Where to Stay by Monument Valley
Monument Valley is located in both Utah and Arizona, straddling the border of both states. Its massive monolithic rocks rise out of the desert floor like striking, otherwordly formations. As there are no major cities around, the Valley feels very much out-of-the-way; on its own. So figuring out where to stay in Monument Valley can be a little confusing, as there aren’t a ton of choices. It’s also helpful to know where you’re headed after, in order to make the best decision about lodging.
But no matter if you’re headed up towards Moab, or west towards Page: it’s worth spending at least one night right in Monument Valley….
Map of Monument Valley Hotels
Monument Valley Visitor's Center
Mexican Hat
Bluff, Utah
The View Hotel
Goulding's Lodge & Campground
Monument Valley KOA
Sleeping Bear Campground
Is There Any Hotel IN Monument Valley?
There’s just ONE hotel actually inside of Monument Valley, & it’s located right next to the Visitor’s Center, with panoramic views of the valley: The View Hotel ($135+/night). Because it’s the only hotel with direct views of Monument Valley, it tends to book up quickly. Navajo-owned, rooms feature locally-woven rugs & Native American art, & ALL rooms have balconies with views ~ a huge plus. There’s a nice breakfast buffet here, & a good restaurant that’s alcohol-free.
If you’d like to see sunrise or sunset in Monument Valley, horseback ride, or spend more than just an afternoon exploring: I highly recommend booking a room in advance at the View Hotel.
“Our room at The View Hotel had 4 chairs on the balcony & extra blankets to keep us warm as we watched the sunrise in the morning. Of the two, for me, sunset was a bit prettier, but hard to compare to anything in my day-today life. Just stunning. Hotel was quiet & felt safe. Restaurant open. Free continental breakfast. Plenty of parking. Worth the visit to see Monument Valley & would always choose to stay at The View in the future.”
– A Visitor from Ohio
Staying at Goulding’s by Monument Valley
If you don’t want to spend the money to stay at The View, but still want to be close to Monument Valley: check out Goulding’s Lodge & Campground ($119+), which is the next closest hotel. Views are still staggering, even though you’re across the highway from Monument Valley ~ this is more of a long view. Goulding’s is just 4 miles away from the valley, & surrounded by red rocks of its own, so you can still appreciate the Southwest-scenery here.
Goulding’s offers regular hotel rooms (only some have balconies ~ be sure to ask for one), suites & cottages that offer more bedrooms, & there are campsites & RV parking as well. Rooms are a little more basic than The View, but perfectly adequate. There’s also a heated indoor pool, restaurant with views of the valley, a gym, sun-deck, history museum, & a market.
This is one of the best views you can get from your hotel room; Goulding’s is worth staying just for that. The room is a decent size, comfortable & warm. Dinner & breakfast is very good & very tasty. A walk around the small museum is highly recommended. If you’re in the area, you must stop here for a night.– A Visitor from Canterbury, United Kingdom
Where to Camp by Monument Valley
You’ve got several options for camping right around Monument Valley: including Goulding’s, the Monument Valley KOA (located next-door to Goulding’s with good views, but right on the highway), & Sleeping Bear Campgrounds (located just a few miles up Hwy 163, towards Mexican Hat ~ amazing views of Monument Valley).
Cost for Each Campground:
- **Goulding’s Campsite = $30+, Full hook-ups: water, 50-amp power, & cable TV + pet-friendly ~ great reviews!
- Monument Valley KOA = $55/night, 50 Max Amp….but many negative reviews.
- **Sleeping Bear Campground = $20, Few frills & no hook-ups ~ but great reviews.
Get Ready for Monument Valley…
Those are all the closest hotels & campgrounds to Monument Valley. If you’re headed up towards Canyonlands or Arches National Park: I’d head up towards Bluff or Blanding ~ both have a lot better accommodations than tiny Mexican Hat. And if you’re looking for a little bit of luxury: try Desert Rose Resort & Cabins in Bluff ~ a beautiful wellness retreat…
xoxo Noelia
Read Next: Where to Stay by Canyonlands & Arches
We loved our stay at the View Hotel. Magnificent views from the room. Do you have thoughts on visiting Canyonlands after a trip to Monument Valley?
Hi there Sandra, thanks for your comment & question. So yes, I think Canyonlands OR Arches National Park are great places to visit after Monument Valley, if you’ve got time. The highway that leads north out of Monument Valley is a great road, which makes the drive pretty easy. So much to see in this part of the world!! Enjoy : )
We just stayed at Goulding’s with our two dogs in one of their RV spaces – loved it. Beautiful views, and very easy to get the dog out for a walk.