Monument Valley’s famous red rock formations and sandstone buttes are truly impressive.
This remote area of northern Arizona is also featured in many famous movies, such as Forrest Gump, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and Back to the Future Part III.
These movies and social media have made Monument Valley a popular tourist destination. The Monument Valley Tribal Park covers over 91,000 acres and is larger than Arches National Park.
Visiting Monument Valley will look a little bit different than visiting a National Park. It is located on Navajo Land, so you are subject to their rules, fees, and customs. I initially thought that visiting Monument Valley involved just a quick drive through the valley, but there is so much more to do here!
My husband, sister, and I visited Monument Valley on a day trip from Moab in October of 2024. We had a blast doing the Valley Drive and exploring the famous rock formations.
Since it is located in such a remote part of Arizona, getting here takes some planning. I definitely recommend carving out time for a day trip if you’re in the area, or visiting Monument Valley as part of a longer road trip.
Whether you have just a few hours or a few days to spend, this post will cover everything you need to know about visiting Monument Valley in Arizona.
The Best Time to Visit Monument Valley
The best time to visit Monument Valley is in the spring or fall. Temperatures in the area get brutally hot in the summer, plus the crowds will be higher since the kids are out of school.
Monument Valley sits at 5200 feet of elevation, so snow is possible in the winter. Heavy snow is rare, though. Monument Valley Tribal Park stays open year round, but it has different hours of operation in the off season. Check the latest information on hours of operation here.
We visited in the middle of October and had daily highs in the 80s with chilly mornings and evenings.
How to Get to Monument Valley
Monument Valley Tribal Park is located in northern Arizona off of US Highway 163. The closest towns are Mexican Hat, Utah and Kayenta, Arizona. No matter which airport you’re flying into or major town you are coming from, getting to Monument Valley will involve a lot of driving.
The closest major airport is Phoenix, which is still 5 hours from Monument Valley.
I highly recommend visiting Monument Valley on an Arizona and/or Utah road trip. That way, you’ll get to see a lot of incredible things to make the flight and drive worth your time and effort. It is also possible to visit Monument Valley on a day trip from Page or Moab.
Here are driving times to Monument Valley from popular nearby destinations:
- Phoenix, AZ: 319 miles / 5 hours
- Salt Lake City, UT: 382 miles / 6.5 hours
- Las Vegas, NV: 398 miles / 6.5 hours
- Moab, UT: 148 miles / 2.5 hours
- Page, AZ: 124 miles / 2 hours
- Flagstaff, AZ: 175 miles / 3 hours
- Grand Junction, CO: 261 miles / 4.5 hours
Related: 12 Incredible Things to Do in Page, Arizona
Entrance Fees
It costs $8 per person, per day to enter Monument Valley Tribal Park and cash is not accepted (card only). Children age 7 and under are free. This fee is collected at the entrance station to the park.
Tours with a Navajo Guide have an additional cost that varies with the type of tour. If you do a guided tour, I would have some cash on hand for tips as well.
Since you are on Navajo Land, your America the Beautiful National Park Pass or Arizona State Parks Pass will not work.
How Much Time Do You Need at Monument Valley
One day is plenty of time to visit Monument Valley. The real challenge is the time needed to drive here as it is in a very remote location.
If you want to learn more about the history, catch some sunrises and sunsets, or take an additional guided tour, reserve 2 days.
Things to Do at Monument Valley
Forrest Gump Point
Want to visit the iconic place where Forrest Gump stopped running? You are in the right spot!
You can visit Forrest Gump Point without paying the fee to enter Monument Valley, as it is located outside of the park’s boundaries.
This point is located north of the park and south of Mexican Hat off of US Highway 163. There are signs and 3 areas to pull off the road, so you can’t miss it. The speed limit through this area also drops to 45 mph.
You’ll likely see a lot of people in the road taking pictures too. Grab that incredible photo from the road with the Monument Valley rock formations in the background!
Scenic Valley Drive
The best and most popular thing to do in Monument Valley is the scenic Valley Drive. This is a 17-mile dirt road loop through the scenic red rock formations. You’ll get up close and personal with the region and you get to explore at your own pace.
You’ll get a map and instructions for doing the drive at the entrance station after you pay the fee.
The Valley Drive hours vary depending on the season. In peak season (May through September) it is open from 6 am to 8 pm and in the off season (October through April) it is open from 8 am to 5 pm. They will stop letting cars into the scenic drive 2.5 hours before closing, so make sure you get there well in advance of the closing time. Check the latest information and hours of operation here.
You don’t need 4WD for this drive, but I’d recommend a high-clearance vehicle. The first part of the drive is a bit steep through sand, so you’ll want the extra ground clearance for that. There are also some rocks and sand in places that would be difficult to traverse in a sedan.
We saw lots of 2WD SUVs on this drive and they did just fine. Our rental Jeep Grand Cherokee and had no issues!
It took us about an hour and a half to do this drive, and that included a lot of stopping for photos.
Monument Valley Overlook
Make sure you don’t miss the overlook over Monument Valley right next to the Visitor’s Center. There is a gorgeous viewpoint where you can see a lot of the rock formations and the Valley Drive from a birds’ eye view.
The shadows from the clouds casting onto the red rock formations was absolutely gorgeous!
