Plan your 2026 trip to Monument Valley. This guide details updated ticket prices, park hours, and visitor requirements for the area.
The first time I drove north on Highway 163 from Arizona towards Utah and Monument Valley appeared on the horizon, I laughed out loud — it looked exactly like every Western film stereotype I’d ever seen, which somehow made it more rather than less impressive. Those massive sandstone buttes rising from the desert floor are so iconic they’ve become visual shorthand for the American West, yet seeing them in person still feels like discovering something new.
Quick overview: How much does Monument Valley cost?
Entry to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park costs $10 per person for anyone aged 10 and over, with children under 10 entering free. The park is open daily from 6am to 8pm (May through September) and 8am to 5pm (October through April). This gets you access to the visitor centre and the 17-mile self-drive Valley Drive, though you’ll pay extra for guided tours into restricted areas.
Many online guides have an out of date price. As of January 2026, entrance to Monument Valley costs $10, not $8.
At a glance
| Price | Opening hours | Address | Free for | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10 per person | 7am-7pm (summer) / 8am-5pm (winter) | Monument Valley, UT 84536 | Children under 10 | One hour before closing |
How much does Monument Valley cost?
| Ticket type | Price | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Adult admission | $10 | Ages 10 and over |
| Children | Free | Under 10 years old |
| Senior discount | $10 | No senior discount offered |
| Navajo Nation residents | Free | With valid Navajo Nation ID |
| Annual Navajo Parks Pass | $60 | Unlimited access to all Navajo Nation parks for one year |
Payment can be made by cash or card at the entrance gate. Unlike many US national parks, America the Beautiful passes don’t work here — Monument Valley is on Navajo Nation land, not federal land, so federal passes provide zero discount.
Guided tour prices vary dramatically depending on what you want to see. Basic 2.5-hour tours start around $75 per person. Half-day tours exploring restricted areas like Mystery Valley run $150-200. Sunrise and sunset tours command premium prices at $100-150 for shorter experiences.
Why book the Monument Valley scenic tour?
- Explore Monument Valley with a Navajo guide: Learn about the landscape, culture and traditions of the Navajo Nation from a local perspective.
- Access restricted backcountry areas: Visit places not open to private vehicles, including lesser-seen rock formations and viewpoints.
- Classic desert scenery and photo stops: Take in towering buttes, sandstone spires and wide desert vistas, with time to stop for photos.
- Comfortable guided vehicle tour: Travel through the valley on a scenic route designed to cover more ground than you could on your own.
- Ideal introduction to Monument Valley: Well suited to first-time visitors wanting a deeper understanding of the landscape in a short time.
Is Monument Valley free to enter?
No. You must pay the $10 admission fee to enter the park and access Valley Drive. There’s no way to see the famous buttes up close without paying — you can glimpse them from Highway 163 outside the park, but you won’t get the proper Monument Valley experience.
The fee structure is per person rather than per vehicle, which can catch people off guard if they’re used to national parks that charge per car. A family of four adults pays $40, not $10.
Some visitors grumble about paying to drive on dirt roads, but remember this is Navajo Nation land. The tribe manages the park, maintains the roads (to varying degrees of success), and uses revenue to support the local community. It’s not a federal park funded by general taxation.
What time does Monument Valley open?
Opening hours change seasonally, which can properly mess up your plans if you don’t check in advance:
May through September: 7am to 7pm daily
October through April: 8am to 5pm daily
Last entry to the scenic drive is two-and-a-half hours before closing time, so 4.30pm in summer and 2.30pm in winter. They’re strict about this — arrive at 4:45pm in July and you’ll be turned away.
The park is open every day including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, though hours may be reduced on major holidays. Always check the official website before visiting on holidays.
Early morning visits offer the best light for photography and you’ll avoid the worst heat in summer. Sunset is magical but you’ll need to time your drive carefully to be back at the entrance before closing.
Do I need to book Monument Valley tickets in advance?
No advance booking is required for general admission — just turn up at the entrance gate, pay your $8, and drive in. There are no capacity limits or timed entry slots for self-drive visitors.
However, guided tours absolutely must be booked in advance, especially from March through October. Popular tours sell out days or even weeks ahead during peak season. You can book directly with Navajo tour operators — there are dozens of companies, many family-run, offering everything from basic group tours to private photography expeditions. There are several to choose from on Viator, should you prefer them all in one place.
The visitor centre gets busy between 10am and 3pm during peak season (March to October), but “busy” here means spending 10 minutes in a queue at the entrance gate, not being turned away.
Monument Valley’s cinematic history
Monument Valley has been sacred to the Navajo people for centuries, long before Hollywood discovered it. The Navajo call it Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii, meaning “valley of the rocks.” The towering buttes and mesas have spiritual significance, and many areas remain off-limits to casual visitors.
Director John Ford put Monument Valley on the global map with his 1939 Western Stagecoach, starring John Wayne. Ford returned repeatedly to film classics like The Searchers and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. The valley’s distinctive silhouette became so synonymous with Westerns that it appeared in countless films, even though most Western stories were set nowhere near Arizona.
The formations themselves are remnants of a sandstone plateau that once covered the entire region. Over millions of years, erosion carved away softer rock, leaving behind the harder sandstone monuments we see today. The tallest butte, Totem Pole, rises 450 feet from the valley floor but is only 10 feet wide — it looks impossibly precarious.
