Monument Valley simply strikes differently. The red sand desert floor stretches over 92,000 acres across the Utah-Arizona border, dotted with sandstone cliffs and dirt roads. This area is best known for the Monument Valley Tribal Park – a once common filming location for old Western films. You have already seen the valley on your TV screen. It was the setting for all the John Wayne movies, as well as classics like Forrest Gump. But there is more to the valley than beauty. You can visit sites such as the Navajo Shadehouse Museum and enjoy amazing hiking trails.
Exploring Monument Valley is so much fun. This is one of the most famous sections of any road trip in Arizona and one of the main road trips in the United States. Between the red sand backdrop and the scenic drive worthy of Hollywood, Monument Valley has made its way onto millions of bucket lists.
How to visit Monument Valley
In this guide you will learn everything you need to know to have a fantastic visit. Get ready for a complete guide; by the end of this article you will be well equipped and ready to go. We will teach you all about the main attractions of the valley, such as Elephant Butte and the Wild Cat Trail. But we will also provide you with all the logistics you need, such as how to get there and when it is best to visit. One of the best aspects of Monument Valley is its location, so skip the end if you want a glimpse of combining your trip with other memorable attractions like the Grand Canyon.
What is Monument Valley? A brief introduction
What is Monument Valley? Well, this 92,000-acre area is a particularly beautiful area with a red sand desert. The valley lies on the border between Utah and Arizona, with land in both states. It is best known as Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, which has a beautiful collection of sandstone cliffs that have attracted the attention of Hollywood. Chances are you’ve seen Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, John Wayne movies, or the famous “Run Forrest Run” scene at Forrest Gump.
You can cross the valley on the 17-mile Valley Drive, a paved highway passable all year round. During your visit, you may need an all-terrain vehicle to cover a dirt road or two.
How to get to Monument Valley
The easiest way is to fly to one of the big cities in Arizona or Utah and rent a car to get to this secluded valley.
Las Vegas and Salt Lake City are the two most famous international airports and about a 7-hour drive from the valley. Flagstaff is another excellent airport just a 3-hour drive away and is ideally located for connecting Monument Valley to the Grand Canyon. You can book domestic or international flights to one of the airports, rent a car and go to Monument Valley the rest of the way.
Alternatively, you can take an Amtrak train to Salt Lake City or Las Vegas if you are coming from the United States. This would reduce unnecessary flights and allow for more adventurous and slower travel. You can then rent a car for the rest of the trip.
If you are reading this, you can see the recurring factor – car rental. You must travel with a licensed person if you cannot rent or bring a car yourself. The valley is one of the most remote places in the United States. And you have to drive if you want to see it independently.
That being said, there is a limitation slash loophole to this. If driving is really not an Option, you can book a guided tour of Monument Valley. These tours are more expensive and your free time is limited, but they are the perfect solution for those who do not have a license.
