Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Permit Information

IMPORTANT: Monument Valley is sovereign Navajo Nation land, not a federal or state park. It is administered by the Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation Department (NNPRD) based in Window Rock, Arizona, and is governed by Navajo Nation law, not by the National Park Service, BLM, or any US agency. A Special Use Permit is required for any wedding, vow renewal, film shoot, or photography workshop that involves 5 or more people inside park boundaries. A 100 dollar non refundable processing fee applies…

Planning Your Day at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

One-Spot Day

Monument Valley is a single sprawling location best handled in one full day with a Navajo guide. Pair a sunrise ceremony at The Mittens Viewpoint (no guide required for the visitor center overlook) with a guided Valley Drive loop later in the day to reach Artist Point and other formations only accessible with a Navajo escort. Lodging clusters at The View Hotel (only hotel inside the park boundary, books a year ahead), Goulding's Lodge (just outside the boundary), or in Kayenta 22 miles south. Food and gas options inside the park are limited to the visitor center and The View Hotel restaurant.

Ceremony + Portraits Split

CRITICAL: Monument Valley is sovereign Navajo Nation land governed by Navajo Nation law, not federal or state law. Special Use Permit required for any wedding, vow renewal, film shoot, or photography workshop with 5 or more people inside park boundaries. $100 non refundable processing fee. After the fact permits cost $200. All film and photography permits require hiring a Navajo tour guide for the duration of the activity. Drones strictly prohibited at all Navajo Tribal Park locations with no exceptions. Entry fees: $10 per person per day per location plus $15 per vehicle for the 17 mile Valley Drive loop. Navajo guide fees typically run $100 to $400 or more depending on tour length. Apply through NNPRD at 928 871 6647 or ltsinjinnie@navajo nsn.gov at least 60 days out. This is living Navajo land, follow all guidance from NNPRD staff and your guide.

A Note on Light

Sunrise is the signature condition. From roughly 5:45am summer to 7:15am winter, first light hits the Mittens and Merrick Butte from the east and turns them deep red orange against pink and pastel sky. The window is roughly 20 minutes from first alpenglow to flat morning light. Sunset lights the formations from the west with rich golden tones and creates dramatic silhouettes from 5:30pm summer to 4:45pm winter. Afternoon thunderstorms (July through August monsoon season) bring spectacular lightning and rainbow conditions but also flash flood risk on the Valley Drive loop. Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) bring the cleanest conditions with clear skies and mild temperatures.

Ceremony Spots at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

• The Mittens Viewpoint — Classic American West silhouette with twin buttes framing the desert horizon at sunrise
• Artist Point — Elevated panoramic viewpoint with the full Monument Valley skyline stretched before you