Monument Valley simply hits otherwise. The red-sand desert flooring stretches over 92,000 acres throughout the Utah-Arizona border, dotted with sandstone buttes and grime roads. This area is finest identified 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. But there’s extra to the valley than simply attractiveness. You can go to sights just like the Navajo Shadehouse Museum and revel in unbelievable mountain climbing trails.
Researching Monument Valley is a lot enjoyable. It is among the most well-known sections of any Arizona street journey and one of many main US street journeys. Between the red-sand surroundings and Hollywood-worthy scenic drive, Monument Valley has wiggled its method onto hundreds of thousands of bucket lists.
How to Visit Monument Valley
In this information, we’ll cowl all the pieces it’s essential to know in order to have a implausible go to. Get prepared for an intensive ‘how to’ information; by the top of this text, you’ll be well-equipped and raring to go. We’ll train you all about the primary sights in the valley, like Elephant Butte and the Wildcat Trail. But we’ll additionally present all of the logistics you want, like easy methods to get there and when is finest to go to. One of the perfect components about Monument Valley is its location, so skip to the top for those who’d like some insights into combining your journey with different memorable sights, just like the Grand Canyon.
Are you prepared? Here’s what it’s essential to find out about visiting the valley.
What is Monument Valley? A Quick Introduction
So, what’s Monument Valley? Well, this 92,000-acre area is a very lovely space of red-sand desert. The valley sits on the border between Utah and Arizona, with land in each states. It is most generally known as Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, which has a lovely assortment of sandstone buttes that attracted Hollywood’s consideration. Chances are, you’ve seen Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, John Wayne films, or the well-known ‘Run Forrest run’ scene in Forrest Gump.
You can drive by the valley on the 17-mile Valley Drive, a year-round accessible tarmacked freeway. During your go to, you could want an off-road automobile to sort out a mud street or two.
The valley is filled with crimson rock formations, and you’ll ebook experiences like guided horseback excursions. You can even embark on hikes to miss factors like John Ford’s Point or take guided mountain climbing excursions with a Navajo information to peaks like Totem Pole or the West and East Mittens. Most sights 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 Visitor Center and enquire about guided tour choices.
How to Get to Monument Valley
So, how do you get to Monument Valley? The easiest method is to fly into one of many main cities in Arizona or Utah, renting a automotive to street journey your option to this distant valley.
Las Vegas and Salt Lake City are the 2 most famed worldwide airports and round a 7-hour drive from the valley. Flagstaff is one other wonderful airport to fly into, solely a 3-hour drive away and ideally positioned to mix Monument Valley with the Grand Canyon. You can ebook home or worldwide flights to one of many airports, hire a automotive, and drive the rest of the way in which to Monument Valley.
Alternatively, you would catch an Amtrak prepare to Salt Lake City or Las Vegas if touring from inside the United States. This would reduce pointless flights and supply extra adventurous, gradual journey. You may then hire a automotive for the rest of the journey.
Reading this, you possibly can spot the recurring issue – automotive rent. You should journey with somebody with a license for those who can’t hire or carry a automotive your self. The valley is among the most distant locations to go to in the US. And you’ll have to drive if you wish to see it independently. You can test the perfect costs right here on our favourite website.
With that stated, there’s a caveat slash loophole to this. If driving actually isn’t an possibility, you would ebook a guided tour of Monument Valley. These excursions are costlier, and also you’ll be restricted in free time, however they’re the right resolution for these with out licenses. You can ebook Monument Valley day excursions from Flagstaff and from Sedona. Budget round $250-300 for a bunch tour, together with transfers, and prepare to kick your toes again with a guided tour expertise.
In abstract, your choices to get to the valley are as follows:
If you’re quick on time and need low cost flights, Fly to Salt Lake City or Las Vegas after which hire a automotive to drive 7 hours to Monument Valley. If you’re quick on time, Fly to Flagstaff after which hire a automotive to drive 3 hours to Monument Valley. If you’ve gotten loads of time and need to keep away from flying: Travel by Amtrak to Las Vegas, Grand Junction, or Salt Lake City after which rent a automotive to drive to Monument Valley in 4.5-7 hours. If you aren’t in a position to rent a automotive, Fly into Flagstaff and keep there or in Sedona. You can then ebook a guided tour to Monument Valley on a day journey for between $250 and $300.
Best Things to do in Monument Valley
The sheer scale of issues to do in Monument Valley is awe-inspiring. It is much from only a place to drive by and passively gaze on the surroundings, though we gained’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 mountain climbing to buttes or horse driving by Monument Valley Tribal Park.
In this part, we’ll assist you embrace all the joy that Monument Valley provides. Get prepared for pure sights, trails, and sightseeing alternatives. These are the perfect issues to do in the unbelievable valley.
