Monument Valley is approximately 400 miles from Las Vegas, about 6 hours of driving via I-15 North and US-89 through Page, Arizona. It is the farthest major Southwest landmark from Las Vegas, and that distance shapes everything about how you should plan your visit. The Mittens, Merrick Butte, and the 17-mile Valley Drive are worth the trip. But this is not a quick detour on the way back from the Grand Canyon. This guide covers the exact route, whether a day trip is realistic, what stops are worth making on the road, and what to do once you get there.
Distance from Las Vegas
~400 miles (644 km) via Page, AZ
Drive time (one way)
~6 hours via I-15 North and US-89
Entry fee
$10 per person (Navajo Tribal Park, not NPS)
NPS annual pass accepted?
No. Navajo Nation administers the park.
Valley Drive
17-mile self-guided loop, paved starting point, dirt track
Park hours
6 am to 8 pm (summer), 8 am to 5 pm (winter)
Nearest hotels
The View Hotel (inside park), Goulding's Lodge (adjacent), Kayenta (25 miles south)
Best months
April to June, September to October
Forrest Gump Point
US-163, ~13 miles south of the visitor center (pull-off, no fee)
How far is Monument Valley from Las Vegas?
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is approximately 400 miles from the Las Vegas Strip. The drive takes about 6 hours in normal traffic with no stops. Add fuel stops, food, and bathroom breaks and the realistic travel time is closer to 6.5 to 7 hours each way.
To put this in context with other major attractions you can reach from Las Vegas:
| Destination | Distance from Las Vegas | Drive time | Day trip verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valley of Fire State Park | 55 miles | ~1 hour | Easy |
| Grand Canyon West Rim | 125 miles | ~2.5 hours | Easy |
| Zion National Park | 165 miles | ~2.5 hours | Comfortable |
| Bryce Canyon National Park | 261 miles | ~4 hours | Long but doable |
| Grand Canyon South Rim | 280 miles | ~4.5 hours | Long, overnight better |
| Monument Valley | ~400 miles | ~6 hours | Overnight strongly recommended |
Monument Valley sits at the far end of the feasibility range. It is more distant than the Grand Canyon South Rim, which is already considered a stretch for a single day from Las Vegas. The 400-mile round trip is 800 miles of driving: a full tank of gas and a very long day before you have spent a single minute outside of the car.
The route, step by step
There is one practical route from Las Vegas to Monument Valley. It follows major highways the entire way and requires no off-road driving or navigation decisions.
- Las Vegas to St. George, UT (120 miles, ~1.5 hours). Take I-15 North from Las Vegas through Nevada into Utah. St. George is the first major city across the state line, with good fuel and food options. This is a useful stop before the route becomes more remote.
- St. George to Kanab, UT (75 miles, ~1.5 hours). Continue north on I-15 to the UT-9 exit, then head east through Hurricane toward Kanab on US-89. Alternatively, stay on I-15 to the US-89 exit and head south. Kanab is a small town with several restaurants and the last reliable fuel before Page. The scenery shifts from Nevada desert to the red rock canyon country of southern Utah.
- Kanab to Page, AZ (85 miles, ~1.5 hours). Continue south on US-89 through Big Water and the Arizona border into Page. This stretch passes along the edge of the Grand Staircase-Escalante and has open views across the Colorado Plateau. Page is the logical midpoint of the drive: fuel up here, and consider adding Horseshoe Bend (20 minutes from the highway) if time allows.
- Page to Kayenta (80 miles, ~1.5 hours). From Page, take US-89 North briefly then US-160 East toward Tuba City and Kayenta. This cuts across Navajo Nation land on a wide, straight highway with little traffic.
- Kayenta to Monument Valley visitor center (25 miles, ~30 min). From Kayenta, take US-163 North. After about 13 miles you will pass Forrest Gump Point (the straight road toward the Mittens made famous in the film). Continue north to the visitor center and park entrance on the right.
Day trip or overnight: the honest answer
A day trip from Las Vegas to Monument Valley is possible. It is not enjoyable.
Here is what the math looks like: leave Las Vegas at 5 am, arrive at Monument Valley around 11 am (6 hours driving), spend 2 to 3 hours on the Valley Drive, leave by 2 pm, arrive back in Las Vegas around 8 pm or later. That is 12 to 13 hours of driving to spend half an afternoon at the park. You will arrive at Monument Valley already tired from 6 hours in the car, and you will spend the return drive watching the clock instead of watching the road.
