St. George to Monument Valley
The sandstone buttes of Monument Valley have stood for the American West in films and photographs for nearly a century. This Navajo Tribal Park, about 280 miles and 5 hours from St. George, offers a 17-mile scenic drive, Navajo-guided tours and the straight highway from Forrest Gump.
US-89 S to US-160 E to US-163 N
280 miles
Distance
5 hr
Drive Time
southeast
Direction
Spring (April-May) & Fall (September-October)
Best Time
5,564 feet elevation
Driving from St. George to Monument Valley
Route: US-89 S to US-160 E to US-163 N
How far is St. George to Monument Valley? About 280 miles and roughly 5 hours of driving without stops. Take UT-9 through Zion National Park (or UT-59 and AZ-389 through Hurricane and Fredonia to skip the park fee) to US-89 at Kanab, continue through Page, Arizona, take US-160 East to Kayenta, then US-163 North to the park entrance. The last stretch of US-163 is the straight road from Forrest Gump.
About Monument Valley
How far is St. George to Monument Valley? The drive is about 280 miles and takes roughly 5 hours without stops, whether you go through Zion on UT-9 or around it on UT-59 and AZ-389; both routes join US-89 at Kanab, then follow US-89 to Page, US-160 to Kayenta and US-163 north to the park. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park straddles the Utah-Arizona line inside the Navajo Nation, and its buttes, including the West and East Mitten Buttes, Merrick Butte and the Totem Pole, rise 400 to 1,000 feet above the valley floor.
The 17-mile Valley Drive is the main attraction, a self-guided dirt road loop that passes the major formations. Navajo-guided tours go beyond the public road to restricted areas including Mystery Valley, Hunt's Mesa for sunrise photography and Ear of the Wind, which can only be visited with a guide. The guides add cultural context about the Navajo people's connection to this sacred landscape and reach viewpoints the self-guided drive does not.
Monument Valley has been the backdrop for more than 100 films, television shows and commercials. John Ford filmed seven movies here, including Stagecoach (1939) and The Searchers (1956), and Forrest Gump ended his run on US-163 just north of the park. The View Hotel is the only lodging inside the park, with rooms facing the Mitten Buttes; Goulding's Lodge, across the highway, is the historic alternative.
Gas Stops Along the Way
- Kanab, UT: about 80 miles / 1 hr 30 min (full services)
- Page, AZ: about 155 miles / 2 hr 45 min (full services)
- Kayenta, AZ: about 255 miles / 4 hr 30 min (gas and food, last stop before the park)
Weather & Climate
Monument Valley is high desert at 5,564 feet. Summers are very hot (90-105°F) with monsoon thunderstorms July-September. Winters are cold (25-50°F) with occasional snow. Spring and fall are ideal at 55-85°F. Wind is common year-round, and the desert cools sharply at night.
Best Time to Visit
Spring (April-May) & Fall (September-October)
Spring and fall offer comfortable temperatures (60-80°F) and the best photography light. Summer is extremely hot (95-110°F) with afternoon thunderstorms that create dramatic skies but make the dirt loop muddy. Winter is cold (25-50°F) with occasional snow that contrasts with the red rock; the scenic drive closes earlier (last entry 2:30 p.m.).
Things to Do in Monument Valley
From outdoor adventures to dining, here is everything worth experiencing when you visit Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Utah/Arizona.
Route Options from St. George
Through Zion: UT-9 to US-89 at Kanab
~280 mi / ~5 hrI-15 to Exit 16, UT-9 through Hurricane, Springdale and the Zion-Mount Carmel tunnel to Mount Carmel Junction, then US-89 south to Kanab and Page, US-160 to Kayenta and US-163 north. About 280 miles, roughly 5 hours. The most scenic start; expect slow traffic in Zion and a tunnel wait for RVs.
Zion charges a $35 vehicle entrance fee even if you are driving through
Around Zion: UT-59 and AZ-389 to Kanab
~280 mi / ~5 hrI-15 to Exit 16, UT-9 to Hurricane, then UT-59 over the mesa through Hildale and Colorado City, AZ-389 past Pipe Spring National Monument to Fredonia and Kanab, then the same US-89, US-160 and US-163 route. About the same distance and time with no park fee or tunnel, and lighter traffic.
Fuel in Hurricane or Kanab; there is little between them
Kanab to Page to Kayenta (both routes)
Mile markersFrom Kanab, US-89 runs 74 miles east to Page (Glen Canyon Dam, Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are right there). US-160 then runs about 100 miles southeast to Kayenta, and US-163 covers the last 24 miles north to the Monument Valley visitor center. Kanab is about 80 miles from St. George, Page about 155 and Kayenta about 255.
