Monument Valley Scenic Drive: Best Stops, Map & Tips for Your Visit
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Monument Valley, on the border of Utah and Arizona, is one of the most iconic places in the American Southwest. Most of the area visitors explore is part of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, located near the community of Oljato-Monument Valley.
In the past, most visitors only saw its famous scenery from the main road, but today you can explore much deeper into the valley. The best way to do that is by driving the Monument Valley Scenic Drive.
But what should you expect when visiting? What are the best stops along the Monument Valley Scenic Loop? Can you do it in a regular car, or do you need a guided jeep tour? And how much time should you plan?
We visited Monument Valley on a road trip between the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon. In this guide, we share our experience, the best stops along the scenic drive, photos, a map, frequently asked questions, and all the practical information we wish we had known before our trip.
Short on time or don’t want to drive the rough road yourself? A guided tour is one of the easiest ways to see the highlights (you’ll find our top recommendations below).
Good to know: The Monument Valley Scenic Drive is a 17-mile (27 km) dirt road that takes you to some of the most beautiful spots in the heart of Monument Valley. It’s a loop drive, and much of it is one-way.
In this guide, you’ll find a quick overview of the best places to see along the Monument Valley Scenic Drive, with photos of each stop. At the end of the article, you’ll also find practical information and tips for your visit.
There are 11 main stops marked on the official map, but you’ll also see a few additional landmarks signposted along the road. Our list includes those too, for a total of 15 stops. Some are easy to recognize, while others may leave you wondering what you’re looking at.
TIP: Before you start the drive, stop at the Monument Valley Tribal Park Visitor Center. One of the best views in Monument Valley is from the outdoor terrace by the gift shop — don’t miss it (see the featured image at the top of this article). Also, take some time to look around at the souvenir store, and be sure to use the restrooms before heading out on the drive.
These are the best stops and places to see on the Monument Valley Scenic Drive:
1. East and West Mitten Buttes
This is the first stop on the Monument Valley Scenic Drive. The East and West Mitten Buttes are among the most recognizable rock formations of Monument Valley. They are shaped like hands (thus the name) and symbolize spiritual beings watching over the valley.
You can also see Merrick Butte and Mitchell Mesa here. These rock formations are named after ex-cavalry soldiers who were in charge of searching for silver in Monument Valley.
Good to know: There is a car parking here and you’ll see locals selling souvenirs.
2. Elephant Butte
The next stop along the valley drive is Elephant Butte. This is a large rock formation.
If you look well, you may see the shape of an elephant here (I did ;)). But I have to admit that everyone in our family saw something different and there was a heated discussion among our kids as to where its trunk and ears were.
So you definitely need some imagination!
3. Three Sisters
This is an easy one – the Three Sisters are clearly identifiable rock formations along the Monument Scenic Drive.
The official explanation said one of them is a nun facing her two pupils. Again, everyone will probably see something different here.
4. John Ford’s Point
John Ford’s Point is a small detour just off the main drive, but do not miss it! This is one of the must-see spots when driving the Monument Valley Scenic Road.
Here, you can see one of the best scenic views of the valley, incredible rock formations, and a spectacular rock that you may recognize from Hollywood Western films. This spot is actually named after Hollywood film director John Ford who chose Monument Valley as a filming location for several of his movies.
Sometimes, there is an Indian on a horse standing on that rock. It could make for some nice pictures for sure! When we visited here in December, the wind was so cold that there was no man on a horse to be seen; only a few stands for the tips…
Good to know: There are souvenir stands here and also a kiosk selling Navajo fry bread and tacos, coffee, sodas, and small snacks. We read that you really should try the fry bread here, however, when we visited, it was all sold out…
5. Camel Butte
Camel Butte is another interesting rock formation right next to the valley loop drive. Also here, you will need some imagination in order to see a camel in it, but it’s definitely easier to identify it than the elephant!
Good to know: Up to Camel Butte, the road is wider with cars driving in both directions. From this point on, you enter the one-way loop drive and cannot turn back anymore (not that you’d want to).
