Monument Valley simply hits in another way. The red-sand desert flooring stretches over 92,000 acres throughout the Utah-Arizona border, dotted with sandstone buttes and filth roads. This area is greatest recognized for Monument Valley Tribal Park – a as soon as frequent filming location for previous Western motion pictures. You’ve already seen the valley in your TV display. It has featured as a backdrop for all of the John Wayne movies, plus classics like Forrest Gump. But there may be 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 likely one of the most well-known sections of any Arizona highway journey and one of many main US highway journeys. Between the red-sand surroundings and Hollywood-worthy scenic drive, Monument Valley has wiggled its means onto tens of millions of bucket lists.
How to Visit Monument Valley
In this information, we’ll cowl all the pieces you have to know in order to have a incredible go to. Get prepared for a radical ‘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 find out how to get there and when is greatest to go to. One of the perfect elements about Monument Valley is its location, so skip to the top in case you’d like some insights into combining your journey with different memorable sights, just like the Grand Canyon.
Are you prepared? Here’s what you have 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 stunning space of red-sand desert. The valley sits on the border between Utah and Arizona, with land in each states. It is most often 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 motion pictures, or the well-known ‘Run Forrest run’ scene in Forrest Gump.
You can drive by way of the valley on the 17-mile Valley Drive, a year-round accessible tarmacked freeway. During your go to, you might want an off-road automobile to deal with a mud highway or two.
The valley is stuffed with crimson rock formations, and you’ll e book experiences like guided horseback excursions. You may also 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 may 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 simplest way is to fly into one of many main cities in Arizona or Utah, renting a automobile to highway journey your approach 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 glorious airport to fly into, solely a 3-hour drive away and ideally situated to mix Monument Valley with the Grand Canyon. You can e book home or worldwide flights to one of many airports, hire a automobile, and drive the rest of the way in which to Monument Valley.
Alternatively, you can catch an Amtrak prepare to Salt Lake City or Las Vegas if touring from inside the United States. This would minimize pointless flights and supply extra adventurous, sluggish journey. You might then hire a automobile for the rest of the journey.
Reading this, you may spot the recurring issue – automobile rent. You should journey with somebody with a license in case you can’t hire or convey a automobile your self. The valley is likely one of 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 verify the perfect costs right here on our favourite web site.
With that stated, there’s a caveat slash loophole to this. If driving actually isn’t an possibility, you can e book a guided tour of Monument Valley. These excursions are costlier, and also you’ll be restricted in free time, however they’re the right answer for these with out licenses. You can e book 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 automobile to drive 7 hours to Monument Valley. If you’re quick on time, Fly to Flagstaff after which hire a automobile to drive 3 hours to Monument Valley. If you’ve 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 automobile to drive to Monument Valley in 4.5-7 hours. If you aren’t in a position to rent a automobile, Fly into Flagstaff and keep there or in Sedona. You can then e book 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 way from only a place to drive by way of 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 out of doors actions, whether or not mountain climbing to buttes or horse driving by way of Monument Valley Tribal Park.
In this part, we’ll assist you to embrace all the thrill that Monument Valley affords. Get prepared for pure sights, trails, and sightseeing alternatives. These are the easiest 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 highway, however horses go the place automobiles can’t or aren’t permitted. You can e book 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 a bit horseback expertise, although.
2. Take a Jeep Tour
A good 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 superb 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 drugs males pray and what hogan properties appear like. While the museum is small, it gives 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 gorgeous 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 stunning 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 may 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.okay .a. the well-known Forrest Gump Highway. The large sandstone buttes additionally appeared in Western motion pictures just like the Wayne movies. It’s simply some of the 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 stunning butte is famously formed like an elephant and is a superb possibility if you wish to see the rock formations exterior of the usual trio. Again, climbing is against the law, however you may 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 motion pictures. 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 average issue as a result 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 cruel warmth in spring and summer season. Make certain to convey a digicam, too, as Wildcat Trail is considered one of Monument Valley’s greatest issues to do.
9. Climb Mexican Hat
While climbing isn’t allowed inside the valley, you may skip minutes over the border to climb Mexican Hat. This bizarre-looking sandstone rock appears to be like like a tower with a sombrero on high – therefore its identify. Mexican Hat is in style amongst skilled climbers. If you’re skilled sufficient to deal with medium difficult climbs confidently, you may tackle the Bandito Route, a bolted, clip-up route.
If you aren’t a climber, you may nonetheless go to to see the rock up shut. Plus, you may watch as others deal with 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 affords an alternate view of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park to John Ford’s Point. It is situated 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 season 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. Furthermore, summer season additionally means floods of crowds. It is the busiest time of 12 months to go to the valley. So if you’re contemplating visiting in summer season, we advocate 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 season, when must you go to the valley? Ideally, you must go to in the autumn or spring. Winter can get a bit too chilly, dropping to 25 Fahrenheit typically, so fall and spring are an ideal 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 can too be tactical with what time of day you go to. Early morning is greatest if you wish to spend a complete day in the park, heading to the most well-liked websites first. Meanwhile, in case you want to go to just a few websites, late afternoon is an efficient time to dodge the worst of the crowds.
