Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Protected sandstone formations in Navajo Nation, United States.
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is a protected area featuring massive red sandstone towers and mesas that rise 400 to 1,000 feet (120-300 meters) above the desert floor. The landscape reveals wide open expanses, dramatic cliff faces, and an intense reddish hue that deepens during sunrise and sunset.
People first inhabited this area around 1200 BCE, leaving behind petroglyphs and dwellings that remain visible today across the valley. The Navajo Nation later established this region as a homeland and created a protected park to preserve the landscape for future generations.
Navajo guides share stories during visits that reveal how the rock formations hold deep spiritual meaning and connect to the daily life and identity of the people who live here.
Visitors can explore the area by private vehicle along a 17-mile dirt road with multiple stops to view the major formations. The unpaved road requires careful driving, so allow plenty of time for the drive and pay attention to weather conditions that may affect road access.
The Wildcat Trail offers the only self-guided hiking option, taking visitors on a 4-mile loop around West Mitten Butte where you can walk among the rock formations. This path allows travelers to experience the landscape on foot rather than only viewing it from the driving route.
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