Giant sandstone cliffs, a deep orange-brown desert and dozens of kilometres of highways in between. Few places in the world are as photogenic as Monument Valley on the Arizona–Utah border. Monument Valley is not officially a US National Park, but a Navajo reservation. However, the unmistakable symbol of the US West and a popular tourist destination is unquestionably.
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Table of Contents
Basic Facts About Monument Valley
Monument Valley consists of red sandstone formations up to 381 ft high. They were formed hundreds of millions of years ago when they formed from the nearby Rocky Mountains. Today, Monument Valley is administered by the Navajo tribe, who nickname the reservation Tse’Bii’Ndzisgaii.
With four seasons changing in Monument Valley, it’s not just a hot desert, as it may seem at first impression. Temperatures usually exceed 86°F only from late May to early September, with temperatures dropping rapidly after sunset. In December to February, it commonly freezes here and the valley can become white with snow. As a result of the lack of water, the vegetation in Monument Valley is very sparse; you will see virtually only grasses, shrubs or cacti.
The valley has been the setting for a number of famous films. Among others, Back to the Future II and III, Forrest Gump, Billy the Kid, Transformers and Fort Apache were filmed here.
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Things to See in Monument Valley
Monument Valley’s main attraction is the Scenic Drive, 17 mi a long route you can drive and see some of the most beautiful rocks in America. The road is unpaved and I recommend renting an off-road vehicle, but even with a smaller car you won’t be deprived of the experience. There is a 15 mph speed limit on the entire road. The drive will take about 3 hours of your time, you will gradually see the following places.
A map of the rock formations in Monument Valley will help you navigate.
⛰️ Rock Formations in Monument Valley
Name Description Map East and West Mitten Buttes The rock formations resemble a gloved hand. In late March and mid-September, photographers have a unique opportunity to capture a sunset shot when the shadow of West Mitten appears on East Mitten. View map Merrick Butte and Mitchell Mesa Two rocks named after two prospectors who discovered a silver deposit in Monument Valley. Unfortunately, legend has it that the gold prospectors were murdered by members of The Uta Tribe and the mined silver stolen. View map Elephant Butte Elephant Butte rock resembles an elephant standing in the middle of the desert. View map Three Sisters Named after three Catholic nuns, this formation is a remnant of a ridge extending from Mitchell Mesa. View map Camel Butte The tall 5,584 ft rock is characterized by its humps, hence it was named after a camel. View map The Hub To members of the Navajo tribe, the rock resembled a dwelling, which is why they named it after it. It measures 164 ft and is deserted around it. View map Rain God Mesa Rain God Mesa is the geological center of the entire Monument Valley. Navajo shamans and healers prayed at the rock to the Rain Goddess, who brought water supplies to the valley’s inhabitants. On the south side of the rock, you can see the dark coloration caused by the aquifer that flows at the base of Rain God Mesa. View map Bird Spring From the Bird Spring overlook, you can see the deep orange sand dunes known as Sand Springs. View map Totem Pole This narrow 427 ft high rock gave its name to a famous mythical symbol and is a nice example of what erosion can do. View map The Yei Bi Chei The Yei Bi Chei formation lies east of Totem Pole, and is an important mythical site for members of the Navajo tribe. View map Artist’s Point Artist’s Point offers one of the best views in Monument Valley. The rocks got their name from the many painters who immortalized the local skyline on canvas. View map Spearhead Mesa Spearhead Mesa’s rock appearance is reminiscent of a spearhead. View map North Window North Window frames the view of the northern part of Monument Valley. The formation on the left is the aforementioned Elephant Butt, the rock on the right is called Cly. The latter takes its name from the famous Navajo healer Cly, who is buried at the base of the rock. View map The Thumb The Thumb is a detached rock with a shape resembling a raised thumb or cowboy boot. View map -
Tips for Visitors to Monument Valley
🕒 Opening Hours of Monument Valley Scenic Drive
The Monument Valley Scenic Drive is open from March 1 to September 30 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. The last time you can enter the park is at 5:00 pm.
During the winter season from October 1 to December 31, it is open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm with last entry at 3:00 pm. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Park rangers only allow about 25 cars on the scenic road, so be prepared for a wait of about 30-45 minutes.
🎟️ Admission to Monument Valley Scenic Drive
Admission to Monument Valley Scenic Drive is $8.00 per person (July 2024), payable by cash or card. America the Beautiful or other similar passes are not valid here.
If you don’t want to drive the Scenic Drive in your own car, you can pay for an experience with an Indian guide. Tours are approximately 3 hours in length, and the experience includes access to restricted areas of Monument Valley.
🚗 How to Get to Monument Valley
You will need a rental car when visiting Monument Valley, public transport links are virtually non-existent. Put the address of the visitor centre in your sat nav.
You can combine the tour with a visit to the nearby Grand Staircase – Escalante or Zion, Mesa Verde, Canyonlands or Grand Canyon National Park. Monument Valley Reservation is most easily accessed from Highway 163, click for directions from nearby towns:
- Albuquerque / 322 mi / 5 hours 20 minutes / route
- Denver / 504 mi / 8 hours / route
- Las Vegas / 397 mi / 6 hours 30 minutes / route
- Salt Lake City / 383 mi / 6 hours 30 minutes / route
🏨 Hotels Near Monument Valley
There isn’t much affordable accommodation in Monument Valley, a more sensible option is to stay in towns such as Blanding or Page. Both offer cheap motels and hotels with good value for money. I would recommend that you tailor your itinerary accordingly.
ℹ️ Good to Know
The Monument Valley Visitor Center is open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. There you can pick up maps and permits for when you want to hike into the backcountry. There are also restrooms and a gift shop.
- For more information, visit the official Monument Valley website
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Photos of Monument Valley
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