The View Hotel Monument Valley

Why The View Hotel is unlike any other hotel in the Southwest

The View Hotel is the only accommodation inside Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Owned and operated by the Navajo Nation, every one of its 95 rooms faces east toward the East and West Mitten Buttes from a private balcony. There is no other hotel in the world with this view.

Opened in December 2008, The View Hotel sits on a natural ridge above the visitor center, elevated above the valley floor. The Mittens — the two sandstone formations that define Monument Valley's silhouette on every road trip poster and John Ford Western — are directly in front of you. Not framed in a window down the hall. Not a partial glimpse from one side of the building. Every room, every balcony, same view.

The hotel is a Navajo-owned business operating within the Navajo Nation and the Tribal Park. That context matters for what the hotel is and isn't. It has no pool. It doesn't sell alcohol. It won't have the polished lobby of a Marriott. What it has is a location that no amount of money can replicate anywhere else on the Colorado Plateau.

Monument Valley is not a U.S. National Park. It is a Navajo Nation Tribal Park — which means it operates under tribal governance and your America the Beautiful annual pass does not apply here. Entrance fees are paid separately at the gate.

Which room should you book at The View Hotel?

Every room faces the Mitten Buttes. The difference is in the floor: 3rd floor StarView rooms give you the best stargazing and highest unobstructed views; 1st floor rooms have larger balconies, best for families with kids. 2nd floor is the standard middle ground.

3rd Floor: StarView Rooms

All third-floor rooms are designated StarView Rooms. They sit highest on the ridge, giving you unobstructed views across the valley. At night, the elevation and the near-zero light pollution of the Navajo Nation combine for exceptional stargazing. The Milky Way is visible on clear nights with the naked eye. If you're a photographer or want to stargaze, book 3rd floor.

1st Floor: Largest balconies

First-floor rooms have larger balconies with more outdoor space. The hotel itself recommends booking 1st floor for families traveling with children — more room to spread out, easier access without the elevator, and still the same view of the Mittens that every floor shares.

2nd Floor: Standard

The middle floor is the most common booking. Good views, standard-size balconies. No particular advantage over 1st or 3rd unless those are unavailable.

Room amenities (all floors)

Flat-screen TV with cable, refrigerator, coffee and tea maker, microwave, air conditioning and heat, private balcony with patio furniture. Ice machines on every floor, elevator near the lobby. No pool, no pets, no smoking (designated outdoor areas). Laundry facilities are off-property.

Premium Cabins: when the view is actually better than the rooms

The hotel also operates premium cabins on the valley rim. Many guests who have stayed in both say the cabin view is better than the hotel rooms — more open, with a private porch sitting directly on the rim edge.

The premium cabins are separate from the hotel building, positioned along the valley rim. Each has a private porch overlooking the valley, old west decor, a full bathroom and shower, refrigerator, and microwave. They're more secluded than the hotel rooms — fewer neighbors, no hallway noise, direct outdoor access.

The official site puts it plainly: "Many have said the view from the cabins is actually better." For honeymooners or anyone prioritizing privacy alongside the view, the cabins are the better choice. Cabin reservations use a separate line: (435) 727-5802.

Sunrise and sunset at The View Hotel

Sunrise is the main event — watch it from your balcony or the breakfast terrace as the Mittens turn from dark silhouette to glowing red-orange. Sunset is best experienced inside the park on a guided tour, not from the hotel building.

Sunrise

Every room at The View Hotel faces east. The Mittens are directly in front of you as the sun rises. At dawn, the sandstone catches the first light and shifts through a sequence — dark purple, then deep red, then orange, then gold — over about 45 minutes. You can watch this from your bed, from your balcony, or from the restaurant patio over breakfast. The restaurant opens early enough to catch the show.

Sunset

Sunset at Monument Valley is more complex. The sun sets behind the hotel (to the west), so the best golden-hour light hits the formations from the side. The hotel's official recommendation: sunset is best seen on a guided tour inside the park. Guides take you to John Ford's Point and Artist's Point, which put you in the right position relative to the light. Book your sunset jeep tour for the same afternoon you check in.