Of course, selecting lodging in the valley itself will assist you to get forward of the crowds. You’ll additionally get to tick off dawn and sundown viewpoints from the consolation of your personal 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 vital factor to notice, although. There are minimal lodging choices contained in the park itself. You’ll should e book 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 numerous 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, however it’s undoubtedly nonetheless attainable. If you need to make your expertise much more distinctive, snagging these sought-after lodging reservations is nicely 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 be able to 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 a superb approach to make investments in the area 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 – essentially the most scenic part of the valley with the dramatic butte surroundings. Each visitor room in the resort has a balcony to take pleasure in personal dawn and sundown views over the Mitte buttes. And you can too 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 accommodations. Still, we wouldn’t advocate staying right here because it lacks services.
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 situated close to the south entrance of Arizona. It is a greater possibility for these eager to go on day journeys to Arizona sights just like the Grand Canyon or Navajo National 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 very best for anybody on the lookout 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, greatest for these wanting a extra mid-range to luxurious possibility. It is a contemporary property with a tasteful desert-color palette that’s excellent given the rationale on your keep. It has an onsite restaurant, which is handy after an extended day in Monument Valley, and a gymnasium and out of doors pool.
Bluff
Bluff is barely larger and greatest for many who desire a busier base whereas visiting the valley. It has extra luxurious locations, like Bluff Dwellings Resort and Spa. Bluff additionally has a couple of sights, just like the Twin Rocks Trading Post, the Bluff Great House Museum, and the Sand Island Petroglyphs. It is situated 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 every day continental breakfast is included in your reserving price. Overall, it’s very best 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 services in your doorstep and a base the place you may 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 surprising combination of rooms and suites. The resort is ready inside a piece of rock formations, giving it a distant attraction regardless of its central Bluff location. As if that wasn’t sufficient, you additionally get an onsite pool, gymnasium, and scorching tub. Plus, there may be an onsite restaurant for these days whenever you want a fast meal.
Excursions Near Monument Valley
One of essentially the most unbelievable issues about visiting Monument Valley is how completely it combines with different bucket listing 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 among the state’s most sought-after locations and excursions.
You might be trekking by way of Canyonlands or snapping images in Arches National Park. You might head south to spend a couple of days across the Grand Canyon and Sedona. Or you can take longer, multi-day detours by way of 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 must 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 superb 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 likely one of 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 gorgeous Needles District and Green River Overlook. Canyonlands National Park is cut up into 4 most important zones, together with the Island in the Sky mesa.
The nationwide park is simply a 3-hour drive from the middle of Monument Valley. It is greatest skilled at sundown when the crimson rock surroundings is much more stunning.
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 gorgeous canyon surroundings. While 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 desire a extra bitesize chunk, Dead Horse State Park is the right place to expertise related landscapes with out the size of Canyonlands.
4. Grand Canyon
Who doesn’t need to see the Grand Canyon? The canyon is a superb 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 succeed in a method. Or you may fly into Flagstaff and spend a couple of days visiting the canyon and its surrounding sights earlier than driving to Monument Valley. Either means, you may 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 situated in the Navajo Nation and has its personal customer middle. If you desire a novelty expertise, you may’t beat this monument. After all, you may say you stood in all 4 states without delay.
It takes round an hour to succeed in Bluff, making it some of the accessible self-guided excursions from the valley.
6. Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is a superb tour to take from Monument Valley. Once you’ve spent a few days exploring the valley, you may 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 important to e book by way of an organization providing a Navajo information for a guided tour.
7. Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park is a superb tour from the valley. It is most recognized 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 considered one of Colorado’s greatest 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 known as after its dozens of pure arches and is considered one of Utah’s most stunning locations to go to. It is just below a 2-hour drive from Bluff, close to the valley’s north entrance. And you may take pleasure in gorgeous hikes to see the pure landmarks.
Look into nationwide park passes for a number of parks in case you’d like to mix a couple of of the nationwide parks close to Monument Valley.
9. Canyon de Chelly National Monument
This National Monument is likely 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 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 automobile by the valley’s south entrance. The park is greatest recognized for its dramatic river canyon panorama, that includes a curve in the Colorado River that appears like a horseshoe form.
While there, you can 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 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 is the surroundings of the previous West that generations of individuals grew to like on their TV screens. From a sightseeing perspective, it is likely 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 individuals.
Before you rush to understand Monument Valley in particular person, try these frequent FAQs. These FAQs might 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 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 accommodations, inns, and some sights.
Can you continue to drive by way of Monument Valley?
Yes, Monument Valley is open to drivers. The Monument Valley Loop Road is open all 12 months spherical, though it does prohibit its hours in winter, usually opening between 8 am and a couple of pm. The Scenic Drive is out there from 6 am till 8 pm in summer season.
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 comprise 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 individuals. You can take a highway journey by way of Monument Valley by way of Highway 163, passing Forrest Gump Point, Hollywood film scenes, and gorgeous rock formations. Or, you may 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 overlook.
You now know all the sensible data crucial to arrange a visit to Monument Valley. We hope you’ve a beautiful 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 essentially the most gorgeous locations to go to in Arizona. And we have now a whole information on Utah’s ‘Mighty 5’ nationwide parks. Make essentially the most of visiting a vacation spot proper on the Utah-Arizona border.