The harder problem is timing. Monument Valley is most photogenic at sunrise and sunset, when the low light turns the Mittens a deep amber and the shadows are long. A day trip from Las Vegas means arriving around midday (harsh overhead light, least flattering for photography) and missing both golden hours entirely.
The recommendation: if you want Monument Valley, plan at least one overnight. Two nights is better. Base yourself in Kayenta (budget) or The View Hotel (inside the park, more expensive) and catch sunrise on your first morning and sunset on your last evening. The difference between midday and golden-hour Monument Valley is not subtle.
If your trip is genuinely limited to one day and Monument Valley is the priority, consider flying into Phoenix or Flagstaff instead. Both cities are closer to Monument Valley than Las Vegas is.
Stops worth making on the way
The Las Vegas to Monument Valley drive passes through some of the most striking landscape in the American Southwest. These stops add time but make the drive itself worthwhile:
Valley of Fire State Park
Nevada · 55 miles from Las Vegas · adds about 1 hour round trip
Nevada's oldest state park features vivid red sandstone formations, ancient petroglyphs, and trails that take 30 to 60 minutes to walk. Entry is $15 per vehicle. The Fire Wave trail (1.5 miles) is the standout. Best visited in the morning when the light is good and before temperatures peak. Located on the I-15 corridor, so it adds minimal time to the drive.
Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon (Page, AZ)
Arizona · midpoint of the drive · 3 to 5 hours
Page sits exactly halfway between Las Vegas and Monument Valley, making it the natural stop on this drive. Horseshoe Bend is a 1.4-mile round-trip walk from the parking lot ($10 fee, best in late afternoon). Antelope Canyon requires a guided Navajo tour ($60 to $120 depending on section) and sells out weeks ahead in summer: book before you leave Las Vegas. Adding Page turns the drive into a proper multi-day Southwest itinerary.
Forrest Gump Point
US-163, Arizona · 13 miles south of Monument Valley · 5 minutes
The spot on US-163 where the road runs perfectly straight toward The Mittens in the background. Made famous by the film. No parking lot, just a wide gravel shoulder. Worth a stop for 5 minutes and a photo. You pass it on the way in.
What to do at Monument Valley
The park is simpler than most national parks: there are three things to do, and most visitors do all three in a half day.
The Valley Drive (self-guided)
The 17-mile dirt loop is the standard visit. It winds past all the major formations: The Mittens, Merrick Butte, The Three Sisters, John Ford Point, and Camel Butte. A standard sedan can drive it carefully, though a high-clearance vehicle is more comfortable. Plan 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on how many times you stop. The drive starts at the visitor center. No guide required.
Navajo-guided jeep tours
Areas beyond the Valley Drive, including Mystery Valley (with petroglyphs and ruins), Hunt's Mesa, and Tear Drop Arch, are only accessible with a Navajo guide. Half-day tours run 2 to 4 hours (from around $65 per person); full-day tours cover more ground. Book at the visitor center on arrival or in advance through Viator or GetYourGuide.
Monument Valley: 3-Hour Navajo Spirit Group Tour
Open-top 4x4 jeep tour covering all major formations: Mitten Buttes, Merrick Butte, Three Sisters, and John Ford's Point. Entry fee included. Free cancellation.
Monument Valley: 3-Hour Scenic Tour
Covers all major viewpoints at an unhurried pace. Most-reviewed Monument Valley tour on Viator. Free cancellation.
The View Hotel overlook and visitor center
Even if you are not staying at The View Hotel, the terrace overlook is open to all visitors and gives you the classic Mittens view from directly above. The visitor center has exhibits on Navajo history and culture. Allow 30 minutes.
Guided tours from Las Vegas
No operator runs a practical 1-day guided tour from Las Vegas specifically to Monument Valley: the math simply does not work with a single day. What does exist are multi-day small-group tours (typically 2 to 5 days) that combine Monument Valley with Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Zion, and Bryce Canyon. These tours handle the driving and accommodations, which is the main advantage over self-driving on a tight schedule.
Expect to pay $350 to $700 per person for a 2 to 3-day tour from Las Vegas that includes Monument Valley. Longer itineraries covering more parks run $700 to $1,200. Most depart at 5 to 6 am from the Las Vegas Strip.
Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley: 3-Day Tour
The most complete Southwest circuit from Las Vegas in 3 days: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Monument Valley, and the Grand Canyon. Small group, most meals included, free cancellation.
3-Day Tour: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley and Grand Canyon
Award-winning operator, max 13 people. Navajo-guided jeep tour inside Monument Valley included. Optional helicopter over the Grand Canyon South Rim. Camping included, lodging upgrade available. Free cancellation.
