The Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park has a visitor center, campground, and restaurant. Monument Valley has been the location for over sixteen major movies and scores of commercials. There is a scenic drive in the park that allows easy viewing of the most well known monuments like, the Mittens, Totem Pole, and the Yei Bi Chai. This drive is fourteen miles of graded dirt.
The geological formations in the park range from buttes, mesas, and canyons, to free standing rock formations. Monument Valley was created as material eroded from the Rocky Mountains and was deposited and cemented into sandstone. The forces of erosion on the sandstone sculpted the formations in the valley. A geologic uplift caused the surface to bulge and crack. Wind and water then eroded the land, and the cracks deepened and widened into gullies and canyons. Natural forces continue to slowly shape the land.
The Navajo people call Monument Valley the Valley of the Rocks. The scenery here is recognized worldwide as the definitive image of the Southwest. The remote location of this park means it is crowd free. This allows visitors a peaceful and unique experience, one that moves at a slower pace than more popular Southwest destinations.
Tips for visiting:
Navajo Name: Tse'Bii'Ndzisgaii
Elevation: 5,564' above sea level,
Size: 91,696 acres
One of the most photographed points on earth.
The park extends into Arizona & Utah.
You can view the world-famous panorama of the Mitten buttes and Merrick Butte from the visitor center.
Purchase guided tours from Navajo tour operators, for a narrated jeep ride. Places such as Ear of the Wind and other landmarks can only be accessed via guided tours. You can also visit a Hogan, the traditional Navajo dwelling, and travel into areas of the valley not accessible to private autos.
During summer months the Haskenneini Restaurant is open at the visitors center. This restaurant specializes in both native Navajo and American cuisines.
Also during summer months you'll find a film/snack/souvenir shop.
There are year-round restroom facilities.
One mile before the center, numerous Navajo vendors sell arts, crafts, native food and souvenirs at roadside stands.
Navajo rugs are available for purchase in the valley and throughout the surrounding area. Many traditional weavers raise the sheep and shear, wash, card, and spin the wool themselves. They dye it with methods passed down through generations - with native plants such as wild walnut, lichen, and rabbit brush.
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Visitor Center Hours are seasonal. From May through September, it is open from 6:00am to 8:00pm. March and April it is open from 7:00am to 7:00pm. October through April it is open from 8:00am to 4:00pm. The center is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. The scenic drive closes half an hour after the center closes. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park charges an admission. Ages nine and under are free, National Parks and Golden Eagle Passes are not accepted. There is camping available.
One June 2009 review said, "Monument Valley is one of those places that is worth visiting time and time again. You get different perspectives at different times of day, with stunning views in so many places - from the Visitor Centre, from the valley drive (the North Window is my favorite, and easily missed by those tempted to stop at the jewelry stalls), the views from Gouldings, the views from Highway 163 into Utah - especially the famous view from Milepost 13 that has featured in so many tourist brochures / album covers / DVD covers and Forrest Gump movies. The Navajo are a quiet unassuming people, who will treat you with respect, whether you go on their tours, buy their souvenirs or eat in their restaurants. Don't expect the "have a nice day" bubbly waitress you might get elsewhere - just a genuine person doing their job. The fact they are still only charging $5 to visit the valley, including the self-drive tour illustrates their approach to showing off their greatest asset. You can also eat in "The View" restaurant for a pittance with one of the best views in the world.''
Review, comment, or add new information about this topic: