monument valley

Introduction:
Monument Valley is one of the iconic landscapes of the United States. It is a 92,000-acre red desert on the Utah-Arizona border. There are sandstone buttes and dirt roads. It is the sacred heart of the Navajo tribe of Western America. In the warm, high desert climate of southeastern Utah, the red sandstone desert may be the ideal setting for your next adventure. Visitors can drive up to 17 miles in private vehicles and book a jeep tour to explore the back roads and holy lands of the area with the help of a local guide.

What is Monument Valley:
Located on the Utah-Arizona border, Monument Valley is part of the Colorado Plateau. It is not officially a national park. The area most visited by tourists is called Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Monument Valley was not famous until the 1930s. Navajo tribes lived here, and it was known to them. In 1931, John Ford featured this place in his famous films (Stagecoach and Rio Grande). Since then, Monument Valley has gained popularity.

Monument Valley Location:
Monument Valley Park is about 60 miles west of the Utah-New Mexico border on US Highway 163.
How far is it from:

• Lake Powell: 143 miles

• Moab: 160 miles

• Grand Staircase-Escalante: 163 miles

• Grand Canyon North Rim: 260 miles

• St. George: 289 miles

History and Culture:
Monument Valley is home to towering sandstone rock formations that have been sculpted over time and rise 400 to 1,000 feet above the valley floor. Navajo tribes live here, and it is a sacred place for them. The ancestors who marked this region were the Puebloans (formerly known as the Anasazi), who settled around 1200 AD. Traces of their art, traditions, building structures, and ancient resourcefulness remain. Navajo culture flourished centuries before Spain entered the region in 1581. 250,000 of their descendants still live on 16 million acres as the Navajo tribe. Monument Valley is a window into their culture. Monument Valley is neither a national park nor a national monument.

How to get to Monument Valley:
Monument Valley is not close to anything. That’s why it remained off the radar for so long. The nearest airport to Monument Valley is Flagstaff, which is 176 miles away. To reach this airport, you usually have to change planes at Phoenix. There are also some airlines that fly to Salt Lake City, and there are several airports across Utah. All of them are several hours from Monument Valley. You will need a vehicle to drive the rest of the way.
Distance to the nearest airport:

• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport: 330 miles, 5.5 hours

• Albuquerque: 324 miles, 5 hours

• Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas: 430 miles, 7 hours

• Salt Lake International Airport: 407 miles, 7 hours

• Provo Airport: 360 miles, 6.5 hours

• St. George Regional Airport: 300 miles, 5 hours

• Canyonlands Field Airport: 180 miles, 3.5 hours

Monument Valley visiting hours and fees:
Check the current conditions and entrance fees:

• Fees: $8 per person per day. Children under 7 are free.

• Visitor center hours: Open 7 days a week. May to September: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  October to April: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Scenic drive summer hours: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. The last vehicle is permitted onto the drive at 6:00 p.m. and must depart by 8:00 p.m.
  Closed on major holidays in accordance with Navajo Nation: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

• Permits are required for backcountry hiking, camping, filming, weddings, etc.

You can also visit in Monument Valley:

• Navajo Shadehouse Museum: This cultural attraction explains the culture, traditions, beliefs, and history of the Navajo tribe. It also shows how Navajo medicine men pray and what Hogan homes look like. The museum is small in size but provides incredible insight into the Navajo Nation.

• Elephant Butte: This beautiful butte is famously shaped like an elephant. Climbing is illegal, but you can walk its base to admire the natural landmark. Visit just before sunset for the best view.

• John Ford’s Point: Named after American producer and director John Ford, this spot shows beautiful views of the buttes and desert landscape featured in several of his old American West movies.

• Wildcat Trail: This approximately 4-mile loop hike provides some of the best views of Monument Valley on foot. It takes around two to three hours and is difficult due to sections with thick sand. You can navigate the trail independently. Wildcat Trail is one of Monument Valley’s best attractions.

• Climb Mexican Hat: Mexican Hat is popular among experienced climbers. While climbing is not allowed within the valley, you can walk its base. You can climb Mexican Hat with a paid guide. If you aren’t a climber, you can still visit to see the rock up close and watch others tackle the unique rock face.

• Valley of the Gods: Follow Highway 163 northeast to reach Valley of the Gods. It’s Bureau of Land Management land where you can climb the rocks and camp in the area, but it is strictly prohibited within Navajo Park. There are no services nearby, so it’s entirely on you.

Where to stay in Monument Valley:

• Goulding’s Lodge: The only hotel in Monument Valley for many decades until 2008, when the Navajo tribe opened the upscale “The View Hotel.”

• The Premium Cabins: These new cabins overlook the Mittens, and some have better views than others.

• Wetherill Inn: This budget-friendly accommodation near Monument Valley offers comfortable perks, an indoor heated pool, and continental breakfast.

• Hampton Inn Kayenta: A 3-star hotel offering mid-range to luxury accommodations with an on-site restaurant, a gym, and an outdoor pool.

• Desert Rose Resort and Cabins: A luxurious resort with a deluxe indoor pool, an on-site business center, and thoughtfully decorated rooms featuring traditional stone and wood details.

Where to eat in Monument Valley:
There aren’t many restaurants, but you can visit:

• Goulding’s Stagecoach Dining Room

• The View Restaurant

• Amigo Cafe

• Blue Coffee Pot in Kayenta