Monument Valley is not a national park but a Navajo Tribal Park, on the border of Arizona and Utah. Its sandstone buttes — the Mittens, Merrick Butte, the Totem Pole — rise 1,000 feet from the red sand, and since John Ford filmed Stagecoach here in 1939 they have stood for the American West itself.
Things to do in Monument Valley
The Mittens at sunrise
From the visitor center terrace or The View hotel, the sun rises behind West and East Mitten Buttes and Merrick Butte. In spring and fall, sunrise aligns with the gap for a starburst.
2Valley Drive
A 17-mile loop of sandy, rutted dirt road past 11 viewpoints: John Ford’s Point, the Three Sisters, Artist’s Point. Allow two to three hours and drive slowly; rental contracts often exclude unpaved roads, so check yours.
3A Navajo-guided tour
Jeep, horseback or hiking tours led by Navajo guides go beyond the public loop, to Mystery Valley’s ruins, the Ear of the Wind arch and Big Hogan. The guides share Diné history and stories you won’t hear elsewhere.
See tours and tickets partner link4Forrest Gump Point
On US-163 north of the valley, near mile marker 13, the long straight road where Forrest stopped running. Stand on the shoulder, not in the lane: traffic is fast.
5Goosenecks State Park
Half an hour north, in Utah: the San Juan River loops through 1,000-foot meanders. A short detour toward Mexican Hat and Valley of the Gods.
Where to stay in Monument Valley
Rooms with a view of the buttes are few and book early; Kayenta and Mexican Hat are the alternatives.
Our 2 hotel picks in Monument Valley
Photos, facilities and tips →
Boutique$$$$The View Hotel
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, next to the visitor center
The only hotel inside Monument Valley Tribal Park, with balconies facing the Mittens.
Mid-range$$$$Goulding's Lodge
Oljato-Monument Valley, 5 miles from the Tribal Park visitor center
The historic Monument Valley trading post, now a resort with an indoor pool, a museum and Navajo-guided tours.
The View Hotel
$$$$Best for: the view from your balcony
Navajo-owned, inside the park, every room facing the Mittens; cabins and campground too.
Hotels in The View Hotel partner linkGoulding’s Lodge
$$$$Best for: history
A 1920s trading post where John Ford stayed, with a museum and views of the valley.
Hotels in Goulding’s Lodge partner linkMexican Hat & Bluff
$$$$Best for: quiet, Utah side
Small towns on the San Juan River, near Goosenecks and Valley of the Gods.
Hotels in Mexican Hat & Bluff partner linkWeather in Monument Valley by month
Compare every destination month by month in the when-to-go explorer.
Monument Valley: your questions
Is Monument Valley a national park?
No, it is a Navajo Tribal Park managed by the Navajo Nation. National park passes are not accepted.
Can you drive through Monument Valley yourself?
Yes, on the 17-mile Valley Drive, a dirt road usually fine for normal cars in dry weather. The rest of the valley requires a Navajo guide.
How much time do you need in Monument Valley?
Half a day for the Valley Drive; one night to see sunset and sunrise.
Where is Forrest Gump Point?
On US-163 in Utah, about 13 miles north of the visitor center, looking south to the valley.
Written by Kylian Dev · Last reviewed October 21, 2026. Prices are in US dollars, before sales tax.