a curve within the Colorado River that appears like a horseshoe form.
Whereas there, you possibly can go mountaineering or boating. Or sightsee different points of interest close to Web page, like Antelope Canyon.
Visiting Monument Valley: FAQs
Are you enthusiastic about visiting Monument Valley? Whether or not you go to Thriller Valley, drive the Monument Valley loop highway, or detour to close by Goosenecks State Park, you’ll love seeing the a part of the US. Monument Valley is a tiny part of fiery, red-rock depth. It’s the surroundings of the previous West that generations of individuals grew to like on their TV screens. From a sightseeing perspective, it is without doubt one of the nation’s most spectacular areas of rock formations. That’s earlier than you even get to the cultural aspect of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, with all its historical past of the Navajo folks.
Earlier than you rush to understand Monument Valley in particular person, try these frequent FAQs. These FAQs might give you that additional info that transforms your journey.
Why is Monument Valley so well-known?
Hollywood has immortalized Monument Valley. Positive, its tradition and geology would have nonetheless attracted guests even when Hollywood hadn’t scouted it as a film set. Nevertheless, its look in John Wayne movies and blockbusters like Forrest Gump is what has made Monument Valley well-known worldwide.
What city is closest to Monument Valley?
Kayenta is an excellent shut city to Monument Valley on the Arizona aspect of the border. On the Utah aspect of the border, Bluff is the closest city to Monument Valley. Bluff has extra vacationer infrastructure, with motels, inns, and some points of interest.
Can you continue to drive by Monument Valley?
Sure, Monument Valley is open to drivers. The Monument Valley Loop Highway is open all yr spherical, though it does limit its hours in winter, sometimes opening between 8 am and a couple of pm. The Scenic Drive is obtainable from 6 am till 8 pm in summer time.
Is Monument Valley in Utah or Arizona?
Monument Valley straddles the border, that means it’s formally in each Utah and Arizona, not only one or the opposite. Nevertheless, a lot of the park falls inside the state boundaries of Arizona.
Monument Valley is phenomenal; there’s no doubting that. These 92,000 acres include a lot pure magnificence and tradition. You possibly can be taught concerning the Navajo Nation and pay for a guided tour to embrace Monument Valley with the Navajo folks. You possibly can take a highway journey by Monument Valley through Freeway 163, passing Forrest Gump Level, Hollywood film scenes, and beautiful rock formations. Or, you possibly can enterprise out on excursions close by, like visiting Goosenecks State Park, the Grand Canyon, or close by nationwide parks. A go to to Monument Valley is one you received’t quickly overlook.
You now know all the sensible info obligatory to arrange a visit to Monument Valley. We hope you’ve gotten an exquisite time and encourage you to increase your keep to understand the broader area and its surrounding points of interest. In want of some additional inspiration? These are probably the most stunning places to visit in Arizona. And now we have an entire information on Utah’s ‘Mighty 5’ national parks. Take advantage of visiting a vacation spot proper on the Utah-Arizona border.