Monument Valley
Monument Valley is not a valley. It is a wide, flat plain interrupted by isolated buttes, mesas, and spires of red sandstone that rise hundreds of feet from the desert floor. The formations are the signature image of the American Southwest — you have seen them in Western films, car commercials, and postage stamps. The valley sits on Navajo Nation land straddling the Arizona-Utah border, roughly 2.5 hours northeast of Page.
For visitors based in Page, Monument Valley is the most common day trip. The drive is long — roughly 125 miles each way — but the scenery along Highway 160 and 163 is part of the experience, passing through the Navajo Nation with views of mesas, hogans, and open range. Most visitors spend 4 to 5 hours in the valley itself, which makes for a 10- to 12-hour day including driving.
Getting There from Page
Take Highway 98 east from Page for roughly 65 miles to Kayenta. In Kayenta, turn north on Highway 160, then continue north on Highway 163. The turnoff for Monument Valley is well signed. The total drive is roughly 2.5 hours and 125 miles. There is no public transportation from Page to Monument Valley. You need your own vehicle, a rental car, or a guided tour.
Guided day trips from Page are available through several operators. These tours handle the driving and include a Navajo guide for the valley loop. The advantage is that you can sleep or sightsee instead of focusing on the road. The disadvantage is that you are on the tour's schedule, not your own.
The 17-Mile Valley Drive
The main visitor activity is the 17-mile self-guided dirt road loop through the valley floor. The road is rough, rutted, and dusty. A standard passenger car can usually manage it in dry conditions, but the ride is slow and bumpy. High-clearance vehicles are more comfortable. RVs and low-clearance vehicles are not recommended — the road has steep dips and soft sand sections.
The loop passes the most famous formations:
- The Mittens: Two buttes with thumb-like spires, the most photographed formation in the valley. Best light is early morning and late afternoon.
- Merrick Butte: A massive standalone butte between the Mittens. Best viewed from the loop road near the visitor center.
- Three Sisters: A trio of thin spires that resemble a nun's habit. Best viewed from the northwestern section of the loop.
- John Ford's Point: A overlook named for the director who filmed multiple Westerns here. Horseback rides are available.
- Totem Pole: A thin, 450-foot spire that looks impossibly fragile. Best light at sunrise.
- Artist's Point: A wide overlook with views of multiple formations layered against each other. Popular at sunset.
- North Window: A natural arch-like opening between two buttes that frames the valley beyond.
The drive takes 1.5 to 2 hours at a leisurely pace with photo stops. During peak season (May–September), dust is intense — keep windows closed and expect to wash your car afterward. Winter snow can make the loop impassable without 4WD.
Entrance fee: $20 per vehicle (up to 4 people) as of recent rates. Additional passengers are extra. The fee is collected at the visitor center booth. Cash is preferred; credit cards are accepted but the connection is unreliable.
Navajo Guided Tours
The 17-mile loop is self-guided, but the valley extends far beyond the loop into restricted backcountry. To access these areas — including Mystery Valley, Hunts Mesa, and Teardrop Arch — you must book a Navajo-guided tour. These tours use open-air trucks or Jeeps and are led by Navajo guides who explain the geology, history, and cultural significance of the land.
Backcountry tours are more expensive than the self-guided loop — typically $75–$150 per person depending on duration and destination — but they take you away from the main tourist route into quieter areas with petroglyphs, ancestral Puebloan ruins, and natural arches. Hunts Mesa tours are popular for sunset photography from an elevated viewpoint above the valley.
Guides are available at the visitor center or can be booked in advance through operators like Monument Valley Safari, Dineh Bekeyah Tours, and Sacred Monument Tours.
Visitor Center and Facilities
The Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park visitor center sits on a terrace above the valley with a panoramic view of the Mittens. It has a restaurant, gift shop, restrooms, and a small museum. The View Hotel, operated by the Navajo Nation, offers rooms with direct valley views and is the only lodging inside the park. The hotel restaurant serves Navajo and American cuisine.
There is no gas station inside the park. The nearest fuel is in Kayenta, 25 miles south. There is no grocery store. Bring water and snacks for the day.
Photography
Monument Valley is one of the most photographed landscapes on Earth, which means the iconic shots have been taken millions of times. The challenge is finding a fresh composition or a moment of unique light.
Best times: Sunrise and sunset are the classic windows. The Mittens face east, so sunrise lights them directly. Artist's Point and the North Window face west, so sunset is better. Midday light is harsh and flat — use this time for the visitor center, backcountry tours, or the drive to and from Page.
