Monument Valley holidays

The Navajo Tribal Park of Monument Valley is all about jaw-dropping scenery. It’s heavily protected by the Navajo people – for whom it remains a spiritual home – so access is limited. You can make your way independently along the Monument Valley Scenic Drive and the three-mile Wildcat Trail, which runs around Merrick Butte and the Mittens.

If you want to see more of the park on your trip to Monument Valley, you’ll need to take a guided tour. You can choose an intimate four wheel drive trip, or go on a hiking tour with an expert local guide to uncover hidden treasures and lesser-seen spots. Discover ancient petroglyphs and Anasazi sites. Step into the backcountry through the Valley of the Gods beyond the Mexican Hat. And, if you stay overnight in the park, you can witness the blanket of stars over the dark skies, followed by a stunning valley sunrise.

Want to explore independently? Book your entrance for just a few dollars and drive the 17-mile loop of the most dramatic rock formations on the Utah-Arizona border.

Pass the hand-shaped spiritual guardians of the land – commonly known as The Mittens – and see the towering form of Merrick Butte, which completes this most iconic of vistas. Drive by to the animal-shaped formations of Camel Buttes and Elephant Buttes, and the trio of columns which make up the Three Sisters.

Stop at John Ford Point – the lookout with panoramic valley views, where the movie director made John Wayne famous. Get up close to The Hub and appreciate the scale of the monuments and the details of their erosion. Sweep around the Totem Pole, Yei be Chei, and Sand Spring to the perfectly framed views of Artist’s Point and North Window. Finally, say goodbye to Monument Valley as you spot the Thumb at the trail’s end.

While there’s a consistent lack of rain throughout the year, temperatures can vary dramatically in Monument Valley. December and January drop close to freezing and even see some light snowfall, while temperatures from June to August regularly exceed 35°C.

The best time for your Monument Valley trip depends on your personal preferences. April, May, September and October are great for flexible travellers, who want to balance good weather with fewer crowds. But you can still enjoy Monument Valley activities during the summer heat – or even during winter, if you come prepared for a little chill.

Whenever you visit, just be mindful that temperatures drop sharply after sunset so, at night, it’s often 10°C to 15°C cooler than in the day. So we’d always recommend packing a range of clothing and plenty of layers.