Phoenix to Monument Valley: A Guide to the Iconic Desert Scenery
It’s a bit of a drive from Phoenix to Monument Valley, but worth it to explore some of the most iconic desert scenery in the United States.
The sandstone buttes have been commercialized and used as movie set backdrops, but a visit here will give you a greater appreciation for the land, which is managed by the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department.
Key Info: Phoenix to Monument Valley
- It’s a 5-hour drive (320 miles) from Phoenix to Monument Valley
- Consider an overnight in Kayenta or Medicine Hat.
- Arriving before the gates open at 8:00am is key!
- It’s open all year, and the cost is $20 per vehicle.
Where to Stay Near Monument Valley
It’s not a day trip from Phoenix to Monument Valley, so you’ll have to spend the night somewhere.
You can stay in one of a variety of hotels in the nearby town of Kayenta, or right at the big lodge in the Tribal Park.
Another option would be to travel farther north to Medicine Hat, UT.
Maybe combine it with a trip to Arches National Park in Moab, Utah, which is about three hours north?
You can use this interactive map to see hotel and rental prices and availability for your dates:
Tours of Monument Valley
While you can drive the loop through the park on your own, there are a variety of tour options at Monument Valley.
Hiring a Navajo guide will get you into parts of the Tribal Park that are inaccessible to the general public.
➡️ CLICK for Tour: With a Navajo Guide
Horseback Riding Tours at Monument Valley
Horseback tours are very popular at Monument Valley.
At the visitor center, the guides will assign you a horse based on your experience, weight, and height.
Over about two hours, the horseback tour will go to the Mitten Buttes and Merick Butte, followed by Sentinel Mesa.
How to Get from Phoenix to Monument Valley
It’s a drive!
In fact, the five-hour drive from Phoenix is what kept me from traveling to Monument Valley for years. It was always just “a little too far” for a drive.
Monument Valley spans the Arizona-Utah border.
The nearest town is Kayenta, which can be used as a base for exploring the region.
What to Expect at Monument Valley
In spots, the sandstone buttes rise from the desert along the border of Arizona and Utah, some of which are 1,000 feet tall.
Right from the visitors’ center, you’ll recognize two of the most famous sites: Mittens Butte and Merrick Butte.
Monument Valley Entry Fee Cost
The fee is $20 per car, and you may have to pay an extra $6 or $8 per person in the car, though we just paid the flat $20.
💡 PRO TIP: Get there early, before the official opening!
The park gates officially open at 8:00am, but the toll booths where they sell tickets open earlier. I’d suggest arriving by 7:30 (or earlier) to line up at the park’s entrance.
At 8:00am, the line of cars inches forward, as a staff member checks each in for the day. It can be a slow process!
The Rules at Monument Valley
The land is considered sacred by the Navajo Nation, and strict rules govern everything from drones to hiking off the roads and trails.
You can take a guided tour, or drive through on your own. You’ll need a guide to go to certain parts of Monument Valley, like Secret Valley and Hunts Mesa.
Drones are not allowed in the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.
Navajo Culture
You’ll learn about the Navajo Nation at the Tribal Park. As you enter, you’ll drive by traditional dwellings, called “hogans.”
Hogans are typically built with logs or poles, which are then covered with a layer of mud. The roof is usually conical or dome-shaped, with a central opening known as the smoke hole, which allows smoke from the central fireplace to escape.
How to Get to Forrest Gump Point
Get up before dawn, and make your way to “Forrest Gump Point,” which you can find in Google Maps. It’s between the Arizona-Utah line and Mexican Hat, UT. If you’ve seen the movie, you’ll recognize the role this site plays in Forrest’s run across the country.
You’ll catch a beautiful sunrise, over the familiar scene of the long highway leading up to the buttes. It’s US Highway 163, and it’s open 24/7. There are places to pull off to the side to take photos. The speed limit is reduced to 35mph because so many people show up to take pictures walking down the road.
We saw only one other person along the stretch up before dawn to get the best light.
From here, make your way to the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, which is about 20 minutes south.
Monument Valley in the Movies
The Tribal Park features the vistas made famous in old Western movies. One of the trails is even named after John Wayne.
The John Ford Viewpoint is perhaps the most recognizable. It includes a parking area, a small cafe, a few vendors, and a number of photo ops.
It’s named after the movie director, John Ford, who used Monument Valley in his films from the late 1930s into the 1950s.
Truth be told, I think the best photos here would be at sunset, rather than sunrise… but I’ll have to explore that on my next trip!
How Much Time to Spend at Monument Valley
The 17-mile park loop, depending on how long you stop to take photos at different sites, will take about two hours to drive through.
Hiking off the road is prohibited completely. The visit to this area really just involves driving to different sites to park and take photos.
Best Time to Visit Monument Valley from Phoenix
As always, it’s best to hit Monument Valley in an “off-season.” We went on President’s Day in February of 2022, and the crowds were minimal.
It’ll snow in the winter, and can hit triple digits in the summer.
I’d suggest getting there *before the park opens, to get your car in line at the entry. I’ve had other friends go at all times of the day, and they say it’s been fine … but I do my best to avoid crowds.
The timing works well if you start at the Forrest Gump Viewpoint on the highway before sunrise. From there, it’s a beautiful 20-minute drive to the Tribal Park entry.
FAQs About a Trip from Phoenix to Monument Valley
Let’s go over a few more frequently-asked-questions about a visit to Monument Valley from Phoenix. Some of these were already answered above.
Can you do a day trip from Phoenix to Monument Valley?
Not really. If you don’t mind 10-hours driving time and just a quick tour through the park I suppose it would work. Really, you should spend the night somewhere and make it a two-day trip.
How Many miles is it from Phoenix to Monument Valley?
It’s about 320 miles from Phoenix to the Tribal Park.
What’s the cost to enter Monument Valley?
It’s $20 per car to enter the Tribal Park.
Can you visit Monument Valley in the winter?
Yes, the Monument Valley Tribal Park is open all year.
Is Monument Valley too hot in the summer?
While the heat can reach into the triple digits, Monument Valley is still open all summer. There’s not a lot of shade cover, so you’ll rely on your car’s AC!
What Else is Near Monument Valley?
If you have more time on a trip from Phoenix to Monument Valley, check out these other sites in Northern Arizona. The Page, AZ, area is full of amazing sites to see!
📍 Page, AZ
➡️ White Pocket
➡️ The Wave
📍 Antelope Canyon (Also in Page, AZ)
➡️ Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon
➡️ Airports Near Antelope Canyon
📍 Elsewhere in AZ
➡️ Picacho Peak
Is it Worth the Drive from Phoenix to Monument Valley?
Monument Valley is a unique spot, which holds significant cultural importance for the Navajo Nation. In addition to taking in the breathtaking vistas, you’ll walk away with a greater understanding of the culture and history of the Navajo people.
