Monument Valley: top 5 by @jen33travel

Author:

Jen Rogers @jen33travel and Jenrogers33.com

Navajo Nation’s Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is one of the most beautiful and most photographed places on earth. Everywhere you look are endless expanses of breathtaking views, mesas and rock formations, some of which stand at towering heights of 400 to 1,000 feet tall. Billowing white clouds float overhead creating long shadows across the desert floor and the sun lights the mountains on fire every night during golden hour. It is one of the most unique and magical places I’ve explored.

The park is located at an elevation of approximately 5,500 feet above sea level and covers almost 92,000 acres of land stretching from Arizona into Utah.

Need to know:

The Navajo refer to Monument Valley as Tse’Bii’Ndzisgaii and the park sits entirely on Navajo tribal land with strict rules and guidelines that you will need to follow when visiting.

Entrance fees are $20 per vehicle, up to 4 people.

Tourists are allowed to enter the park and drive the 17-mile Monument Valley Loop Road. However, you must obey all road signs and stay only on designated roads. Do not wander off the roadway.
Other than Wildcat Trail, you are not allowed to hike anywhere in the park or leave the main road and parking lots.

The 17-Mile Scenic Loop:

For $20 per vehicle, you can take the 17-mile scenic loop to some of the most beautiful and interesting formations in the park. The Valley Drive is a dirt road but most vehicles can make it with ease. There are 11 numbered stops that are clearly marked along the way and you can pick up a free map from the Visitor Center which identifies all of them. Plan on spending at least 2-4 hours for the drive to give yourself enough time to explore all of the viewpoints.

John Ford’s Point:

John Ford’s Point is one of the most popular viewpoints in the park for good reason. It provides you with sweeping views of the valley and some of its most famous formations in the distance. The point was named after film director John Ford who shot nine movies within Monument Valley, and is the spot you most often see in photographs of tourists on horseback.

The Mittens:

The West and East Mitten Buttes, knowns as the Mittens, are two of the most popular sites to photograph within the park which you can’t miss given their prominent location.

Totem Pole:

The Totem Pole is a unique red sandstone pillar that is the remnants of what was once a butte. It stands 450 feet high but only 40 feet across and is slightly detached from its neighbouring spires.

Hike the Wildcat Trail:

The Wildcat Trial is the only trail you are allowed to hike within the park. The trail is a 3.2 mile loop that circles around the mittens and Merrick Butte and an incredibly scenic section of the park. It is a heavily trafficked, moderate trail. Dogs are allowed as long as they are on leashes. The best time to hike this trail is from April to October as the area gets heavy snow during the winter months.

Forrest Gump Point:

Located on US-163, just 20 minutes from the Visitor Center, is the the famous view of Monument Valley featured in the movie Forrest Gump.

Tip: this place draws quite a crowd so bring your patience (GPS coordinates: 37.101393, -109.990973.)

For more information including where to stay, what trips to take and where to eat check out Jen’s website. Plus, if you want to stay in a traditional Navajo Hogan click here.

Jen:

“Nothing I’d rather do than escape into the wild, lose cell service and sleep in a tent under the stars”,

My love and passion for travel started as a child. My grandparents traveled to many remote exotic places bringing me postcards and stamps that stirred my imagination. My parents and other family participated in foreign exchange student programs and I was always fascinated by these interesting visitors sharing stories of far-away lands. This sparked my curiosity and passion to see those places for myself. I spend as much time as my work schedule allows camping and exploring remote spots. Join me on my adventures as I share my stories and travel tips @jen33travel and Jenrogers33.com.