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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.