Return loop via Mexican Hat and Moab
For a multi-day trip, leave Monument Valley north on US-163 through Mexican Hat and Bluff, then US-191 to Blanding, Moab and I-70, and I-15 home. Far longer than the direct route, but it links Monument Valley with Natural Bridges, Canyonlands and Arches.
Plan at least one overnight; this is a two-day return
Top Attractions
Valley Drive (17-Mile Loop)
$10 per person entrySelf-guided dirt road loop passing West Mitten, East Mitten, Merrick Butte, Three Sisters, John Ford Point, Totem Pole and more. Allow 2-4 hours. The drive opens at 8 a.m.; last entry is 3:30 p.m. in season and 2:30 p.m. in winter (from October 17).
High clearance vehicle recommended but sedans can handle it slowly in dry weather; motorcycles are not allowed on the loop
John Ford Point
Included with entryThe most famous viewpoint in Monument Valley, named after the film director. Panoramic view of the buttes, often with a Navajo horseman posing for photos.
Navajo Guided Tours
Varies by operatorNavajo tour operators sell tours at the visitor center that reach restricted areas such as Mystery Valley, Hunt's Mesa and Ear of the Wind, which is only accessible with a guide. Lengths run from about 90 minutes to a full day; prices vary by operator.
Forrest Gump Point
FreeThe spot on US-163 where Forrest Gump ended his cross-country run, about 13 miles north of the park entrance near Mexican Hat. Free roadside stop with the buttes framed behind the straight highway.
Be extremely careful with traffic when taking photos on the road
Wildcat Trail
Included with entryThe only hiking trail in the park open without a guide. 3.2-mile loop around West Mitten Butte with close-up views of the formation. Mostly flat.
Dining & Lodging
The View Hotel
$$$The only hotel inside Monument Valley Tribal Park, with rooms facing the Mitten Buttes. Sunrise from your room is the draw. Book months in advance.
The View Restaurant
$$Navajo and American dishes with floor-to-ceiling windows over the buttes. Try the Navajo taco and fry bread.
Goulding's Lodge
$$-$$$Historic lodge across the highway from the park with a museum, trading post and tour desk. John Wayne stayed here during filming.
Navajo Fry Bread Stands
$Fry bread and Navajo tacos at roadside stands near the visitor center. Bring cash.
Cultural Experiences
Monument Valley Visitor Center
Included with entryExhibits on Navajo culture and geology, a panoramic terrace with the classic butte view, a gift shop with Navajo jewelry, pottery and art, and the tour-booking desk. The viewpoint and patio open before the museum each morning.
Navajo Cultural Demonstrations
VariesTraditional weaving, jewelry making and storytelling demonstrations on the Navajo history and spiritual significance of the valley.
Horseback Tours
Varies by operatorRide among the buttes with Navajo guides, from an hour to a half day.
Travel Tips for the St. George to Monument Valley Drive
Entry is $10 per person per day plus a $15 vehicle fee (navajonationparks.org, October 2026); the park is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day
Last entry to the scenic drive is 3:30 p.m. in season and 2:30 p.m. from October 17 through the winter; arrive by early afternoon to drive the loop
The park is in the Navajo Nation, which observes daylight saving time; Arizona outside the Nation does not, so clocks change when you cross from Page
Bring cash; some Navajo vendors and food stands do not accept cards
Fill up in Kanab, Page or Kayenta; there is no gas at the park
The Valley Drive is unpaved: go slow, watch for washboards and skip it after rain
Do not hike off designated trails or climb formations; this is sacred Navajo land
Book The View Hotel 3-6 months ahead, especially for sunrise-facing rooms
Frequently Asked Questions: St. George to Monument Valley
How far is St. George to Monument Valley?
About 280 miles, or roughly 5 hours of driving without stops. From St. George take UT-9 through Zion (or UT-59 and AZ-389 through Hurricane and Fredonia to avoid the park fee) to US-89 at Kanab, then US-89 to Page, US-160 to Kayenta and US-163 north to the park. Allow a full day with a stop at Horseshoe Bend in Page.
Which route from St. George to Monument Valley is best?
Both main routes take about 5 hours. UT-9 through Zion is the most scenic start but adds the $35 Zion vehicle fee, tunnel restrictions for large RVs and slow park traffic. UT-59 and AZ-389 through Hurricane, Hildale and Fredonia to Kanab is about the same distance with no fee and lighter traffic. From Kanab the two routes are identical.
What are Monument Valley's hours and entry fee?
