Monument Valley simply hits otherwise. The red-sand desert ground stretches over 92,000 acres throughout the Utah-Arizona border, dotted with sandstone buttes and grime roads. This area is greatest identified 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 screen. It has featured as a backdrop for all of the John Wayne movies, plus classics like Forrest Gump. However there may be extra to the valley than simply attractiveness. You possibly can go to points of interest just like the Navajo Shadehouse Museum and revel in unimaginable climbing trails.
Researching Monument Valley is a lot enjoyable. It is among the most well-known sections of any Arizona road trip and one of many main US road trips. Between the red-sand surroundings and Hollywood-worthy scenic drive, Monument Valley has wiggled its manner onto thousands and thousands of bucket lists.
The way to Go to Monument Valley
On this information, we’ll cowl all the pieces that you must know with a view to have a incredible go to. Prepare for an intensive ‘the right way to’ information; by the tip of this text, you’ll be well-equipped and raring to go. We’ll train you all about the primary points of interest within the valley, like Elephant Butte and the Wildcat Path. However we’ll additionally present all of the logistics you want, like the right way to get there and when is greatest to go to. Among the finest elements about Monument Valley is its location, so skip to the tip if you happen to’d like some insights into combining your journey with different memorable points of interest, just like the Grand Canyon.
Are you prepared? Right here’s what that you must find out about visiting the valley.
What’s Monument Valley? A Fast Introduction
So, what’s Monument Valley? Properly, 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’s most generally known as Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, which has an exquisite assortment of sandstone buttes that attracted Hollywood’s consideration. Likelihood is, you’ve seen Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, John Wayne motion pictures, or the well-known ‘Run Forrest run’ scene in Forrest Gump.
You possibly can drive by way of the valley on the 17-mile Valley Drive, a year-round accessible tarmacked freeway. Throughout your go to, it’s possible you’ll want an off-road car to sort out a dust street or two.
The valley is stuffed with purple rock formations, and you may e book experiences like guided horseback tours. You can too embark on hikes to miss factors like John Ford’s Level or take guided climbing excursions with a Navajo information to peaks like Totem Pole or the West and East Mittens. Most points of interest 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 Customer Middle and enquire about guided tour choices.
The way to Get to Monument Valley
So, how do you get to Monument Valley? The simplest manner is to fly into one of many main cities in Arizona or Utah, renting a car to street journey your method to this distant valley.
Las Vegas and Salt Lake Metropolis 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 possibly can e book home or worldwide flights to one of many airports, lease a automobile, and drive the rest of the best way to Monument Valley.
Alternatively, you could possibly catch an Amtrak prepare to Salt Lake City or Las Vegas if touring from inside the US. This is able to reduce pointless flights and supply extra adventurous, sluggish journey. You might then lease a automobile for the rest of the journey.
Studying this, you possibly can spot the recurring issue – automobile rent. You have to journey with somebody with a license if you happen to can’t lease or deliver a automobile your self. The valley is among the most distant locations to go to within the US. And also you’ll have to drive if you wish to see it independently. You possibly can test the very best costs here on our favorite site.
With that mentioned, there’s a caveat slash loophole to this. If driving actually isn’t an choice, you could possibly 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 proper answer for these with out licenses. You possibly can e book Monument Valley day tours from Flagstaff and from Sedona. Funds round $250-300 for a gaggle 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 brief on time and wish low cost flights, Fly to Salt Lake Metropolis or Las Vegas after which lease a automobile to drive 7 hours to Monument Valley.
- If you’re brief on time, Fly to Flagstaff after which lease a automobile to drive 3 hours to Monument Valley.
- If in case you have loads of time and need to keep away from flying: Journey by Amtrak to Las Vegas, Grand Junction, or Salt Lake Metropolis after which rent a automobile to drive to Monument Valley in 4.5-7 hours.
- If you happen to aren’t in a position to rent a automobile, Fly into Flagstaff and keep there or in Sedona. You possibly can then book a guided tour to Monument Valley on a day journey for between $250 and $300.