1. Experience Monument Valley Tribal Park on Horseback
One of the perfect methods to expertise Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is undoubtedly on horseback. You can drive the loop street, however horses go the place automobiles can’t or aren’t permitted. You can ebook a 2-hour Monument Valley tour by horseback, getting up near the buttes. We did this and completely cherished it. We do suggest you’ve gotten a little bit horseback expertise, although.
2. Take a Jeep Tour
An effective way to expertise the valley is by way of jeep. Book a jeep tour throughout the desert flooring and previous important sights just like the West Mitten butte. Most excursions final 1.5 hours to three hours. And you’ll get a hassle-free driving expertise with narrated sightseeing. This is a good possibility if you’re touring with the household.
3. Navajo Shadehouse Museum
Navajo Shadehouse Museum is a cultural attraction in Monument Valley value 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 properties seem like. While the museum is small, it offers unbelievable perception into the Navajo Nation. And because the valley is located on Navajo Tribal park land, it’s a must-have addition to your itinerary.
4. Visit West, East, and Merrick Butte
If you need beautiful rock formations, West, East, and Merrick Butte are the perfect formations to see up shut. This iconic trio of buttes juts up from the valley flooring in lovely crimson sandstone. The East and West Buttes stand over 6,000 toes above sea degree and are a dramatic sight to see up shut. It is against the law to climb the formations, however you possibly can stroll round their bases.
5. Drive Monument Valley Drive with Photo Stops
We can’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 Point, a.ok .a. the well-known Forrest Gump Highway. The large sandstone buttes additionally appeared in Western films just like the Wayne movies. It’s simply one of the vital well-known scenic drives in the US. Allow 3-4 hours to finish the drive, relying on how lengthy you need at every cease.
6. Elephant Butte
This lovely 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. Again, climbing is against the law, however you possibly can stroll to its base and admire the pure landmark. Visit simply earlier than sundown for the perfect views.
7. John Ford’s Point
This is the cash shot overlook. It’s named John Ford’s Point after the American producer and director John Ford. Ford directed tons of films, 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 Trail
Wildcat Trail is an roughly 4-mile loop hike that crams in the perfect of Monument Valley’s views on foot. It takes round 2 to three hours and is rated as reasonable issue on account of sections with thick sand. You can simply navigate the path independently in case you have a primary health degree. Your efforts will probably be rewarded with up-close views of the famed Mitten Buttes and Merrick Butte.
Set off early in the day to keep away from the tough warmth in spring and summer time. Make certain to carry a digicam, too, as Wildcat Trail is certainly one of Monument Valley’s finest issues to do.
9. Climb Mexican Hat
While 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 to be like a tower with a sombrero on prime – therefore its title. Mexican Hat is widespread amongst skilled climbers. If you’re skilled sufficient to sort out medium difficult climbs confidently, you possibly can tackle the Bandito Route, a bolted, clip-up route.
If you aren’t a climber, you possibly can nonetheless go to to see the rock up shut. Plus, you possibly can watch as others sort out the distinctive rock face.
10. North Window Overlook
Finally, there’s North Window Overlook to go to in the valley. This is good if you’d like a viewpoint expertise in the valley. North Window Overlook provides another view of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park to John Ford’s Point. It is positioned simply minutes from the Monument Valley Visitor Center and is ideal to expertise at dawn or sundown.
When to Visit Monument Valley
It goes with out saying that summer time is a tougher 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. Furthermore, summer time additionally means floods of crowds. It is the busiest time of yr to go to the valley. So if you’re contemplating visiting in summer time, we suggest shifting to the beginning or finish of the season. It is generally crowded and scorching, with fewer parking areas and shared viewpoints.
So, if not summer time, when must you go to the valley? Ideally, you need to go to in the autumn or spring. Winter can get a little bit too chilly, dropping to 25 Fahrenheit generally, so fall and spring are an excellent compromise. September to early November and March to May are the perfect intervals to expertise the valley. You’ll have delicate temperatures in the higher 70s Fahrenheit and fewer crowds – a win-win.
Keep in thoughts what time of day you enter the valley, too. Visiting in the shoulder seasons like fall and spring helps to scale back the crowds. But you may also be tactical with what time of day you go to. Early morning is finest if you wish to spend an entire day in the park, heading to the most well-liked websites first. Meanwhile, for those who want to go to just a few websites, late afternoon is an effective time to dodge the worst of the crowds.
Of course, selecting lodging in the valley itself will assist you get forward of the crowds. You’ll additionally get to tick off dawn and sundown viewpoints from the consolation of your individual dwelling away from dwelling, particularly at locations like The View Hotel and Campground.
