This post was originally published on A Globe Well Travelled in 2017. The content has been revised and updated with fresh information.
The desert fell silent as our Navajo guide began to sing.
We were sitting in the shadows of enormous rock formations on a Monument Valley backcountry tour. While our guide played traditional music on his flute, I could feel an energy in the air — something that connected us to the landscape. It was such a special moment, and unlike anything I could have experienced driving around Monument Valley on my own.
Monument Valley had been on my US bucket list for years. Ever since my first visit to the US back in 2009, I’d wanted to visit this iconic desert destination, but somehow it never quite fit into my travel plans… until my husband and I finally made it there on an American Southwest road trip in 2017.
We were initially going to do a drive through of the valley between other destinations, but I’m so glad we decided to stay overnight. Sleeping out in the desert and watching the rock formations change colour around sunrise and sunset made Monument Valley feel like much more than a quick sightseeing stop.
If you’re planning your own trip to Monument Valley, I’ll share everything you need to know in this guide to visiting the Wild West.
Quick summary:
In this Monument Valley travel guide, you’ll find out how to get there, the best time to visit, where to stay and eat, plus the top things to do — from the scenic self-drive loop and Navajo-guided tours to stargazing, horseback riding, and the classic Forrest Gump filming location.
Recommended tours:
🏜️ Monument Valley Backcountry Tour – Explore restricted areas with a Navajo guide, see sacred sites, and get the best photo spots.
🐎 Horseback Adventure Tour – Ride through the desert with a Navajo guide past Eagle Mesa, Sleeping Bear, and the Mittens, no matter your skill level.
🌟 Stargazing Tour – See Monument Valley under the stars and moonlight, with telescope viewing, photo tips, and a ceremonial music performance.
Where to stay:
🛎️ Goulding’s Lodge – Popular option with hotel rooms, cabins, a restaurant, and museum — all with sweeping desert views.
🏨 The View Hotel – The only hotel inside Navajo Tribal Park, offering unbeatable sunrise and sunset views.
How to get to Monument Valley
Monument Valley is in southeast Utah, right on the Arizona border. It’s not particularly near to any major cities or airports which makes it a little tricky to get to. The closest major airports are Las Vegas (6.5 hrs drive), Albuquerque (5 hours drive) or Phoenix (5 hours drive). If you’d like to fly somewhere closer, Flagstaff (3 hrs drive) also has a smaller airport.
If you’re doing a Monument Valley road trip, you’ll drive in via Highway 163 from the north through Utah, or the south through Arizona. My husband and I were coming from Mesa Verde in Colorado, so we rented a car in Denver and drove in via the north then drove out via the south on our way to Page, AZ.
Best time to visit Monument Valley
Temperatures in Monument Valley range drastically from 68-94°F (20-34°C) in July to 25-42°F (-4-5°C) in January. The shoulder seasons are probably the best time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds and the summer heat or the winter cold.
Most people will drive through Monument Valley in the middle of the day, but I think the best time to visit is the early morning or late afternoon. The rocks seem to change colour throughout the day and I definitely think sunrise and sunset was when they looked their best.
How long do you need in Monument Valley?
You can see Monument Valley in half a day if you’re short on time. This would give you enough time to stop at the main viewpoints and drive the scenic loop, or take a guided tour through the valley.
That said, I’d recommend staying overnight if you can. We had originally planned to drive through Monument Valley without spending much time there, but staying the night ended up being one of the best decisions we made. It meant we could experience the valley later in the day when many of the day visitors had left, then see the landscape again in the changing light around sunrise. Staying overnight also gives you the option of taking a Monument Valley stargazing tour after dark.
Where to stay in Monument Valley
I would definitely recommend staying overnight in Monument Valley, if you can. We stayed in a teepee at the Monument Valley Tipi Village during our visit in 2017, and sleeping out in the desert ended up being one of my favourite parts of the experience. Unfortunately, the tipi village we stayed at is no longer bookable, but there are a few other accommodation options around Monument Valley.
The View Hotel
🏨 The View Hotel is the only accommodation located inside Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. The rooms have private balconies that face east, which means you can watch the sun rise over the Mittens without even leaving your bed!
The hotel also has cabins for travellers who want a little more space and privacy. The location is hard to beat — you’ll be close to the Visitor Center and the starting point for the scenic drive, making this my pick if you want to stay right in the heart of Monument Valley. Accommodation here is in high demand, so I’d recommend booking well in advance if you have your heart set on staying inside the park.
Goulding’s Lodge
🛎️ Goulding’s Lodge is located just outside the Tribal Park and has been welcoming visitors since the 1920s. It still retains that old Wild West charm! It has a mix of hotel rooms and larger accommodation options, many with views across the surrounding desert.
Goulding’s is more of a little complex than just a hotel, with an on-site restaurant, grocery store, gas station and even a museum that showcases the history of Monument Valley in Hollywood films. This makes it a particularly convenient option if you’re staying overnight and want easy access to food and supplies without having to travel far. Be sure to reserve your room far in advance as they book up quickly.
