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Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
17 reviews for Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
17 reviews in English
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Review from Tres B.
Denver, CO
The Southwest is so filled with jaw dropping spectacles and barren windswept landscapes that force you to reflect on the pomposity of humanity, the scale of time and space. There are the better known attractions, such as the Grand Canyon, and the lesser known, such as Goblin Valley and Goosenecks.
But my favorite is the unspeakable majesty of this collection of buttes, craggy and bold against the eternally robin's egg blue velvet sky. But if you come here, you must spend the night. The solemnity of these monoliths under the half moon is moving. They tower like giant tombstones of the Gods. The air is still and the night so quiet as to almost make an urbanite question their sanity.
But this is sacred Navajo land, and the occasional far off dog bark from a distant ranch house may make you return to Earth momentarily, until you gaze into the diamond littered sky above. Visable in the clean high desert air like almost no where else,stars and galaxies still escaping the big bang are sliding ever farther away , but indiscernible in the lifetime of a tiny human being.
Each moment of the day casts a new light and new shadow onto the valley. This, this, this wonderful place should be the Mecca for all Americans who want to appreciate the beauty of their country - it is the apogee of the American West and a treasure for the world. Breathe the air, feel the red silt slide between your fingers, listen quietly, contently and enjoy this sabbatical from the rush of civilization and take time to relish the fleeting moment s you have in your little flesh and bone vessel traveling through this wonderful life: at Monument Valley. -
Review from Paul V.
10/27/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Monument Valley is the quintessential American desert. Never been here? Chances are you've seen it in pictures at diners, on TV shows and in the movies. Many John Wayne movies and other old westerns were filmed here. Also:
2001: A Space Odessy
Easy Rider
National Lampoons Vacation
Forrest Gump
Mission Impossible II
Thelma and Louise
Wondering why so many movies were filmed here?
BECAUSE IT'S ONE OF THE MOST SCENIC PLACES IN THE UNITED STATES!
$5/person entry fee. About a 15 mile scenic dirt road loop. Do all the stops. Highlights: Mittens, Artist Point, Whole Frickin' Park. -
Review from Morgan L.
Albuquerque, NM
9/22/2011
Let's get it straight: I'm reviewing the tribal facilities and NOT mother nature. The sights are fantastic, no question there.
But a road that isn't maintained to such a degree that a personal sedan can't attempt it despite the fact tours are offered at $65 a head is goofy. Sixty-five bucks a head...I may be a sucker but I'm not a dipshit sucker.
Then there's the gift shop...what a load of junk. Enough John Wayne material to start a hardcore fetish! I mean, isn't that prick offensive to Indian Country? Silly little rock with silly little figurines, silly 'medicine' packaged brightly, and silly items (like baseballs and mouse pads) adorned with pictures of the Valley...silly.
What educational and thoughtful materials they do offer can be found on a book shelf 3.5 feet wide and about 5 feet tall. Pathetic. I don't deny anyone the option to make a killing by separating fools from their money, but throw a bone to the more thoughtful visitors too. -
Review from Matthew H.
Oxnard, CA
6/14/2011 1 photo
This park should be on everyone "Bucket" list
When you drive over here, it feels like you have left earth and on some other planet as it is a alien landscape that is unique in the world.
Originally I planned to drive down in my own car but I went into a pothole and my car got stuck before the 1st turn. Thankfully it was a short walk back to the information center to get help. Although the tow truck drivers were off on the weekend they manage to jack the car up and put a rock under the wheel, so that I could reverse out.
It was fortunate that my car got stuck here rather than further down the road because it would have been alot harder to get help. Only drive down if you are in a rental car, it is worth paying $70 for the guided tour because you will save money in not having your car take damage from the road.
The Information center has got some great exhibits about the history of Navajo Nation and the valley.
How this could be improved
1. Pave the dirt road, I can not be the only driver who got stuck, considering that this place would get over a million visitors a year, they can increase the entry fee from $5 to $10 to cover a paved road throughout the park.