Where to stay if you go overnight
Three options cover most traveler types, from inside-the-park to budget:
| Hotel | Location | Price range | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| The View Hotel | Inside the park | $277-400/night (peak) | Sunrise from your room, direct park access |
| Goulding's Lodge | 4 miles west of park | $180-280/night | History, on-site tours, views |
| Hampton Inn Kayenta | 25 miles south | $130-200/night | Budget base, reliable brand |
The View Hotel books out 2 to 4 months ahead for peak season (April through October). Goulding's fills 4 to 8 weeks ahead. Kayenta options generally have more availability but require the 25-mile drive into the park each morning.
More detail on all accommodation options: Monument Valley hotels guide.
Best time to go
April to June and September to October are the peak months for photography and comfortable temperatures. The light is best in spring and fall, the crowds are smaller than July and August, and temperatures are in the 65 to 85°F range rather than the 95°F+ of summer.
Summer (July and August) is the busiest period. The park stays open and the formations are just as spectacular, but midday temperatures exceed 100°F on the valley floor and the Valley Drive becomes congested with tour vehicles by 9 am.
Winter (November to March) brings cold nights, occasional snow on the buttes, and dramatically fewer visitors. Snow on The Mittens is genuinely beautiful. Be aware that US-163 can ice over and the Valley Drive becomes impassable after heavy snowfall. Check road conditions before going.
How long is the drive from Las Vegas to Monument Valley?
The drive from Las Vegas to Monument Valley is approximately 400 miles and takes about 6 hours in normal traffic via I-15 North and US-89 through Page, Arizona. This makes it the longest single drive to any major Southwest attraction from Las Vegas. Factor in gas stops, food, and time at the park when planning your day.
Can you do Monument Valley as a day trip from Las Vegas?
Technically yes, but it is an extremely long day. You would need to leave Las Vegas by 5 am, arrive at Monument Valley around 11 am, spend 2 to 3 hours there, and drive back 6 hours to reach Las Vegas by 10 pm or later. That is 12 to 13 hours of driving for 2 to 3 hours at the park. Most people who do this come back exhausted and wish they had stayed overnight. If you only have one day, the Grand Canyon West Rim (2.5 hours) or Zion National Park (2.5 hours) offer a far better time-to-experience ratio.
What is the best route from Las Vegas to Monument Valley?
The standard route is I-15 North from Las Vegas through St. George, Utah, then US-89 South through Kanab and Page, Arizona, then US-160 East toward Kayenta, and finally US-163 North to the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park visitor center. The entire route is on paved highway and a standard sedan handles it without any difficulty. There is no meaningfully shorter route from Las Vegas.
Do you need a 4WD to visit Monument Valley?
No. The Monument Valley visitor center, The View Hotel, and the start of the Valley Drive are all accessible on paved road in a standard car. The 17-mile Valley Drive self-guided loop is a dirt track and can be done in a regular sedan if driven carefully, though a high-clearance vehicle is more comfortable. Areas beyond the Valley Drive, including Mystery Valley and Hunt's Mesa, require a Navajo-guided jeep tour, so 4WD access for visitors is irrelevant there.
Is there a guided tour from Las Vegas to Monument Valley?
Yes. Several operators run multi-day small-group tours from Las Vegas that include Monument Valley, typically combined with Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Zion, and Bryce Canyon. These are 2 to 5 day itineraries; no day-tour operator runs a 1-day Las Vegas to Monument Valley trip because the logistics make it impractical. If you want Monument Valley in a single day from Las Vegas, self-driving gives you more flexibility.
Where do you enter Monument Valley?
The entrance to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is on US-163, about 30 miles north of Kayenta, Arizona (and 24 miles south of Mexican Hat, Utah). The visitor center, The View Hotel, and the Valley Drive entrance are all at the same location at the top of the road. Entry fee: $10 per person (Navajo Tribal Park, not NPS, so a National Parks pass does not apply).
What is Forrest Gump Point and how do I get there?
Forrest Gump Point is a specific stretch of US-163 in Arizona, about 13 miles south of the Monument Valley visitor center, where the road runs arrow-straight toward the Mittens and Merrick Butte in the background. It is the scene from the film where Forrest stops running. There is no formal parking lot; most people pull over on the wide gravel shoulder. It takes 5 minutes and is worth the stop. You'll pass it on the way in from Kayenta.
Written by Diego Fresno, Travel writer and independent publisher specialising in the American Southwest. Latest research conducted on location in Page, Arizona during July 2025. Guides are verified quarterly — last review April 2026.. Verified quarterly: last review April 2026. About the author →