Things to do nearMonument Valley
Monument Valley, straddling the Arizona-Utah border, draws visitors with its towering sandstone buttes, vast red desert plains, and deep Navajo cultural heritage.
Monument Valley sits within the Navajo Nation Tribal Park, a sovereign stretch of high desert that straddles the border of Arizona and Utah. The valley has been home to the Navajo people for generations, and the landscape itself holds ceremonial and historical significance that extends far beyond its visual drama. The iconic sandstone formations, including the West and East Mittens and the three-fingered Merrick Butte, were shaped by millions of years of erosion, their iron oxide content giving them the deep red and orange hues that define the region. Hollywood directors discovered the valley in the 1930s, and it became the backdrop for a long line of westerns, cementing its image in the popular imagination.
Today, visitors explore the park along a well-worn dirt road that winds past the major formations, while guided tours on foot, horseback, or four-wheel-drive vehicle open up the more remote corners of the terrain. The Navajo Nation operates the park, and revenue from tourism supports the surrounding communities.
The visitor center near the park entrance offers exhibits on Navajo history and culture, and local artisans sell handmade jewelry and woven goods nearby. Dining options in the area tend toward the modest and practical, though the experience of eating a simple meal while watching the light change on the buttes is its own reward. Monument Valley rewards patience and attention, offering a landscape that looks different at every hour and in every season, making it one of the most genuinely affecting places in the American Southwest.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Monument Valley
Visit during the golden hour just before sunset, when the sandstone buttes glow a deep amber and the shadows stretch long across the valley floor.
Bring more water than you think you need, as the desert climate is dry and temperatures can swing dramatically between midday and evening.
Drive the 17-mile Valley Drive loop at an unhurried pace, stopping at each of the numbered viewpoints to take in the changing angles of the Mittens and Merrick Butte.
Book a guided tour with a Navajo guide to access areas of the park closed to self-guided visitors and to hear stories tied directly to the land.
Arrive early in the morning to avoid the midday crowds and to catch the soft pink light that settles over the buttes shortly after sunrise.
Top tours & experiences near Monument Valley
Monument Valley & Mystery Valley 7-Hour Guided Tour
Spend 7 hours exploring Monument Valley and Mystery Valley with a guide
Private Monument Valley Tour with Navajo Elder Guide
Explore Monument Valley beyond the main trails with Navajo storytelling
Valley of the Gods & Moki Dugway Sunset Tour
Escape the crowds for a sunset drive through sandstone country
Antelope Canyon Entry Fee
Explore sandstone formations and canyon scenery on Navajo Nation lands
1-Hour Horseback Tour in Monument Valley
Ride past Monument Valley buttes and Sentinel Mesa on horseback
Monument Valley & Mystery Valley Full-Day Tour
Pair Monument Valley scenery with the quiet of less-visited Mystery Valley
Monument Valley Guided Tour with Restricted Area Access
Go beyond the public route to discover ancient rock art and sandstone arches
Sunset Guided Tour of Monument Valley
See Monument Valley's buttes, arches, and Navajo traditions as daylight fades
Monument Valley 17-Mile Loop Tour with Navajo Hogan Visit
See Monument Valley highlights on a 2.5-hour 17-mile loop tour
Monument Valley 3-Hour Guided Tour
Explore exclusive Monument Valley sites with a Navajo guide
Hunts Mesa Evening Tour in Monument Valley
Explore 1,000 feet above Monument Valley’s floor
Monument Valley Sunrise Tour in Navajo Tribal Park
See Monument Valley's red-orange sandstone in the first light of day
Monument Valley 2.5-Hour Backcountry Guided Tour
Explore Monument Valley's backcountry arches, rock art, and sandstone formations
Mystery Valley Anasazi Ruins Tour from Monument Valley
Explore Mystery Valley ruins and rock art on a 5.5-hour tour with lunch
Navajo Culture & Backcountry Tour in Monument Valley
Explore restricted backcountry and connect with Navajo culture
Monument Valley Sunset Tour in Navajo Tribal Park
See sandstone cliffs shift from fiery orange-red to deeper evening hues
Monument Valley 1-Hour Guided Tour
See Monument Valley’s iconic sandstone formations on a guided outing
Full-Day Monument Valley & Mystery Valley Tour
See Mystery Valley and Monument Valley on an 8-hour guided tour
Monument Valley Backcountry Tour with Arches & Navajo Hogan
See Monument Valley’s 17-mile loop plus restricted backcountry stops in about 3.5 hours
Monument Valley Sunrise Guided Tour
Watch sunrise over Monument Valley on a 2.5-hour guided loop road tour
Monument Valley Full Moon Tour
Explore Monument Valley’s secluded landscapes under full-moon light
Monument Valley Night Sky Photography & Music
Capture starry skies with guided photography and enjoy a live musical performance.
Navajo-Guided Hunts Mesa Tour in Monument Valley
Capture Monument Valley’s buttes and spires from the cliffs of Hunts Mesa
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Entry
Explore Monument Valley’s sandstone formations, mesas, and buttes