The road was so bumpy even on the 4WD tour truck, if you don't usually suffer from motion sickness you will after riding on the truck!Listed in: Kayenta, AZ
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Review from Alan A.
Fremont, CA
6/13/2011
All that I can say is wow!!!! The scenery was spectacular. The sandstone buttes which rose above the valley floor in all shapes and forms were mezmerizing. If you have ever watched a Cowboy movie, I guarantee you've seen parts of Monument Valley in the background.
What I particularly liked about this place is that for a small fee, you can drive your car in the valley for your own self-guided tour. I love this place, and intend to go back in the near future. Maybe next time we'll hire some Navajo guides to take us on a more extensive tour off the beaten paths. This is definitely a must see if you are in the area. -
Review from corey G.
In my memories, I remember the red sand and towering rocks. As a child I'd look out the window at an expansive landscape and see rock castles and stone dinosaurs. The valley seemed limitless and unreal. Here is where you go to let your imagination soar through a valley of geological relics.
Monument Valley is a place that never gets old.
I recently made a return trip to Monument Valley. I was lucky to be given a tour by some locals---my Navajo homey and his pop. We were staying in Kayenta (Hampton Inn), and took a short drive out of "K-town", within minutes we drove over a rise, and then there it was: Monument Valley.
Monument Valley is located wholly within the Navajo Nation reservation. Man, this tribe rocks some truly beautiful landscapes!
As we entered the Valley, we veered off the road to a secret spot that my friends know about---they took me to a petrified forest. This was actually pretty cool. It was a trip to see red trees/logs on the ground, and yes, they were rock hard, but totally looked like prehistoric pines! While here, I got to see my first view of an "authentic goat/sheep herd". I really liked the herding dogs with them.
We were then off to the Valley.
When I was a kid, I remember thinking this Valley went on forever, but it's not that big, and this is good. I mean, all the formations are concentrated in this one area. It's an area that's in everyone's mind. I say this because so many films have been shot here. As others have said, you have to drive through the valley and take a look back south at the valley---it's a beautiful view and the one where one of my heroes (Forrest Gump) ends is transcontinental run. I, of course, had to get out and do the jog here for a photo op (see my profile).
There isn't much development out here, as it should be. We made it to both Gouldings and The View Hotel for pit stops.
Monument Valley will stay with you.
The light, shadows, the colors, the views will capture your memories---no CGI-required.
PS Take a look at the photo I added. It is a funny one my friend snapped of a Truck and a Monument Valley Rock.Listed in: Going Native., Outdoor Adventures
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Review from Matt S.
9/8/2010 2 photos
This was only my first time in the park, but if I could describe it in one word? SPECTACULAR! I have been to the Grand Canyon several times and it doesn't even stack up to the beauty of Monument Valley. People here leaving reviews talked about the road being rough, and someone stated only for the first mile. That is pretty wrong, we were in GMC Denali (big SUV) and it was rough the whole way. It was a good ab workout driving through the park - LOL - Anyway, I hope all the cars I were watching go through this rough road were rentals or they were ruined! (Another reason why you NEVER buy a used rental car) Do yourself a favor and plan a road trip and GO to Monument Valley.
The view hotel is right in the park and would have been an amazing place to stay, but make sure and book in advance. If you are not able to get in at the view, the Gouldings is pretty decent about a mile or so away (but not in the park) There are not a lot of places to eat, but the view hotel and the gouldings hotel both have decent, but not amazing food. Both have good menus for kids too.
I would also highly recommend driving about 13 miles into Utah, so you can turn around - look back at Monument Valley and see the famous scene where Forrest Gump stopped running! It is also the famous picture that is featured in a ton of travel magazines etc. So glad I went, and again would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone! -
Review from Hylary L.
7/29/2011
Absolutely beautiful scenary. A must-see. Simple as that.
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Review from Stephanie L.
Miami, FL
10/1/2010
If you liked the movie Wild Wild West or John Wayne, that's the place to go! You won't believe your eyes!
