Monument Valley is an icon of the Southwest and the American landscape, so naturally it’s been on my bucket list for years! This scenic desert panorama lies directly on the Arizona-Utah border on Navajo land. Monument Valley is perhaps all the more breathtaking because of how it seems to rise up from the middle of nowhere. Its skyline is legendary and one of the most recognizable natural landscapes in the world.
This area is notoriously remote—you’ll have to drive for hours from any major city to reach it (about 5 hours from Phoenix), but it is so worth the drive. Monument Valley’s landscape has made an appearance in countless films, from Forrest Gump to 2001: A Space Odyssey to National Lampoon’s Vacation to The Searchers. The sandstone mesas and buttes even inspired my favorite Disney ride—Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!
In this travel guide, I’m sharing an in-depth look at Monument Valley Tribal Park as well as lodging, photo spots and the general vibe of the area.
The Monument Valley Short List
- Monument Valley Tribal Park
- Forrest Gump Point
- Goulding’s Lodge
- The View
- Welcome to Utah Sign
Where to Stay in Monument Valley
Goulding’s Lodge ($)
During my time in Monument Valley, I stayed at Goulding’s Lodge, a stone’s throw from the park. This was one of my favorite hotel stays I’ve ever had! Since Monument Valley is remote, the lodge stands alone with gorgeous sunrise views of the landscape.
Goulding’s Lodge is steeped in history: it was constructed in the early 1920s as a home and trading post for the Goulding family to conduct business with the Navajo. During the Great Depression, Harry Goulding needed to bring business back to the land and the Navajo people. So he set out for Hollywood because he believed the landscape would make a stunning filming location. Harry met John Ford, a famous Hollywood director by chance, showed him photos of Monument Valley, and the rest is history. Ford decided to film his next picture in Monument Valley a few days later, the famous western, Stagecoach, starring John Wayne! This first film production opened the doors for many more movies to be filmed in Monument Valley. As Hollywood film crews frequently traveled to the land, the Gouldings built a lodge and dining hall to accommodate productions.
Today, Goulding’s Lodge is home to beautifully renovated rooms, a dining hall, trading post, and even a movie theatre where you can watch some of John Wayne’s movies filmed on location in Monument Valley! As a big film buff and John Wayne fan, this was a huge highlight of my trip. I honestly had no idea of the film history behind the lodge until I arrived, and it was the sweetest surprise! After all, how often is it that you get to stay at a hotel frequented by John Wayne!? If you’re a movie lover or into the western aesthetic, I highly recommend staying at Goulding’s Lodge.
The breakfast at Stagecoach restaurant (aptly named) is delicious! I highly recommend ordering the pancakes or Navajo fry bread, a Native American specialty (it’s life-changing).
You also can’t beat the price here: when I visited for one night in December, the total cost was around $75! The lodge is conveniently located about a 15-minute drive from the park. Book your stay at Goulding’s Lodge here!
The View Hotel ($$$)
The View is located right outside the entrance to Monument Valley Tribal Park. I’ve heard great things about this hotel, but it is a bit more touristy and significantly more expensive than Goulding’s Lodge. The views are unbeatable though since the park is right outside your window (hence “The View” 😉). You can book your stay at The View here.
Things to Do in Monument Valley
Monument Valley Tribal Park
Monument Valley Tribal Park is the main attraction in Monument Valley! The park is operated by the Navajo Nation Park’s & Recreation Department, not the National Park Service, because Monument Valley exists on Navajo land. As surprising as this may sound, during my research, I never heard a single blogger mention that Monument Valley is a Navajo landmark and is protected and maintained on the Navajo Nation reservation. If you plan on visiting Monument Valley, it is so important to be respectful of the Navajo people and their land—we are so fortunate to be allowed to visit in the first place 🙂 Leave the drones and rock climbing equipment at home.
The sandstone towers range from 400-1000 feet high. The Mitten Buttes and Merrick Butte are the most famous parts of the Monument Valley landscape.
Admission to drive through Monument Valley is $20/vehicle or $10/walk-in if you prefer to walk the park. I highly recommend the scenic drive—the views are stunning, and you can easily stop for photos. The drive lasts about 20 minutes without stopping. If you wish to hike or camp in the park, you must obtain a permit first here. The Monument Valley Visitor Center offers guided Jeep Tours through the park and features Haskenneini Restaurant and a souvenir shop that are open in the summer.
One of the best parts of visiting Monument Valley are the Navajo vendors close to the entrance of the park. They sell gorgeous turquoise handmade jewelry, art, fry bread and Monument Valley souvenirs.
Forrest Gump Point
Forrest Gump Point was made famous by one of my favorite films! In the movie, this is where Forrest was seen running across America with the vista of Monument Valley directly behind him. This viewpoint is an iconic perspective of Monument Valley and my favorite photo spot in the area. Maps can be a little tricky sometimes, but this spot is located on US-163 near Mexican Hat, Utah. This Google Maps link is pretty close to the exact spot!
Welcome to Utah Sign
Right before you reach Goulding’s Lodge, you’ll cross over the border from Arizona into Utah. The “Welcome to Utah” sign is a gorgeous photo spot—you can even see Monument Valley in the background!
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Thanks for the great guide! I’ll definitely use it at some point! Greetings from London.
Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy Monument Valley as much as I did!