Things to do in Monument Valley National Park

On our family road trip, we were SO excited to visit Monument Valley Navajo tribal park! In the few days leading up to this, we watched a few Western films that highlighted the area. These movies have made Monument Valley iconic. On this road trip, we decided that we were going to stop no matter what this time, as we’d missed Monument Valley before while on other road trips.

On the drive down to Monument Valley we got the kids excited by passing the Valley of the Gods and then Mexican Hat. The drive around that area was so pretty!  

Forrest Gump Point

After saying our goodbyes at Bluff Dwelling Resort and Spa we pointed the truck towards Forrest Gump Point, the famous Highway 163 would take us there. On our trip to Monument Valley, we noticed that when you approach the mile maker there is a bunch of vehicles parked on the side of the road. If you decide to check this out be very careful especially while driving because people will stand in the road for pictures. 

The mile marker Forrest Gump realizes he was running so much was mile 13. A big blue sign and dirt pull-offs are on both sides of the road. So you can stop easily if you are traveling in either direction. 

It does get a little bit chaotic because you have people rushing into the road after the cars pass to get their photos. We also noticed some people being very aggressive in vehicles as they passed by. So if you’re deciding to take the infamous road photo be very careful as you walk. Especially with kids.

We decided to take some photos on the road and we weren’t the only ones, after all, Forest Gump Point is a very popular spot. Although we had to try multiple times to get the right photo. While it’s definitely not hard to snap a few photos we wanted photos without cars in the background, and it was kind o difficult to have enough time between cars to do that. Either way, though we really enjoyed ourselves and had a great time! For good photos, as well as cooler temperatures we recommend going in the morning. Not only does that time seem to be better for lighting purposes but there’s also less traffic as well. 

Monument Valley Navajo Travel Park

After we left Forrest Gump Point everyone was really enjoying the views and the short drive through the Navajo Nation Reservation. The girls were excited because we crossed the Utah-Arizona border once again.

Entering Monument Valley Navajo Travel Park

After passing the sign for Goulding’s lodge and turning left at the roundabout, we made it over to the entry booth. The entry fee at the booth is $8 dollars a person but Kids 6 and under are free. The only accepted card payments are debit and credit cards. When we entered we received a map of the park from the Navajo guide and before we continued on he mentioned to us that the condition of the 17 mile dirt road was currently open and driving the road would be at your own risk. He was very vague however about said road.

If you want to experience the rocks and channel your inner cowboy or cowgirl this is the place for you. The valley is open from 8 am to 8 pm during the summer months and 8 am to 4 pm during the time we visited in the winter season. We entered the park and decided to drive the loop trail.

The Park Loop Drive

Driving the dirt park loop is known as the 17-mile loop road. The staff at Monument Valley advises you to drive the road at your own risk not only at the entrance booth but they have big signs at the entrance of the dirt road with a gate. Next to the gate and signage before you enter you can find Wildcat Trail.

Going down the hill to the valley floor was really rough in one spot and extremely sandy making the way up a challenge for the least experienced on this type of road. The condition of the road is what you normally see in the northern Arizona area though so it wasn’t very surprising for us. However, these kinds of roads can be very sketchy if you aren’t familiar with or from Arizona.

The views from your car are amazing and you can see so much just from your windows. While there are tours we suggest taking your personal vehicle because you get to enjoy more time at the different scenic view locations. The jeep tours seemed to move very fast from one viewpoint to the next and seemed to be focused on running you through the park as fast as they could. The Jeep tours are also open window so when Monument Valley gets windy you’ll more than likely have sand blowing in your face, which can definitely dull your and your family’s experience. 

Points of Interest on the Loop Drive

John Ford’s Point and photos with Spirit The Horse

John Ford’s Point is named after the director who filmed many movies in Monument Valley. One of the most famous movies filmed here is Stagecoach featuring John Wayne. The point is a perfect place to take pictures with or without the horse. 

@jking_clark is usually there with his wife, son, and horse named Spirit. The John Ford’s Point picture with a horse on Navajo land was written about in the LA times newspaper back in 2013. The article presents a different horse and a different gentleman but the same picture is still available. 

Jay was super nice and easy to work with. He let us get the perfect pictures of the girls with his beautiful horse named Spirit. He offers the horse for pictures at the point for 10$. The pictures we got were amazing and this was a highlight of our trip. 

Spirit has been raised by him since birth. He has one of the best temperaments we have ever seen in a horse. The horse is clean and well taken care of, we witnessed him giving him breaks from the guided tour chaos. 

Getting a photo here at the point is something you will remember on your trip through southern Utah, is one of the best things to do at Monument Vallet and it embodies the old Western movies perfectly. 

