FAQ
The short version of everything in the guides — what people actually ask before they go.
On the park's own Monument Valley page, entry is $10 per person, per day, plus a vehicle fee of $15, after a fee increase on January 1, 2026. It is a Navajo Tribal Park, so the National Park Pass is not accepted. Guided tours are paid separately; our tickets and Valley Drive guide has the details.
About 125 miles from Page (around 2 hours 22 minutes) and 176 miles from Flagstaff (around 3 hours 18 minutes), by the driving table a Navajo tour operator publishes. Las Vegas is about 394 miles away, so most people stay a night nearby; see our guide to getting there.
Yes, on the 17-mile Valley Drive, a natural dirt loop with rough terrain and deep sand where the park says an SUV or truck is preferable. RVs, camper vans, motorcycles and large SUVs are not allowed on it. Beyond the loop, places such as Ear of the Wind are reached only on a guided tour.
They change with the season. Under the winter hours that began October 17, 2026, the scenic drive is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with last entry at 2:30 p.m. From May 1 to September 30 it is open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., last entry by 4:30 p.m. The park closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Not for the Valley Drive or the Wildcat Trail. For the rest, yes: the backcountry is home to Navajo families, and arches such as Ear of the Wind are reached only on guided tours. Navajo-run jeep tours of about 2.5 to 3 hours start at $75 to $85 per adult on the operators' own sites; our jeep tours guide compares them.
Spring and fall are mildest: average highs are 70°F in April and 66°F in October. July averages 90°F, and July through September is monsoon season, when flash floods are most likely. Winter is cold, with December lows near 24°F, but quieter, and many photographers like the low winter sun.
The Navajo Nation observes daylight saving time and Arizona does not, so during daylight saving time Monument Valley is one hour ahead of Page and Flagstaff. Tour times are given in Navajo Nation time. In winter, Arizona, Utah and the Navajo Nation are on the same time.
On your own you pay the entry fee, see the view from the visitor center and drive the 17-mile loop. A Navajo-guided tour adds the backcountry arches, rock art and a hogan visit, and you can book one on arrival at the visitor center. A tour from Sedona or Flagstaff handles the long drive too. The tours page compares them.