Where to Stay in Monument Valley And Surrounding Area
Where to remain in and round Monument Valley is a wonderful query. There is one necessary factor to notice, although. There are minimal lodging choices contained in the park itself. You’ll must ebook in advance to remain contained in the park boundaries. There are additionally extra B&B or camping-style lodging choices inside the valley.
Fortunately, there are various 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 decisions.
Staying in Monument Valley
Staying inside Monument Valley’s park boundaries requires pre-planning and advance reserving, but it surely’s positively nonetheless attainable. If you need to make your expertise much more distinctive, snagging these sought-after lodging reservations is properly value it. You might be bathing in an infinity pool overlooking a lovely crimson rock formation or tenting in a standard 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. Guests take pleasure in an indoor pool and a terrace – from which you’ll truly see the buttes of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. It is a lovely place to remain and revel in scenic sunsets and sunrises.
Monument Valley Tipi Village
Monument Valley Tipi Village is a lovely lodging selection for experiencing conventional tipi and hogan stays in Monument Valley. The village is run as a part of the Navajo Nation and is an excellent option to make investments in the local people.
The View Campground/The View Hotel
The View Campground and View Hotel are two adjoining properties in the center of the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park – probably the most scenic part of the valley with the dramatic butte surroundings. Each visitor room in the lodge has a balcony to take pleasure in personal dawn and sundown views over the Mitte buttes. And you may also enquire about tenting experiences in conventional tipis.
Staying Outside Monument Valley
As we defined, the perfect 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 number of motels. Still, we wouldn’t suggest staying right here because it lacks amenities.
This part will have a look at the perfect locations to remain in Kayenta for inn-style lodging and a quiet vibe. Then we’ll have a look at the perfect locations to remain in extra luxurious and touristy Bluff.
Kayenta
Kayenta is the smaller, quieter possibility of the 2 cities. It is positioned close to the south entrance of Arizona. It is a greater possibility for these desirous to go on day journeys to Arizona sights just like the Grand Canyon or Navajo National Monument. Kayenta has a number of city amenities, like Amigo Cafe, the Kayenta Recreation Park, and primarily 3-4-star inns.
Wetherill Inn
Wetherill Inn is a modest 2-star property superb for anybody searching for budget-friendly lodging close to Monument Valley. It does have its snug perks, although, together with an indoor heated pool and a continental breakfast.
Hampton Inn Kayenta
Hampton Inn Kayenta is a 3-star property, finest for these wanting a extra mid-range to luxurious possibility. It is a contemporary property with a tasteful desert-color palette that’s good given the rationale on your keep. It has an onsite restaurant, which is handy after a protracted day in Monument Valley, and a gymnasium and outside pool.
Bluff
Bluff is barely larger and finest for individuals who desire a busier base whereas visiting the valley. It has extra luxurious locations, like Bluff Dwellings Resort and Spa. Bluff additionally has just a few sights, just like the Twin Rocks Trading Post, the Bluff Great House Museum, and the Sand Island Petroglyphs. It is 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 encompassing crimson rock surroundings. A each day continental breakfast is included in your reserving charge. Overall, it’s superb 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 middle, and thoughtfully adorned rooms that includes conventional stone and wooden particulars. You have all of the Bluff amenities 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 opinions and a shocking combination of rooms and suites. The resort is about 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, gymnasium, and scorching tub. Plus, there’s an onsite restaurant for these days once you want a fast meal.
Excursions Near Monument Valley
One of probably the most unbelievable issues about visiting Monument Valley is how completely it combines with different bucket record experiences in Utah and Arizona. As you recognize, the valley is located on the Utah-Arizona border, that means it has virtually unbridled entry to a number of the state’s most sought-after locations and excursions.
You might be trekking by Canyonlands or snapping pictures in Arches National Park. You may head south to spend just a few days across the Grand Canyon and Sedona. Or you would take longer, multi-day detours by Utah to go to Las Vegas. There are tons of excursions and worthy locations close to Monument Valley.
In this part, we’ll introduce you to the perfect of those. Here are the highest ten excursions – and multi-day detours – you need 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 accommodates over 300 million years of geology. Goosenecks is a good day journey if you wish to spend a day admiring geological sights and canyon river views. Pick a hike from the a number of path choices. You may even camp there in a single day if you want.
2. Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is among the main nationwide parks in the US, with some good mountain climbing trails, together with the path to Druid Arch and Lavender Point. You can admire loads of viewpoints. There’s the beautiful Needles District and Green River Overlook. Canyonlands National Park is cut up into 4 fundamental zones, together with the Island in the Sky mesa.
