Monument Valley

Monument Valley is the archetypal image of the American West: colossal red sandstone buttes and mesas rising sheer from a flat desert floor, on the Navajo Nation straddling Arizona and Utah. Made famous by countless Westerns, its towering, isolated formations glowing at sunrise and sunset are among the most recognisable landscapes on earth.

Background

The Navajo name, Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii, means "valley of the rocks". The valley belongs to the Colorado Plateau, and its floor lies at 5000 to 6000 feet above sea level, with the largest buttes rising 1,000 ft above it. The buttes are clearly stratified, with three principal layers. The best-known formations stand in northeastern Arizona along the state line with Utah, and the Navajo Nation regards the valley as sacred. Visitors pay an access fee to drive a dirt road of 17 miles through the park. The valley averages 54 days a year above 90 °F, yet summer highs rarely pass 100 °F, and the occasional light snow of winter usually melts within a day or two.

Source: Wikipedia, "Monument Valley"

What's there

• The Mittens and Merrick Butte - the classic trio of formations from the visitor centre.
• The valley drive - the rough scenic loop among the buttes.
• Sunrise and sunset - the red rock glowing in the low light.
• Navajo-guided tours - trips into areas beyond the public loop with local guides.

When to go

Spring and autumn for mild weather; summer is very hot and winter can bring snow that dusts the red rock beautifully. Sunrise and sunset are the magic hours for the light.

What to expect

It is remote, hours from anywhere, so plan the journey and lodging. The public scenic drive is a rough dirt road; deeper areas need a Navajo guide. It is a living Navajo homeland, so respect the people, rules and photography restrictions.

Nearby

Antelope Canyon and Page are within reach; the Grand Canyon and the wider Colorado Plateau spread around.

Key facts