6. The Hub & Rain God Mesa
This is a really scenic part of the valley drive, but don’t ask me what The Hub itself is. Despite the signs, we had no idea what we were looking at… This is one of the places where a local guide could probably shed a bit more light and make it all so much more enjoyable…
Anyway, it’s well worth a stop for the scenic views of the area!
The Hub symbolizes a hub of a wagon wheel and Navajo Indians see it as a fireplace in the center of their home (Hogan).
At this same spot, you can also see Rain God Mesa, which is the geological center of Monument Valley Park. This is the giant red rock on the left side of the road. It’s actually so big that you will be driving next to it for a couple of miles. Navajo medicine men were said to pray to the Rain God who stores water for people. In a dry climate like here, it’s definitely something of utmost importance.
7. Totem Pole
Just a short drive further, there is another parking area on your right. From here, you can see the rock formations. One of them stands a bit apart from the others and is named Totem Pole. Indeed, you could see the resemblance.
The rocks are quite far in the distance and you are not allowed to leave the designated area, but the landscape is amazing and worth a quick photo stop!
Good to know: Just before the parking area, on your left, you will see horse stables. You can take horseback riding tours here. When we passed, most of the horses were away on a tour (we saw people riding in the distance) and there was nobody to inquire about the next one.
So if you want to do a horseback riding tour at Monument Valley without wasting time, I would recommend booking it in advance! Even in the low season, it was difficult to get a hold of anyone here. Booking in advance, at least you know where to be and at what time, etc.
From what I see, most of the offices are located just outside the scenic drive area, so that could explain why we didn’t find anybody at the stables themselves.
8. Bird Spring & Sands Spring
From these two places, only Bird Spring is indicated as a stop on the official map of the Monument Valley Scenic Drive. However, once you get there, there is no sign for it. Instead, a bit further, you will see the sign for Sands Spring.
According to the explanation we got, Bird Spring overlooks a big sand dune, and Sands Spring can be found at the bottom of it just next to the road.
I assume that there is an actual natural spring here, but we couldn’t see it from the car (and there was no place to stop). But the red sand dunes in this area are really nice to see.
9. The Cube
This is not a landmark you will find on the official map. I added The Cube to this list because it’s actually quite an interesting stop at this section of the valley drive, but it’s not indicated anywhere…
Either way, you will pass here anyway, so be sure to make a quick stop at The Cube.
This is a large stone that looks like it’s balancing on a smaller base. I’m not sure if this is man-made or natural, but it’s a nice photo stop.
10. Spearhead Mesa
Spearhead Mesa is one of the largest rock formations of Monument Valley and probably the largest one you will pass when driving the Monument Valley Scenic Drive.
It’s also not indicated on the official map since there is no designated car parking anywhere here. At one point, there is a sign, but you see this rock on your right side during a big part of the drive (the entire eastern side of the loop).
11. Navajo Code Talker Outpost
Navajo Code Talkers were used to deliver secret military messages during both World Wars. This scenic point on Monument Valley Drive is a sort of tribute to them.
Navajo Code Talker Outpost offers wide open views of Monument Valley to one side and large red rock formations to the other.
This point is located a bit off the main loop drive. It has one of the largest parking areas of the entire drive, but the road here is quite rough, especially at the parking itself.
We saw some people leave their car close to the parking entrance and walk to the actual viewpoint. So if you are driving in a lower vehicle, you may want to do the same. It’s not really a walk even worth worrying about – it’s literally just a minute or so. So don’t wreck your car trying to get there. In an SUV, it’s not an issue.
Good to know: For some reason, on Google Maps, the Navajo Code Talkers Point is indicated as Artist’s Point. Maybe it was its previous name… I can definitely see artists sitting here and painting the scenery. It’s like a postcard.
12. Cly Butte
Cly Butte is a large rock formation on the right side of the road between Navajo Code Talkers Point and The Thumb. You will find it indicated on the map and there are signs for it, but – just like The Cube – it’s not counted as one of the official stops.
Whereas at the Cube you can at least get out of the car, Cly Butte doesn’t have a designated parking area, so you’ll just see it from the car.
