What to Expect on the Trail
If you take this lasso loop trail around the West Mitten you can catch views of the nearby East Mitten Butte and Merrick Butte, along with the rest of the north end of Monument Valley. Once you set foot on the trail, you’ll be surprised to leave the hordes of tourists from all over the world behind — likely, you’ll see very few other people on Wildcat.
Wildcat is great for hikers of all ages, including families with children old enough to walk three-plus miles, appreciators of beautiful buttes and seekers of relative isolation in a Bucket List Utah destination.
Be a Part of Western Film Lore
Wildcat lets hikers feel like they stepped back in time into film history. This iconic place has been on the silver screen and on landscape posters around the world. In fact the stagecoach in John Wayne’s “Ringo” drove through 80 years ago, followed by countless other westerns. Monument Valley is one of the most-visited attractions in the west with tourists coming in from around the world. Whether or not you have this starkly beautiful landscape all to yourself, you'll likely have extended moments of solitude during which you can stop and absorb this landscape's majesty — just plan to carry lots of water, snacks, sunscreen and good protection from the sun, especially if hiking in summer. Double the majesty with hikes during the "magic" hour around sunrise and sunset.
This hike is a 3.2-mile lasso loop (4 miles total including return) hike that takes about three hours to complete. You will hike around the West Mitten Butte on a flat, sandy trail. As you continue along the self-guided trip, you’ll meander through cactus and sage as you look upon world-famous buttes, including East Mitten Butte and Merrick Butte.
Hikers will travel around some of the most famous rock buttes in the park, and will at one point find themselves standing in a spot where three towering buttes surround them.
Trail Guide
Difficulty:Moderate due to sandy sections
Start:Wildcat Trail trailhead sign at the northwest corner of the visitor center parking area
Distance:3.2 miles to end ofthe loopwith return trip totaling nearly 4 miles
Hiking time:2 to 3 hours
Trail type:Sand, dirt, and rock trail
Multi-use:Horseback riders
Dogs:Leashed dogs permitted
Seasonality:Spring and fall
Fees and permits: Park entry fee required
GPS Coordinates, Parking and Regulations
GPS Coordinates (36.985333, -110.113350)
Park at the visitor center and walk to the trailhead across from the cabin/campsite check-in. The best and most comfortable time to visit is March through early-June and October through September; summer months, due to the excessive heat and lack of shade, can be too hot. And with proper preparation, winter in Monument Valley can be a unique opportunity. Hike the Wildcat Loop Trail any time of day for spectacular views, but try to catch it at sunset if you can; the long shadows and brilliant red hues will not disappoint.
The is an entrance fee into Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park per vehicle up to four people with an additional fee per person over that allowance. There is no permit or additional fee required to hike the Wildcat Loop Trail. Dogs are allowed in the park, but must be leashed at all times.