Entry is $10 per person per day plus a $15 vehicle fee (navajonationparks.org, checked October 2026). The scenic drive opens at 8 a.m. with last entry at 3:30 p.m. in season; from October 17 the park runs winter hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with last entry at 2:30 p.m. The park closes on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Do I need a Navajo guide for Monument Valley?
A guide is not required for the 17-mile Valley Drive or the Wildcat Trail. Guided tours, sold by Navajo tour operators at the visitor center, reach restricted areas such as Mystery Valley, Hunt's Mesa and Ear of the Wind, which can only be visited with a guide, and add cultural and historical context.
Can you drive through Monument Valley in a regular car?
Yes, in dry conditions sedans can handle the Valley Drive loop slowly. The road is unpaved with washboards and sandy sections, so high-clearance vehicles are more comfortable, and motorcycles are not allowed on the loop. Do not attempt it after rain.
Is Monument Valley in Utah or Arizona?
Both. Monument Valley straddles the Utah-Arizona border inside the Navajo Nation. The visitor center and most of the famous formations are in Arizona; the park entrance road and the Forrest Gump stretch of US-163 are in Utah. The Navajo Nation keeps daylight saving time, unlike the rest of Arizona.
Where is the Forrest Gump road?
On US-163 about 13 miles north of the Monument Valley park entrance, near Mexican Hat, Utah. The straight road with the buttes behind it is a popular photo stop; watch for traffic, because people stand in the roadway for the shot.
Nearby Destinations from Monument Valley
Antelope Canyon & Page
The world-famous slot canyons of Antelope Canyon and the iconic Horseshoe Bend are just over four hours from St. George. Combined with Lake Powell, Page, Arizona offers some of the most photographed landscapes on Earth.
Horseshoe Bend
One of the most iconic and photographed landscapes in the American West. The Colorado River makes a dramatic 270-degree horseshoe-shaped bend 1,000 feet below a sheer cliff overlook near Page, Arizona. A short hike and a lifetime memory.
Complete Guide: Driving from St. George to Monument Valley
St. George to Monument Valley — 280 miles, 5 hr Drive
How far is St. George to Monument Valley? The drive is about 280 miles and takes roughly 5 hours without stops, whether you go through Zion on UT-9 or around it on UT-59 and AZ-389; both routes join US-89 at Kanab, then follow US-89 to Page, US-160 to Kayenta and US-163 north to the park. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park straddles the Utah-Arizona line inside the Navajo Nation, and its buttes, including the West and East Mitten Buttes, Merrick Butte and the Totem Pole, rise 400 to 1,000 feet above the valley floor.
The route from St. George, Utah to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Utah/Arizona covers 280 miles and takes approximately 5 hr via US-89 S to US-160 E to US-163 N. How far is St. George to Monument Valley? About 280 miles and roughly 5 hours of driving without stops. Take UT-9 through Zion National Park (or UT-59 and AZ-389 through Hurricane and Fredonia to skip the park fee) to US-89 at Kanab, continue through Page, Arizona, take US-160 East to Kayenta, then US-163 North to the park entrance. The last stretch of US-163 is the straight road from Forrest Gump.
Things to Do in Monument Valley
Route Options from St. George: Through Zion: UT-9 to US-89 at Kanab, Around Zion: UT-59 and AZ-389 to Kanab, Kanab to Page to Kayenta (both routes). Top Attractions: Valley Drive (17-Mile Loop), John Ford Point, Navajo Guided Tours. Dining & Lodging: The View Hotel, The View Restaurant, Goulding's Lodge. Cultural Experiences: Monument Valley Visitor Center, Navajo Cultural Demonstrations, Horseback Tours.
Best Time to Visit Monument Valley
Spring and fall offer comfortable temperatures (60-80°F) and the best photography light. Summer is extremely hot (95-110°F) with afternoon thunderstorms that create dramatic skies but make the dirt loop muddy. Winter is cold (25-50°F) with occasional snow that contrasts with the red rock; the scenic drive closes earlier (last entry 2:30 p.m.).
Travel Tips
Entry is $10 per person per day plus a $15 vehicle fee (navajonationparks.org, October 2026); the park is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Last entry to the scenic drive is 3:30 p.m. in season and 2:30 p.m. from October 17 through the winter; arrive by early afternoon to drive the loop. The park is in the Navajo Nation, which observes daylight saving time; Arizona outside the Nation does not, so clocks change when you cross from Page. Bring cash; some Navajo vendors and food stands do not accept cards.
For more things to do near St. George, explore our Things to Do guide, browse the Events Calendar, or discover local businesses in the St. George Business Directory. Check out all road trip destinations from St. George including Antelope Canyon & Page, Horseshoe Bend.