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Visiting Monument Valley

by Barbara | Last updated Jun 6, 2022 | Arizona, Discover, Recent Posts, United States | 16 comments

On our way to Monument Valley we decided to take the Moki Dugway, UT-261, considered to be the “scenic” route. It was indeed the scenic route to Monument Valley! Constructed in 1958 to transport uranium ore, the Moki Dugway is a 3 mile, narrow gravel road with tight switchbacks (hairpin turns) and a 10% grade. The sign reads 10 mph; I think 5 mph is more than enough thank you!

This is the view from the top of Moki Dugway, that’s a 1,100 foot drop. Yikes – we’re really going down the dugway!!?? You can see one of the tight switchbacks we’ll have to navigate in the bottom left of this image. Just go slow, it’s not that bad and we made it down just fine! Blood pressure check please!

Where is Monument Valley?

Monument Valley is located on the Arizona–Utah state line on the Navajo Nations Reservation. It is in the Colorado Plateau region and can be reached by Hwy 163. The sandstone formations rising from their relatively flat surroundings was similar to what we saw when we visited Garden of the Gods in Colorado.

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US Route 163, gives you a glimpse of what’s in store for you long before you arrive. You may recognize this scene from the movie Forrest Gump starring Tom Hanks. This is where Forrest, running north on US Route 163, decides to stop running and ends his cross-country run.

Don’t be surprised by what you see along the way…we passed very inquisitive donkeys

and watchful chipmunks as we drove along this road, very cute!

Entrance to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

At the entrance to the Navajo Tribal Park you will pass this beautiful sculpture depicting a Navajo family.

What is Monument Valley?

The Navajo Tribal Park is best known for it sandstone buttes, some reaching as high as 1,000 feet. It is a park within the Navajo Tribal Reservation. A 17 mile dirt road takes you through the park, a 2-3 hour trip that offers spectacular views of the stunning scenery. Guided tours and horse rides are also available for an additional fee.

The park puts on a spectacular display of red sandstone formations known as mesas, buttes and towers. You may recognize the scenery from the many movies that have been filmed here which include; Stagecoach, Easy Rider, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Back to the Future III, Thelma & Louise, Forrest Gump, Cars as well as 100’s of Westerns.

Spires and buttes viewed along the 17 mile loop drive within the park are brightly colored. Iron oxide in the aged siltstone gives the valley its red color while manganese oxide in the rocks gives them their blue-gray color.

Horse Rides and Guided Tours Monument Valley

Horse rides and guided tours are available in the park. Due to its location on tribal grounds you will need to make arrangements for a guided tour to visit areas outside of the 17 mile loop road. Arrangements can be made for a group tour or a private tour. Only Navajo people are authorized to take visitors off the loop road and into the back-country.

The Left and Right Mittens Monument Valley

The Left and Right Mittens are iconic buttes that you may recognize from movie scenes filmed here. When visiting you may recognize many other areas from movies that you have seen.

The Navajo Hogan is the sacred traditional home of the Navajo people. Every Navajo family, even those living in newer style homes would have a Hogan for ceremonies according to their religious and cultural beliefs.

John Ford’s Point displays a dramatic view of the valley. Hollywood film director John Ford found inspiration at this overlook while filming his many Western movies at this location.

More Place to Explore in Arizona, Utah & Colorado!

Antelope Canyon – Arizona
Bryce Canyon National Park- Utah
Canyonlands National Park – Mesa Arch – Utah
Zion National Park – Canyon Overlook Trail – Utah
Mesa Verde National Park – Colorado

Huge buttes surround you along the drive in the valley.

Monument Valley Hotels

The View Hotel is located inside the Navajo Tribal Park.

Goulding’s Lodge is located across from the entrance to Monument Valley. Check Booking.com for deals in any season at Goulding’s Lodge.

Goulding’s Museum & Trading Post located next to Goulding’s Lodge has an outstanding collection of movie memorabilia from the many movies that have been filmed here as well as many other interesting exhibits. Monument Valley was the filming location for many John Wayne movies as well as numerous other movies.

