Last updated on .
Monument Valley is a tribal park within the territory of Navajo Nation. It’s a spectacular natural place with an otherworldly landscape.
Introduction to Monument Valley
Monument Valley is one of the most photographed places on earth. It’s a stunning desert landscape covering 91,696 acres in northern Arizona and southern Utah. The terrain was formed by wind and water erosion over a period of 50 million years. Its Navajo name is Tse’Bii’Ndzisgaii.
Visiting Monument Valley
Admission to Monument Valley is US$8 per person, per day, per location (as of September 2025). Please note that interagency passes are NOT accepted. The park is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Check out the official website for more info.
Visitor Center
The visitor center contains a hotel, museum, and store. A restaurant operates during the summer months. You can also hike the 1 ½-mile Wildcat Trail. One mile before the visitor center, you can buy arts, crafts, native food, and souvenirs from Navajo vendors at roadside stands.
Guided Tours
Certain parts of Monument Valley are accessible by guided tour only. A list of tour operators is on the official website. You’ll also find tour guides upon arrival at the lower parking lot.
Camping
The View Campground is located near the visitor center. Our original plan was to camp overnight and wake up to the amazing views of the valley. We reserved a campsite ahead of time but two things happened. Our tent picked up a few holes and flooding during rough weather at the Grand Canyon a couple nights earlier, and there were heavy rains in the forecast for that night. We ended up canceling the campsite and losing the camping fee. As an alternative, we drove to Mexican Hat, Utah, and stayed in a hotel.
Scenic Viewpoint at Monument Valley
The visitor center has a scenic viewpoint where you can get panoramic views of the valley. On your way there, you might want to pull off the road to get a good look at what’s coming. We were able to spot several buttes and mesas over the border in Utah. On the far left is Eagle Mesa (880 feet / 268 meters high), followed by Brigham’s Tomb (1,225 feet / 373 meters high), Stagecoach (322 feet / 98 meters high), Big Indian (580 feet / 177 meters high), and Sentinel Mesa (920 feet / 280 meters high).
From the viewpoint at the visitor center, you’re able to see three of the most famous buttes, which are the two Mitten Buttes and Merrick Butte. West Mitten Butte is 856 feet (261 meters) high while East Mitten Butte is 1,026 feet (313 meters) high. Merrick Butte is 966 feet (294 meters) high. It’s named after silver miner Jack Merrick, who was killed by Native Americans in 1880. Looking north, you’ll get another perspective of Sentinel Mesa and Big Indian.
As you’ve notice from my photos, Monument Valley changes colors as the sun changes position. No matter what time of day you visit, you’re guaranteed a feast for the eyes.
Scenic Drive at Monument Valley
Visitors can take a 17-mile scenic drive through Monument Valley. It’s included in the entry fee. SUVs or 4x4s are preferred due to the rough terrain. It’s open daily in summer from 7am to 7pm, with the last entry at 4:30pm. During the winter, the hours are 8am to 5pm, with the last entry at 2:30pm.