13. The Thumb
The Thumb is a large rock formation that – if you look well and use your imagination a bit – indeed looks a bit like a thumb. It’s located at the intersection between the main loop and the short detour toward the North Window (see further).
This is just a short photo stop, most people didn’t even get out of the car.
14. North Window
The North Window is the last official stop of the Monument Valley Scenic Drive. It’s a very short detour from the main loop, so check it out.
This is a nice viewpoint with a somewhat obstructed view on the sides, giving you a bit of an impression as you would get when looking through a (large) window. Again, it’s just the name, so don’t look for an actual hole that resembles a window as such.
15. Wildcat Trail
Technically, this is not a stop along the Scenic Drive, but a hike that starts at the same place where the valley drive begins. You could leave your car at the main car parking at the Visitor Center and do this hike before or after doing the Scenic Drive.
The Wildcat Trail is the only hike inside the Monument Valley that you are allowed to do without a local guide. It brings you close to the Mittens and several other rock formations. You will see most of these places while driving the scenic valley drive, but on foot, you get just a bit closer to the rock formations.
It’s an easy to moderate 3.8-mile (6 km) loop trail. The first part is downhill and very easy. Coming back is a bit uphill and can get a bit tiring, especially if it’s hot.
If you decide to do this hike, be sure to take plenty of water, sun protection, and stay on the marked trail. Hiking shoes (or at least closed shoes/sneakers) are recommended for this hike. Also, it’s best to sign in/out at the Visitor Center.
Map of the Monument Valley Scenic Drive
Here is a map indicating all the best stops on the Monument Valley Scenic Drive. You can click on it if you want to see the interactive version on Google Maps.
But don’t worry about it too much – once you are on the right road, there’s really no way you can get lost or miss any of the stops. And you will also get a small paper map of the valley drive at the entrance.
Practical Information for Visiting the Monument Valley Scenic Drive
Now that you know what to expect and what there is to see on the Monument Valley Scenic Drive, let’s take a look at the practical side of planning a visit here.
Location
The Monument Valley Scenic Drive starts at the visitor center of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, at the end of Monument Valley Road near Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ. You can see the exact location on the map above.
Good to know: Do not confuse the Monument Valley Tribal Park Visitor Center with another visitor center (Navajo Welcome Center) just nearby, on the intersection of Hwy 163 and Monument Valley Road. The entrance to the scenic drive is located a few miles further from the Navajo Welcome Center.
Getting there
The best way to get to Monument Valley is by car. It’s about 2 hours drive from Page, AZ, and about 3 hours from either Grand Canyon South Rim or Moab, UT (where Arches and Canyonlands National Parks are located).
Monument Valley is a bit in the middle of nowhere, but because it doesn’t require that much time to visit, it’s a good addition to any southwestern USA itinerary.
Whether you are visiting the Grand Canyon, the Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, or Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, you can easily add Monument Valley to your itinerary. Most recently, we visited here when driving from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to Page.
How much does it cost?
Monument Valley Scenic Road is located on Navajo land. There is an $10 per person fee, plus a $15 vehicle fee for the scenic drive. Children under 6 are free. This pass is valid for one day. Please note that fees are subject to change; you can also double-check on the official website before you go.
Please note that National Park or other passes are not valid here. Also, they do not accept cash, and you can only pay by credit card.
Good to know: Whether you visit on your own or with a guided tour, you still have to pay this entrance fee separately (unless your tour specifically indicates that it’s included in the price). The toll booth is actually located on the main road before you reach the visitor center, so you pay before you even enter the area.
Can you do the Monument Valley Scenic Drive in any car?
Monument Valley Scenic Drive is a dirt road. Some sections are very easy and fairly flat, while others are a bit rougher and more challenging.
While they recommend doing this road in a 4×4 or at least a high-clearance SUV, we saw many regular cars driving here. So it’s often possible to do the drive in a regular car — whether it’s a good idea depends on the conditions and your comfort level. We didn’t see any smaller cars get into trouble, but there were a few sections where most of them drove very slowly.
