The vast landscape of Monument Valley sprawls across the Utah/Arizona border within the Navajo Nation. The towering buttes and imposing mesas boast an unworldly beauty and you’ll feel as if you’re on another planet.
If Monument Valley is on your Southwest road trip itinerary, then keep reading to discover the best tips for visiting Monument Valley!
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A Complete Guide to Visiting Monument Valley
Table of Contents
- Best Place to Stay in Monument Valley
- Best Places to Eat in Monument Valley
- Best Things to Do at Monument Valley
- Monument Valley FAQ:
Best Place to Stay in Monument Valley
Many visitors opt to make Monument Valley a day trip, but to truly make the most of your experience I would highly recommend spending the night.
The View Cabins at Monument Valley
The View Hotel and Cabins are the only lodging accommodations located inside the Monument Valley Tribal Park.
The View Hotel offers traditional hotel rooms overlooking Monument Valley.
However, for the best views and a more intimate experience, I highly recommend booking The View Premium Cabins.
The cabins are perched on the rim with unparalleled views of the valley.
It is honestly one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever stayed and my best tip for visiting Monument Valley!
There really is nothing quite like waking up to the sun peeking over The Mittens.
There are two rows of cabins. The cabins in front are considered “Premium View Cabins” and cost a little more.
It is well worth the additional charge to have unobstructed views without any cabins in front of you.
Each cabin has a queen bed and a set of bunk beds. The executive cabins also offer an additional living room with a single pull-out sofa bed.
The cabins are cozy and basic but provide all the necessary amenities, including a full bath, refrigerator, microwave, heating, and cooling.
However, this is one of the Most Unique Places to Stay in Utah, and the crowning feature is having Monument Valley right at your doorstep.
Only cabin guests are allowed to enter this area of the park, so it feels as if you have the entire valley to yourself.
You’ll be able to explore the landscape long after the park has closed to outside guests and experience it in a way that most people don’t get a chance to do.
There really is nothing quite like experiencing the tranquility of the setting sun reflecting off the monoliths, the sun rising over the mesas, or the coal-black sky twinkling with a sea of stars.
If you’re looking for more unique places to stay in Utah, check out Whispering Pines glamping and the Goblin Valley yurts!
Other Places to Stay at Monument Valley
The View Cabins book up far in advance, so here are a few more options if you are unable to make a reservation:
- The View Hotel: The View Hotel offers basic guest rooms with spectacular views of Monument Valley.
- The View Campground: The View Campground is also located within the Monument Valley Tribal Park. It offers RV and tent sites with unparalleled views.
- Goulding’s Lodge: Goulding’s Lodge is a historic hotel and campground located about 2.5 miles outside of Monument Valley. In the 1930s, Harry Goulding introduced director John Ford to the beauty of Monument Valley and solidified its star on the Hollywood map. For the best deal, also check Hotels.com and Expedia.
- Kayenta Monument Valley Inn: Kayenta is about 30 minutes outside of Monument Valley. This hotel is affordable and conveniently located near stores and restaurants. Compare rates on Expedia, Booking.com, and Kayak.
- Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa: Bluff is located about an hour north of Monument Valley and is home to one of the most beautiful resorts in Utah. Definitely add it as a stop on your road trip!
Best Places to Eat in Monument Valley
When visiting Monument Valley, keep in mind that it is located in a remote region of the Navajo Nation with limited dining options.
The View Restaurant is located at The View Hotel and is the only restaurant found within the Monument Valley Tribal Park.
Guests staying at the hotel or in the cabins can enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast at the restaurant.
The restaurant is also open for dinner. We found the food to be mediocre, but it is convenient and the view from the dining room and patio makes up for any shortcomings!
After your meal, be sure to stop in at the trading post next to the dining room for authentic hand-crafted souvenirs.
If you are looking for more traditional dishes, Linda’s food truck serves some of the best Navajo and Mexican cuisine.
The food truck is temporarily closed, but inquire at The View Hotel’s concierge desk for delivery options.
The Stagecoach Restaurant at the nearby Goulding’s Hotel also offers authentic dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Be sure to try their traditional Navajo Tacos!
Best Things to Do at Monument Valley
This comes as no surprise, but the best thing to do when visiting Monument Valley is to get out and explore!
Drive the Monument Valley Scenic Loop
The entrance fee to Monument Valley is $20 per vehicle for up to 4 people and $6 for each additional person.
Once you enter the park, there is a 17-mile scenic loop through the valley.
The entire road is dirt and gravel with a few larger bumps and potholes. We saw several sedans on the road, but I would highly recommend a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle.
The beginning of the road is particularly steep and bumpy, and would be especially challenging if it is rainy and muddy.
The speed limit is 15 mph, so plan for about 2-4 hours to complete the loop, depending on how many stops you make along the way.
The road also becomes a one-way loop for 13 miles, so once you reach that point, you must continue the entire loop without turning around.
*Related post: Moab is another popular stop on a Southern Utah road trip. Check out our Weekend in Moab guide for recommendations!
Take a Guided Tour of Monument Valley
Another option is to take a guided tour. The tours are led by local Navajo guides, and it is truly an enriching experience to hear their stories and insights.
Your guide will point out famous landmarks such as the Mittens Buttes, Three Sisters Spires, Elephant Butte, Totem Pole, and the Yeibichai rocks.
It was also fun to see some famous landmarks from different movies, such as the monolith that Tom Cruise was rock climbing on in the opening scene of Mission Impossible 2, and the butte that Metallica performed on top of for their I Disappear music video.
You’ll also get a chance to visit the famous John Ford’s Point.
This is perhaps the most iconic location in the entire park and has appeared in several of John Ford’s movies as well as other western films.
This point makes for a great photo op, and often times you’ll find a man with a horse that you can pose on top of for a small fee.
There is also a trading post and Linda’s famous fry bread stand at this location.
Another benefit to taking a tour is that the guides have access to parts of the park that are off-limits to the general public.
Your tour guide will take you to a traditional hogan where you’ll be able to see demonstrations and learn more about the Navajo culture.
The hogan is built using local juniper wood and can last for 2-3 generations, It truly is remarkable to see the construction.
You’ll also visit several sandstone arches and have the chance to view petroglyphs and pictographs dating back between 900 to 1200 AD.
Keep in mind that these formations and features can only be visited while on a guided tour.
One of the highlights was listening to our guide play the flute in a natural amphitheater while the sound echoed off the surrounding cliffs.
The tour trucks have shaded open-air seating so that you can take in the 360-degree views while driving along. The seats are also relatively comfortable as you bounce along the bumpy road and deep sandy trails.
We took the 2.5-hour guided tour with Dineh Bekeyah and had such a great experience. The sunset tour would also be phenomenal for pictures.
There are several tours and tour providers to choose from. I would recommend checking Viator, Expedia, and TripAdvisor to compare options.
If you have the time and a sense of adventure, consider booking the Hunts Mesa Tour to reach one of the most epic viewpoints in all of Monument Valley!
*Related post: If you’re passing through Flagstaff on your way to Monument Valley, be sure to check out our guide 10 Fun Things to do in Flagstaff with Kids!
Take a Photo at Forrest Gump Point
Forrest Gump Point was made famous in the movie as the point where Forrest Gump ends his cross-country run with the line, “I think I’ll go home now”.
If you are visiting Monument Valley, be sure to make a stop here!
This scenic stretch of road is located about 20 minutes north of the Monument Valley visitor center and is a popular photo spot.
It is quite easy to find Forrest Gump Point. As you drive along Hwy 163 around mile marker 13, you’ll see a sign and several places where you can pull over to take a photo.
The location will even pull up on Google Maps.
Just keep in mind that this is a public road and the cars have the right of way. If you do choose to take a photo, use extreme caution and keep an eye out for vehicles coming from both directions.
And if you’re looking for the best stops while driving to Monument Valley, check out our guide, Arizona Road Trip: 8 Things to do from Flagstaff to Monument Valley!
Monument Valley FAQ:
- Where is Monument Valley Located? Monument Valley Tribal Park is part of the Navajo Nation. It is located near the Four Corners area on the southern border of Utah and the northern border of Arizona.
- When is the best time to visit Monument Valley? The best time to visit Monument Valley is during the shoulder season in spring and fall. The temperatures and crowds can be quite high in the summer, and it can be surprisingly cold in the winter months.
- Do you have to pay to drive through Monument Valley? Yes, the entrance fee to Monument Valley is $20 per vehicle for up to 4 people and $6 per additional person.
- How long is the Monument Valley scenic drive? The scenic loop through Monument Valley is 17 miles long. Plan for about 2-4 hours to complete the one-way loop, depending on how many stops you make along the way.
- Do you need 4WD to drive through Monument Valley? A 4WD high clearance vehicle is highly recommended when driving the Monument Valley scenic loop, although many people still attempt it in a car. Much of the road is passable by sedan, but there are some parts that are particularly steep and bumpy that would be better equipped for a high-clearance vehicle.
- How many movies were filmed in Monument Valley? Monument Valley has served as the filming location for over two dozen major motion pictures, as well as several commercials and music videos. The first movie to be filmed in Monument Valley was Stagecoach, directed by John Ford. Other popular movies include Mission Impossible 2, Back to the Future Part III, National Lampoons Vacation, and Forrest Gump.
- Is Monument Valley on daylight saving time? Monument Valley crosses the border of Utah and Arizona. Utah utilizes daylight saving time while Arizona does not, so it is easy to get confused about the time. However, Monument Valley and the Navajo Nation adhere to daylight saving time, so set your clocks to Utah time.
- How do you get to John Ford’s Point? John Ford’s Point is located about 3.7 miles (15 minutes) from the beginning of the Monument Valley scenic loop. You’ll find a fork in the road near the Three Sisters and Camel Butte. Take a right at the fork to reach John Ford’s Point.
I hope this guide has helped you discover the best things to do while visiting Monument Valley, it truly is a remarkable place!
[…] *Related post: If Monument Valley is part of your Southwest road trip, then be sure to check out our Complete Guide to Visiting Monument Valley! […]