Monument Valley is one of the most beautiful places in the United States.  Having seen much of the country, & after countless road trips in the West: I can state this without reservation.  If you love desert landscapes, westerns, or just long for a time when things were a little simpler ~ then a Monument Valley road trip needs to be added to your bucket list immediately…

Why road trip to Monument Valley?  Because…there’s really no other way to get there.  It’s about 300+ miles from any major city ~ including the nearest airports, which are in Albuquerque, New Mexico & Durango, Colorado.  From there, it’s still hundreds of road tripping miles to reach Monument Valley. 

The Good News About Monument Valley = It’s 300+ Miles from Civilization 

The Bad News = It’s 300+ Miles from Civilization

 

Getting Oriented  

Monument Valley is located on the border of Utah & Arizona.  The Visitor’s Center is located on the Arizona side, as is the start to the 17-mile, dirt-road loop that takes you past the valley’s towering monoliths. 

Wherever you start your Monument Valley road trip, this 17-mile stretch will be the highlight of your trip. 

 

What’s at the Visitor’s Center?

There are bathrooms, a great shop & restaurant, as well as Navajo-owned The View Hotel (Monument Valley’s only hotel).  They’re all located in the same parking lot as the Visitor’s Center.  Inside the Visitor’s Center, you’ll find lots of shopping opportunities: from jewelry to local handmade crafts, like blankets & kachina dolls (see photo below). 

If you’d like to stay overnight right in Monument Valley, I highly recommend booking a room at the View Hotel.  It costs more than local campgrounds: but it’s the only place where you can actually witness sunrise & sunset over these incredible desert monoliths ~ before the tour buses arrive.

 

Adventures at Monument Valley!

If you’re looking for adventure, check out back-country ATV rides or horseback riding through Monument Valley.  Outfitters are located right in parking lot, & will let you know available times & pricing.  We tried to book online in advance, but that was tricky.  I’d recommend doing it in person; things are pretty informal here. 

Also know that when you’re in Monument Valley, you’re on tribal land ~ so take it easy on the speed! 

But there’s clearly no need to speed when you’ve got views like this….

 

Map of Monument Valley

Some of your best Monument Valley shots can taken right off the highway, before entering the park.  If you’re headed south on Highway 163 from Mexican Hat ~ you’ll encounter views just as you hit the border of Utah & Arizona.  Be prepared to pull over & grab your camera (you’ll see many people doing the same). 

There are plenty of pull-outs, & the road is long & straight.

Once you’re at the Visitor’s Center (you need to pay to enter this area), they’ll point you towards a 17-mile, dusty dirt road.  From here, you can drive right by all those massive, red sandstone monoliths.  There are plenty of pull-outs on this drive, & you can take photos virtually anywhere you want. 

Budget at least two to three hours for the drive.