Holiday in Monument Valley

About Monument Valley

Monument Valley, known as Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii in Navajo, rises with its iconic sandstone mesas like a movie set from the endless desert of the American Southwest. The distinctive buttes and mesas, reaching up to 300 meters into the sky, have been shaped by millions of years of erosion and are among the most photographed landscapes in the world. It's no wonder that Hollywood legends like John Ford shot numerous Westerns here — and the famous Forrest Gump moment also took place on Highway 163 with a view of the Mittens. The valley is entirely within the Navajo Nation Reservation and is managed by the Navajo themselves. The 27-kilometer Valley Drive leads as an unpaved road past the main formations: the West and East Mittens, Merrick Butte, the Three Sisters, and John Ford Point. Especially at sunrise and sunset, the landscape reveals its full magic as the light bathes the red rocks in gold and orange tones. Guided tours with Navajo guides allow access to otherwise restricted areas like Mystery Valley or Hunts Mesa. There, ancient petroglyphs, abandoned Hogan dwellings, and panoramas that leave even seasoned travelers speechless are revealed. The nearest larger town is Kayenta (30 minutes away), but The View Hotel right at the park's edge offers breathtaking views from every room. Those wanting to feel the Wild West will find their most authentic backdrop here.