Monument Valley, straddling the Arizona-Utah border, is one of the most iconic and photographed landscapes in the American Southwest. With its towering sandstone formations, vast open spaces, and rich Navajo heritage, it offers visitors a breathtaking experience and a look into the Navajo past unlike any other. This natural wonder has been the backdrop for countless movies, TV shows, and commercials, symbolizing the beauty and ruggedness of the American West.
Monument Valley has long been a favorite location for filmmakers, particularly in the Western genre. Director John Ford made the valley famous in films such as Stagecoach (1939), The Searchers (1956), and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949). The dramatic backdrop of the towering buttes and mesas became synonymous with the Old West. In addition to its appearances in Westerns, Monument Valley has also been featured in other films, including Forrest Gump, in which the valley serves as the backdrop for the famous running scene where Forrest abruptly stops. The location where this scene was filmed is now affectionately known as “Forrest Gump Point” and has become a popular photo spot
This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, we will receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support.
A Natural Masterpiece
Monument Valley is part of the Colorado Plateau and is characterized by its towering buttes, mesas, and spires that rise dramatically from the flat desert floor. These rock formations, some of which reach heights of up to 1,000 feet, were sculpted over millions of years through the forces of wind and water erosion. Each formation has its own unique shape, color, and story, and change through the day as the sun moves through the valley.
A Sacred Navajo Land
Monument Valley lies within the Navajo Nation, the largest Native American reservation in the United States. The area holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Navajo people, and visitors are encouraged to respect the land and its history. The Navajo call this place “Tsé Bii’ Ndzisgaii,” which means “Valley of the Rocks.
As Monument Valley is located on Navajo land, visitors are asked to follow respectful practices and stay on designated paths and routes. Climbing on the rock formations is prohibited, and littering or damaging the natural landscape is not tolerated. Please follow the principles of Leave No Trace, which are: follow all posted directions, only go where permitted, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, don’t move or touch the formations or plants, and do not approach or feed wildlife. Also, please ask permission before taking any photos of the Navajo people living and working on the reservation.
Monument Valley holds not only great geological importance but also deep cultural and historical significance. By respecting the land and following the guidance of Navajo park rangers and tour guides, visitors can help preserve this incredible place for future generations.
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
While Monument Valley is often seen from afar in photos or movies, the best way to experience its beauty is by visiting Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Located near the town of Kayenta, Arizona, the park covers about 92,000 acres and serves as the gateway to exploring this awe-inspiring landscape.
Visitors to the valley can experience Navajo culture firsthand through guided tours led by local Navajo guides. These tours offer insights into the area’s history, geology, and the traditional stories tied to the formations. The tours use vehicles that are open on the sides to allow for maximum views. There are also tours offered on horseback or on foot, if that appeals to you more. A bonus to taking a tour versus do the self-guided tour is you get a Navajo guide full of information and they take you to parts of the park that you aren’t allowed to visit in the self-guided tour.
In addition, Monument Valley features Navajo Hogan experiences, where visitors can stay in traditional Navajo dwellings, immersing themselves in the culture and way of life. Because both the tours and Hogan experiences can fill up quickly, I advise you to book ahead to insure you get your adventure when you plan to be here and not miss out on this experience. Try to experience the many things to do in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.
Self-Guided Tours
If your time is limited, then a self-guided tour is a great option. This is a 17-mile loop that takes you to the most popular Mesas, Buttes, and Spires in the Valley. The valley drive is along a rough dirt road, so it is recommended you have a high clearance vehicle to do this tour. RVs are not permitted.
On the official map, there are 11 main places to see on this tour, if you pay attention to the signs next to the road you will find a few more. This list has 14 places to stop. Some are easy to identify, and some take some imagination, but all are stunning. Before you start your drive, you should stop at the Monument Valley Tribal Park Visitor Center. Not only can you find some good information here, but if you go to the outdoor terrace at the entrance of the gift shop you will find some of the most beautiful views in the park. Make sure you check out the souvenirs at the gift shop. I advise taking a restroom break before you start your drive as there are no amenities on this tour. Don’t confuse this visitor center with the Navajo Welcome Center which is few miles away at the intersection of Hwy 163 and Monument Valley Road.
The first stop is East and West Mitten Butte– these are shaped like hands and easy to recognize. There is a parking area here. Next up is Elephant Butte– It is said that not everyone can make out the elephant, but I did! One of the most popular photo stops is next up with Three Sisters– these are easy to identify as they are 3 stand-alone rock formations. This is one of the most iconic views in Monument Valley. Next up is John Ford’s Point– it is a small detour off the main drive, but it is totally worth it. This is one of the best and most recognizable views in the park. Sometimes there is a Native sitting on a horse that is standing on the rock. If you’re lucky enough to visit when they are out on the rock, you will get a photo that will be great for your memories! You can also have your photo taken on a horse overlooking the cliff for $5. Another bonus on this stop is the souvenir stands and a kiosk that sells Navajo fry bread and tacos!! If you’ve never had fry bread you should really do so! After you indulge in the great food and drink and shop to your heart’s content head back to the main drive and head to Camel Butte– here you will find a rock formation that you need your imagination for, but it makes for a great picture even if you don’t see the camel! As you head further on the drive, you come to The Hub & Rain God Mesa– this is a very scenic part of the valley, but you probably need a guide to explain the significance of the name however even without that information you will see some beautiful views. You will be able to pick out Rain God Mesa which is the huge red rock on the left side of the road. Next up is Totem Pole– standing in the parking area you can see rock formations and the one a bit apart from the others is Totem Pole. These formations are quite a distance in an area that is prohibited to visitors, but you can still get an amazing view and great photo from the parking area.
