Monument Valley

Introduction

Monument Valley 1

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Monument Valley is located in the south of Utah and north of Arizona and once approaching it, you will instantly recognize it from many movies, commercials and other things you saw somewhere at least. The landscape surrouding it is, unlike much of southern Utah or northern Arizona actually, rather uninspiring, even a bit drab. It's a rather flat nondescript landscape, but turn around the corner and you suddenly in a totally different environment of rocks, walls and spires towering about the dry desert.

Opening Hours

Admiring Monument Valley from the main road is open all times of course, but you will not regret going the 17-mile-long dirt road through Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Here you'll have awesome views over the most famous formations. They are, admittedly, also visible from the main road, so if you are not comfortable with a dusty, sometimes bumpy, ride, just go along US 163.
The park is open 6am to 8:30pm from May to September, and 8am to 4:30pm from October to April.

Cost

The cost of the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is $5 (children free). The entrance is at the visitor center, about 4 miles from the main road (US 163) at the Goulding Junction.

Getting There and Around

Basically, getting there is best done in your own car. Of course, there are tours you can take but it's totally not necessary and rather expensive as well.
The only tour that is worth the money is to out on foot and take a Navajo-led tour for about $40. There is also the option to go by horse. The only hike you can take by yourself is the Wildcat Trail, a 3.2-mile-long loop trail, starting about 0.5 mile north of the visitor center.

Eat

The Goulding's Lodge (see below) has the Stagecoach Dinig Room, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner (mains $10-25).

Drink

Sleep

If you are just visiting by driving through Monument Valley or doing the 17-mile-long dirt road, it's not necessary to stay in the immediate surroudings. You can just do it as a daytrip from towns further away or, more likely, as part of a day on the road between two places. The main towns in the direct vicinity are Mexican Hat (Utah) and Kayenta (Arizona).

Options just outside the park include the brandnew View Hotel and the historic Goulding's Lodge. There is also a campground at the latter one.
The Mitten View Campground is another budget option.