Monument Valley Highway 164 Scenic Drive | Utah.com (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to do the scenic drive at Monument Valley? ›

A self-guided Monument Valley tour on the scenic drive should take between two and four hours, depending on how long you spend at each overlook.

The Monument Valley Loop is a 17-mile rugged road that takes you into the heart of the park. While you can see the buttes from Hwy. 163, it's well worth entering the park and driving the scenic loop to get up close and personal with the remarkable rock formations.

While the park allows you to see the formations up close, this drive is a great way to see the valley and see many of the formations together in one view. Be aware that Mexican Hat restaurants close down from Fall to Spring, so you should eat in Monument Valley or Kayenta before taking the ride.

If you're planning a trip near the region, a self-guided drive through Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park will bring you the best of nature's wonderland–from gorgeous red rock creations to towering spires and buttes. And if you're wondering can you drive through Monument Valley, the answer is yes, and it's easy to do!

The drive through Monument Valley covers a 17-mile (27 km) loop road. Most people spend about 3 hours driving through the valley, but some people spend as little as 2 hours or even longer than 4 hours, and basically it all depends on you and how much time do you want to spend at Monument Valley.

Most people will drive through Monument Valley in the middle of the day, but I think the best time to visit is the early morning or late afternoon. The rocks seem to change colour throughout the day and I definitely think sunrise and sunset was when they looked their best.

While the 17-mile scenic road through the park isn't paved, it's generally solid enough for a regular car to handle.

Is it worth a detour to Monument Valley? Monument Valley is a worthy destination. However, it's remote and you need an over night stay there and a native guided back country tour to justify the detour.

Immersing in the Landscape: A Full Experience

To truly immerse yourself in the beauty and tranquility of Monument Valley, consider spending a night or two. Staying overnight allows you to experience the sunset and sunrise, which are absolutely magical here.

Private vehicles are allowed to enter the park as far as the main viewpoint at the visitor center. In addition, 25 private vehicles at a time are allowed on the 17-mile Tribal Valley Loop.

Can I tour Monument Valley on my own? ›

Yes, you can tour Monument Valley on your own.

This entails driving the 17-mile loop and planning your own itinerary. Alternatively, you can book a tour that will take you around the area. The unique, red rock formations of Monument Valley make it easy to see why it's so popular with tourists.

Monument Valley Fees, Permits & Hours

Fees: $8 per person per day. Children 7 and under are free. Visitor Center hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., year-round. Scenic Drive summer hours: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Last vehicles are permitted onto the drive at 6 p.m. and must depart it by 8 p.m.

Monument Valley is a 2-2.5 hour drive, one way, from Page, Arizona.

When focusing on the main objectives, Monument Valley is about 1½ Hours in length. If you're a gamer that strives to see all aspects of the game, you are likely to spend around 2½ Hours to obtain 100% completion.

The Scenic Drive in winter. The Scenic Drive is a 7.9 mile (12.7 km) paved road, suitable for passenger vehicles. Allot about an hour and half roundtrip to drive the Scenic Drive and the two dirt spur roads, Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge.