Monument Valley simply strikes in a different way. The red-sand desert flooring extends over 92,000 acres throughout the Utah-Arizona boundary, populated with sandstone buttes and dust roadways. This area is best understood for Monument Valley Tribal Park – a once constant shooting place for old Western films. You’ve currently seen the valley on your television display. It has actually included as a background for all the John Wayne movies, plus standards like Forrest Gump. But there is even more to the valley than simply great appearances. You can go to destinations like the Navajo Shadehouse Museum and appreciate unbelievable treking routes.
Researching Monument Valley is a lot enjoyable. It is just one of one of the most popular areas of any type of Arizona trip and among the leading United States trip. Between the red-sand landscapes and Hollywood-deserving breathtaking drive, Monument Valley has actually shaken its method onto countless container listings.
How to Visit Monument Valley
In this overview, we’ll cover whatever you require to recognize in order to have a wonderful browse through. Get all set for a comprehensive ‘how to’ overview; by the end of this post, you’ll be well-appointed and getting ready to go. We’ll instruct you everything about the piece de resistances in the valley, like Elephant Butte and the Wildcat Trail. But we’ll likewise supply all the logistics you require, like just how to arrive and when is ideal to go to. One of the very best components concerning Monument Valley is its place, so avoid throughout if you’d such as some understandings right into incorporating your journey with various other remarkable destinations, like the Grand Canyon.
Are you all set? Here’s what you require to understand about checking out the valley.
What is Monument Valley? A Quick Introduction
So, what is Monument Valley? Well, this 92,000-acre area is an especially gorgeous location of red-sand desert. The valley rests on the boundary in between Utah and Arizona, with land in both states. It is most called Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, which has a lovely collection of sandstone buttes that brought in Hollywood’s focus. Chances are, you’ve seen Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, John Wayne films, or the popular ‘Run Forrest run’ scene in Forrest Gump.
You can drive with the valley on the 17-mile Valley Drive, a year-round available tarmacked freeway. During your browse through, you might require an off-road car to take on a dust roadway or more.
The valley has plenty of red rock developments, and you can reserve experiences like assisted horseback trips. You can likewise start walks to neglect factors like John Ford’s Point or take assisted treking trips with a Navajo overview to heights like Totem Pole or the West and East Mittens. Most destinations are off the primary Valley Drive, and there are lots of marked pull-in locations to appreciate sights of particular rock developments. Or you can drop in the Monument Valley Visitor Center and check assisted excursion choices.
How to Get to Monument Valley
So, just how do you reach Monument Valley? The most convenient method is to fly right into among the significant cities in Arizona or Utah, leasing a cars and truck to trip your method to this remote valley.
Las Vegas and Salt Lake City are both most famous global airport terminals and around a 7-hour drive from the valley. Flagstaff is one more outstanding airport terminal to fly right into, just a 3-hour repel and preferably situated to integrate Monument Valley with the Grand Canyon. You can reserve residential or global trips to among the airport terminals, lease a cars and truck, and drive the rest of the method to Monument Valley.
Alternatively, you might capture an Amtrak train to Salt Lake City or Las Vegas if taking a trip from within the United States. This would certainly reduce unneeded trips and supply even more daring, slow-moving traveling. You might after that lease a cars and truck for the rest of the trip.
Reading this, you can identify the repeating aspect – vehicle hire. You should take a trip with somebody with a certificate if you can’t lease or bring a cars and truck on your own. The valley is just one of one of the most remote locations to go to in the United States. And you’ll require to drive if you intend to see it individually. You can examine the very best costs below on our favored website.
With that stated, there is a caution reduce technicality to this. If driving truly isn’t an alternative, you might reserve an assisted excursion of Monument Valley. These trips are a lot more pricey, and you’ll be restricted in leisure time, yet they are the excellent remedy for those without licenses. You can publication Monument Valley day trips from Flagstaff and from Sedona. Budget around $250-300 for a team excursion, consisting of transfers, and prepare to kick your feet back with an assisted excursion experience.
In recap, your choices to reach the valley are as complies with:
If you are brief in a timely manner and desire economical trips, Fly to Salt Lake City or Las Vegas and after that lease a cars and truck to drive 7 hours to Monument Valley. If you are brief in a timely manner, Fly to Flagstaff and after that lease a cars and truck to drive 3 hours to Monument Valley. If you have lots of time and intend to stay clear of flying: Travel by Amtrak to Las Vegas, Grand Junction, or Salt Lake City and after that work with a cars and truck to drive to Monument Valley in 4.5-7 hours. If you aren’t able to work with a cars and truck, Fly right into Flagstaff and remain there or in Sedona. You can after that reserve an assisted excursion to Monument Valley on a day journey for in between $250 and $300.
