Monument Valley, Utah

Monument Valley borders Utah and Arizona. Its famous red rock formations and expansive mesas and buttes are among the most photographed of Southwestern landscapes. Monument Valley is also home to the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

Monument Valley in the Movies. Fans of the Old West immediately recognize Monument Valley’s iconic buttes and plateaus. More Western movies have been filmed in Monument Valley than in any other location in the United States. Director John Ford returned to Monument Valley 10 times to film Westerns, including Stagecoach starring John Wayne in 1939. John Ford Point is a popular lookout point named in the director’s honor. Easy Rider, Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, and Thelma & Louise are among contemporary films featuring Monument Valley scenery.

Exploring Monument Valley. Use careful planning when exploring Monument Valley. Visitors can hire a tour guide or travel independently on a 17-mile dirt road through the park for a small access fee. Because Monument Valley is located on tribal land, it is often omitted from traditional road maps. Monument Valley is part of the Grand Circle, a multi-state loop that includes Mesa Verde, Grand Canyon, Capitola Reef, Canyonlands, and Bryce Canyon National Park.