What Not To Miss At Monument Valley, Utah
Monument Valley is a place where you will experience one of the most majestic and most photographed points on earth. The valley lies within the territory of the Navajo Nation Reservation on the Arizona-Utah border. The mesas, thin buttes, and the tall spires rising above the valley, and the contrasting orange sand, makes Monument Valley the most impressive landscape in the southwest.
You can explore the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park by taking the self-driving 17-mile tour through a dirt road from the visitor center or guided tours provided by local operators. The access fee to the park is $20 per vehicle (2018) and it takes around 2-3 hours to complete all viewpoints in self-driving tour. The road is dusty, steep in a couple of places and uneven. We choose a 3-hour professional guided excursion to learn about the history, explore natural features and arches in the valley that are not accessible during self-driving tours.
The park is frequently a filming location for most Western American movies. Please feel free to leave a comment if some of these photographs remind you of your favorite classic Westerns.
US 163 – We approaching Monument Pass and a dust storm approaching the valley
West Mitten Butte
Mitten Buttes
Merrick Butte
Elephant Butte
Juniper Tree with Mitten Butte and sage bush covered valley in the background
Iconic image of a lone rider on a horse standing at the edge of the John Ford viewpoint
The mesmerizing view of the valley as seen from John Ford Point. An iconic location featured in many Westerners.
Eagle’s Eye, Monument Valley Tribal Park
Eagle’s Eye Monument
Yoda formation in sandstone. Inspiration starts with nature!
Sun’s Eye Monument
Sunset colors on the Rain God Mesa Tower
Big Chief Butte – Monument Valley
Indian Chief Monument Valley
Mocassin Arch Rock
The Totem Pole & Yei Bi Chei pinnacles
Three Sisters – spires at the end of a ridge at the southeast corner of Mitchell Mesa
“A loaf of Bread” sandstone formation in the valley
The dramatic views of the valley from John Ford Point
Sunset hue at the Totem pole & Ye Bi Chei
Sunset at Hunts Mesa
Visitors must stay on the valley road or one of the self-guided trails unless accompanied by a Navajo guide.
Monument Valley can have sudden rainstorms or dust storms. Always watch out the weather conditions before you begin your tour.