Second or close first to my favorite place on Earth (see Arches National Park). I already went twice and want to come back badly.
Surreal rock formations in the middle of the desert, an indian asks you for one dollar for a picture of you on his horse... the result... STUPENDOUS. My parents have this picture of me at home and I must say, wow! You feel like in a Far West movie waiting for John Wayne to show up.
Seriously, this is the most amazing sight one can observe. Sunset is the best time for pictures so arrive early and enjoy the view. There's a trail in between the three sisters (Mittens) that we actually took by car... better suited for a four wheel drive but still amazing to do.
The rocks are orange/red and sunset makes it even more colorful and surreal. The best trip of my life! -
Review from Ed U.
8/20/2006 3 photos
There are some places that just take your breath away when you see them. Angkor Wat. The Taj Mahal. Iguasu Falls. I have always wanted to come here and not because I like John Wayne movies. Well, maybe 'The Searchers" but that's all. Monument Valley is simply one of the most spectacular and iconic sights in the Southwest, a relatively flat plateau of dramatically formed red-rock mesas and buttes.
I guess a lot of people fly into the airstrip near Goulding's Lodge, the only accommodation in the valley. I just drove in from Kayenta on a circuit I was making of the major sights near the Arizona-Utah border - Lake Powell, Canyon de Chelly, Bryce Canyon, Zion. This was the topper.
In order to get the best views within the valley, you have to enter the official Navajo Park by taking Highway 163. The exit is about 24 miles north of Kayenta, Arizona, and 22 miles southwest of Mexican Hat, Utah. Yep, it's that sparse in this part of the country, but it's fun how you see more and more of the valley as you get closer.
Once at the exit, go east on the solitary drive while taking in more of the mesas and then pay $5 at the booth. Once at the park headquarters (complete with gift shop and fast-food stand, of course), you can take a chance with your dusty sedan and go over the bumpy road to go to some of the key sights.
The better option is to take one of the Navajo-run jeep tours that take you around the valley and stop at the significant sights. The tour lasts about three hours and costs around $20, a bargain for what you see and photograph. Highlights include the view from John Ford's Point (the film director's favorite spot for vista shots), the Mittens, the Three Sisters and the Ear of the Wind. I've included three of my own photos here.
The most opportune time to take photos is near sunset as the sun makes the mesas a rich reddish tone. I was lucky to be there right after a major hailstorm, which left the mesas brilliantly rich-looking. The best photo op is actually outside the park, about seven miles north on Highway 163. Stop the car, look back and take the iconic photo you may remember from "Forrest Gump".
It's truly amazing.Listed in: Mother Nature's Magic in the…
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Review from Vivian L.
San Mateo, CA
6/5/2011 2 photos
Mother Nature is beautiful and the things she creates are majestic. This park is no exception to this. They look man-made but they are all natural! The size of these monuments really made me stop and realize that our lives are just a small part of the bigger picture. These monuments have been there way longer than I have and will be there long after I'm gone. We didn't do the off-road dirt road tour to get up close and personal with the monuments but just taking pics from the scenic spots at the main park was perfect. The gift shop was also great, I picked up a pair of turquoise earrings which will always remind me of my visit to Monument Valley.
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Review from Alberto C.
Pasadena, CA
4/14/2009
When I told my friends that I was going to visit Monument Valley, they didn't know what it was. I had to explain to them that it was where Forrest Gump stopped running, and then they understood.
Despite the fact that many movies, commercials, etc... have been shot in Monument Valley, the location is very real - from the hundreds of miles on a two-lane road (literally) driven to get here, to the vistas of massive buttes rising high above the valley floor. It is all very real.
This is truly an awesome and AMAZING place. The sights and vistas here represent some of the finest landscape images of the rugged West, which have been deeply engrained in the American psyche for years. Say "American West," and most likely, some images from Monument Valley come up. The location is on the Navajo Indian Reservation, and like the reviewer said before me, the Navajo people are generally poor. Tourism makes up the majority of the Navajo economy. Yes, the Grand Canyon is more famous, but it isn't necessarily better!
