Are you thinking about visiting Monument Valley but aren’t sure what to expect when you want to go? Then this guide is for you.
I’m James and I’m a national park expert. I know that Monument Valley is technically not a national park, but it is a national treasure. In this guide, I’ll describe in detail exactly what to expect each month, so you can plan a trip that suits your needs. I describe the weather in Monument Valley for each month, as well as how busy it is, any special events, and more.
If you just want a quick snapshot about my thoughts on the best time to visit Monument Valley, check out my Best Time to Go To Monument Valley guide.
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Monument Valley in Spring (April – May)
In Monument Valley, spring is a brief season that runs from April to May. You can already expect warm to hot weather, and little to no rainfall during these months. Spring in Monument Valley is an ideal time to visit, due to the lack of extreme desert temperatures.
Visiting Monument Valley in April
The weather in Monument Valley in April is warm and dry, but not yet too hot for exploring on foot. During April, you can expect average daytime highs of around 68ºF (20ºC), with overnight lows reaching 43ºF (6ºC).
As the area has a desert climate, the Monument Valley weather in April is dry. It’s unlikely to rain much, if at all, during the entire month. While the high altitude here does help to control the temperature, it’s more comfortable to be at the park in spring than in summer.
Combine these milder temperatures with lower visitor numbers, and you can see that April – like all of spring and fall – is one of the best times to visit Monument Valley. This is a good time to hike the Wildcat Trail, or explore other parts of the park.
You can visit Monument Valley all year round, and the visitor center is open during all seasons.
Pros
- Lower visitor numbers than summer
- Dry weather with little to no rain
- Comfortable daytime highs
Cons
- Overnight temperatures can feel chilly
- Less hours of daylight than summer
- The park may still be busy
Visiting Monument Valley in May
The Monument Valley weather in May is when things start to warm up, prior to summer. This is also a dry month in the valley.
During May in Monument Valley, expect temperatures to range from 54ºF (12ºC), to 79ºF (26ºC), on average. Again, no days of rain – or very little – is usual for the second half of spring in Monument Valley.
As you can see, the temperatures are heating up here by May, and particularly towards the end of the month. Like April, this is a good time to be on the Utah and Arizona border, though May brings higher temperatures.
May is a popular time to visit, too, but not as busy as summer in terms of crowds. If you’re choosing between April and May, then the difference is really down to higher temperatures as spring wears on. Also, visitor numbers can be higher in May.
Pros
- Dry weather
- Less crowded than in summer
- Warm to hot daytime temperatures
Cons
- May can bring some hot days
- It’s busier than in April
Monument Valley in Summer (June – August)
The pro of visiting Monument Valley in summer is that this is when you can expect hot weather. June, July and August can get too hot, at times, however. July and August can also be slightly wetter than June and the preceding spring months.
Visiting Monument Valley in June
The weather in Monument Valley in June reflects the fact that along with August, this is the second hottest month of the year. Only July has higher temperatures than June and August.
June is the driest of the three summer months in Monument Valley. As in spring, you can expect very little rain, if any at all. The temperatures in June are, on average, the same as in August.
June in Monument Valley brings temperatures that range from about 64ºF (18ºC) to around 90ºF (32ºC). It generally remains dry, with less chance of rain than during the following four months.
If you like hot, dry weather, then this may be the perfect time for you to visit Monument Valley. But do bear in mind that it can get stiflingly hot in the desert. Summer is also peak tourist season, so you can also expect the park to be busier in June than in spring, fall or winter. The weekend of the Monument Valley bike race can also be super busy.
Pros
- Not as hot as July
- The driest of the summer months
Cons
- It can get too hot during the day
- Summer is when the crowds arrive
- The Monument Valley bike race weekend is very busy
Key Events in (month):
- The Monument Valley bike race is held in mid-June for adults and children
Visiting Monument Valley in July
Head to Monument Valley in July and you can expect to be in the Utah and Arizona desert during the hottest month of the year. There’s only one day of rain on average to provide any relief from the heat, which makes this month wetter than June but drier than August.
In July, you can expect the mercury to hit lows of around 68ºF (20ºC), with hot daytime highs of about 93ºF (34ºC). So summer is the time when you’re going to want to seek some shade – and will need to take in a lot of water too. It can thus be too hot for exploring, for many people, though this remains one of the most popular months to visit.
Really, whether to visit in July depends on a few factors. Whether or not you can take your vacation at another time, for starters. Also, how acclimated to heat you are will play a part. Those from Alabama or Florida, for example, may not struggle, whereas anyone who lives in Alaska or New England won’t be used to such extremes.
The hottest month is also among the busiest, especially around the July 4th weekend holiday.
Pros
- Hot weather is the norm
- You can expect only one day of rain
Cons
- It can be too hot for hiking
- The park is likely to be crowded
- July 4th weekend is extra busy
Visiting Monument Valley in August
The weather starts to cool down very slightly in August, as compared to July. Averages are pretty much the same as in June.
In August, Monument Valley temperatures range from about 64ºF (18ºC) to around 90ºF (32ºC). Which is just like June. But the difference is that there is more chance of rain in August than in June, with two days per month on average then.
If you’re picking between July and August, then August can be marginally cooler. But there isn’t much in it, and remember that these are only averages anyway. The park will still be busy with summer crowds, and it’s still likely to be unbearably hot during some days.
If you have the option of visiting in spring or fall rather than June, July or August, then temperatures will be more comfortably cool.
Pros
- Slightly cooler than July
- It’s warm even overnight
Cons
- Some days will see soaring temperatures
- Fewer daylight hours than in June and July
Monument Valley in Fall (September – October)
During fall, Monument Valley is cooler than in summer. Thus the weather is preferable for many people, even though the days are getting shorter. The park can also look pretty with fall colors from September to October.
Visiting Monument Valley in September
The Monument Valley weather in September is cooler and more comfortable than in summer. Temperatures are a little higher than in May, making this the fourth-hottest month of the year. It’s also one of the two wettest months. Not that you can expect more than a couple of days of rain, here in the Utah and Arizona desert.
In September, Monument Valley temperatures tend to hover between 59ºF (15ºC) and 82ºF (28ºC). So it doesn’t get cold even overnight, though it’s considerably less hot than by day during hours of darkness.
The fall leaves may begin to turn in September, though you have a better chance of seeing them later in the month than at the start, when it’s still more summery. As compared to the three previous months, this is a good time to visit for fewer crowds and lower temperatures.
Mitten Shadow Day occurs twice per year in Monument Valley, and once during fall. This natural phenomenon happens around September 13th, when West Mitten Butte casts a shadow on East Mitten Butte at sunset. Special tours are available for those who want to see this bi-annual event for themselves.
Pros
- It’s more peaceful than in summer
- Temperatures are warm rather than excessively hot
Cons
- The days are starting to shorten
- This is one of the two wettest months
Key Events in (month):
- Mitten Shadow Day (Fall) occurs around September 13th. Then, at sunset, West Mitten Butte casts a shadow on East Mitten Butte.
Visiting Monument Valley in October
The Monument Valley weather in October is very similar to that in April, but with slightly warmer temperatures, one day of rain as compared to none in April, and shorter days. This is the best month for seeing fall colors in Monument Valley.
Daytime highs of around 70ºF (21ºC) are balanced by overnight lows of about 46ºF (8ºC). There’s around one day of rain here during October, making this drier than the two preceding months – though there isn’t really a lot in it!
With fewer visitors, comfortable temperatures, fall foliage and no major holidays during October, this is a really nice time of year to head to Monument Valley.
Pros
- The driest month of fall
- Weather is pleasant
- Fewer visitors than in summer
Cons
- Shorter days than in September
- The park closes for the Ring of Fire eclipse
Key Events in (month):
- The annual Ring of Fire eclipse happens around mid-October, and the park is closed for this in accordance with Navajo cultural beliefs.
Monument Valley winter (November – March)
If you’re wondering what visiting Monument Valley in winter is like, then it’s the coldest time of the year, with dry weather. December and January are the chilliest months, though Monument Valley snow can be seen between November and March. This is generally a light scattering that melts away pretty quickly, as by day temperatures rarely dip below freezing point.
Visiting Monument Valley in November
November is the second warmest month of winter, following March. The Monument Valley weather in November means temperatures of around 34ºF (1ºC) to about 54ºF (12ºC). It’s generally dry, with no rain to speak of.
Though it’s colder, below freezing temperatures are pretty rare in November at Monument Valley. So this isn’t a bad time to visit. Yes, it’s colder, but it’s mild and dry. Do note that the park is closed for Thanksgiving, though accommodations in the area may still be busy with people taking vacations.