The Navajo Nation established Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park in 1958, one of the first tribal parks in the United States. The tribe intentionally limited development to preserve the landscape’s character, which is why there are no hotels, restaurants, or significant facilities within the park itself.
Exploring the valley
Valley Drive is a 17-mile unpaved loop road that takes you past the valley’s most famous formations. You can drive it yourself in a standard car, though it’s rough, dusty, and deeply washboarded in places. Budget 2-3 hours minimum, longer if you stop frequently for photos.
Key viewpoints along Valley Drive include the Mittens (Monument Valley’s most photographed formations), Merrick Butte, Elephant Butte, Three Sisters, and John Ford Point (where Ford filmed many iconic scenes). Each viewpoint has a small parking area and interpretive signs.
The road surface is brutal on vehicles. You’ll be driving slowly — 15mph is optimistic in sections — and your car will get properly filthy. Rental car companies know about Valley Drive and some charge cleaning fees or explicitly ban their vehicles from unpaved roads. Check your rental agreement.
Around 70% of Monument Valley is off-limits without a Navajo guide. These restricted areas include Mystery Valley, Hunts Mesa, and various backcountry trails. The only way to access them is on guided tours, which range from basic group excursions to multi-day photography workshops.
What’s included with your admission ticket?
- Access to the 17-mile Valley Drive self-drive route
- Visitor centre with exhibits on Navajo culture and geology
- Viewing terrace overlooking the valley (this view alone is worth the admission)
- Public restrooms and picnic areas at the visitor centre
- Gift shop selling Navajo crafts (prices are high but the quality is genuine)
- Basic trail maps
Things to do near Monument Valley
Goosenecks State Park (28 miles, 35-minute drive) — Dramatic overlook where the San Juan River makes extreme 1,000-foot-deep meanders. Tiny park with stunning views.
Valley of the Gods (30 miles, 40-minute drive) — Free alternative to Monument Valley with similar but smaller rock formations. 17-mile dirt loop road, rougher than Valley Drive. No entrance fee.
Mexican Hat Rock (24 miles, 30-minute drive) — Peculiar balanced rock formation resembling a sombrero. Quick photo stop on the roadside. Free.
Four Corners Monument (40 miles, 50-minute drive) — Stand in four states simultaneously (Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico). Horribly touristy but hey, you’re there for the novelty.
Navajo National Monument (97 miles, 2-hour drive) — Well-preserved cliff dwellings including Betatakin, occupied by Ancestral Puebloans 700 years ago. Ranger-led tours required for close access. Free admission.
Practical information
Location: Straddling the Arizona-Utah border, accessed via Highway 163. Monument Valley Road branches from the highway in Utah but much of the valley is in Arizona.
Getting there: You absolutely need a car. The nearest significant town is Kayenta, Arizona (24 miles south). Stop at the Kayenta Burger King here – it’s home to a fascinating museum about the Navajo code-talkers in World War II. From Flagstaff, it’s 175 miles north — about 3 hours’ driving.
Accommodation: The only hotel within the park is The View Hotel, with rooms from $250-400. Otherwise, stay in Kayenta (limited options) or Mexican Hat, Utah (even more limited).
Time needed: Minimum 3 hours for Valley Drive. A full day allows for a guided tour into restricted areas. Two days is ideal for sunrise and sunset photography.
Vehicle requirements: High-clearance vehicles handle Valley Drive better, but standard cars manage in dry conditions. Avoid after heavy rain — the road becomes impassable mud.
Weather: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 38°C with no shade. Winter can bring snow and ice. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable conditions.
Facilities: Very basic. Petrol up before arriving — there’s nowhere to refuel for 24 miles in any direction. Bring plenty of water and snacks.
Mobile signal: Patchy at best. Don’t rely on GPS or mobile maps inside the park.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drive through Monument Valley in a normal car?
Yes, though it’s rough going. The 17-mile Valley Drive is unpaved and washboarded. High-clearance vehicles are more comfortable but not essential in dry conditions.
How long does it take to drive through Monument Valley?
Allow 2-3 hours minimum for the Valley Drive loop with photo stops. Longer if you dawdle or the road is particularly rough.
Do I need a tour or can I drive myself?
You can self-drive Valley Drive, but you’ll only see about 30% of Monument Valley. Guided tours access restricted areas with even more spectacular formations.
What’s the best time of year to visit Monument Valley?
April-May and September-October offer pleasant temperatures and good light. Summer is brutally hot. Winter can be beautiful but cold, with possible snow closures.
Are there toilets in Monument Valley?
Only at the visitor centre. There are no facilities along Valley Drive, so plan accordingly before starting the 17-mile loop.
Is Monument Valley worth the entrance fee?
Absolutely. The $8 admission is reasonable for one of the Southwest’s most iconic landscapes, and it supports the Navajo community who manage the park.
More Arizona travel
Other Arizona travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Where to see bears in Arizona.
- The best stops on the drive from Las Vegas to Williams, Arizona.
- Why visit Montezuma Castle National Monument?
- A visitor guide to Cathedral Rock in Sedona.
- The best time to visit the Grand Canyon Skywalk.