Monument Valley is very rugged, so be prepared for it. There is a fine red dust that permeates everything, and it will eventually get on your clothes and personal belongings. I stayed at the brand new View Hotel, and I have to say that it is one of the most beautiful hotels I've ever stayed in (see separate review). Upon paying the $5 admission fee to the Navajo tribe (fee allows one day of visitation), most people drive the 17 mile loop road, which is really rough for the first mile or so. You can get away with the 17 miles in a regular sedan style vehicle, but I recommend a vehicle that is high off the ground, like an SUV. Four-wheel drive is not required on the loop road, but it helps. DO NOT bring your sports car here - leave it at home! Despite the uneven and unpaved road, the loop road is scenic, enjoyable, and easily done. Go for it!
BUT, if you want to dive deeper into Monument Valley, you have to invest in a guide. Most of the interesting parts of MV (ancient ruins, petroglyphs, beautiful arches, etc...) are restricted to the general public, and you need a Navajo guide to access them. I came here to do only photography, so I charted Tom Phillips, who is well known, very knowledgeable, and has worked with many of the finest photographers around. Taking a tour with Tom Phillips has been one of the highlights of my life, as he made MV come to life through his stories and personality. While Tom works with photographers, and is typically well-booked, there are many guides available at the Visitor Center booth. Please be sure to tip your guide well.
A couple of other tips/hints:
1. Don't forget to visit Mile Marker 13. Drive north on US 163, 13 miles from the Monument Valley turnoff. When you get to mile 13 (look at the mile markers), stop your car on the side of the road, and look behind you. You'll be looking at one of the most famous images of the American West. This is the famous road shot, with the two lane road dipping downward, then up again, and leading straight to Monument Valley in the background.
2. The best place to catch the sunrise in the morning is in the area near the hotel and visitor center.
3. Near the visitor center and hotel (and a current construction site), are two rather large boulders which stick out like bumps. This is the site where Ansel Adams photographed his famous image of Monument Valley, with the three buttes in the background.
4. Try to get your guide to take you to Mystery Valley, where a lot of the ruins and petroglyphs can be found.
5. The View Hotel, which opened in Dec. 2008, is the place to stay here. Every room has a view of the valley, with the buttes. The hotel is very clean, modern, and the staff very friendly.
As a sign of the significance of this place, I met a lot of foreign tourists during my visit, who had no problem driving the hundreds of miles used to get to this very remote location. Monument Valley is very well worth the trek out here.Listed in: Photograph the American…
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Review from Paul L.
10/25/2008 5 photos
Feeling a bit self-important lately? Are you asking why can't everyone be like you? Friends telling you that your ego has reached epic proportions, but you don't believe them? Well, it might be time for a dose of Monument Valley.
You've seen it in movies and you have a mental picture of what to expect. Stop. Don't move. Toss those images in the trash before you even get in the car for the long drive to the Navajo Reservation. Did you do it? Don't lie, now, because you'll only confuse yourself. Good. Now, get out the road map and prepare for one of the longest road trips of your life. Distances and time mean nothing out here, so why don't you toss punctuality in the trash, too? Good. You're ready to go.
The landscape of Monument Valley is respectful because it lets you know you're getting closer even though you may be a hundred miles away. Isolated rock formations jutting out of the ground begin to appear out of nowhere. You're not there yet, but the Valley is already whispering to you so quietly that you can't hear what it's saying.
As you drive on mile after mile after mile, the dirt gets redder, the rock formations grow larger. Now, finally, you are here. These are not mountains and it's not a stone city, either. No, these behemoths are singular earthen sentinels poised to touch the clouds. The whispers are growing louder.
As you pull to the side of the road and get out of the car, these stone guardians proclaim loudly that you are small. Did you hear that? You're small -- you're not in control here and you couldn't be even if you wanted to be. You've already surrendered time and distance. Monument Valley is now ready to teach you about true power and your ego is nowhere to be found.Listed in: Natural Wonders
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Review from miss b.
