Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park (2024)

FAQs

How much time is needed at Monument Valley? ›

Unless you decide to take a guided tour, there's probably no reason to spend more than five or six hours in Monument Valley. The sights are gorgeous, but the loop itself is fairly short and you can't really do any exploring on your own. Still, it's a great way to spend a morning or afternoon with your family.

Other parts of Monument Valley were added to the Navajo Reservation in 1884 and 1933. An estimated 100 Navajo people live in the valley today. In 1958, the Navajo Tribal Council established the tribal park making the area accessible to tourists. The park was designated in 1960.

The valley and monument area is now home to the Navajo Nation, one of the largest American Indian tribes.

Honestly, it's one of the best parks to visit in the USA, especially if you're a lover of all things nature. Now, although you might be familiar with the sights of Monument Valley Park, you might not be aware of some of the most exciting and interesting aspects that are perhaps a lot lesser known.

Monument Valley is an iconic Navajo Tribal Park located on the Utah-Arizona border. It is a stop that many people miss on their Utah road trip adventures, but I highly recommend spending one full day there (you don't need any longer) to experience its beauty.

The drive through Monument Valley covers a 17-mile (27 km) loop road. Most people spend about 3 hours driving through Monument Valley, but some people spend as little as 2 hours or even longer than 4 hours.

The Navajo language is spoken throughout the region, and most Navajo also speak English. The states with the largest Navajo populations are Arizona (140,263) and New Mexico (108,306). More than three quarters of the enrolled Navajo population resides in these two states.

Because the land is located inside the Navajo Nation, taking a full Monument Valley tour requires you to hire a local tour guide. However, you can take the scenic drive through the park on your own as long as you don't wander too far away from the road.

Within the Navajo Nation, 35.8% of households have incomes below the federal poverty threshold. This is in comparison to 12.7% of all households nationally.

Geologic History

Exposed within the valley are rocks ranging from as old as the Pennsylvanian all the way up to the Jurassic, about 192 million years in Earth's history (Blakey 1987). The oldest rocks found in the Park tell us that the valley was once a marine environment.

Why is Monument Valley not a national park? ›

Contrary to what some might assume, Monument Valley is not a National Park, but rather a Tribal Park, as it lies within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation. The Tribal Park's designation is important in order to preserve its unique heritage and geological wonders.

The formations in Monument Valley have achieved some Hollywood fame as the backdrop of many movies and television shows, beginning with several John Wayne films including Stagecoach in 1939. The visitor center offers museums, souvenirs, restrooms, a restaurant, a lodge, and much more.

Conclusion. Staying overnight in Monument Valley is more than worth it for those seeking to fully experience the beauty, culture, and tranquility of this iconic landscape.

Fall and spring are the best times to visit Monument Valley. This is when temperatures are most pleasant. If you are looking for warm days and comfortable nights, we recommend September as the best month to visit Monument Valley. Monument Valley is cold in the winter and hot in the summer.

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When focusing on the main objectives, Monument Valley is about 1½ Hours in length. If you're a gamer that strives to see all aspects of the game, you are likely to spend around 2½ Hours to obtain 100% completion.

Here are a few tips on hiking Monument Valley and the Wildcat Trail: Early morning sunset hikes offer beautiful colors, less crowds, and solitude. Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, bandana, and comfortable shoes. Hike the loop counterclockwise for the best view as the sun rises.

However, you can take the scenic drive through the park on your own as long as you don't wander too far away from the road. There's still plenty you can see from the 17-mile scenic road that winds through Monument Valley, so it's well worth a trip even if you don't hire a guide to gain access to the off-limits areas.