Things to Do in Monument Valley

Choose from 2 Fun Things to Do in Monument Valley

Monument Valley

With red rock formations soaring up to 1,000 feet (305 meters) into the desert sky, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is home to a unique landscape recognizable from classic Western films starring John Wayne. But beyond its fame on the big screen, there are nearly 92,000 acres of reservation cacti, arches, and Navajo traditions to explore and experience.

Since Monument Valley is located in a remote desert and much of it is only open to visitors who have a permit or are traveling with a Navajo guide, most travelers choose to explore the valley on a guided tour.

The Basics

Monument Valley belongs to the Navajo Nation and lies on the border between Utah and Arizona. The entrance fee is $10 per person (or $20 per vehicle). Many tour options are available, some starting in Monument Valley and others departing from nearby cities. Tours range from three-hour safaris to full-day and multi-day adventures deep into the valley.

Some of the most popular sites in the vast park include John Ford’s Point, the Mittens, and the Four Corners Monument, where it’s possible to stand in four states at once: Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona.

Best Ways to Experience Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park features plenty of trails for hiking and horseback riding, including the secluded Mystery Valley and Tear Drop Arch, which are best reached on a hiking excursion or Jeep tour with a tour guide. Sunrise and sunset are popular times to visit, and many travelers say that visiting these untouched areas of the desert feels like a spiritual experience.

The park also offers opportunities to learn about the Navajo people (or Dineh, as they call themselves). Take a Navajo spirit and culture tour to visit a hogan (a native home) and take in a traditional music performance at Big Hogan, a large natural amphitheater.

How to Get There

The closest commercial airport is in Page, Arizona, just over a two-hour drive from Monument Valley, while bus service to the valley is also available from larger cities including Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. In addition, visitors have the option of traveling by private or semi-private helicopter or high-wing airplane. Note that most guided Monument Valley tours include roundtrip transportation from nearby cities such as Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Sedona.

Monument Valley, Utah, USA

Visitor Center open May-Oct 6am-8pm, Oct-May 8am-5pm

$10 per person; $20 per vehicle

From $ 60

Monument Valley Tribal Park

Monument Valley Tribal Park is a Navajo Nations park that spans 91,696 acres across southern Utah and northern Arizona in the American southwest. It is the ancestral home of the Navajo people, and the park has been used in many films. The natural forces of wind and water eroded the land for 50 million years, eventually resulting in the rock formations seen today. The sandstone pinnacles reach heights of 400 to 1,000 feet and are surrounded by miles of mesas and buttes, shrubs, trees and windblown sand.

The park can be enjoyed on a 17-mile scenic drive where visitors can see many of the park’s main highlights. Visitors can also get a closer look by taking the self-guided Wildcat hiking trail. The trail is 3.2 miles long around the West Mitten Butte at approximately 5,400 feet in elevation. It takes about one and a half to two hours to hike the trail. Various tours of the park are available to show you around and teach you about the Navajo culture.

Practical Info

Monument Valley is located about 50 miles south of Bluff, UT on US highway 163. Admission costs $10 per person or $20 per vehicle with up to four people. The park visitor center is open from 6am to 8pm May 1 through September 30 and 8am to 5pm October 1 through April 30.

USA

General Admission $10, Children 9 and under Free, Per vehicle fee $20 (Up to 4 people)

From $ 65