Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

The basics

To access this magical area, you’ll first need to head to the Monument Valley Tribal Park Visitor Center. You can pay your entrance fee and hit the 17-mile Valley Drive there. It’s bumpy and dusty, but you’ll be driving slowly, anyway. If you want to venture beyond the road, you have one option without booking a Navajo-led tour: hiking the 3.2-mile Wildcat Trail, which will take you to and around The Mittens.

A tour—there are several types and durations, including sunrise—is an excellent option if you have the time (roughly 3 hours) and want to truly get a feel for this sacred landscape. Those can be booked at the visitor center upon arrival or through Viator.

Things to know before you go

• The entry fee is $8 per person per day.

• Bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen if you plan to spend any time here out of the car.

• Horse trail rides and river tours are two more uncommon ways to explore this highly photographed landscape.

• If you’re looking for a place to wake up to phenomenal views—or have a sunrise tour—there is a hotel onsite.

• The Navajo name for Monument Valley is Tse’Bii’Ndzisgaii.

How to get there

Monument Valley isn’t near much, which is how this place stayed under the radar for so long. Access it via US-163 just north of the Utah-Arizona border—it’s about 2 hours from Page and 3 hours from the Grand Canyon. You’ll want a car; the nearest airport, in Flagstaff, is almost 200 miles (320 kilometers) away.

When to get there

Spring and fall make great times to explore Monument Valley—not only will you get to avoid the heat of high summer, but you’ll also get to avoid the summer vacation crowds too. Up your odds of a crowd-free experience by visiting early and on a weekday, and sunrise and sunset tours are worth adjusting your itinerary.

The most photographed spot in the world

Wondering where you’ve seen these vistas? They were a typical setting for classic Western films by John Ford—and, of course, that iconic running scene in Forrest Gump. Many visitors will be on the lookout for John Ford’s Point, a highlight of the scenic drive you can see on your own. As for the Forrest Gump shot, that one’s right on the highway.

Ways to explore

Start your visit at the Monument Valley Visitor Center, where you can pay the park-entrance fee, enjoy views of the West and East Buttes and Merrick Butte, and depart for a hike along the 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) Wildcat Trail. While you’re welcome to drive the park’s scenic 17-mile (27-kilometer) loop on your own, the terrain is rough, and some rock formations are only accessible via guided tours. Half-day, Navajo-led tours are a popular solution, as they drive you through the valley’s backcountry by day or at sunset and shed light on the park’s cultural significance for the Navajo people.

Accessibility

While the visitor center is partially wheelchair accessible, navigating the park may be challenging for visitors with limited mobility.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Lots of drinking water, sunscreen, camera

What to wear

Wear sturdy walking shoes if you plan to hike, and protect yourself from the desert sun by wearing a hat and long sleeves.

Not allowed

Rockclimbing, drones, veering off marked trails without a permit

Amenities

Restrooms and visitor center (year-round), restaurant and gift shop (summer only)

Address 

Stretching across northern Arizona and southern Utah, Monument Valley is in the Navajo Nation. Guided tours can get you there from Las Vegas and other destinations. Otherwise, you’ll want to visit by car—driving is the only way to access the park’s many viewpoints along US Route 163.

Driving

From Phoenix, the closest major city to Monument Valley, take I-17 north, then US 89 north and US 160 east to US 163. You can park at the visitor center. The 320-mile (515-kilometer) drive takes about five hours.

Public transportation

Public transportation in the area is limited. If you’re traveling without a car, you can book a full-day guided tour that includes transportation from Sedona, or a multi-day tour of the Southwest’s top attractions, with pickup in Las Vegas.

Best times to visit

Give yourself ample time to enjoy the park’s incredible vistas by arriving in the morning—or take a sunset tour for spectacular colors. Avoid the hot midday hours.

Best days to visit

The park is open every day, year-round, but check ahead for holiday closures such as Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Best months to visit

Located in a high-elevation desert, Monument Valley experiences very hot summers and very cold winters. To enjoy more hospitable temperatures and skip peak-season crowds, go in March–April or October–November.