Finest Issues to do in Monument Valley
The sheer scale of issues to do in Monument Valley is awe-inspiring. It’s removed from only a place to drive by way of and passively gaze on the surroundings, though we received’t knock road-tripping its 17-mile Valley Drive. Monument Valley has a wow issue that evokes you to become involved with outside actions, whether or not climbing to buttes or horse using by way of Monument Valley Tribal Park.
On this part, we’ll enable you to embrace all the thrill that Monument Valley provides. Prepare for pure points of interest, trails, and sightseeing alternatives. These are the easiest issues to do within the unimaginable valley.
1. Expertise Monument Valley Tribal Park on Horseback
Among the finest methods to expertise Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is undoubtedly on horseback. You possibly can drive the loop street, however horses go the place autos can’t or aren’t permitted. You possibly can e book a 2-hour Monument Valley tour by horseback, getting up near the buttes. We did this and completely beloved it. We do advocate you might have a bit horseback expertise, although.
2. Take a Jeep Tour
A good way to expertise the valley is by way of jeep. Guide a jeep tour throughout the desert ground and previous vital sights just like the West Mitten butte. Most excursions final 1.5 hours to three hours. And also you’ll get a hassle-free driving expertise with narrated sightseeing. It is a nice choice in case you are touring with the household.
3. Navajo Shadehouse Museum
Navajo Shadehouse Museum is a cultural attraction in Monument Valley price 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 appear to be. Whereas the museum is small, it offers unimaginable perception into the Navajo Nation. And for the reason that valley is located on Navajo Tribal park land, it’s a must-have addition to your itinerary.
4. Go to West, East, and Merrick Butte
In order for you gorgeous rock formations, West, East, and Merrick Butte are the very best formations to see up shut. This iconic trio of buttes juts up from the valley ground in stunning purple sandstone. The East and West Buttes stand over 6,000 toes above sea degree and are a dramatic sight to see up shut. It’s unlawful to climb the formations, however you possibly can stroll round their bases.
5. Drive Monument Valley Drive with Picture Stops
We will’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 Level, a.ok .a. the well-known Forrest Gump Freeway. 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 within the US. Enable 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 choice if you wish to see the rock formations exterior of the usual trio. Once more, climbing is unlawful, however you possibly can stroll to its base and admire the pure landmark. Go to simply earlier than sundown for the very best views.
7. John Ford’s Level
That is the cash shot overlook. It’s named John Ford’s Level 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 Path
Wildcat Path is an roughly 4-mile loop hike that crams in the very best of Monument Valley’s views on foot. It takes round 2 to three hours and is rated as average issue because of sections with thick sand. You possibly can simply navigate the path independently in case you have a primary health degree. Your efforts might be rewarded with up-close views of the famed Mitten Buttes and Merrick Butte.
Set off early within the day to keep away from the cruel warmth in spring and summer time. Be certain to deliver a digital camera, too, as Wildcat Path is one in all Monument Valley’s greatest issues to do.
9. Climb Mexican Hat
Whereas climbing isn’t allowed throughout 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 identify. Mexican Hat is fashionable 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 happen to 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
Lastly, there’s North Window Overlook to go to within the valley. That is good if you need a viewpoint expertise within the valley. North Window Overlook provides an alternate view of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park to John Ford’s Level. It’s positioned simply minutes from the Monument Valley Customer Middle and is ideal to expertise at dawn or sundown.
When to Go to Monument Valley
It goes with out saying that summer time 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. Moreover, summer time additionally means floods of crowds. It’s the busiest time of 12 months to go to the valley. So in case you are contemplating visiting in summer time, we advocate shifting to the beginning or finish of the season. It’s largely crowded and sizzling, 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 within the fall or spring. Winter can get a bit too chilly, dropping to 25 Fahrenheit generally, so fall and spring are an incredible compromise. September to early November and March to Could are the very best durations to expertise the valley. You’ll have delicate temperatures within the higher 70s Fahrenheit and fewer crowds – a win-win.
Consider what time of day you enter the valley, too. Visiting within the shoulder seasons like fall and spring helps to cut back the crowds. However it’s also possible to be tactical with what time of day you go to. Early morning is greatest if you wish to spend an entire day within the park, heading to the most well-liked websites first. In the meantime, if you happen to want to go to only some websites, late afternoon is an effective time to dodge the worst of the crowds.
