Monument Valley majestically sits on the Arizona/Utah border. The iconic valley is so special that it takes your breath away. But where to stay in Monument Valley and vicinity for the best experience?
At the unique hotels in Monument Valley, you enjoy the best valley access and stunning views. Other options for where to stay when visiting Monument Valley are Mexican Hat, Kayenta, Bluff and Page.
We can exist thanks to compensation from advertising including affiliate links. Learn more ›
Table of contents
- Monument Valley – Valley hotels
- Mexican Hat – North of valley
- Kayenta – South of valley
- Bluff – On a budget
- Page – Near other sights
Monument Valley, AZ/UT
A beautiful option for where to stay in Monument Valley is to base yourself in or adjacent to Monument Valley Tribal Park. You can do so at The View Hotel and Goulding’s Lodge.
At The View Hotel you stay inside the actual Monument Valley Tribal Park with great Monument Valley views. Goulding’s Lodge sits just outside the Monument Valley Tribal Park border but also offers impressive views of Monument Valley.
Staying at Monument Valley hotels so near the scenic overlooks is extremely convenient. If you begin and end your days in Monument Valley, your whole stay is an adventure. Then you don’t need to spend a lot of time getting from your Monument Valley accommodation to the valley fun.
However, the rates at The View Hotel and Goulding’s Lodge tend to be higher than at Monument Valley lodging further away. So if you’re after a Monument Valley stay on a budget, you should look into the other options for Monument Valley places to stay.
As The View Hotel and Goulding’s Lodge sit so great for exploring Monument Valley, they also often book up long in advance. So make sure that you book as early as possible if you want accommodation in Monument Valley.
In conclusion, The View Hotel and Goulding’s Lodge are the best places to stay in Monument Valley. They offer Monument Valley lodging with superb views just minutes from the park adventure. No other options for where to stay at Monument Valley sit as uniquely.
- Distance: 0 mi
- Driving time: 0 min
- Stay in Monument Valley for: Ultimate Monument Valley access and views.
Favorite location. Having valley views makes your whole stay a Monument Valley adventure. The location comes at a premium, but it’s certainly the most special option for where to stay in the awe-inspiring Monument Valley.
Recommended Monument Valley hotels
The View Hotel
At The View Hotel in Monument Valley Tribal Park, you are treated with an intimate Monument Valley lodging experience. It’s the only Monument Valley place to stay that sits in the actual tribal park. When you stay at The View Hotel, you are just steps away from Monument Valley Tribal Park Visitor Center. And as the name indicates, you have an amazing view from this Monument Valley hotel.
Goulding’s Lodge
Goulding’s Lodge offers Monument Valley lodging rich in history a few miles from Monument Valley Tribal Park. Near Goulding’s Lodge, you conveniently so find a grocery store and a gas station. In addition, the Monument Valley lodge even has its own museum where it tells its interesting story. Goulding’s Lodge has become like an institution in the area, and from its rooms you effortlessly take in stunning Monument Valley views.
Mexican Hat, UT
Mexican Hat is another alternative for where to stay in Monument Valley and vicinity. The tiny Utah town is located northeast of Monument Valley on US 163.
It’s a scenic 24-mile (39 km) drive from Monument Valley hotels in Mexican Hat to the tribal park. A bonus when you base yourself in Mexican Hat is that you very conveniently so pass the legendary Forrest Gump Point every time you drive into Monument Valley.
Monument Valley is of course the main attraction in the area, but just outside Mexican Hat you find Goosenecks State Park too. In the Utah park San Juan River makes tight turns, also known as goosenecks. The park is not as famous as Monument Valley, but the landscape in Goosenecks State Park is special as well.
Another interesting spot to explore just outside Mexican Hat is Valley of the Gods. The tall red buttes in the valley are similar to those in Monument Valley and a fun stop to add to the itinerary.
In short, Mexican Hat is a great option for where to stay near Monument Valley. Monument Valley lodging in Mexican Hat doesn’t give you direct access or Monument Valley views, like the View Hotel and Goulding’s Lodge. But just a short and scenic drive takes you from the hotels near Monument Valley in Mexican Hat to the famous park.
- Distance: 24 mi / 39 km
- Driving time: ≈ 30 min
- Pick Mexican Hat for: Monument Valley hotels with great access in the north.