Best Things to do in Monument Valley
The large range of points to do in Monument Valley is amazing. It is much from simply a location to drive with and passively look at the landscapes, although we won’t knock road-tripping its 17-mile Valley Drive. Monument Valley has a wow aspect that motivates you to obtain entailed with outside tasks, whether treking to buttes or equine riding with Monument Valley Tribal Park.
In this area, we’ll aid you welcome all the exhilaration that Monument Valley uses. Get all set for all-natural destinations, routes, and sightseeing and tour possibilities. These are the greatest points to do in the unbelievable valley.
1. Experience Monument Valley Tribal Park on Horseback
One of the very best means to experience Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is unquestionably on horseback. You can drive the loophole roadway, yet steeds go where automobiles can’t or aren’t allowed. You can reserve a 2-hour Monument Valley excursion by horseback, standing up near the buttes. We did this and definitely liked it. We do advise you have a little horseback experience, however.
2. Take a Jeep Tour
An excellent method to experience the valley is through jeep. Book a jeep excursion throughout the desert flooring and previous substantial views like the West Mitten butte. Most trips last 1.5 hours to 3 hours. And you’ll obtain an easy driving experience with narrated sightseeing and tour. This is an excellent choice if you are taking a trip with the family members.
3. Navajo Shadehouse Museum
Navajo Shadehouse Museum is a social destination in Monument Valley worth checking out. It clarifies all the society, practices, ideas, and background of the Navajo people, consisting of points like just how Navajo medication guys hope and what hogan homes resemble. While the gallery is little, it offers unbelievable understanding right into the Navajo Nation. And because the valley is positioned on Navajo Tribal park land, it is an essential enhancement to your plan.
4. Visit West, East, and Merrick Butte
If you desire magnificent rock developments, West, East, and Merrick Butte are the very best developments to see up close. This renowned triad of buttes sticks out up from the valley flooring in gorgeous red sandstone. The East and West Buttes dominate 6,000 feet over water level and are a remarkable view to see up close. It is prohibited to climb up the developments, yet you can walk their bases.
5. Drive Monument Valley Drive with Photo Stops
We can’t discuss the gorgeous Monument Valley Drive. In 17 miles of freeway, you welcome a few of Monument Valley’s renowned landscapes and rock developments. This breathtaking drive passes Forrest Gump Point, a.k .a. the popular Forrest Gump Highway. The huge sandstone buttes likewise showed up in Western films like the Wayne movies. It’s quickly among one of the most popular breathtaking drives in the United States. Allow 3-4 hours to finish the drive, depending upon the length of time you desire at each quit.
6. Elephant Butte
This gorgeous butte is notoriously formed like an elephant and is an outstanding choice if you intend to see the rock developments beyond the conventional triad. Again, climbing up is prohibited, yet you can stroll to its base and appreciate the all-natural site. Visit prior to sundown for the very best sights.
7. John Ford’s Point
This is the cash shot neglect. It’s called John Ford’s Point after the American manufacturer and supervisor John Ford. Ford guided lots of films, consisting of numerous including John Wayne. John Ford included this point of view in numerous old American West films. You’ll identify the sweeping sights of the buttes and desert landscape.
8. Wildcat Trail
Wildcat Trail is an about 4-mile loophole trek that packs in the very best of Monument Valley’s sights walking. It takes about 2 to 3 hours and is ranked as modest trouble because of areas with thick sand. You can quickly browse the path individually if you have a fundamental health and fitness degree. Your initiatives will certainly be compensated with up-close sights of the famous Mitten Buttes and Merrick Butte.
Set off early in the day to stay clear of the rough warm in springtime and summertime. Make certain to bring an electronic camera, as well, as Wildcat Trail is just one of Monument Valley’s ideal points to do.
9. Climb Mexican Hat
While climbing isn’t enabled within the valley, you can avoid mins over the boundary to climb up Mexican Hat. This bizarre-looking sandstone rock resembles a tower with a sombrero on the top – thus its name. Mexican Hat is preferred among knowledgeable mountain climbers. If you are experienced sufficient to take on tool tough climbs up with confidence, you can handle the Bandito Route, a bolted, clip-up path.
If you aren’t a mountain climber, you can still see to see the rock up close. Plus, you can enjoy as others take on the distinct cliff.
10. North Window Overlook
Finally, there’s North Window Overlook to go to in the valley. This is fantastic if you desire a point of view experience in the valley. North Window Overlook uses a different sight of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park to John Ford’s Point. It lies simply mins from the Monument Valley Visitor Center and is excellent to experience at dawn or sundown.
When to Visit Monument Valley
It do without claiming that summertime is an extra tough time to go to the valley. The overpriced temperature levels can get to 94 Fahrenheit in July and August, which isn’t for desert walks or lengthy drives. Furthermore, summertime likewise indicates floodings of groups. It is the busiest season to go to the valley. So if you are thinking about checking out in summertime, we advise changing to the begin or end of the period. It is mainly crowded and warm, with less garage and shared point of views.
So, otherwise summertime, when should you go to the valley? Ideally, you need to go to in the autumn or springtime. Winter can obtain a little as well chilly, going down to 25 Fahrenheit often, so drop and springtime are an excellent concession. September to very early November and March to May are the very best durations to experience the valley. You’ll have light temperature levels in the top 70s Fahrenheit and less groups – a win-win.
Keep in mind what time of day you go into the valley, as well. Visiting in the shoulder periods like autumn and springtime assists to lower the groups. But you can likewise be tactical with what time of day you go to. Early early morning is ideal if you intend to invest an entire day in the park, heading to one of the most preferred websites initially. Meanwhile, if you want to go to just a few websites, late mid-day is a great time to evade the most awful of the groups.
Of program, picking lodging in the valley itself will certainly aid you be successful of the groups. You’ll likewise reach check off dawn and sundown point of views from the convenience of your very own home far from home, specifically at locations like The View Hotel and Campground.
Where to Stay in Monument Valley And Surrounding Area
Where to remain in and around Monument Valley is a magnificent concern. There is one essential point to keep in mind, however. There are marginal lodging choices inside the park itself. You’ll need to publication beforehand to remain inside the park borders. There are likewise a lot more B&B or camping-style lodging choices within the valley.
Fortunately, there are much more choices for those remaining simply outside the park borders. The town of Kayenta near the south entryway has several inns, and the community of Bluff near the north entryway likewise has lots of lodging selections.
Staying in Monument Valley
Staying within Monument Valley’s park borders calls for pre-planning and advancement reservation, yet it’s most definitely still feasible. If you intend to make your experience much more distinct, getting those in-demand lodging appointments is well worth it. You might be showering in an infinity swimming pool ignoring a lovely red rock development or outdoor camping in a conventional tipi town. Let’s check out the leading choices for remaining within the valley.
Goulding’s Lodge
Goulding’s Lodge is a lovely residential property within Monument Valley and quickly among the leading locations to remain. Get your appointments in fast. Guests appreciate an interior swimming pool and a balcony – where you can really see the buttes of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. It is a lovely area to remain and appreciate breathtaking sundowns and daybreaks.
Monument Valley Tipi Village
Monument Valley Tipi Village is a lovely lodging option for experiencing conventional tipi and hogan remain in Monument Valley. The town is run as component of the Navajo Nation and is a great method to purchase the regional neighborhood.
The View Campground/The View Hotel
The View Campground and View Hotel are 2 adjacent homes in the center of the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park – one of the most breathtaking area of the valley with the significant butte landscapes. Each visitor area in the resort has a porch to appreciate exclusive dawn and sundown sights over the Mitte buttes. And you can likewise check camping experiences in conventional tipis.
Staying Outside Monument Valley
As we described, the very best locations to remain outdoors Monument Valley are Kayenta and Bluff. There’s likewise Mexican Hat, a little census-designated area right at the north entryway with a choice of resorts. Still, we wouldn’t advise remaining below as it does not have centers.
This area will certainly take a look at the very best locations to remain in Kayenta for inn-style lodging and a silent ambiance. Then we’ll take a look at the very best locations to remain in even more elegant and touristy Bluff.
Kayenta
Kayenta is the smaller sized, quieter choice of both communities. It lies near the south entryway of Arizona. It is a far better choice for those wishing to take place outing to Arizona destinations like the Grand Canyon or Navajo National Monument. Kayenta has numerous community centers, like Amigo Cafe, the Kayenta Recreation Park, and mostly 3-4-star inns.
Wetherill Inn
Wetherill Inn is a small 2-star residential property perfect for anybody searching for affordable lodging near Monument Valley. It does have its comfy advantages, however, consisting of an interior warmed swimming pool and an english breakfast.
