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Tribal park · Oljato-Monument Valley, Utah
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
A Navajo Nation park on the Utah–Arizona border, with red sandstone buttes and mesas like the Mittens, a dirt road of about 27 km and Navajo‑guided tours.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Monument Valley, Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii in Navajo, the valley of rocks, is a red sand plain from which mesas and sandstone buttes rise up to about 300 meters high. The best known formations are the two Mittens, which resemble gloves, Merrick Butte and the Three Sisters. The valley lies within the Navajo Nation, which has administered the tribal park since 1958.
The scenery became famous in the Western films of director John Ford from the 1930s onward, and has since appeared in many movies and advertisements. One of the road overlooks is named after the director. Navajo families still live in the valley, herding sheep and weaving rugs.
The Valley Drive is a dirt road of about 27 km, one‑way for most of its length, that leaves the visitor center and passes 11 numbered overlooks. It can be done in a private car when open, taking care in sandy stretches and over holes. Other areas of the valley, with arches, petroglyphs and dwellings, can only be visited with Navajo guides, on open‑vehicle tours, horseback rides or on foot, booked at the visitor center or in advance.
The park has its own hours, a separate entrance fee and does not accept national park passes. Drones are prohibited on Navajo lands.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Three to five hours with the Valley Drive and the visitor center.
Best time
In the late afternoon and at sunrise, when the buttes turn redder and the shadows lengthen.
How to get there
The entrance is on US‑163, about 6 km from the settlement of Oljato‑Monument Valley and about 40 km from Kayenta, Arizona.
Tip
Check the park’s website to see if the Valley Drive is open to private cars and for the closing time, which follows Navajo time. A guided tour shows areas the car cannot reach.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Can you enter Monument Valley with your own car?
On the Valley Drive, the park’s dirt road, yes, when it is open to private vehicles. Other areas of the valley can only be visited with Navajo guides. Check current rules on the park’s website.
Do national park passes work at Monument Valley?
No. Monument Valley is a Navajo Nation tribal park and charges its own entrance fee separately.
How long does the Valley Drive take?
One and a half to two hours with stops at the overlooks. The road is dirt, with sand and holes; drive slowly.