In fact, selecting lodging within the valley itself will enable you to get forward of the crowds. You’ll additionally get to tick off dawn and sundown viewpoints from the consolation of your individual residence away from residence, particularly at locations like The View Lodge and Campground.
The place to Keep in Monument Valley And Surrounding Space
The place to remain in and round Monument Valley is a wonderful query. There’s one necessary factor to notice, although. There are minimal lodging choices contained in the park itself. You’ll should e book prematurely to remain contained in the park boundaries. There are additionally extra B&B or camping-style lodging choices throughout the valley.
Happily, 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 selections.
Staying in Monument Valley
Staying inside Monument Valley’s park boundaries requires pre-planning and advance reserving, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly nonetheless attainable. If you wish to make your expertise much more distinctive, snagging these sought-after lodging reservations is effectively price it. You might be bathing in an infinity pool overlooking an exquisite purple rock formation or tenting in a conventional tipi village. Let’s try the highest choices for staying throughout 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. Visitors take pleasure in an indoor pool and a terrace – from which you’ll really see the buttes of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. It’s a stunning place to remain and revel in scenic sunsets and sunrises.
Monument Valley Tipi Village
Monument Valley Tipi Village is an exquisite 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 method to spend money on the area people.
The View Campground/The View Lodge
The View Campground and View Hotel are two adjoining properties in the course of the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park – probably the most scenic part of the valley with the dramatic butte surroundings. Every visitor room within the resort has a balcony to take pleasure in personal dawn and sundown views over the Mitte buttes. And it’s also possible to enquire about tenting experiences in conventional tipis.
Staying Outdoors Monument Valley
As we defined, the very best 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 choice of motels. Nonetheless, we wouldn’t advocate staying right here because it lacks services.
This part will have a look at the very best locations to remain in Kayenta for inn-style lodging and a quiet vibe. Then we’ll have a look at the very best locations to remain in additional luxurious and touristy Bluff.
Kayenta
Kayenta is the smaller, quieter choice of the 2 cities. It’s positioned close to the south entrance of Arizona. It’s a higher choice for these desirous to go on day journeys to Arizona points of interest just like the Grand Canyon or Navajo Nationwide 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 superb for anybody on the lookout for budget-friendly lodging close to Monument Valley. It does have its comfy 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 choice. It’s a fashionable 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 a protracted day in Monument Valley, and a gymnasium and outside pool.
Bluff
Bluff is barely greater and greatest for many who need a busier base whereas visiting the valley. It has extra luxurious locations, like Bluff Dwellings Resort and Spa. Bluff additionally has just a few points of interest, just like the Twin Rocks Buying and selling Put up, the Bluff Nice Home Museum, and the Sand Island Petroglyphs. It’s 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 purple rock surroundings. A every day continental breakfast is included in your reserving price. Total, 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 heart, and thoughtfully adorned rooms that includes conventional stone and wooden particulars. You might have all of the Bluff services 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 evaluations and a surprising 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 sizzling tub. Plus, there may be an onsite restaurant for these days if you want a fast meal.
Excursions Close to Monument Valley
Some of the unimaginable issues about visiting Monument Valley is how completely it combines with different bucket listing experiences in Utah and Arizona. As you realize, the valley is located on the Utah-Arizona border, that means it has virtually unbridled entry to a few of the state’s most sought-after locations and excursions.
You might be trekking by way of Canyonlands or snapping photographs in Arches Nationwide Park. You might head south to spend just a few days across the Grand Canyon and Sedona. Or you could possibly 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.
On this part, we’ll introduce you to the very best of those. Listed 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 an exquisite park simply north of the valley. The San Juan River splits the park and incorporates over 300 million years of geology. Goosenecks is a superb day journey if you wish to spend a day admiring geological points of interest and canyon river views. Decide a hike from the a number of path choices. You possibly can even camp there in a single day if you want.
2. Canyonlands Nationwide Park
Canyonlands Nationwide Park is among the main nationwide parks within the US, with some brilliant hiking trails, together with the path to Druid Arch and Lavender Level. You possibly can admire loads of viewpoints. There’s the gorgeous Needles District and Inexperienced River Overlook. Canyonlands Nationwide Park is break up into 4 essential zones, together with the Island within the Sky mesa.
