A Night at Monument Valley

Monument Valley Tribal Park, in the Four Corners region of the Arizona/Utah border, is very isolated and not really on the way to anywhere. Maybe if you were traveling between Flagstaff and Moab you might have a reason to be nearby, but otherwise, you have to want and plan to go there. But it’s a very striking landscape and worth a visit.

Back in 2008, we were visiting Canyon de Chelly and took a side trip to Monument Valley. Since we were back in the area in November 2021, we wanted to stop by for another visit. This time after spending the day around Page, AZ, we spent the night at Monument Valley.

Monument Valley Tribal Park is on Navajo Nation and there is only one place to stay overlooking the valley, The View Hotel, which also includes cabins and a campground. The other main lodging and dining option, on the west side of highway 163, is Goulding’s Lodge

We spent the night in one of the rim view cabins and had an expansive view. The cabin was also very comfortable. During the night I could see the Mittens and Merrick Butte lit by starlight and then by the beautiful sunrise.

To get up close and personal with the monuments, hike or drive part of the valley or you can take a guided tour. The only available self guided hiking is on the Wildcat trail around West Mitten (hiking anywhere else requires a Certified Navajo guide). And there is 17 mile Valley Drive if you want to drive yourself around the valley.