Budget location. Mexican Hat is an excellent budget alternative for where to stay in Monument Valley and vicinity. The town is located only 30 minutes from Monument Valley, and Mexican Hat also offers fantastic access to Goosenecks State Park.
Kayenta, AZ
Another option for where to stay near Monument Valley is Kayenta. The small Arizona city is located south of Monument Valley at the intersection of US 163 and US 160.
From Monument Valley hotels in Kayenta it’s just 26 miles (42 km) to the park, which makes the distance similar to if you stay in Mexican Hat. So it’s not a long drive from Monument Valley accommodation in Kayenta to Monument Valley Tribal Park and exploration of the huge red rock buttes.
Kayenta is just a small town, but it’s still significantly bigger than Mexican Hat. In Kayenta you find more choices for Monument Valley lodging and dining.
All in all, Kayenta is one of the best places to stay when visiting Monument Valley. The Arizona city conveniently offers hotels near Monument Valley Tribal Park. Only a short drive in the red Arizona landscape takes you from Monument Valley lodging in Kayenta to the stunning natural wonder.
- Distance: 26 mi / 42 km
- Driving time: ≈ 30 min
- Pick Kayenta for: Monument Valley hotels with great access in the south.
Bluff, UT
From Bluff it’s 49 miles (79 km) to Monument Valley Tribal Park. The longer drive makes Bluff a less convenient alternative, compared to options for where to stay at Monument Valley with better park access.
But the drive from Bluff to Monument Valley is a scenic drive. On the way from Bluff to Monument Valley you pass by highlights including Goosenecks State Park, Valley of the Gods and Forrest Gump Point.
The location further away from the valley also means that hotel rates tend to be lower in Bluff, compared to Monument Valley lodging closer to the park. Therefore Bluff is a popular Monument Valley place to stay on a budget.
To sum up, Bluff is an option for where to stay when visiting Monument Valley on a budget. But staying in Bluff is certainly less convenient than Monument Valley places to stay closer to the park.
- Distance: 49 mi / 79 km
- Driving time: ≈ 1 h
- Pick Bluff for: Monument Valley on a budget.
Budget location. On popular dates it’s hard to find places to stay near Monument Valley on a budget. For those days Bluff is an appreciated budget option for where to stay in Monument Valley and vicinity. It’s further away, but the rates are also often significantly cheaper.
Page, AZ
The city Page in Northern Arizona is located much further away than the other options for where to stay when visiting Monument Valley. So Page is not a town that offers great Monument Valley access.
From Page to Monument Valley it’s as much as 125 miles (201 km) and 2 hours to drive. That makes the other options for where to stay in Monument Valley and vicinity much more convenient.
What still makes Page interesting is that you find both Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon in Page. Therefore Page is a solid option if you want one single base for the two of them and Monument Valley.
In short, Page is not the best place to stay when visiting Monument Valley. It’s much more convenient with Monument Valley lodging closer to the park. Still Page could be the option if you want one base for exploring a bigger part of the American Southwest.
- Distance: 125 mi / 201 km
- Driving time: ≈ 2 h
- Pick Page for: One base for Monument Valley and other sights.
Where to stay in Monument Valley FAQ
Here you find the answers to some frequently asked questions about where to stay in Monument Valley, Arizona/Utah.
The View Hotel and Goulding’s Lodge offer breathtaking Monument Valley views. Of the two The View Hotel sits inside Monument Valley Tribal Park, while Gouldings Lodge sits a few miles outside the park. Kayenta and Mexican Hat just 30 minutes away are other good options for where to stay near Monument Valley.
The View Hotel is the only hotel that sits inside Monument Valley Tribal Park. Goulding’s Lodge also offers Monument Valley views, but the accommodation doesn’t sit inside Monument Valley Tribal Park.
At Goulding’s near Monument Valley Tribal Park you find necessities including a grocery store and a gas station. But the nearest towns are Kayenta south on US 163 and Mexican Hat in the northeast also on US 163.
As Monument Valley is rather compact, it’s possible to explore some of the most famous viewpoints in as little as a few hours. But optimally you spend at least a full day in Monument Valley to really get to know the area.
Related: Also check our comprehensive list of the best things to do in the USA. Do you think Monument Valley is there?
Make the most of every trip with our newsletter delivered to your inbox.