The nationwide park is simply a 3-hour drive from the middle of Monument Valley. It’s best skilled at sundown when the purple rock surroundings is much more stunning.
3. Lifeless Horse State Park
Lifeless 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 critically gorgeous canyon surroundings. Whereas 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.
In order for you a extra bitesize chunk, Lifeless Horse State Park is the proper 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 superb expertise so as to add to your Monument Valley itinerary. You possibly 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 points of interest earlier than driving to Monument Valley. Both manner, you possibly can mix the 2.
5. Go to the 4 Corners Monument
This monument is extraordinary, marking the purpose the place all 4 states – Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado – all converge. The 4 Corners Monument is positioned within the Navajo Nation and has its personal customer heart. In order for you a novelty expertise, you possibly can’t beat this monument. In any case, you possibly can say you stood in all 4 states directly.
It takes round an hour to achieve Bluff, making it some of the accessible self-guided excursions from the valley.
6. Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is an excellent tour to take from Monument Valley. When you’ve spent a few days exploring the valley, you possibly can drive below 2 hours to Antelope Canyon – the well-known canyon that appears prefer it has rock waves in its partitions.
Because 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 Nationwide Park
Mesa Verde Nationwide Park is an excellent tour from the valley. It’s 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 information of Puebloan historical past after visiting the Navajo Nation. You possibly can rapidly drive to Mesa Verde Nationwide Park from Bluff, which takes round 1.5 hours. It’s one in all Colorado’s best national parks and well worth the detour.
8. Arches Nationwide Park
Arches Nationwide Park is a should in case you are visiting Monument Valley. It’s simply too shut by to overlook out on. The park is known as after its dozens of pure arches and is one in all Utah’s most beautiful places to visit. It’s slightly below a 2-hour drive from Bluff, close to the valley’s north entrance. And you’ll take pleasure in stunning hikes to see the pure landmarks.
Look into nationwide park passes for a number of parks if you happen to’d like to mix just a few of the nationwide parks close to Monument Valley.
9. Canyon de Chelly Nationwide Monument
This Nationwide Monument is among the greatest areas of pure magnificence throughout the Navajo Nation. And as a bonus, it’s simply over an hour’s drive from Kayenta. You possibly 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’s simply over 1.5 hours from Kayenta by automobile by the valley’s south entrance. The park is greatest identified for its dramatic river canyon panorama, that includes a curve within the Colorado River that appears like a horseshoe form.
Whereas there, you could possibly go climbing or boating. Or sightsee different points of interest close to Web page, like Antelope Canyon.
Visiting Monument Valley: FAQs
Are you enthusiastic about visiting Monument Valley? Whether or not you go to Thriller 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’s 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 aspect of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, with all its historical past of the Navajo folks.
Earlier than 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. Certain, its tradition and geology would have nonetheless attracted guests even when Hollywood hadn’t scouted it as a film set. Nevertheless, 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 motels, inns, and some points of interest.
Can you continue to drive by way of Monument Valley?
Sure, Monument Valley is open to drivers. The Monument Valley Loop Highway is open all 12 months spherical, though it does prohibit its hours in winter, sometimes opening between 8 am and a couple 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. Nevertheless, a lot of the park falls throughout the state boundaries of Arizona.
Monument Valley is outstanding; there’s no doubting that. These 92,000 acres include a lot pure magnificence and tradition. You possibly can study concerning the Navajo Nation and pay for a guided tour to embrace Monument Valley with the Navajo folks. You possibly can take a street journey by way of Monument Valley by way of Freeway 163, passing Forrest Gump Level, Hollywood film scenes, and gorgeous 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 received’t quickly neglect.
You now know all the sensible data needed to arrange a visit to Monument Valley. We hope you might have an exquisite time and encourage you to increase your keep to understand the broader area and its surrounding points of interest. In want of some additional inspiration? These are probably the most stunning places to visit in Arizona. And we’ve got an entire information on Utah’s ‘Mighty 5’ national parks. Take advantage of visiting a vacation spot proper on the Utah-Arizona border.