You’re now half-way through the loop and next up is both Bird Spring and Sands Springs– only Bird Springs is on the map, however when you get there, there is no sign for it. A little further you will see the sign for Sand Springs which can be found at the bottom of Bird Spring which overlooks a big dune which is next to the road. The Cube– this is the next stop, but it is not on the map. You pass by it on the loop, and it is a large stone that looks like it’s balancing on a smaller stone. It may be man-made, but it is pretty cool and makes for a great photo op. Next up is Spearhead Mesa– this is one of the largest rock formations in the park. It also is not indicated on the map as there is no parking here, but you can’t help but see it as you drive off to your right. There is a sign that shows where it is. The next stop is of great historic significance as it is the Navajo Code Talker Outpost. For those who don’t know, Navajo Code Talkers were used to deliver secret messages in both World Wars. This scenic view is a tribute to them. This is located a bit off the main road but offers one of the largest parking areas on the loop. It offers great open views with of the valley on one side and red rock formations on the right. Beware that the road is a little rough here, as is the parking area. Next up is Cly Butte– It is a large rock formation on the right side of the road as you leave the outpost. There is a sign for it, but there is no parking, so this is more just a sight to see on your way to The Thumb– which is a rock formation that, you guessed it looks like a thumb! Heading to the last stop on the loop is North Window- this is a very short detour from the main loop. It is named more for the view which has an obstructed view on the sides like windowpanes.
Wild Cat Trail
This is the only hike allowed inside the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park without a local guide. This hike starts at the start of valley drive. You can park in the main parking lot by the visitor center. It’s an easy to moderate 3.8-mile loop trail. Keep in mind that it’s downhill the first part, but uphill on the way back so be prepared.
Where to Stay
There are only two hotel options in the immediate area. If you want to stay within Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, then The View Hotel is the place for you. The View Hotel is a Navajo owned business located within the Navajo Nation and the Navajo Tribal Park at Monument Valley. Opened in December 2008, we feature carefully designed accommodations that serve the needs of visitors from around the world while blending with the environment so as not to detract from the beauty of Monument Valley. Enjoy your meals at The View Restaurant. There is also a trading post here.
The other hotel is Goulding’s Lodge 5-7 minutes outside of the park. Harry Goulding and his wife purchased this land in the 1920’s and started a trading post. They opened the hotel when movies started being made here so that the crew and stars had a place to stay. They are now a full-service area with hotel, restaurant, gas station, trading post and museum highlighting the area’s movie industry.
How to get to here
Monument Valley isn’t close to anything, which is why it stayed off the radar for so long. The closest airport is in Flagstaff, 176 miles away. However, to fly into this airport, you usually have to change planes in Phoenix, which does not save you any time. Phoenix & Albuquerque airports are both 5 hours from here. Just a little further at 6.5 hours are Las Vegas or Salt Lake City airports. If visiting here is part of a southwestern road trip, Page, AZ is about 2 hours away and a good midpoint for many national and state parks. From Monument Valley Navajo Nation Park you can visit Four Corners Monument in about an hour and a half or head to the Grand Canyon which is about 3 hours away.
Access to the Monument Valley Tribal Park is on US-163 just north of the Utah-Arizona border. It costs $8 per person per day to enter the park. Once you pay this fee, you can come and go as often as you like. National Park passes don’t work here as it is on Navajo Nation land.
The best time to visit is in the spring (April to June) or fall (September to October), when temperatures are mild, and the weather is pleasant. Summer can be extremely hot, with temperatures often exceeding 100°F, while winter nights can be quite cold. Monument Valley’s elevation is around 5,000 feet, so even summer evenings can be cool.
Conclusion
Visiting Monument Valley is like stepping into a scene from a classic Western film. Its towering sandstone formations and sweeping desert vistas make it one of the most recognizable and awe-inspiring landscapes in the world. Whether you’re interested in learning about Navajo culture, photographing the dramatic scenery, or simply taking in the beauty of the natural world, Monument Valley is an unforgettable destination that should be on every traveler’s bucket list. When planning your trip be sure to check into the many tours available. There are so many choices to see much of the park that you won’t see on the self-guided tour that you might want to stay more than one day!
We hope to help people learn more about the places they are thinking of visiting and give them tips we learned to make it easier for them to visit. We hope to inspire you to find your own adventures, even if it’s just finding somewhere new near your home. Make your own memories and have fun!!