Hampton Inn Kayenta
Hampton Inn Kayenta is a 3-star residential property, ideal for those desiring an extra mid-range to high-end choice. It is a modern-day residential property with a stylish desert-color scheme that’s excellent provided the factor for your keep. It has an onsite dining establishment, which is hassle-free after a lengthy day in Monument Valley, and a fitness center and outside swimming pool.
Bluff
Bluff is a little larger and ideal for those that desire a more busy base while checking out the valley. It has even more elegant locations, like Bluff Dwellings Resort and Spa. Bluff likewise has a couple of destinations, like the Twin Rocks Trading Post, the Bluff Great House Museum, and the Sand Island Petroglyphs. It lies in Utah, near the north entryway to Monument Valley.
La Posada Pintada
La Posada Pintada is initially up. This 3-star residential property is gorgeous, with conventional spaces, log cabin attributes and sights over the bordering red rock landscapes. A day-to-day english breakfast is consisted of in your reservation price. Overall, it is perfect for those with a mid-range spending plan.
Desert Rose Resort & Cabins
Desert Rose Resort & Cabins is as elegant as it comes. The residential property has a luxurious interior swimming pool, an onsite organization facility, and attentively enhanced spaces including conventional rock and timber information. You have all the Bluff centers on your front door and a base where you can revitalize in between sightseeing and tour in Monument Valley.
Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa
Bluff Dwellings is one more treasure in Bluff. The hotel has definitely beautiful testimonials and a spectacular mix of spaces and collections. The hotel is established within an area of rock developments, offering it a remote allure in spite of its main Bluff place. As if that wasn’t sufficient, you likewise obtain an onsite swimming pool, health club, and jacuzzi. Plus, there is an onsite dining establishment for those days when you require a fast dish.
Excursions Near Monument Valley
One of one of the most unbelievable features of checking out Monument Valley is just how completely it incorporates with various other container listing experiences in Utah and Arizona. As you recognize, the valley is positioned on the Utah-Arizona boundary, suggesting it has practically unchecked accessibility to a few of the state’s most in-demand locations and expeditions.
You might be travelling with Canyonlands or breaking pictures in Arches National Park. You might head southern to invest a couple of days around the Grand Canyon and Sedona. Or you might take much longer, multi-day detours with Utah to go to Las Vegas. There are lots of expeditions and deserving locations near Monument Valley.
In this area, we’ll present you to the very best of these. Here are the leading 10 expeditions – and multi-day detours – you need to integrate with a browse through to Monument Valley.
1. Goosenecks State Park
Goosenecks State Park is a lovely park simply north of the valley. The San Juan River divides the park and includes over 300 million years of geology. Goosenecks is an excellent excursion if you intend to invest a day appreciating geological destinations and canyon river sights. Pick a walk from the several path choices. You can also camp there over night if you want.
2. Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is just one of the prominent national forests in the United States, with some fantastic treking routes, consisting of the path to Druid Arch and Lavender Point. You can appreciate lots of point of views. There’s the magnificent Needles District and Green River Overlook. Canyonlands National Park is divided right into 4 primary areas, consisting of the Island in the Sky mesa.
The national forest is just a 3-hour drive from the facility of Monument Valley. It is ideal experienced at sundown when the red rock landscapes is much more gorgeous.
3. Dead Horse State Park
Dead Horse State Park is simply over a 2-hour from Bluff, near the valley’s north entryway. This state park is popular for its desert landscape and seriously magnificent canyon landscapes. While it is joined to Canyonlands, it uses a a lot more intimate experience, with less routes and much less than 5,400 acres contrasted to almost 340,000 acres.
If you desire an even more bitesize piece, Dead Horse State Park is the excellent area to experience comparable landscapes without the range of Canyonlands.
4. Grand Canyon
Who doesn’t intend to see the Grand Canyon? The canyon is an excellent experience to include in your Monument Valley plan. You can go to the canyon in a solitary day from Monument Valley, taking 4 hours to get to one method. Or you can fly right into Flagstaff and invest a couple of days checking out the canyon and its surrounding destinations prior to driving to Monument Valley. Either method, you can integrate both.
5. Visit the Four Corners Monument
This monolith is phenomenal, noting the factor where all 4 states – Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado – all assemble. The Four Corners Monument lies in the Navajo Nation and has its very own site visitor facility. If you desire an uniqueness experience, you can’t defeat this monolith. After all, you can claim you stood in all 4 states simultaneously.
It takes about an hour to get to Bluff, making it among one of the most available self-guided expeditions from the valley.
6. Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is a great adventure to extract from Monument Valley. Once you’ve invested a number of days discovering the valley, you can drive under 2 hours to Antelope Canyon – the popular canyon that resembles it has rock waves in its wall surfaces.
As the canyon is spiritual in Navajo society, it is essential to publication with a firm providing a Navajo overview for an assisted excursion.
7. Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park is a great adventure from the valley. It is most understood for its wealth of Ancestral Puebloan high cliff houses, the majority of notoriously Cliff Palace. A see to Mesa Verde is perfect for increasing your understanding of Puebloan background after checking out the Navajo Nation. You can swiftly drive to Mesa Verde National Park from Bluff, which takes about 1.5 hours. It is just one of Colorado’s ideal national forests and worth the detour.
8. Arches National Park
Arches National Park is a need to if you are checking out Monument Valley. It is simply as well nearby to lose out on. The park is called after its loads of all-natural arcs and is just one of Utah’s most gorgeous locations to go to. It is simply under a 2-hour drive from Bluff, near the valley’s north entryway. And you can appreciate magnificent walks to see the all-natural sites.
Look right into national forest masquerades several parks if you’d like to integrate a few of the national forests near Monument Valley.
9. Canyon de Chelly National Monument
This National Monument is just one of the very best locations of all-natural elegance within the Navajo Nation. And as a bonus offer, it is simply over an hour’s drive from Kayenta. You can take assisted trips, find out about spiritual websites, and go to a high cliff residence and petroglyphs.
10. Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend is one more leading destination and adventure from the valley. It is simply over 1.5 hours from Kayenta by vehicle by the valley’s south entryway. The park is best understood for its significant river canyon landscape, including a contour in the Colorado River that resembles a horseshoe form.
While there, you might go treking or boating. Or tour various other destinations near Page, like Antelope Canyon.
Visiting Monument Valley: Frequently Asked Questions
Are you thrilled concerning checking out Monument Valley? Whether you go to Mystery Valley, drive the Monument Valley loophole roadway, or detour to neighboring Goosenecks State Park, you’ll enjoy seeing the component of the United States. Monument Valley is a little area of fiery, red-rock strength. It is the landscapes of the old West that generations of individuals expanded to enjoy on their television displays. From a taking in the sights point of view, it is just one of the country’s most outstanding locations of rock developments. That’s prior to you also reach the social side of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, with all its background of the Navajo individuals.
Before you hurry to value Monument Valley personally, have a look at these usual Frequently asked questions. These Frequently asked questions might supply you keeping that added details that changes your journey.
Why is Monument Valley so popular?
Hollywood has actually celebrated Monument Valley. Sure, its society and geology would certainly have still drawn in site visitors also if Hollywood hadn’t looked it as a film collection. However, its look in John Wayne movies and smash hits like Forrest Gump is what has actually made Monument Valley popular globally.
What community is closest to Monument Valley?
Kayenta is a very close community to Monument Valley on the Arizona side of the boundary. On the Utah side of the boundary, Bluff is the closest community to Monument Valley. Bluff has even more traveler facilities, with resorts, inns, and a couple of destinations.
Can you still drive with Monument Valley?
Yes, Monument Valley is open to chauffeurs. The Monument Valley Loop Road is open all the time, although it does limit its hours in winter season, commonly opening up in between 8 am and 2 pm. The Scenic Drive is offered from 6 am up until 8 pm in summertime.
Is Monument Valley in Utah or Arizona?
Monument Valley straddles the boundary, suggesting it is formally in both Utah and Arizona, not simply one or the various other. However, the majority of the park drops within the state borders of Arizona.
Monument Valley is outstanding; there’s no question that. These 92,000 acres have a lot all-natural elegance and society. You can find out about the Navajo Nation and spend for an assisted excursion to welcome Monument Valley with the Navajo individuals. You can take a trip with Monument Valley through Highway 163, passing Forrest Gump Point, Hollywood film scenes, and magnificent rock developments. Or, you can venture out on expeditions close by, like checking out Goosenecks State Park, the Grand Canyon, or neighboring national forests. A see to Monument Valley is one you won’t quickly fail to remember.
You currently recognize all the functional details essential to arrange a journey to Monument Valley. We wish you have a terrific time and urge you to expand your keep to value the broader area and its surrounding destinations. In requirement of some added motivation? These are one of the most magnificent locations to go to in Arizona. And we have a total overview on Utah’s ‘Mighty 5’ national forests. Make one of the most of checking out a location precisely the Utah-Arizona boundary.