We did the Monument Valley Scenic Drive in a full-size SUV (Nissan Armada — see the picture of the black car higher above), and it was really easy. That said, there were a few spots where we were very glad to have the extra ground clearance.
You may also want to note that some car rental contracts prohibit driving on unpaved roads.
TIP: Not comfortable driving the loop or want to explore beyond the main road? A guided tour with a Navajo guide is a great alternative (see below for more info).
Good to know: Motorcycles, bicycles, RVs, and motorhomes are not allowed on the Monument Valley Scenic Drive.
Guided tours
You don’t need your own vehicle to explore Monument Valley — a guided tour is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to experience the area.
There are excellent 4×4 tours led by local Navajo guides that follow the scenic drive and often go beyond it, taking you to places that are off-limits to self-drive visitors. The open-sided vehicles also make it easy to enjoy the scenery and take photos along the way without worrying about the road.
Good to know: While you may be able to find a tour on the spot, availability isn’t guaranteed and you might have to wait several hours for the next departure. If you don’t want to miss out, it’s best to book in advance. This is one of the best-rated guided tours of Monument Valley, and you can find more tour options here, including shorter scenic drives and longer backcountry experiences.
TIP: In addition to jeep tours, you can also join a horseback riding tour in Monument Valley. Most rides last about 30–60 minutes and offer a different perspective of the landscape. If this interests you, it’s best to book ahead.
Our experience: We chose to self-drive mainly because of the weather. We visited in late December and it was windy and freezing cold — sitting in an open vehicle didn’t sound appealing! Not surprisingly, very few tours were running that day (we saw just one jeep, and it was empty).
In warmer months, this usually isn’t an issue. In fact, summer visits can be extremely hot, so bring plenty of water and sun protection if you plan to tour during the day.
How much time do you need?
Before our visit, I read several websites which all claimed that you need 4 hours in order to do the Monument Scenic Drive. After having done this drive ourselves in about 1.5 hours, I can confirm that you can do it much quicker. And no, we didn’t rush. And yes, we stopped at every single place possible.
Good to know: You need about 1.5 to 2 hours for the Monument Valley Scenic Drive. This is sufficient time to do the entire loop, stop at every signed landmark, walk around a bit and take plenty of pictures.
If you also decide to join a horseback riding tour, hike the Wildcat Trail, or spend some time at the gift shop, you would need about 3-5 hours here. If you do all of this – the Monument Valley Scenic Drive, horse riding, and the hike – count at least 5-6 hours for a visit. A lot will also depend on how hot and busy it is.
Good to know: The majority of guided jeep tours of the Monument Valley with a Navajo guide take about 1.5-3 hours. So whether you visit on your own or with a guide, 2 hours is really the minimum time you should foresee in your itinerary. If you are really in a hurry, this 1.5-hour tour is the shortest loop drive tour that I was able to find.
Where to stay and where to eat?
Most people visit Monument Valley for just a few hours while road-tripping through the area and don’t stay overnight. However, it’s well worth considering a longer visit. Spending a night (or even two) gives you more time to explore and the chance to experience both a magical sunrise and sunset.
If you decide to stay, The View Hotel is located right at the Monument Valley Tribal Park Visitor Center, while the beautiful Goulding’s Lodge (with a pool) is about 5 miles away. Alternatively, you’ll find several more budget-friendly inns in Kayenta, AZ, the closest town (around a 30-minute drive from Monument Valley).
As for food, we recommend bringing a picnic lunch — it saves time and gives you more flexibility during your visit. Facilities inside Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park are limited; there’s a restaurant at the visitor center and a few more places near the intersection with Hwy 163.
TIP: If you get the chance, be sure to try Navajo fry bread — either at the food stand at John Ford’s Point or at one of the local restaurants nearby.
Facilities
There are very limited facilities on the Monument Valley Scenic Drive itself, but you will find everything you need at the visitor center at the start of the drive.
There is a hotel and a restaurant here, public bathrooms, a gift shop, and also a tourist info point.
Is Monument Valley Scenic Drive worth it?
Offering easy access to some of the most beautiful scenery in the heart of the famous Monument Valley, the scenic drive is definitely worth it! It allows you to get really close to some of the most impressive rock formations and enjoy amazing views that you wouldn’t see otherwise.
We visited here on a freezing cold grey day in winter and found it well worth a few hours’ detour from our Grand Canyon – Antelope Canyon drive. At first, my husband was rather skeptical about us taking such a long detour, but in the end, he agreed that it was totally worth it. We had very different memories from our last visit to Monument Valley many years ago. At that time, it was just a stop on the main road. Driving close to these incredible rock formations is an incomparable experience.
Even on a grey day, it was amazing. If you come here on a beautiful sunny day when the skies are blue and the rocks are glowing orange in the sun, it will be even more spectacular!
Monument Valley Scenic Drive FAQ
The Monument Valley Scenic Drive is a loop road that starts and ends at the Monument Valley Tribal Park Visitor Center. The visitor center is located just off U.S. Hwy 163, at the end of Monument Valley Road, near the Utah–Arizona border.
You need about 1.5–2 hours for the Monument Valley Scenic Drive. This is usually enough time to complete the loop and stop at all the viewpoints, but it can take longer depending on traffic, weather conditions, and how much time you spend at each stop.
No, the Monument Valley Scenic Drive is an unpaved dirt road. Some sections are fairly smooth, while others are rougher with rocks and sand, so drive slowly and carefully.
Yes, you can do the Monument Valley Scenic Drive in your own car, and many visitors do. However, bikes, motorcycles, RVs, and motorhomes are not allowed on the scenic drive.
While a 4×4 or high-clearance vehicle is recommended, it is often possible to do the Monument Valley Scenic Drive in a regular car. Whether it’s a good idea depends on road conditions and your comfort level. Also check whether your rental agreement allows driving on unpaved roads.
You can stop at designated viewpoints along the Monument Valley Scenic Drive and walk around marked areas. You are not allowed to stop just anywhere or walk beyond viewpoint boundaries. Access to restricted areas is only possible with a local Navajo guide.
No. Drones are not allowed anywhere in Monument Valley Tribal Park.
Yes, Monument Valley Scenic Drive is absolutely worth a visit! The scenery is spectacular and driving this road is the best way to get really close to the beautiful rock formations of Monument Valley. If you are passing by and have at least 2 hours to spare, do not miss it!
So, this is our guide to Monument Valley in Arizona and its main attraction – the Monument Valley Scenic Drive.
I hope that this answers any questions you may have and helps you plan an unforgettable visit to this unique and spectacular place. Enjoy your trip!
More travel inspiration for the Southwestern USA:
- Grand Canyon:
- Moab area:
- Zion National Park:
- Itineraries:
- Las Vegas:
- More of Arizona:
TIP: Did you find this guide helpful? Bookmark this post for later, share it with your friends, and save it to Pinterest to inspire your next trip.
Hi Jurga, This is my go-to page for travel information. I am planning to visit the Monument Valley and Grand Staircase Escalante in May of 2026. Flying into Phoenix. Rental car policy does not allow driving on unpaved roads. Can you please tell me which rental car company you used, or did you buy additional insurance?
Hi Rakhi, we rented a car via Booking, as always. If I recall well it was with National.
We didn’t really do any unpaved roads on our trip except the scenic drive in Monument Valley, but it never even occurred to me that it wouldn’t be covered by insurance, so I didn’t check if our car rental said anything about it.
It’s an easy-going unpaved road that thousands of tourists do in rental cars, but if your contract says it’s not covered and something happens, then you might have an issue. So it’s your call if you are comfortable taking that risk.
Otherwise, you can also leave your car and visit on a tour. There are quite a few great tour options – take a look here.
Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!
Thank you for a quick response. I will continue to visit your page before planning any trip. Very helpful!
This is the most comprehensive information I’ve found on Valley Drive. Thanks so much for taking the time to post photos and such detailed info. We’ll be visiting next month and I feel so much more comfortable about the experience.
Glad to help, Lea Ann. Have a great trip!