"A Monumental Valley" Monument Valley State Park by goodfish

Monument Valley State Park Travel Guide: 356 reviews and 1,039 photos

One look across the vast expanse of Monument Valley Tribal Park and you'll understand why this is one of the most photographed places in the U.S. and the backdrop of many, many movies. Towering red sandstone monoliths against a deep azure sky create a stunning contrast that seduces any shutterbug into expending rolls and rolls and rolls of film.

Catching a glimpse, in old movies, of this icon of the Wild West has been great fun since our visit. John Ford shot "Stagecoach" here in 1938, "Thelma and Louise" put pedal-to-the-metal here in 1992 and you can still see the set of John Wayne's cabin in "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" at Goulding's Lodge, just to mention a few.

As with many parts of the American southwest, this area was once occupied by an ancient cliff-dwelling people and over 100 sites of their abandoned homes have been found in the park. Today, members of the Navajo Nation, who call it Tse'Bii' Ndzisgaii, live and work in this valley and will be your guides as you explore some of the 91,696 acres of their beautiful tribal lands.

Getting there

Sunrise at Monument Valley

The park is truly isolated - so isolated that Goulding's Lodge - site of the original trading post and, until recently, the only hotel near the park - usually had its own dot on most maps. Coming from Flagstaff, take US 89 north to US 160, north to Kayenta and then north on US 163.

From Canyon de Chelly (our route), take US 191 north from Chinle to Many Farms, then 59 north to Kayenta, and then north on US 163 to the park.

From the north (Moab) , take US 163 south.

General Information

The Three Sisters and hogan

If you aren't on a bus tour, you pretty much need a car to get to this park. There appeared to be air tours from Las Vegas arriving and departing from a landing strip just below Goulding's so it's possible you could arrange something like that via the Net.

While you can drive through the area on US 163, to really explore the heart of the park, the 17-mile scenic drive and the Visitor Center, exit 163 at the signs for the park entrance. General admission was $5 per person, per day (over age 9). This is a Tribal and not a National park so NPS passes don't apply.

As with most reservation lands, self-exploration is restricted to only those areas that are clearly marked. Vehicle, horseback and hiking tours, hosted by Navajo guides, are available at the Visitor Center or at Goulding's.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Spectacular landscape
Cons:You'll take too many pictures
In a nutshell:Grab your Stetson and go!

Last visit to Monument Valley State Park: Sep 2004
Intro Updated Jul 31, 2011
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Reviews (8)

US 163 heading north out of Monument Valley - Monument Valley State Park

Monument Valley under the stars Things to Do (5)

There is only one campground near the park as I read that the old Mitten View Campground near the Visitor Center was... more travel advice

Best picnic table in Monument Valley - Monument Valley State Park

Go for the scenery Restaurants (1)

Because of its remoteness, you're not going to find a lot of meal options near the park but you certainly won't starve.... more travel advice

Polar and Fuzzy - Monument Valley - Monument Valley State Park

Make like John Wayne! Things to Do (5)

OK, so maybe that's a stretch but what better way to really experience Monument Valley than from the top of a horse!!???... more travel advice

The scenic drive - Monument Valley State Park

The scenic drive Things to Do (5)

Starting at the Visitor Center within the tribal park, there is a 17-mile loop road with 11 scenic stops. You'll be... more travel advice

Hotels (1)
A room with a view

Local Customs (1)
Being respectful in Navajoland

Comments (5)

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Nemorino Nov 13, 2011 at 9:52 AM

Beautiful photos and informative texts!
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Durfun Aug 23, 2010 at 8:50 AM

Will need to visit these places someday... Good info here :-)
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hindu1936 Mar 24, 2010 at 9:47 PM

Thank you for the camping info. We plan to wander all over that area this summer on the scooter
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BruceDunning Nov 26, 2009 at 4:08 PM

I did not get this fare-but to similar place around Natural Bridges and Moab on my trip to Utah/Arizona parks. I agree Zion is one of the better-but all are great. I hope you would enjoy taking a look at my spots
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KiKitC Aug 20, 2008 at 3:27 PM

I love your pages. Inspiring. I've got my camping gear ready...to sleep under the desert skies...