Do you need a tour for Monument Valley?
You don’t need to book a tour to visit Monument Valley. You can drive the scenic loop independently and stop at the main viewpoints along the way, so if you’re travelling on a budget or only have a few hours, self-drive is a great way to experience the landscape.
However, I think a guided tour is worth doing if you have the time and budget. We ended up doing a Monument Valley backcountry tour, which took us along the scenic loop as well as into restricted areas of the park that can only be accessed with a Navajo guide.
🏜️ Monument Valley Backcountry Tour – Explore restricted areas with a Navajo guide, see sacred sites, and discover some of the valley’s best viewpoints.
The tour takes place in the back of an open-air truck while your guide drives through the desert. I loved being out in the open rather than closed up inside a car — you can feel the air and dust on your skin as you travel through the valley. Our guide also pointed out some of the best viewpoints and photo spots, and offered to take photos of us along the way.
But the most memorable part of the tour happened once we ventured beyond the public scenic loop. At one point, we were led to some enormous rock formations, where we sat and listened to our Navajo guide playing music with his flute. I felt such a connection to the land in that moment. It was an experience we wouldn’t have had if we’d explored Monument Valley on our own.
My only hesitation with recommending the tour is the price. It can be hard to justify considering that it covers mostly the same area that you can see on the self-drive loop. If you mainly want to see the famous Monument Valley views and stop for photos, you could absolutely save your money and drive yourself.
But if you want to experience more than the main viewpoints, I think the backcountry tour is worth the extra cost. Accessing the restricted areas with a Navajo guide completely changed the experience for me, and looking back, those are the moments I remember most from our time in Monument Valley.
Best things to do in Monument Valley
Most of the things to do in Monument Valley revolve around experiencing the landscape from different perspectives. I’d suggest starting at the Monument Valley Visitor Center, where you’ll get an incredible view over the valley towards the Mittens. This is also where you can find current information about the park and access the scenic drive.
Monument Valley scenic loop
If you want to explore Monument Valley independently, you can drive the 17-mile scenic loop that starts near the Visitor Center and winds around the valley floor. The dirt road takes you past many of the famous buttes and mesas, with designated places to stop along the way for photos.
The unpaved road is sandy and can be rough in places, with uneven terrain. The Navajo Nation website recommends using a vehicle that can handle these conditions, with an SUV or truck preferable. RVs, camper vans, motorcycles and some other large or off-road vehicles aren’t permitted on the scenic drive.
I’d allow at least a few hours to do the loop without rushing. You’ll want time to stop at the viewpoints, take photos and enjoy the landscape.
It’s also worth checking the current park hours before you arrive, as there’s a cut-off time for entering the scenic drive that changes throughout the year. Bad weather can also affect road conditions and potentially close the park, so check for any updates before setting off.
Self-driving the scenic loop is definitely the cheaper option and gives you plenty of freedom to explore at your own pace. However, it only gives you access to the public areas of Monument Valley — if you want to venture into the restricted backcountry areas, you’ll need to book a tour with a Navajo guide.
Horseback riding in Monument Valley
🐎 For something really unique, you can saddle up for a Monument Valley Horseback Adventure Tour. These rides are led by Navajo guides who’ll match you with a horse to suit your experience level (no worries if you’re a beginner!).
The trails pass landmarks including Eagle Mesa, Sleeping Bear and the Mittens, with horses available for different experience levels. I didn’t go horseback riding during my visit, but if you like the idea of seeing Monument Valley away from the main scenic drive, this would certainly be a memorable way to do it.
Goulding’s Museum
If you’re stopping at Goulding’s Lodge, it’s worth taking a quick look around the Goulding’s Trading Post Museum. We popped in during our visit and I remember it being a tiny museum, so you don’t need to set aside loads of time for it.
The museum is housed inside the original Goulding’s Trading Post, which dates back to the 1920s. Inside, you’ll find historic photographs and artefacts from the old trading post, along with displays about the history of Goulding’s and Monument Valley’s long connection with Hollywood Westerns. I particularly loved seeing the old movie posters from films that were shot around Monument Valley.
Forrest Gump filming location
If you’re driving into Monument Valley from the north, keep an eye out for the famous Forrest Gump filming location. This is the spot where Forrest finally stops running in the movie, with the long straight road disappearing towards Monument Valley in the background.
We stopped here on our way into Monument Valley from Colorado, and the view down the highway was phenomenal. Even if you’re not particularly interested in the movie, it’s worth stopping just to get that classic view of the road stretching through the desert towards the buttes.
The viewpoint is located along Highway 163 near Mexican Hat, north of Monument Valley. Be careful when taking photos here as this is still an active highway — don’t stand in the middle of the road when there’s traffic approaching.
Wildcat Trail hike
If you want to experience Monument Valley on foot, the Wildcat Trail is one of the designated hiking trails within the Tribal Park. The trail starts near the Visitor Center and takes you down onto the valley floor, where you can walk through the desert landscape beneath the towering rock formations.