Dining at The View Restaurant

The View Restaurant is the only dining option on the property. It serves Southwestern American food and traditional Navajo dishes, including Navajo fry bread — worth ordering if you've never tried it. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served. The window view of the valley while you eat is extraordinary; the food itself is solid but not destination-level.

The on-site Trading Post carries authentic Navajo jewelry, rugs, pottery, and souvenirs. It's one of the larger collections of Navajo arts in the Four Corners area and purchases directly support Navajo artisans.

Valley Drive and the Wildcat Trail

Valley Drive (17-mile loop)

The park's signature route is a 17-mile dirt loop that winds between the main formations — the Mittens, Merrick Butte, the Elephant, Three Sisters, and more. Private vehicles are permitted. A 4WD or high-clearance vehicle is recommended but not strictly required in dry conditions — many visitors complete it in regular sedans. Budget 2-3 hours for a relaxed drive with stops.

Large portions of the backcountry — including Mystery Valley and Hunt's Mesa — are only accessible on guided tours with a certified Navajo guide. These off-road areas contain the most dramatic rock arches and ancient ruins.

Wildcat Trail — the only self-guided hike

The Wildcat Trail is a 3.2-mile loop that begins at The View Hotel and is the only hike in Monument Valley you can do without a Navajo guide. All other areas of the Tribal Park require a guide because the land is controlled by Navajo families.

The trail circles the base of the West Mitten Butte, putting you at eye level with the formation rather than viewing it from above. Rated moderate. No shade — bring water and sun protection. Best times: early morning for sunrise light, late afternoon. Avoid midday in summer.

What to know before you go

No pool — and why

The View Hotel does not have a pool, and this is not an oversight. The hotel made a deliberate choice: many Navajo families who live on the valley floor below do not have running water and must haul it daily. Building a recreational pool in that context would be dissonant with the values and reality of the community. Water in the desert is precious. It's a quiet but meaningful policy that reflects the hotel's Navajo ownership.

Alcohol policy

No alcohol is sold or served. Monument Valley is on Navajo Nation land, which is dry by tribal law. You are permitted to bring your own. If arriving from the south (Kayenta, Flagstaff), stock up before the final stretch. The nearest places to buy alcohol are in Mexican Hat, UT (about 25 miles north) or Bluff, UT (about 60 miles north). There is nothing in between.

Park entrance fee

The Tribal Park entrance fee is paid at the gate and is not included in your hotel reservation. Approximate current rates: $20 per vehicle (up to 4 people) plus $5 per additional person. U.S. National Park passes (America the Beautiful, Senior Pass) are not accepted — Monument Valley is a Navajo Nation Tribal Park, not a federal park.

Cell service and Wi-Fi

Cell service is limited on Navajo Nation land. Wi-Fi at the hotel is available but inconsistent — many guests report it as unreliable. Download offline maps before you arrive. The disconnection is part of the experience.

Check-in and check-out

Check-in: 4:00 PM. Check-out: 11:00 AM. Elevator near lobby, ice machines on every floor.

Gas

There is no fuel inside the park. Fill up in Kayenta (22 miles south) or Mexican Hat (25 miles north) before arriving.

Best time to visit Monument Valley

Spring (March–May) and fall (September–October) are the sweet spots: comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds than summer, and beautiful light. Summer is peak season and very hot. Winter is cold but uncrowded, with occasional snow on the formations that creates extraordinary photographs.

Average monthly temperatures at The View Hotel (elevation 5,200 ft):

How to get to The View Hotel

Address: Indian Route 42, Oljato-Monument Valley, UT 84536. GPS: 36°58'56.77"N 110°06'43.77"W.

• From the south: US-163 north from Kayenta, AZ (22 miles). Follow signs for Monument Valley Tribal Park entrance.
• From the north: US-163 south from Mexican Hat, UT (25 miles).
• From Page, AZ: US-89 south to US-160 west, then US-163 north — approximately 121 miles, about 2 hours.

Parking is free. Fill up with gas in Kayenta or Mexican Hat before arriving — no fuel inside the park.

About this guide

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 →