Best seasons: March–April and September–October offer the best combination of mild temperatures, reliable weather, and lower crowds than summer. July–August brings monsoon thunderstorms, which create dramatic skies but also dust and flash flood risk in side canyons. Winter has the lowest crowds and possible snow, which dusts the red buttes white.
Drones: Prohibited on all Navajo Nation land. This includes the entire valley and the surrounding reservation.
Practical Information
- Hours: The park is open year-round, typically 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. in summer and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in winter. Hours change seasonally — confirm before visiting.
- Time zone: Monument Valley follows Utah time (Mountain Daylight Time in summer). Page, Arizona does not observe daylight saving time. From March to November, Monument Valley is one hour ahead of Page. Confirm your tour times carefully.
- Pets: Not recommended on the loop road or in backcountry areas. If you bring a pet, it must stay in your vehicle.
- Accessibility: The visitor center and hotel are accessible. The 17-mile loop road is not — it is unpaved, steep in places, and has no accommodations for wheelchairs.
- Camping: The View Campground has 30 sites with valley views. Reservations recommended in peak season. No dispersed camping is permitted inside the park.
How to Combine with Nearby Attractions
- From Page: Monument Valley is the standard Day 3 option on a three-day Page itinerary. Leave Page at 7:00 a.m., arrive by 9:30 a.m., do the loop and a backcountry tour, and return by 4:00–5:00 p.m.
- Valley of the Gods: A free, less crowded alternative 30 minutes north of Monument Valley on Highway 261. No entrance fee, no crowds, similar geology. The road is graded dirt and manageable in most vehicles.
- Mexican Hat: A small town 25 minutes north of Monument Valley named for a balanced rock formation. A quick photo stop.
- Goosenecks State Park: A 1,000-foot-deep meander of the San Juan River, 45 minutes north of Monument Valley. Worth the detour if you are already in the area.
- Four Corners Monument: The intersection of Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico is 1.5 hours northeast of Monument Valley. Most visitors find it underwhelming — a concrete plaza in the middle of nowhere — but it is a common add-on for families.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Monument Valley from Page, Arizona?
Approximately 125 miles and 2.5 hours by car. Take Highway 98 east to Kayenta, then Highway 160/163 north to the park entrance.
Can you drive through Monument Valley yourself?
Yes. The 17-mile Valley Drive is a self-guided dirt road loop. A standard car can manage it in dry conditions, though the ride is rough. High-clearance vehicles are more comfortable. The entrance fee is $20 per vehicle.
Do you need a guide for Monument Valley?
For the 17-mile loop, no. For backcountry areas beyond the loop — including Mystery Valley, Hunts Mesa, and Teardrop Arch — yes, a Navajo guide is required.
How long should you spend at Monument Valley?
Most visitors spend 3 to 5 hours: the 17-mile loop (1.5–2 hours) plus time at the visitor center, restaurant, and optional backcountry tour. Add 5 hours of driving if you are coming from Page.
Is Monument Valley worth the drive from Page?
Yes, if you have a full day. The valley is one of the most iconic landscapes in North America. The 5-hour round-trip drive is long but scenic. If you are short on time or do not want to spend that much time in a car, consider White Pocket as a closer alternative.
What is the best time to visit Monument Valley?
March–April and September–October offer the best weather and manageable crowds. Sunrise and sunset are the best times for photography. Midday in summer is hot, dusty, and crowded.
Can you fly a drone at Monument Valley?
No. Drones are prohibited on all Navajo Nation land, including Monument Valley.
Where should you stay at Monument Valley?
The View Hotel is the only lodging inside the park and offers rooms with direct valley views. The View Campground has 30 sites. Most visitors staying in the area choose Kayenta (25 miles south) or Mexican Hat (25 miles north) for cheaper options. Most Page-based visitors do Monument Valley as a day trip and return to Page.
Is Monument Valley in Arizona or Utah?
Both. The valley straddles the Arizona-Utah border. The visitor center and main loop are on the Arizona side. The Utah side is also Navajo Nation land with no public road access.
What movies were filmed at Monument Valley?
John Ford filmed seven Westerns here, including Stagecoach (1939), My Darling Clementine (1946), and The Searchers (1956). More recent films include Forrest Gump (1994), which used Highway 163 north of the valley for the famous running scene.
For a complete three-day itinerary that includes Monument Valley, see our three days in Page guide. For lodging near Monument Valley, see Monument Valley hotels. For other day trip options, visit day trips from Page.
For tours that pair Monument Valley with Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and the Grand Canyon in one itinerary, see multi-destination tours.
For aerial views of Monument Valley and the surrounding Navajo Nation from Page-based aircraft, see air tours.
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