Wildcat Trail
Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ
This roughly 4-mile (6.5 kilometer) lasso-shaped trail around West Mitten Butte is the only self-guided hiking trail within Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. If you’d like to explore any part of the scenic park on foot without a permit or official tour, this is the way to go, starting at the trailhead near the Navajo Tribal Park visitor center.
The main hike along the Wildcat Trail is 3.2 miles (5 kilometers) around West Mitten Butte, but 4 miles total from the trailhead. To start, pay the entrance fee to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park—there is no additional permit required for the hike. After entering, you can park near the visitor center and walk to the trailhead across the cabin and campsite check-in area. From there, the hike is mostly flat and should take 2–3 hours. You’ll pass close around West Mitten Butte, and see East Mitten Butte and Merrick Butte in the distance.
- The hike is suitable for anyone who can travel the distance on foot, but has some moderately difficult sandy areas.
- Leashed dogs are permitted on the trail.
- Removing any pottery or artifacts from the park is a violation of US federal law.
- Monument Valley can get punishingly hot—it’s a good idea to bring a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water.
- Visitors are guests of the Navajo Nation, and should respect the land and wildlife at all times.
The trailhead lies just north of the Monument Valley Tribal Park Visitor Center at the intersection of Main Monument Valley Road and Indian Route 42. From Mexican Hat, Utah—the nearest sizable town—it’s about a 30-minute drive along US State Highway 163 and Monument Valley Road.
To find the most comfortable weather, avoid visiting in the summer and hike the trail in the spring (March through early June) and early fall (October through November). If you do visit in the summertime, start your hike in the early morning or the evening, which offers the added bonus of pretty unreal desert sunset views. Though it’s chilly, winter is a crowd-and-desert-heat-free option.
The Wildcat Trail is the only trail within the Navajo Tribal Park that you can hike without an authorized Navajo guide. Hiking, in fact, isn’t necessarily the best way to explore the valley. To get a feel for the desert expanse, you can drive the 17-mile loop (which requires a free permit) or book licensed tours, which range from horseback rides to 4WD excursions with Navajo guides.
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