General admission costs $15 per person with an additional $20 vehicle fee, and federal National Park passes are not accepted. Gates open daily at 8:00 am, though sudden afternoon thunderstorms from July through September can force unexpected closures of the unpaved loop road.
The Scenic Drive opens at 8:00 am every day of the week. Summer extends closing time to 7:00 pm, while winter operations end at 5:00 pm. Heavy rains during the July to September monsoon season cause sudden flash floods, shutting down the unpaved loop road without warning.
| Day | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Sunday (Summer) | 08:00–19:00 | Last entry at 16:30 |
| Monday–Sunday (Winter) | 08:00–17:00 | Last entry at 14:30 |
The park shuts down entirely on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Access to the 17-mile scenic loop and the Visitor Center is completely blocked during these national holidays. Sudden seasonal closures also occur from July through September when monsoon thunderstorms flood the dry washes.
Entry costs $15 per person per day. Drivers must pay an additional $20 vehicle fee to access the 17-mile unpaved Scenic Drive. Because this is a Navajo Tribal Park, standard U.S. National Park passes will not cover your admission.
No regular free entry days are offered, and federal National Park passes do not grant admission to this sovereign tribal park.
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View All ToursLate March and mid-September offer the best conditions for visiting Monument Valley. These shoulder seasons avoid the 100-degree heat and long wait times that plague the May-to-September peak season. Plan your trip around March 30th or September 13th to catch the Mitten Shadow event, when West Mitten Butte perfectly shades East Mitten Butte at sunset.
Most visitors spend three hours driving the 17-mile unpaved scenic loop road.
Adding a two-hour hike on the 3.2-mile Wildcat Trail or a guided jeep tour into restricted backcountry areas like Mystery Valley pushes the visit to a full day. During the peak summer season, deep sand dunes and high traveler volumes frequently extend driving times.
Plan your visit for late March or mid-September to watch the Mitten Shadow event. The silhouette of West Mitten Butte perfectly aligns over East Mitten Butte right at sunset. Peak viewing happens around March 30 and September 13.
America the Beautiful passes do not cover entry to this sovereign Navajo Tribal Park. Expect to pay a $15 per person daily fee plus a $20 vehicle charge directly at the gate.
Deep sand dunes and severe potholes along the 17-mile scenic loop routinely damage low-clearance sedans. Rent an SUV or book an official jeep tour to navigate the rough dirt road safely. Monsoon thunderstorms from July through September turn these dry washes into flash floods, causing sudden route closures.
Independent off-road travel remains strictly illegal beyond the main public loop. Hire a licensed Navajo guide to explore restricted sites like Hunts Mesa, Mystery Valley, and the massive natural sandstone arch. Summer tour slots fill fast.
Summer temperatures regularly top 100°F across a valley floor with zero shade. Carry at least one gallon of water per person before walking the 3.2-mile Wildcat Trail. Heat exhaustion poses a severe risk during the peak afternoon hours.
No, America the Beautiful and Golden Eagle passes are not accepted. Monument Valley operates as a Navajo Tribal Park rather than a federal site. Expect to pay $15 per person daily, plus a $20 vehicle fee to access the 17-mile Scenic Drive.
Summer access runs from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm daily, with the last vehicle entry at 4:30 pm. Winter hours shift to 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, cutting off entry at 2:30 pm. Gates remain locked on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Standard sedans can navigate the dirt road in dry conditions, though high-clearance vehicles handle the terrain much better. The unpaved route contains severe potholes, slick rock, and deep sand dunes capable of damaging low-clearance cars. RVs, camper vans, motorcycles, and off-road vehicles are explicitly banned from the loop.
The 3.2-mile Wildcat Trail is the only route you can hike independently. This self-guided dirt path circles West Mitten Butte and takes roughly two hours. Accessing restricted backcountry areas like Mystery Valley or Hunts Mesa requires booking a licensed Navajo operator.
Dogs are strictly prohibited across all Navajo Tribal Park locations. You cannot bring pets onto the trails, at the viewpoints, or along the scenic drive. Make alternative boarding arrangements before crossing into the reservation.
Drones are universally banned within park boundaries. Park officials will confiscate any unmanned aircraft flown over the valley to protect residential privacy and sacred lands. Commercial filming or photography requires purchasing a Special Use Permit directly from the Visitor Center.
Peak summer from May to September brings heat exceeding 100°F and extremely long wait times. Monsoon season hits between July and September, unleashing severe afternoon thunderstorms. These sudden downpours create flash flood hazards in dry washes and frequently force sudden closures of the scenic drive.
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