Pros
- A dry month
- A quiet time to visit
- Second warmest month in winter
Cons
- The park is closed for Thanksgiving
- Overnight temperatures can be cold
Visiting Monument Valley in December
The Monument Valley weather in December is only very marginally warmer than in January, on average. Like the other winter months, you can expect dry weather at the park in December, though snow is occasionally seen. When this does fall, it’s usually melted away within a day or two.
Average daytime highs are around 43ºF (6ºC) in December, with overnight lows of about 25ºF (-4ºC). So it does get cold overnight in winter, even in the desert!
The park closes on Christmas Day, and also New Year’s Day on January 1st. So do keep that in mind, if you plan to head to the area during the holidays.
Pros
- There is some chance of snow
- Daytime highs are above freezing
- The park is quiet during the winter off-season
Cons
- Expect below freezing lows overnight
- The park closes for Christmas Day
- This is the second coldest month of the year
Visiting Monument Valley in January
Head to Monument Valley in January and you’ll experience the coldest month of the year at the park. In reality, though, there’s very little difference between January and December.
It can be a degree or so colder, on average, during the day. Expect temperatures at Monument Valley in midwinter to range from lows of around 25ºF (-4ºC) to highs of about 41ºF (5ºC). Again, you can expect little or no rain or snow, though there may be the odd light dusting or shower.
If you plan to head to Monument Valley during the holiday, keep in mind that the park closes on January 1st, which is New Year’s Day. It is also closed a week earlier, on Christmas Day.
Pros
- This is a peaceful time to visit
- Any snow is likely to be very light
- Temperatures tend to be above zero by day
Cons
- It’s very cold overnight
- The park is shut on New Year’s Day
- January is the coldest month of winter
Visiting Monument Valley in February
The Monument Valley weather in February reflects the fact that the worst of the winter is over. It’s still relatively cold, particularly overnight, but daytime highs can almost reach double figures in celsius, or the high 40s in fahrenheit.
Expect the mercury to climb to a maximum of around 48ºF (9ºC) by day, and dip to a minimum of about 28ºF (-2ºC) at night. Again February is generally a dry month, though you could still see some snow.
Like other winter months, February is ideal for adventurous types who don’t mind colder days and freezing nights. This is a very peaceful season indeed, once Christmas and New Year are over, and prior to temperatures starting to rise in March. Only the weekend closest to Valentine’s might be busier than average for winter.
Pros
- The park is quiet
- Dry weather is usual
- It’s warmer than in December and January
Cons
- This is the third coldest month
- Expect at least some freezing nights
Visiting Monument Valley in March
Pre-spring might be the best way to describe the weather of Monument Valley March. Though it’s still winter, the Monument Valley weather in March is at its warmest since October. This is the warmest month of the winter.
During the night, temperatures of around 59ºF (15ºC) are average, while at night you can expect lows of about 36ºF (2ºC). Rain is more likely than snow in March, but with the dry desert climate you’re unlikely to see much, if any, of either.
Mitten Shadow Day occurs twice per year in Monument Valley, and the first time is around March 30th, just as spring is about to start. At sunset, West Mitten Butte casts a shadow on East Mitten Butte on Mitten Shadow Day. You can book dedicated tours to witness this if you want to.
Pros
- The warmest month of the winter
- Overnight temperatures are no longer freezing
- You might witness Mitten Shadow Day in spring
Cons
- Seeing snow is pretty unlikely
- Spring doesn’t really start until April
Key Events in March:
Mitten Shadow Day (Spring) occurs around March 30th. Then, at sunset, West Mitten Butte casts a shadow on East Mitten Butte.
Travel Insurance for Monument Valley
No matter when is the best time to go to Monument Valley, you should definitely get travel insurance. This can protect you not only against medical and emergency repatriation, but can also cover things like trip cancellation, loss and/ or theft of property, etc.
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:
Enjoy Monument Valley!
You might also like
Monument Valley Guide
Complete Guide To Hiking The Wildcat Trail
Closest Airport To Monument Valley
Best Books about Monument Valley
How to Get to Monument Valley
Best Time to Visit 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 most of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, comprehensive camping and hiking gear reviews and buying guides, and helpful packing lists and gift guides 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.
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