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…

Iconic Monument Valley…

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

The road leading up to Monument Valley gives you this view.

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 right past the valley’s towering monoliths.  Wherever you started your Monument Valley road trip, this 17-mile stretch will be the pinnacle of your trip. 

Drive right past huge monoliths and sweeping desert vistas.

What’s in the Visitor’s Center?

There are bathrooms, a restaurant, & The View Hotel (Monument Valley’s only hotel) all located in the same parking lot as the Visitor’s Center.  Inside the Visitor’s Center, besides restrooms, you’ll also find lots of shopping opportunities: from jewelry to local, handmade crafts such as blankets & even kachina doll-type trinkets (see photo below).  If you’d like to stay overnight right in Monument Valley, book a room at the View Hotel or try one of the nearby campgrounds. 

More information on lodging can be found below. 

View from the Monument Valley Visitor’s Center.

Adventure at Monument Valley

If you’re looking for adventure, it’s also possible to take back-country ATV or horseback rides through Monument Valley.  Outfitters are located along the perimeter of the parking lot, & will let you know available times & pricing.  We tried to book online in advance, but that was a bit difficult ~ I’d recommend just doing it in person; things are pretty informal here.  Also know that when you’re in Monument Valley, you’re on tribal land ~ so plan to take it easy on the speed! 

But there’s clearly little need to speed when you’ve got views like this….

Visit at sunrise or sunset for the most spectacular light. Staying at the View Hotel is pretty much the only way to catch the sunrise here…

Map of Monument Valley

Some of your best Monument Valley shots may be taken right off the highway, before even entering the monument.  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 ~ so it’s easy to watch out for cars as you get your “middle-of-the-road” shots.

Heading south on Highway 163 from Mexican Hat, you’ll come across this view right on the border between Utah & Arizona.

And if you’re lucky, there’ll be a dog crossing the highway at just the right moment..(unfortunately, my camera was cloudy for both these shots).

Once you’ve made it to 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’ll be able to drive right by all those massive, red sandstone monoliths.  There are plenty of pull-outs along this drive, & you can take photos virtually anywhere you want. 

Budget at least two to three hours for the drive.

The “Okay-Corral.”

Frame your shot of the monoliths with beautiful yellow desert flowers.

Make sure to clean your camera lens for the best shots!

Breathtaking.

You may not be able to hike through the valley: but you can horseback ride. Pictured is John Wayne Point.