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Monument Valley

Monument Valley [1] is perhaps the most famous example of the classic American West landscape, located within the Navajo Nation on the border of Arizona and Utah. The valley has been the backdrop for numerous western movies, ranging from the films of John Wayne to Back to the Future 3 to Forrest Gump.

Visitors to Monument Valley should be aware that the entire Navajo Nation observes Mountain Daylight Savings Time from April through October, meaning that the time in Monument Valley will be one hour ahead of the time in other Arizona locations.

Culture and History

History

Monument Valley is today a part of the Navajo Nation, although archaeological evidence indicates that the ancient Anasazi people inhabited the valley until 1300 AD. Today over 100 sites and ruins have been found dating from these ancient people, including rock art. The Anasazi abandoned the area in the 1300's, leaving it empty of humans until the arrival of the Navajo people.

Landscape

Flora and fauna

Climate

Travel to Monument Valley, visa requirements

The Valley lies mostly in northern Arizona, but the highway turn-off that leads into it is just across the Utah border. The nearest town with a hotel is in Kayenta, which is about twenty miles from Monument Valley.

Fees/Permits

Monument Valley is a Navajo Tribal park (not a USA National Park) and charges a fee of $5 per person (children 9 and under free) for access to the loop road through the valley. National park passes will not be accepted.

Individuals wishing to hike in the valley or to visit sites not on the loop road must hire a Navajo guide for an additional fee.

Get around

While many incredible formations can be seen from the main roads, the best views can be had from the seventeen mile loop road that runs through the valley. The road is open from 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM in the summer (May - September) and from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM in the winter (October - April). The road is unpaved but is generally in good condition and does not require high clearance or four-wheel drive. Vehicles over 24 feet in length are not advised to use the loop road.

Monument Valley attractions and sightseeing

The scenery is lovely. There is a loop drive you may take in your own vehicle. The loop is not paved, but relatively flat. You are not permitted to deviate from the loop drive without a native guide present. The loop drive can be done in as little as 30-40 minutes, but most visitors will take several hours to enjoy the scenery. There is no shortage of native guides eager to take you (for a fee, of course!) to the restricted areas.

City tours

Shopping, Monument Valley souvenirs

Good restaurants and cheap meals

Goulding's Lodge and the visitor center sell snacks, and there may be stands around the park offering Navajo fry-bread and other items.

Monument Valley nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.

Drinking water and other beverages are available at the visitor center and at the campground store. There are no other water supplies in the valley, so be sure to carry enough with you.

Note that alcoholic beverages are prohibited on Navajo lands.

Hotels, youth hostels, lodging

Lodging

Goulding's Lodge, [2].

Camping

Goulding's Lodge Campground, [3]. Sites with full hookups are $36 per night, while tent-only sites are $22 per night.

Backcountry

Stay safe

Regulations within the valley include the following:

Fires are allowed only in grills, firepits, and other designated areas.
Visitors MUST stay on the valley road unless accompanied by a Navajo guide.
Rock climbing is prohibited.
Personal photography is allowed, but when photographing Navajo residents and their property permission is required and a gratuity is expected. Commercial photography requires a permit.
Dogs must be leashed at all times.
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited on Navajo lands.
Do not disturb plants or animals.

Dangers in the valley are minimal, but visitors should not reach under rocks, ledges or bushes due to dangers from rattlesnakes, scorpions and spiders.

Get out

Unless you plan to keep the native guides busy, this is a one-day stop. However, from Kayenta you are close to Ship Rock, Four Corners and the Grand Canyon North Rim (Jacob Lake).

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