• Wildcat Trail – This impressive 3.1 mile trail takes you along the base of the West Mitten Butte, giving you a sense of how enormous the monuments are. This is the only self-guided walking tour in the park.

• John Ford's Vista

• Artist's Point

Highway 163 is the only way to reach the park.

The Valley lies mostly in northern Arizona, but the highway turn-off that leads into it is just across the border in Utah. The nearest town is Kayenta, about twenty miles to the south.

While many incredible formations can be seen from the main roads, the best views can be had from the 17-mile loop road that runs through the valley. The road is open 6AM-8:30PM in the summer (May - Sep) and 8AM-4:30PM in the winter (Oct - Apr).

The loop is not paved and can be quite rough and dusty, but most vehicles should be able to manage. You are not permitted to deviate from the loop drive without a native guide present. The loop drive can be done in as little as 30-40 minutes, but most visitors will take several hours to enjoy the scenery. There is no shortage of native guides eager to take you (for a fee, of course!) to the restricted areas.

By guided tour

A number of companies provide guided tours of the Monument Valley that include transportation from the surrounding areas. Some companies will provide bus travel from nearby towns while others begin in Monument Valley Tribal Park. Some will provide just a brief tour with small stops, while others may take you on a hike and arrange all your meals. Most of these are done in windowless buses or trucks — be prepared to get covered in dust. You may wish to take a cue from the Japanese and bring a mask.

• Hydros Adventures Tours, 928-310-8141, [2]. Offers one day and overnight hiking, rafting, backpacking, and adventure tours to Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon, Northern Arizona, and Southern Utah. Pickups in Phoenix, Las Vegas, and the Grand Canyon area.

• Monument Valley Hot Air Balloon Company, 623-847-1511 or tollfree 800-843-5987, [3]. Offers comprehensive sunrise hot air balloon flight tours from May 1st through October 31st. Includes Navajo guide who will provide information about Monument Valley history & legends and the Navajo People & their way of life, transportation from Kayenta, Arizona or Goulding Lodge, Utah, early morning twilight & sunrise photo opportunities, inflation of the hot air balloon (which is pretty incredible in itself!), hot air balloon flight of approximately 1 hour aloft over some of the most dramatic geography imaginable, post-flight continental breakfast served at a tablecloth setting at your landing site, personalized First Flight Certificate commemorating your ascension in a hot air balloon, backcountry tour (which requires a Navajo guide), a brief stop at the Visitor's Center, and return transportation to your pickup location.

The visitor's center has a large gift shop with a wide variety of souvenirs. They also showcase an impressive amount of hand-crafted Native American Arts and Crafts.

Goulding's Lodge has a restaurant, the park's visitor center sells snacks, and there may be stands around the park offering Navajo fry-bread and other items. The View Restaurant is located at the visitor center, and is open for 3 meals, serving American and traditional Navajo cuisine.

Drinking water and other beverages are available at the visitor center and at the campground store. There are no other water supplies in the valley, so be sure to carry enough with you.

Note that alcoholic beverages are prohibited on Navajo lands.