The name Arizona evokes a wide range of images in the minds of everyone who hears it. Hot, sunny, Grand Canyon, desert. Another image that often comes to mind are those red buttes made famous by photographers and film makers. You know the ones you'll find in Monument Valley in Arizona.
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is one gorgeous place and just one example of how beautiful the high desert on the Colorado Plateau can be. Let’s take a look at the park.
The drive to Monument Valley is about three hours from Flagstaff and just over five hours from Phoenix, if traffic is light.
You'll briefly drive through Utah before turning right back into Arizona to reach the visitor center, and...
This sight for sore eyes!
That's quite the view, isn't it? The Mittens are two of the most famous buttes with easily recognizable features that pop when the sun is low on the horizon.
There's not just the mittens to see. A look around the park will show you so many stunning views.
This view was named after director John Ford who featured the landscape in a large number of his productions, highlighting the fragility of the human experience against such a rugged, arid landscape.
Hunts Mesa, which is located just south of the Mittens, is another pretty spot that you can check out on a guided tour.
That iconic rusty red color comes from the exposed iron oxide present in the minerals. On a clear day, the reddish colors pop against the blue sky, which makes the landscape appear even more dazzling.
There are plenty of ways to experience the park, including by hiking.
The one public trail here is Wildcat Trail, an easy-to-navigate path that leads to Mitten Buttes and Merrick Butte.
If you decide to explore the park with a guide, there are three options: hiking, horseback riding, and a jeep ride.
Think one day just isn't enough? Don't worry, you can spend the night at the park.
Campgrounds are available and there is also The View Hotel, both of which have spectacular views.
Let's take one more look. Beautiful, isn't it?
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is located 175 miles (three hours) north of Flagstaff, just off Route 163 near the Arizona-Utah border. You can find details about visiting the park on the Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation website.
Have you ever been to Monument Valley in Arizona? What did you think? Share your experience in the comments! Want to look into more beautiful sights at an Arizona park? You might be interested in reading about Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in The One Place In Arizona That Must Be Seen To Be Believed.
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