Route 66 Side-Trip to Monument Valley
 Scene at the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park |
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is located in extreme southeastern Utah, on the northern border of Arizona. It is operated by the Navajo Nation, not the National Park Service.
Many travelers on Historic Route 66 make a once-in-a-lifetime side trip to visit Monument Valley, about 175 miles northeast of Flagstaff.
The valley is host to towering sandstone rock formations that have been sculpted over time and soar 400 to 1,000 feet above the valley floor. Combined with the surrounding mesas, buttes, and desert environment, Monument Valley is one of the natural wonders of the world.
Over the years, Monument Valley has been the locale for the filming of numerous movies starring such film legends as John Wayne. Scenes in movies such as Stagecoach, Back to the Future Part III, Easy Rider 2001: A Space Odyssey and Forrest Gump have been been filmed in the valley.
Visitors may explore the 17-mile scenic drive through the park in private vehicles or book a half-day or full-day jeep tour to explore the area's backroads and sacred lands with the help of a local guide.
The road passes many notable features, including the Mitten Buttes, Three Sisters, Yei-bi-chai, North Window, and the famous Totem Pole. Passenger cars can drive the road, although care must be taken in loose sand and rocky areas. No hiking or driving off the posted track is allowed.
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We have driven the scenic dirt road twice, both times in a high-clearance SUV. We would not attempt the drive in a low-clearance sedan, although visitors do it all the time.
We have also toured the Goulding Film and Cultural History Museum at Goulding's Lodge.
Scenarios for Driving to Monument Valley from Route 66
Round Trip from Flagstaff
For many Route 66 travelers heading westbound across Arizona, a side trip to Monument Valley is a great opportunity to see this world-class destination. There are multiple points from which to leave Route 66 and visit the valley; here are a couple of scenarios ...
Leaving Flagstaff, head northwest on U.S. Highway 89; at Tuba City, resume northeast on U.S. 160 to Kayenta. There, join U.S. 163 north to Monument Valley. Travel time to cover the 175 miles is nearly three hours, leaving time to explore the Valley, and probably spend a night there. You can then reverse the route back to Flagstaff where you can rejoin Route 66 for the rest of your road trip westbound.
An option for the return to Flagstaff is to divert westward to the Page, Arizona area. Here visitors can explore Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend which is a horseshoe-shaped incised meander of the Colorado River, Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell. There are 7 different slot canyons available for tours on the Navajo Nation, all within minutes of downtown Page. Antelope Canyon, just east of Page on State Highway 98, includes two separate, scenic slot canyon sections, referred to as Upper Antelope Canyon (or The Crack), and Lower Antelope Canyon (or The Corkscrew).
Lower Antelope Canyon  |
Horseshoe Bend |
After your stay in the Page area, drive south on U.S. 89 to Flagstaff.
Map showing a round-trip journey from Route 66 in Flagstaff to Monument Valley, and back  |
From Gallup to Monument Valley to Flagstaff
If you have visited Holbrook and Winslow before, one scenario is to divert off Route 66 in Gallup. Head north on U.S. Highway 491 to Shiprock, then west on U.S. 64 and and U.S. 160 to Kayenta. From there turn north on U.S. 163 to Monument Valley.
After your visit, travel to Tuba City and Flagstaff to rejoin Route 66.
Map of a road trip from Route 66 in Gallup to Monument Valley to Flagstaff |
Arriving at Monument Valley
Monument Valley is reached via U.S. Highway 163 from the north or south. Moab lies 148 miles, or 3 hours, to the north. Monument Valley is about 5 hours driving time from Phoenix, and 3 hours from Flagstaff.
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, with the 17-mile road seen below |
Lodging at Monument Valley
During our most recent trip to Monument Valley, we stayed at the historic Goulding's Lodge, located across Highway 163 from the Tribal Park. It features a restaurant, large gift shop, swimming pool, sundeck, and museum on site, as well as an RV park. Phone the lodge at 435.727.3231 for more information.
Another option is The View Hotel, operated by the Navajo and situated adjacent to the park's Visitor Center. An RV park is also available onsite. Phone 435.727.5555 for information.
On previous visits to Monument Valley, we have also stayed at the Hampton Inn in Kayenta, Arizona, 23 miles to the south. The city offers other lodging as well.
Travel Guide for Monument Valley at TripAdvisor Traveler Reviews of Lodging at Monument Valley Other Lodging in the Monument Valley Area |
Distant view of Goulding's Lodge  |
View from Goulding's Lodge |
View of Monument Valley from Goulding's Restaurant
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Our Photographs of Monument Valley
The "Classic" western view ... on the road to the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Entrance sign at the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Visitor Center at the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Three Sisters at the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