Sunrise was stunning. This was the view from our room at Goulding’s Lodge. It was the beginning of a spectacular day for us!

Things to Know Before You Go

For current admission prices, hours of operation and directions you can visit Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation

Have you visited this spectacular park or do you recognize these scenes from a movie you seen?

Let us know about your experience in the comments below.

Related Vacation & Travel Ideas

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Mesa Arch • Canyonlands National Park • Utah

Alabama Hills Lone Pine CA • The Perfect Movie Setting

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

16 Comments

jeanneL on June 15, 2015 at 12:11 pm

What good memories because in 2014 , I went and frankly, I do not regret , far from that! The United States, this is my life ! I did a road trip ( US West Coast) : Highway 66 , Las Vegas , Monument Valley, San Francisco … During 3 weeks. And this year , 2015, I go one month , always a road trip but this time East Coast : New Orleans, New York, Louisiana, Texas … Well anyway , I tear has the eye seeing your photos which are beautiful! Jeanne = 11 years
Reply
- Barbara on June 16, 2015 at 9:43 am
  
  I’m happy to hear you have such wonderful memories of your road trip in the U.S. Enjoy your trip in 2015 and please come back and tell us all about it!
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Fernando on February 26, 2014 at 12:50 am

Great pics and website Barbara!
I moved with my family to Denver last summer. We are planning to go to the Monument Valley for Spring break. Do you think late March-early April is too cold to visit?
Thanks,
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- Barbara on February 26, 2014 at 8:06 am
  
  Thanks, Fernando! I hope you are enjoying life in Denver; it’s such a beautiful area to live in. Monument Valley may be cooler March-April but it’s always a great place to visit any time of year. And depending on the route you take to get there you may encounter snow. We’d love to hear about your visit too, check back with us and let us know about your experience at Monument Valley.
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Carrie on August 25, 2013 at 11:39 pm

Gorgeous photos, Barbara. I haven’t been to Monument Valley, but my husband agrees with you when you say that it’s one of the most scenic areas in the US. We hope to make it there some day soon.
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- Barbara on August 26, 2013 at 12:23 pm
  
  Thank you , Carrie, and welcome! I hope you will be able to visit Monument Valley too, it’s a spectacular destination!
  Reply
Stefania on August 25, 2013 at 5:39 pm

Oh my God, this is one of the places I want to visit more in the US! 🙂
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- Barbara on August 25, 2013 at 6:46 pm
  
  Stefania, I think Monument Valley is one of the most scenic areas in the US and one you’d probably enjoy seeing many times, I know we have!
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Samuel Jeffery on June 18, 2013 at 10:52 pm

These are incredible photos! What a road trip 🙂
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- Barbara on June 19, 2013 at 9:41 am
  
  Thanks Sam, it sure was an amazing road trip! It’s surreal driving and walking through these huge formations, you can clearly see why this area is so popular with Hollywood filmmakers.
  Reply
Becky Padmore on June 13, 2013 at 5:33 pm

Really striking set of photos and I love the donkeys and the cute chipmunk!
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- Barbara on June 15, 2013 at 11:33 am
  
  Thank you, Becky! We had a great time photographing the amazing scenery in Monument Valley. Lol…it seems like the donkeys and the chipmunk were a great hit too!
  Reply
Deborah on June 8, 2013 at 1:17 pm

I enjoyed visiting Monument Valley this morning, so beautiful! I especially loved the photo of the donkey’s. They were enjoying the “Photo Op!”
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- Barbara on June 10, 2013 at 7:18 pm
  
  Hi Deborah, Monument Valley is an amazing destination, so glad you enjoyed the visit. I thought the photo of the donkeys would be your favorite, who could resist such cuteness!!
  Reply
Christy on June 8, 2013 at 11:49 am

Beautiful pictures!! Your website is so helpful and gets us so excited about planning our next vacation. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
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- Barbara on June 10, 2013 at 7:12 pm
  
  Hi Christy! I’m happy to know you’re finding our site helpful and that it’s gettng you excited about planning your next vacation. Please let me know if you have any questions about any of our featured destinations or if there’s a destination you would like to see featured. Thank you!
  Reply