The nationwide park is barely a 3-hour drive from the middle of Monument Valley. It is finest skilled at sundown when the crimson rock surroundings is much more lovely.
3. Dead Horse State Park
Dead Horse State Park is simply over a 2-hour from Bluff, close to the valley’s north entrance. This state park is legendary for its desert panorama and severely beautiful canyon surroundings. While it’s adjoined to Canyonlands, it provides a way more intimate expertise, with fewer trails and fewer than 5,400 acres in comparison with almost 340,000 acres.
If you desire a extra bitesize chunk, Dead Horse State Park is the right place to expertise related landscapes with out the dimensions of Canyonlands.
4. Grand Canyon
Who doesn’t need to see the Grand Canyon? The canyon is a good expertise so as to add to your Monument Valley itinerary. You can go to the canyon in a single day from Monument Valley, taking 4 hours to achieve a method. Or you possibly can fly into Flagstaff and spend just a few days visiting the canyon and its surrounding sights earlier than driving to Monument Valley. Either method, you possibly can mix the 2.
5. Visit the Four Corners Monument
This monument is extraordinary, marking the purpose the place all 4 states – Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado – all converge. The Four Corners Monument is positioned in the Navajo Nation and has its personal customer middle. If you desire a novelty expertise, you possibly can’t beat this monument. After all, you possibly can say you stood in all 4 states directly.
It takes round an hour to achieve Bluff, making it one of the vital accessible self-guided excursions from the valley.
6. Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is an excellent tour to take from Monument Valley. Once 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.
As the canyon is sacred in Navajo tradition, it’s critical to ebook by an organization providing a Navajo information for a guided tour.
7. Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park is an excellent tour from the valley. It is most identified for its abundance of Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, most famously Cliff Palace. A go to to Mesa Verde is right for increasing your data of Puebloan historical past after visiting the Navajo Nation. You can rapidly drive to Mesa Verde National Park from Bluff, which takes round 1.5 hours. It is certainly one of Colorado’s finest nationwide parks and well worth the detour.
8. Arches National Park
Arches National Park is a should if you’re visiting Monument Valley. It is simply too shut by to overlook out on. The park is called after its dozens of pure arches and is certainly one of Utah’s most lovely locations to go to. It is slightly below a 2-hour drive from Bluff, close to the valley’s north entrance. And you possibly can take pleasure in beautiful hikes to see the pure landmarks.
Look into nationwide park passes for a number of parks for those who’d like to mix just a few of the nationwide parks close to Monument Valley.
9. Canyon de Chelly National Monument
This National Monument is among the finest areas of pure magnificence inside the Navajo Nation. And as a bonus, it’s simply over an hour’s drive from Kayenta. You 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 is simply over 1.5 hours from Kayenta by automotive by the valley’s south entrance. The park is finest identified for its dramatic river canyon panorama, that includes a curve in the Colorado River that appears like a horseshoe form.
While there, you would go mountain climbing or boating. Or sightsee different sights close to Page, like Antelope Canyon.
Visiting Monument Valley: FAQs
Are you enthusiastic about visiting Monument Valley? Whether you go to Mystery Valley, drive the Monument Valley loop street, 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 is the surroundings of the previous West that generations of individuals grew to like on their TV screens. From a sightseeing perspective, it is among the nation’s most spectacular areas of rock formations. That’s earlier than you even get to the cultural facet of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, with all its historical past of the Navajo folks.
Before you rush to understand Monument Valley in particular person, try these frequent FAQs. These FAQs may give you that additional data that transforms your journey.
Why is Monument Valley so well-known?
Hollywood has immortalized Monument Valley. Sure, its tradition and geology would have nonetheless attracted guests even when Hollywood hadn’t scouted it as a film set. However, 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 a brilliant shut city to Monument Valley on the Arizona facet of the border. On the Utah facet of the border, Bluff is the closest city to Monument Valley. Bluff has extra vacationer infrastructure, with motels, inns, and some sights.
Can you continue to drive by Monument Valley?
Yes, Monument Valley is open to drivers. The Monument Valley Loop Road is open all yr spherical, though it does prohibit its hours in winter, usually opening between 8 am and a pair of pm. The Scenic Drive is offered 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. However, 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 can be taught in regards to the Navajo Nation and pay for a guided tour to embrace Monument Valley with the Navajo folks. You can take a street journey by Monument Valley by way of Highway 163, passing Forrest Gump Point, 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 gained’t quickly neglect.
You now know all the sensible data vital to prepare 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 sights. In want of some additional inspiration? These are probably the most beautiful locations to go to in Arizona. And we’ve got a whole information on Utah’s ‘Mighty 5’ nationwide parks. Make probably the most of visiting a vacation spot proper on the Utah-Arizona border.