San Francisco, CA
5/26/2009
THE CRAZIEST PLACE ON EARTH!
one of the most striking, surreal, magical, mystical, special places i've ever been to, if not THE MOST. definitely better than the grand canyon for me. i'm sad i'm not there right now & can't wait to go back. the beauty is simply stunning & breathtaking, a wonder how a place could naturally be like this.
i'm surprised most people have never heard of it because i've known about it since i was a kid.
my tips for a successful visit:
on the way in, stop @ the navajo stands & pick up some navajo jewelry. yes, u can bargain, & sometimes they'll give u an automatic discount, but i want to show support & pay full price. say hi to elvis saltwater for me! he has the best shop & selection. it was a little crazy to me how some jewelry stands were set up deep in the park, literally in the middle of nowhere, like how much foot traffic r u really gonna get?
i'm a big camper, but u HAVE to stay @ the view hotel. it was only $20 more than gouldings, & u have this spectacular view of the 3 famous buttes (the mittens & merrick butte) right outside of ur balcony! the location is BADASS. i think it's worth the luxury after a long, dusty drive. the rooms are nice, & the bathroom is really nice. visit the trading post, & catch the view from the outlook point. the reservation is dry (no alcohol) & the hotel is non smoking.
the food @ the view restaurant was deeelicious as well. i had a lovely bonding moment with the navajo flutist, who charmed us during the meal with soothing navajo flute music. get the green chile stew, the mutton stew, john wayne's fried chicken, & the free salsa is delish. a common problem in monument valley is undercooked fries! note to monument valley chefs: u need to cook fries twice to achieve desired crispiness!
do the 17-mile drive. i was totally glad we had an suv, more suitable. every view was more breathtaking than the last, but my favorite was from artist's view. i could not tear my eyes away. sooo beautiful, the tilt of the land is unreal, the surface of the earth is shaped like a bowl, & the buttes in the foreground & background are unbelievably beautiful. i wanted to run across the huge, grassy plain, & the green grass combined with the rainbow-colored buttes & sky were perfection. *sigh* bring binoculars.
during the drive, we came across the horseback ride place. the horses & 2 dogs come right up to the car! they actually got into a spat, which was quite funny. there r just horses roaming everywhere, no fences, which was amazing & added to the specialness of the experience.
next time, i want to take a guided tour & go on a horseback ride for sure!!! & stay there 2 nights.
drive past the park entrance to mile marker 13. one of the best pictures ever. stand in the middle of the highway & take a picture. we accidentally drove even further to outside of the navajo border, to mexican hat rock, where there are some very cool, lively biker bars!
weather is crazy & unpredictable. there is something crazy & magical about this land, not just the landscape, but the forces of nature, too. u can feel this place has a special energy that is immensely powerful. as we were getting gas on the way out, out of nowhere, the whole sky lit up suddenly (at 2pm) with an amazing lightning display, followed half a second later by a huge rumble of thunder, then it was instantly pouring rain! it was straight out of a movie, it was so dramatic. be careful, & be prepared for anything.
this place is crazy beautiful!!!! love love love love love monument valley. -
Review from Nick H.
Chicago, IL
8/28/2008
One of my favorite places in the world...I can't really put it into words.
Forget a hotel, camp in the primitive campground with a view of the three mittens. -
Review from Tony V.
Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ
5/2/2010
A dramatic, colorful vista.
The rain really makes the colors pop when the sun comes out.
We caught it in the rain, fog and clear sunshine, in that order.
The buttes are a lot larger than in pictures.
Flashback to a lot of movies and cartoons.
By the way, an RV will go down to the valley floor even among all the Jeeps and SUVs and back up. Slow going and don't try to pass anyone on the corners. -
Review from Karen C.
9/14/2008 5 photos
Truly spectacular scenery. A trip to remember for a lifetime.