Hub Point 

As we took the loop road heading south I noticed the sand road being much smoother and much more relaxing. The speed limit on the loop drive is 15 MPH so you are not going that fast anyway. The sand is soft but there was plenty of traction for our 2-wheel drive truck. 

As you enter the Hub Point area you get the first up-close view of the sandstone mesas from your vehicle. The sandstone rock formations are about five hundred feet from the road. They look way closer than they actually are because of just how tall and huge they are. 

Totem Pole and Yei Bi Chei

We continued down the road to the Y in the road. As you’re driving you may notice that the web and internet service for Google Maps was not very fast so the paper map we received came in handy. A really good idea is to download the map before entering the park on Google Maps. That way the lack of cell service won’t be such an inconvenience to you and your family. 

We decided to take the right turn at the y in the road and it leads us to a roundabout area that overlooks the Totem Pole and Yei Bi Chei in the distance. We shot some photos and continued on the adventure. The dunes just before the famous rock formation do look inviting and very similar to the dunes located at Pink Coral Sand Dunes State Park. 

The Cube 

Enjoying the view at the Totem Pole we continued our valley drive through the sandy environment. We ventured down to the area with the Cube. 

We stretched our legs and enjoyed the view. Everyone was in awe of the huge boulder balancing on what looked like a mix of sand and dirt. The Girls really enjoyed taking photos of them holding the boulder up and showcasing them being squished by the massive rock. 

Artist’s Point

Our last stop on our trip would be Artist’s Point. Getting into the large parking area to the viewpoint was a bumpy entrance because of the layered rock features on the ground. 

The viewing point had a railing to keep people from falling down the steep hill. But we still recommend keeping an eye on your little ones. This area provided some of the best panoramic views while in the park. It was windy the day we visited but thankfully it didn’t alter our experience in a negative way.

Tips While Driving Monument Valley Scenic Drive

Driving on sand and rock may seem foreign to some but it is a normal skill that most Arizonans learn. There are a few things to keep in mind while driving the park loop. 

Number One

The accelerator could be your friend or it can be an enemy. Keeping a steady pace and momentum will help you roll over objects more easily and keep you from sinking into the sand. I waited in the vicinity of West Mitten Buttes and Merrick Butte before traveling up the hill. I was waiting for a car that was traveling slowly up the steepest section and got stuck in a big rut on the road. As we traveled down the hill I knew this section would be the toughest in a two-wheel drive truck. 

I conquered this by waiting for the car to leave the area and no other cars were coming down the hill, so I was able to use the entire path. I kept the speed up and momentum up. I moved to the side of oncoming traffic to ascend the hill with no issues. By moving over to the oncoming side of the dirt road I completely avoided the rut the other vehicle got stuck into. 

Number Two

Take your time and don’t be rushed. Sudden movements of the accelerator can sink you into the sand further and create chaos. It’s kinda like driving on snow but without the wet and cold. 

Using a lower gear and possibly taking some air out of your tires are the best solutions if you do get stuck or need some extra traction. The lower gear provides a lower speed and higher torque to the wheels. Lower tire pressures create a bigger contact patch on the ground resulting in more traction with friction. Combining these two traits will help you drive the dirt road like a professional.  

Number Three

If you travel with cables or chains maybe consider using these for more traction while on the sandy road. I have used the chains in my truck in snow of course and have used them on a sandy road in Pink Coral Sand Dunes. 

After putting the snow chains on there was a huge difference in traction. Doing this made us feel a lot safer and helped us get around easier.

Monument Valley Visitor Center

After our journey to the main attractions in Monument Valley Park, we stopped at the gift shop to see what they had inside and use the bathroom. The gift shop is attached to the View Hotel, you can’t miss it on your way out of the park. 

While browsing, you will notice many beautiful pieces. You’ll want to check out the pottery that are colored with burnt horse hair. We saw similar art at the Four Corners Monument and thought it was really cool. The trading post has lots of really cool and interesting items and souvenirs to purchase and take him. They have Navajo-made jewelry, rugs, boots, and your standard souvenirs. Not only is it a great spot to get gifts for your loved ones, but the view from the gift shop is pretty astonishing. We soaked in our last memory of the view overlooking the area before heading out of the trading post. 

Final Thoughts

I have driven Highway 163 before but have never stopped to tour Monument Valley. The vast views, towering sandstone spires, cliffs, and welcoming nature of the Navajo people make this stop special. I do encourage you to spend all day here if you can. We even looked into staying at Monetvalley Eco Hogan for the night because we didn’t want the adventure to stop. We really enjoyed our time here and we loved seeing all of the rock formations and wildlife. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Monument Valley

Monument Valley is in Oljato, Arizona, in the United States. 

What state is Monument Valley in

The simple answer is Arizona!