Podcast Show Notes

Monument Valley: Known for its majestic, free-standing sandstone buttes, this vast desert valley of some 92,000 acres on the border of Utah and Arizona stars in Hollywood movies and attracts more than 350,000 sightseers per year. Visitors come to this isolated area on the Arizona-Utah border to hike, drive, photograph, or simply experience its natural and ever-changing beauty.

Lynn and Robin's Road Trip

I interviewed Lynn who has been on this podcast many times ( and Experiencing the Osa Pensinsula) about her experience in Monument Valley and she provided fantastic tips for a bucket list trip to Monument Valley. Listen above or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Tips for Visiting Monument Valley

* Since it takes about three hours to get to Monument Valley from almost anywhere else in the vicinity, it helps to stay overnight, at least one night. This gives you the opportunity to do a sunrise and/or sunset tour.* Unlike many nearby national parks in Arizona and Utah, Monument Valley is a tribal park owned and operated by the Navajo Nation, so it's not on public land. Visitors pay an entry fee of $10 per person, $20 per vehicle; children 9 and younger are free. Visitors must stay near the road and are not allowed to hike toward any of the formations unless accompanied by a paid guide.* Visitors can take an open, jitney-type tour of the "Valley Drive", a 17-mile, dirt road loop located at The View hotel Or, to avoid the choking dust created by the day-long traffic, you can drive yourself along this gravel road- allow 3 hours, at the 15mph speed limit. And the road is rough in places- a high clearance vehicle is recommended. 

* This drive is a great way to view the majestic buttes, spires and rock arches that make this vast desert landscape so stunning, vibrant and awe-inspiring. Eye-popping vistas and panoramic scenes can be viewed at numerous stops along the loop, especially at John Ford's Point and Artist's Point (sunrise photos best here!) PDF link to best descriptions of the 11 stops along the loop.

the Most Popular Attraction at Monument Valley

The most popular attraction is The Mittens or two enormous buttes that look like mittens with their thumbs facing inward. These can be seen from the visitor center, and from The View hotel. 

Photo by Lynn Smith

They had 1 full day and 2 nights in Monument Valley. They arrived in time for sunset the first night, and our shots of the Mittens from the patio of The View hotel were simply staggering.

Photo by Lynn Smith

Must-Do: Mystery Valley Tour

The next morning their Navajo guide picked them up at The View for our 3 hours, exclusive cultural tour (nobody but them on a weekday). Check out the Mystery Valley Tour for a personal tour to remember.

Photo by Lynn Smith

How Much Does it Cost to Go to Monument Valley?

* Rental Car out of Las Vegas: SUV class $433 10 days. * The View 3rd-floor room: $289/night. * Mystery Valley Tour: $89 per Adult. Navajo Park Fee: $20 per car per entry. * Misc for food/gas

Monument Valley Photo Tips