I’ve heard this view at sunrise and sunset is breathtaking as well. Sunrise paints the sky with pastel colors and sunset gives the rock formations an iron-red glow.
While you’re here, don’t forget to check out the Visitor’s Center. There is a large gift shop, restrooms, and a restaurant here.
Take a Tour With a Navajo Guide
The only things you can do at Monument Valley Tribal Park without a guide is the Valley Drive, Visitor’s Center/scenic overlook, and hiking the Wildcat Trail.
If you want to get off the beaten path in Monument Valley, you will need to book a tour with a local Navajo guide. They will take you to backcountry sights and explain more of the history and culture surrounding the area. There are even sunrise and sunset tours as well.
Gouldings, Monument Valley Safari, and Monument Valley Tribal Tours are a few companies that offer tours. Check them out and pick one that fits your interests!
Hike the Wildcat Trail
The Wildcat Trail is the only hike you can do without a Navajo guide in Monument Valley. It’s a 3.9 mile loop trail with 390 feet of elevation gain that gives you a closer look at the East and West Mitten. Park at the Visitor’s Center and head north to get to the trailhead.
There is no shade on this trail and the hike takes you through some sandy sections, so be prepared with lots of water and avoid hiking midday in the summer. I’ve read that they sometimes close the trail at noon due to the heat!
Most visitors only visit the overlook and do the Valley Drive, so it’s unlikely that you’ll see many other people on the trail.
We didn’t have time to do this hike, so I can’t tell you from experience if it is worth it or not. Since we did the Valley Drive and got to see a lot of the formations up close, I don’t feel like we missed out on anything. Some of the AllTrails reviews are mixed as well, so you’ll have to decide if it’s worth it to you!
Monument Valley Road Trip Ideas
DAY TRIP FROM MOAB OR PAGE. You can reasonably visit Monument Valley on a day trip from Moab, UT or Page, AZ. Page is two hours away and Moab is 2.5 – 3 hours. It will be a big day of driving, but you can still get there and do the Valley Drive or go on a guided tour, see Forrest Gump Point, and visit the Visitor’s Center and overlook.
9-DAY ROAD TRIP THROUGH NORTHERN ARIZONA: See the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Petrified Forest National Park, Page, and more along with your visit to Monument Valley on this road trip through Northern Arizona.
9-DAY ROAD TRIP THROUGH MOAB & THE GRAND CANYON: Visit Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in Utah, and then head south through Monument Valley before ending your trip at the Grand Canyon South Rim.
Where to Stay at Monument Valley
Monument Valley is located in a very remote area in Northern Arizona along the Utah border. Restaurants and hotels are minimal, so don’t expect a gourmet meal when you come to visit!
If you’re not planning on visiting as a day trip from somewhere else, you might want to stay close to Monument Valley for a night to maximize your time in the park.
You really only have a few options for lodging nearby, but they will have everything that you need for a night or two:
- Goulding’s Lodge: Hotel and campground with a rich history dating back to the 1920’s. There is a restaurant, convenience store, pool, and gift shop on site. We ate lunch here and the Navajo taco was excellent.
- The View Hotel: Hotel, cabins, and campground with a trading post.
- Monument Valley Tipi Village: Unique campground where you can bring your own tent, or stay in an Indian tipi. There are RV hookups, restrooms, and grills as well. I couldn’t find a website, but you can call them at (435) 444-5974 to book a reservation.
Tips for Visiting Monument Valley
Make sure you have plenty of gas before your trip. There are gas stations once you get to Monument Valley, but there aren’t any stops along the way.
Bring plenty of food and water. Again, you will be in a very remote part of Arizona and there won’t be places to stop for food on the way. There are a few restaurants at Monument Valley, but nothing on your way for hours. You might want to pack a lunch and bring plenty snacks and a cooler of water on your trip.
Bring cash for tips if you book a guided tour. If you plan to tip your tour guide, having cash on hand is a must.
Don’t expect to have cell signal. Download maps ahead of time and don’t count on having cell signal the whole time! We were fine once we got to Monument Valley, but service will be spotty on the way.
Do you plan to visit Monument Valley on your next trip to the American Southwest? Let me know in the comments below!
-Megan
More Information on Arizona & Utah
CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK: Enjoy panoramic views from the Island in the Sky District or get off the beaten path in the Needles District. Canyonlands is located in Moab, about 2.5 hours north of Monument Valley.
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK: Explore over 2000 sandstone arches in this incredible National Park that neighbors Canyonlands. Check out my guide to the best things to do in Arches National Park.
PAGE, AZ: Page makes a perfect long weekend destination and is packed with famous attractions like Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, and more. It’s located 2 hours west of Monument Valley. Check out the top 12 things to do in Page to help you plan your visit!
THE GRAND CANYON: One of the 7 wonders of the world, a trip to the Grand Canyon is a must, and is only 2.5 hours from Monument Valley. Check out my ultimate guide to visiting the Grand Canyon South Rim or learn how to visit the Grand Canyon in the winter.
PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK: Petrified Forest is a highly underrated National Park that you can visit in one day with fascinating geology and unreal scenery. It’s a 3-hour drive south from Monument Valley and makes a great road trip stop. Check out my guide to Petrified Forest here.
