Monument Valley's towering red sandstone buttes are among the most recognizable landscapes on Earth, familiar from decades of Western films even to people who've never been near Utah or Arizona. The valley sits on Navajo Nation land, and a visit here is as much a chance to learn about Navajo culture as it is to see the scenery.
Top Things to Do in Monument Valley
The 17-mile Valley Drive is the classic way to see the park — a rough dirt loop road past famous formations like the Mittens and Merrick Butte, drivable in a regular car at a slow pace or with a Navajo-guided tour for a smoother ride and deeper cultural context. Guided tours are the only way to access certain areas of the valley off the main loop, including some of its most photogenic hidden arches.
Sunrise and sunset are, by far, the best times to see the buttes, when the red rock glows deep orange — many guided tours are timed specifically around these hours. The Monument Valley Visitor Center has a museum on Navajo history and culture worth a stop before heading onto the drive.
What to Pack for Monument Valley
This is remote high desert with almost no shade, so sun protection and extra water matter more here than almost anywhere else on a Southwest road trip. The VacationGrabs Big Outdoor Leather Backpack has room for the extra water and layers a valley tour demands, and the VacationGrabs Vintage Leather Backpack is a durable option for the drive in and out.
Book Monument Valley Tours and Experiences
Navajo-guided jeep tours, sunrise and sunset photography tours, and horseback rides through the valley are among the best ways to experience Monument Valley. Browse Monument Valley tours and experiences below to plan your trip.
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