If you think of classic wild west landscape, you are probably thinking of Monument Valley. The towering buttes and mesas feature in countless western movies. In movies, this is the landscape of romance and exploration.
Today, is makes up the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal park and it’s possible to not only see the incredible landscape, but also take a tour with a Navajo guide and learn more about their culture.
Table of Contents
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park at a Glance
Monument Valley is not a national park. It sits entirely within the Navajo Nation, so is designated as a Tribal Park instead.
⭐ State: Arizona/ Utah (the state border cuts through the valley)
⭐ Main attractions: Mesas and buttes, Navajo culture
10 FUN FACTS ABOUT MONUMENT VALLEY
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🚘FIND THE CHEAPEST CAR RENTAL: Search Discover Cars for the best deals
✈️FIND THE CHEAPEST FLIGHTS: Search Skyscanner for the best deals
🧳GET TRAVEL INSURANCE: Get insured with Travelex before you go
📱TAKE AN AUDIO TOUR: Buy an audio tour now
Monument Valley Travel Guide
Planning a trip to Monument Valley can be overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be. Click on the links below to go to detailed guides and answers to your questions.
How to Plan a Trip to Monument Valley
This guide will help you with what you should AVOID doing when you plan a trip to Monument Valley.
Read More: 7 MISTAKES TO AVOID AT MONUMENT VALLEY
Here are my top travel tips for Monument Valley.
Read More: 10 TIPS FOR VISITING MONUMENT VALLEY
Entrance Fee for Monument Valley.
There is an entrance fee for the park. Find the latest fees and pay the entrance fee on the Navajo Nation Parks website.
Monument Valley Visitor Center
There is one entrance to the park and one Visitor Center. Soon after you enter, you’ll arrive at The View, which is the tourist center. There are several accommodation options, a large gift shop, a restaurant and a Visitor Center.
Monument Valley is closed
⛔ Thanksgiving Day
⛔ Christmas Day
⛔ New Year’s Day
Best Tours of Monument Valley
🎧 Get a self-guided audio tour of Monument Valley
Hikes in Monument Valley
There is only one hike that you can do without a Navajo guide.
Read More: WILDCAT TRAIL GUIDE
Where to Stay In and Near Monument Valley
There is one place to stay inside the Tribal Park – The View. There are several options: there’s a hotel, cabins and a campground. The views of the valley are sensational.
Nearby is Gouldings, which also has a hotel and a campground, including an RV park. You can see Monument Valley but the views are more distant.
If you’re looking for a vacation rental, Kayenta and Mexican Hat are within easy driving distance.
➡️ Find a hotel near Monument Valley on Expedia.
➡️ Find a vacation rental near Monument Valley on VRBO.
How to Get To Monument Valley
The most common ways to get to Monument Valley are to drive or fly into one of the nearby airports and pick up a rental car there.
Read More: HOW TO GET TO MONUMENT VALLEY
🚗 If you need a rental car, find one on RentalsCars.com
✈️ If you’re looking for a flight, find a good deal on Skyscanner
The Nearest Airports for Monument Valley
There are several airports that you can fly into/ out of. This guide tells you about all the airports near Monument Valley with the pros and cons of each of them.
Read More: THE AIRPORTS NEAR MONUMENT VALLEY
This is the closest airport to Monument Valley.
Read More: CLOSEST AIRPORT TO MONUMENT VALLEY
✈️ If you’re looking for flights, use Skyscanner to scan the Internet for the cheapest deals.
How to Get Around Monument Valley
There is one road through the valley that you can drive yourself. It’s a 17-mile loop and is unpaved. RVs and trailers are not permitted on the road, so if you have one, you’ll need to take a guided tour.
Book a tour of the 17-mile scenic drive here
If you want to venture into the backcountry, you’ll also need to take a tour with a Navajo guide.
🚗 If you need a rental car, find one on RentalsCars.com
The Best Time to Visit Monument Valley
The park is open throughout the year.
A quick summary of the best time to visit the park for different interests and priorities.
Read More: BEST TIME TO VISIT MONUMENT VALLEY
Take a look at what the park’s like in each season and month to help you decide when to visit Monument Valley.
Read More: VISITING MONUMENT VALLEY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
How Long to Spend in Monument Valley
How many days you should go to Monument Valley for depends on when you have time off, how much time you have, your budget, and your interests.
If you just do the self-guided drive, half a day is enough. However, in general, I recommend one day so you can see the valley in different light and include a backcountry tour.
Travel Insurance for Monument Valley
In addition to working out the logistics of your trip using this travel guide, Monument Valley planning should also include travel insurance. Protect yourself against trip cancellation, loss or theft of your property, or any medical emergencies.
A great insurance option is Travelex. It has coverage for all you’ll need. You can compare Travel Insurance plans here or get a quote right now:
Best Books About Monument Valley
I love to read books about places I go. Get in the spirit of your vacation and learn about Monument Valley before you go, immerse yourself with reading material while you’re there, and/ or keep your memories alive after your trip.
This Monument Valley reading list includes interesting tales, information, novels and picture books.
Read More: BEST BOOKS ABOUT MONUMENT VALLEY
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About the author
James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.
Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for many of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, and other resources will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.
As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including USA Today, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.