The most iconic landscape of the American West: sandstone buttes and spires rising up to 1,000 feet from the desert floor on the Utah-Arizona border, sacred land of the Navajo Nation. A 17-mile self-drive dirt loop passes the Mittens, Merrick Butte, and John Ford Point, while Navajo-guided tours access restricted areas like Mystery Valley. Established in 1958, it was the first Navajo Tribal Park and operates under Navajo Nation jurisdiction.
| Category | Point of Interest |
|---|---|
| Nearest town | Oljato-Monument Valley / Mexican Hat (Kayenta, AZ to the south) |
| Top activities | 17-mile scenic loop drive, Navajo-guided jeep tours, Photography at the Mittens and Forrest Gump Point (US-163), Wildcat Trail hike, The View Hotel sunrise |
| Best time to visit | April-June and September-October; sunrise and sunset over the Mittens are the classic views. Note the Navajo Nation observes Daylight Saving Time (unlike Arizona). |
| Entrance fee | $10 per person per day plus $15 per vehicle for the scenic loop (raised January 1, 2026). America the Beautiful passes NOT accepted. |
| Permits | No advance reservation for general entry; backcountry areas require a Navajo guide; commercial photography requires a permit. |
Visitor tip: National park passes are not accepted - this is Navajo Nation land with its own fees; bring a credit card (no cash accepted) and budget extra for a guided tour, which is the only way into the backcountry.
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