Drivers reach the southeastern Utah and northern Arizona border via Highway 163. The two-hour route from Page or Cortez ends at an unpaved 17-mile loop road requiring a $20 vehicle fee.
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Highway 163, Utah-Arizona Border
Drive 195 kilometers east on Highway 160 across the Navajo Reservation. Turn north onto Highway 163 at Kayenta to reach the valley entrance. The drive takes just under two hours under normal conditions. Highway 163 is a live, active road with fast-moving vehicles. Pulling over for photographs requires extreme caution. Assign a passenger to watch for oncoming traffic and remain on the shoulder whenever vehicles approach. Entrance requires a $20 vehicle fee plus $15 per person at the gate. America the Beautiful National Park passes are not accepted here. Ensure your vehicle has high clearance if you plan to drive the 17-mile scenic loop inside the park, as low-clearance sedans easily sustain damage on the deep sand dunes.
Follow Highway 191 south from Moab for 238 kilometers. The route passes through Monticello and Blanding before reaching Bluff. From Bluff, take Highway 163 south directly into the park. This two-and-a-half-hour drive approaches the valley from the north. You will cross Forrest Gump Point 15 to 20 minutes before the entrance. This highway stretch provides a straight-line view of the road cutting toward the distant sandstone buttes. Photographers frequently stop here, creating traffic hazards in the middle of the active lane. Once inside the park, leave drones packed away in your trunk. Drones are strictly prohibited throughout the tribal park and park officials will confiscate them if flown.
Head west from Cortez toward the Utah border to cover the 224-kilometer distance. Connect with Highway 163 and drive south into the Navajo Nation. The trip lasts just over two hours and crosses exposed red rock country. High desert temperatures fluctuate drastically along the way. Summer heat regularly exceeds 100°F, while winter nights drop below freezing. The monsoon season from July through September brings violent afternoon thunderstorms. These storms cause rapid flash flooding in dry washes near the road. Carry at least one gallon of water per person in your vehicle. Pack a warm down jacket for morning arrivals and wear light, breathable clothing for the afternoon hours.
Drive 30 minutes south from the small town of Mexican Hat to reach the park boundary. The town sits along the San Juan River and provides a convenient stop for fuel and lodging. The short distance allows you to reach the Visitor Center terrace right at the 8:00 am opening time. Entering the reservation requires visitors to stay on designated public routes. Private Navajo families herd sheep near the valley roads. Wandering near homes or photographing residents without permission violates local laws. Leave pets at your accommodation, as dogs are strictly prohibited at all Navajo Tribal Park locations.
The main parking lot sits at the Monument Valley Visitor Center, featuring a fully wheelchair-accessible paved terrace overlooking the Mittens. Expect a $15 per person admission fee to enter the area, plus a $20 vehicle charge to access the 17-mile loop road. RVs, camper vans, and motorcycles must park here, as they are prohibited on the unpaved dirt drive.
| From | Mode | Time | Cost | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page, Arizona | Car | 1 hour 58 minutes | $20 vehicle fee + $15 per person | Drive east on Highway 160 across the Navajo Reservation, turning north onto Highway 163 at Kayenta. |
| Moab, Utah | Car | 2 hours 38 minutes | $20 vehicle fee + $15 per person | Take Highway 191 south to Bluff, then follow Highway 163 south past Forrest Gump Point. |
| Cortez, Colorado | Car | 2 hours 16 minutes | $20 vehicle fee + $15 per person | Drive west to the Utah border and connect with Highway 163 south directly into the park. |
| Grand Canyon South Entrance | Car | Distance is 170 miles | $20 vehicle fee + $15 per person | America the Beautiful National Park passes are not accepted for entry; you must pay the specific tribal fees. |
Leave your America the Beautiful pass in the glovebox. Monument Valley operates as a Navajo Tribal Park, meaning federal passes hold no value at the gate. Expect to pay a $15 per person daily entry fee, plus $20 per vehicle to access the 17-mile Scenic Drive.
Rent a high-clearance 4WD vehicle to tackle the 17-mile unpaved loop. Deep sand dunes and severe potholes easily damage standard sedans, and the park assumes no liability for towing costs or repairs. RVs, camper vans, and motorcycles face a strict ban from this route.
Arrive before 8:00 am between July and September to avoid 100°F heat and afternoon monsoon storms. Violent thunderstorms frequently cause flash floods in the dry washes, forcing sudden closures of the dirt loop road. Ask the Visitor Center for real-time road conditions before driving past the entrance gate.
Drive 15 to 20 minutes north of the park entrance on Highway 163 to photograph the famous straight-line view of the buttes. Fast-moving vehicles use this active roadway constantly. Assign a lookout to watch for oncoming traffic and step onto the shoulder whenever cars approach.
Time your drive from Page or Moab to arrive well before the daily entry cutoff. Park officials lock the Scenic Drive gates at 2:30 pm during winter and 4:30 pm in summer. The 238-kilometer drive south from Moab takes roughly two hours and 38 minutes via Highway 191.
Take Highway 160 east across the Navajo Reservation, then turn north onto Highway 163 at Kayenta. The drive covers 195 kilometers and takes about two hours under normal conditions. Watch out for sudden afternoon thunderstorms between July and September, which frequently flood the dry washes along this route.
Follow Highway 191 south through Monticello and Blanding to Bluff, then switch to Highway 163 south. This 238-kilometer trip takes roughly two hours and 38 minutes. You will pass Forrest Gump Point on Highway 163, exactly 15 to 20 minutes north of the park entrance.
Standard sedans can navigate the loop during dry weather, but high-clearance vehicles are strongly advised. The unpaved dirt road features deep sand dunes, slick rock, and severe potholes that regularly damage low-clearance cars. RVs, camper vans, motorcycles, and off-road vehicles are strictly prohibited from entering the drive.
National Park passes are not accepted because the 91,696-acre valley is a Navajo Tribal Park, not federal land. Visitors must pay a $15 per person daily entry fee directly to the Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation Department. Accessing the Scenic Drive requires an additional $20 vehicle fee.
Monument Valley sits 170 miles from the Grand Canyon South Entrance. The drive takes several hours across the high desert, requiring drivers to plan for drastic temperature drops after sunset. Fuel up before leaving major towns, as services remain sparse across the 16-million-acre Navajo Nation.
Last entry for the Scenic Drive is 2:30 pm during the winter and 4:30 pm in the summer. The gates close entirely at 5:00 pm in winter and 7:00 pm in summer. Arrive early in the morning to avoid the intense 100°F heat common from May to September.
Heavy rains turn the unpaved loop road into deep mud, triggering sudden closures. The monsoon season from July through September brings violent afternoon thunderstorms and rapid flash flooding in the dry washes. Always ask the Visitor Center for real-time road conditions before attempting the 17-mile drive.
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