Table of contents
- 1. Viewpoints: Plan your day at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
- 2. Valley Drive: a must during your stay in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
- 3. Experience your best hikes at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park!
- 4. Guided tours: a simple idea to explore Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
- 5. Enjoy the panoramic view of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
- 6. Gear up: a must-have tip for visiting Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
- 7. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park hours
- 8. Easy access to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
- 9. Accommodations at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
- 10. Dining at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
- Bottom line
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is a national park located in the southwestern United States. It is a unique place: beautiful landscapes, discovery of the cultural richness of the Navajo and Hopi tribes who live there, and a very peaceful living environment! All these elements combined make this place a true haven of serenity for lovers of wide open spaces! This national park is located at about 6 hours drive from Las Vegas, so it’s an ideal road trip route!
If you are planning a great trip there, in this article, I give you 10 tips to succeed your visit to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park!
Photo : Anthony Gonzales
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park offers many viewpoints. The best known are the three main viewpoints in Monument Valley.
The first viewpoint offers a panoramic view of the entire Monument Valley. The second viewpoint gives you a direct view of the rock formations that gave their name to the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. And the last and third Viewpoint overlooks a large southern part of the valley.
I advise you to start your visit by these 3 Viewpoints in order to have an overview of all that you can discover throughout your stay.
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is definitely worth a visit, especially if you’re into architecture, nature and heritage. This region of Arizona is famous for its spectacular landscapes that have inspired several movies, the most famous of which is called “Valley of Wonders”. It is a real dive into the heart of the rock paintings of the American desert.
Hiking on Valley Drive is also the most popular activity at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. With spectacular views of the rock formations, the eroded colors are spectacularly beautiful!
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is known for its impressive mountain scenery. Hiking in the park is a timeless experience, where you can enjoy the fresh air and breathtaking scenery.
If you’re an avid hiker or nature lover, there are several trails to choose from: the Monument Valley Sand Trails, the Moqui Trail, the Big West Fork Trail (from Oljato), the Ute Mountain Plateau, or the Canyon Trail.
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is a protected area in Arizona. It is the largest park of its kind in the United States. Its history dates back to 1882, when the area was first designated as a reservation for the Navajo people.
At that time, the tribal park was home to many types of natural features and elements such as sandstone buttes, cliffs and mesas. It also contains many archaeological sites dating back to the 13th century, including petroglyphs as well as ancient dwellings.
In any case, if you want to discover all the historical aspects of the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, I advise you to book one of the guided tours offered by the site or on GetYourGuide, a serious travel website ! These tours are usually done in groups.
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is one of the most beautiful natural sites in the continental United States. This national park reflects the art of the pre-Columbian Navajo period. You can see photo exhibits in the park’s interpretive center. But also, as you hike the trails that crisscross the valley, you can enjoy the panorama as far as the eye can see.
Photo : Anthony Gonzales
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park covers nearly 27,000 km² in the desert. I advise you to equip yourself properly to spend a stay without surprises! For example, bring good walking shoes, cotton clothes, sunglasses and a hat or cap.
Sunscreen and a first aid kit are essential! In addition, remember to bring a good capacity water bottle in order to face the heat of the desert. And, if you decide to go camping, be sure to bring warm clothes, because the nights are very cool.
The park is open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with a few exceptions:
- The visitor center closes at 4 p.m. on Fridays;
- The Visitor Center is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday;
- Tours are not offered on December 24 and 31.
The park is open year-round if you want to camp there for several days, with a total of about 350 sites available.
In addition, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park has two entrances: the main entrance via Highway 163 in Arizona and the secondary entrance via Highway 261 in Utah. If you wish to travel by car, you should know that there are no gas stations within a 50-mile radius of the park. I advise you to bring your own gas can!
By plane, the nearest airport is Page Municipal Airport. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is a 2 hour drive away. You can also drive directly to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park by taking Highway 89A and turning onto Highway 261.
During your stay at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, you can choose to stay in a hotel, campground or private home.
I suggest you to check out the current specials on Hotels.com!
Large and comfortable campgrounds are available for tents and motorhomes. These campgrounds have toilets, picnic tables and fire pits for cooking. There are also tent-only campgrounds that do not have any amenities.
If you want to eat, the most popular restaurants to eat hearty at Navajo Tribal Park are:
The View Restaurant: This restaurant is located at Goulding’s Lodge and offers an excellent view of the valley. It serves a variety of dishes such as salads, burgers and pastas.
The View Café: This café is also located at Goulding’s Lodge and offers a view of the valley from its patio. It serves sandwiches, salads, desserts and a variety of drinks, among other things.
Bottom line
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is located on the Navajo Indian Reservation. It is home to an array of breathtaking scenery and natural features.
Also, the park is a perfect place for photographers, hikers and those who wish to explore the culture of the Navajo people. In addition, there are many places to stay during your visit. Either way, this trip to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park will be more than memorable!