I didn’t do the Wildcat Trail myself, but it would be a good option if you have extra time. Hiking is subject to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park rules and opening hours, so check the current trail conditions before setting out, and sign in and out as required. The desert conditions can also be deceptively harsh, so take plenty of water and avoid hiking during the hottest part of the day.
Stargazing in Monument Valley
The night sky in Monument Valley is sensational, as there’s very little light pollution around the valley. I remember looking out from the entrance of our teepee after dark and being completely in awe of the stars above us. If you want to experience more of Monument Valley after dark, you can also join a guided stargazing tour in the desert.
🌟 On a Monument Valley Stargazing Tour, a Navajo guide will take you to scenic locations around the valley after dark, where you can experience the rock formations under the stars and moonlight.
The tour also includes telescope viewing and tips for photographing the night sky. I didn’t do this tour myself, but having experienced just how impressive the stars are in Monument Valley, I can see the appeal — especially if you’re staying overnight and want to make the most of your evening.
Where to eat in Monument Valley
Food options around Monument Valley are fairly limited, so it’s worth thinking about meals before you arrive.
We ate at the Stagecoach Dining Room at Goulding’s Lodge for lunch. The restaurant was large and had amazing views across the desert. From memory, the food itself was ok rather than spectacular, but when you’re in such a remote location, having somewhere convenient to sit down for a meal is definitely appreciated.
Goulding’s also has a grocery store and convenience store where you can stock up on snacks, drinks and basic supplies. We ended up buying some snacks to take back to our teepee for dinner.
Inside Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, The View Hotel also has dining options. The View Restaurant currently serves dinner to hotel and cabin guests, while The View Deli has grab-and-go options available during the day.
If you’re staying overnight, I’d recommend bringing some snacks and water with you rather than relying entirely on restaurants. Monument Valley is remote, and having a few supplies on hand gives you much more flexibility — especially if you want to be out enjoying sunset rather than worrying about where to find dinner.
Tips for visiting Monument Valley
Bring plenty of water: Monument Valley is a desert environment, and it can get extremely hot and dry during the warmer months. Keep plenty of drinking water in the car and take some with you whenever you’re exploring away from it.
Prepare for the desert weather: Take sunscreen, a hat and sun protection during the day, but have some warmer layers handy if you’ll be staying for sunset or overnight. Temperatures can drop surprisingly quickly once the sun disappears. Also, expect to get dusty! The red desert dust has a habit of getting onto everything, especially if you take an open-air tour.
Fill up your gas tank: Monument Valley is remote, so I wouldn’t arrive with an almost-empty tank and assume you can fill up anywhere. There is a gas station at Goulding’s near the Tribal Park, but services become much more limited once you’re driving through the surrounding desert.
Download anything you need offline: Cell service can be patchy around Monument Valley. I couldn’t get any signal from our campground when we stayed there, although I actually quite enjoyed the off-grid experience! Download your maps, booking confirmations and any other information you might need before arriving.
Check conditions before you arrive: Opening hours, scenic drive access and hiking conditions can change throughout the year, particularly during periods of extreme heat or bad weather. Check the latest information from Monument Valley Navajo Nation website before setting off for the day.
Respect Navajo Nation rules: Monument Valley isn’t just a scenic attraction — it’s part of the Navajo Nation and a landscape with enormous cultural significance. Stay on designated roads and trails, don’t enter restricted areas without a Navajo guide, and follow any photography or access restrictions while you’re visiting.
Monument Valley FAQs
Is Monument Valley worth visiting?
Absolutely! Monument Valley was one of the highlights of our road trip through the American Southwest. The landscape is spectacular, but taking a Navajo-guided backcountry tour and staying overnight in the desert made the experience particularly memorable for me.
Can you visit Monument Valley without a tour?
Yes. You can visit the main viewpoints and drive the scenic loop independently. However, some backcountry areas are restricted and can only be visited with a Navajo guide.
Is a Monument Valley tour worth it?
I think so. Backcountry tours follow the same route as the self-drive loop, but accessing the restricted areas with our Navajo guide was one of my favourite experiences in Monument Valley.
How long do you need in Monument Valley?
You can see the main sights in half a day, but I recommend staying overnight if your itinerary allows. This gives you more time to explore and lets you experience the landscape around sunset, after dark and again in the morning.
Do you need a 4WD to drive Monument Valley?
A 4WD isn’t necessarily required, but the scenic loop is an unpaved dirt road with rough and sandy sections. Check the latest vehicle restrictions and road conditions with Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park before driving it.
How long does the Monument Valley scenic drive take?
I’d allow at least a few hours for the 17-mile scenic loop. While the driving distance isn’t particularly long, you’ll want plenty of time to stop at the viewpoints and take photos along the way.
Can you stay overnight in Monument Valley?
Yes. The View Hotel is located inside Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, while Goulding’s Lodge is just outside. I recommend staying overnight if you can, as it gives you the chance to experience the valley around sunrise, sunset and after dark.
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