Mesa Verde to Monument Valley Road Trip Guide
- The direct drive from Mesa Verde to Monument Valley takes about 2.5 hours, but plan a full day with scenic stops.
- Valley of the Gods, Sand Island Petroglyphs, and Bluff are easy detours adding major scenery without difficult driving.
- Moki Dugway and Muley Point offer incredible views but require high-clearance vehicles and dry road conditions.
- Fill up on gas in Cortez or Bluff, bring plenty of water, and download offline maps before leaving town.
- Monument Valley charges a per-person entry fee, and National Park passes are not accepted.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Starting Point
- Rejoined Route: Continue to Monument Valley
- Route C: From Bluff to Monument Valley
- Arrival Tips for Monument Valley
- Road Trip Tips and Essentials
- FAQs
The most direct drive from Mesa Verde National Park or Cortez, Colorado, to Monument Valley takes about 2.5 hours without stops—but you’ll definitely want to stop.
This route is packed with history and unforgettable scenery.
While the fastest option follows US-160 west to US-163 south, the real magic comes from the detours.
You’ll start in Colorado’s high desert, surrounded by cliff dwellings, kivas, and petroglyphs left by the Ancestral Puebloans.
Crossing into Utah, the landscape opens into red rock cliffs, sandstone towers, and wide desert views straight out of a classic western.
It’s an experience shaped by rich culture, dramatic geology, and cinematic beauty.
Starting Point
1. Cortez, Colorado (Welcome Center & Sutcliffe Vineyards)
- Total Estimated Drive Time (without side trips or stops): Approximately 2 hours 35 minutes
Begin your journey in Cortez, where the Colorado Welcome Center offers free maps and travel tips.
From there, you can take a short detour into McElmo Canyon, about 15 minutes each way.
Visit Sutcliffe Vineyards for a peaceful and scenic tasting experience surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs.
Route Options to Bluff, Utah
From Cortez, you have two primary routes to reach Bluff, Utah. Both converge in Bluff, but they offer different experiences and time commitments. You can either head:
- Southbound on US-160 via route A, or
- Westbound on 491-N, via route B
Check out the details for each heading.
| Alternative Route A: Southbound Estimated Drive Time (without stops/side trips): Approximately 2 hours 35 minutes |
|
|---|---|
| a. (OPTION) Yucca House National Monument | South of Cortez, just 5 minutes from US-160W (but unpaved access road) Unexcavated and quiet, this monument is perfect for travelers craving a low-key stop. No trails, signs, or facilities—just the chance to reflect among the ruins. |
| b. (OPTION) Ute Mountain Tribal Park | South of Cortez; access via Hwy 160 and Tribal HQ Must be visited with a Native guide. This immersive experience offers a deep dive into Ancestral Puebloan and Ute history, including cliff dwellings, rock art, and cultural interpretation. |
| c. Shiprock |
1 hr from Cortez, visible from Hwy 491 near the New Mexico border Shiprock is a Navajo sacred site and dramatic volcanic formation visible from the road. Although you can’t drive directly to it, it’s perfect for a golden hour photo op as you’re passing by. |
| d. Four Corners Monument | 1 hr from Cortez, On US-160 Quick Stop (30–60 mins) A fun, kitschy landmark where you can stand in four states at once. Grab a photo, visit artisan booths, and then hit the road again. |
| Alternative Route B Estimated Drive Time (without stops/side trips): Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes |
|
|---|---|
| a. (HALF-DAY) Canyons of the Ancients National Monument | West of Cortez (20 minutes off 491) This enormous cultural landscape features more than 6,000 archaeological sites, including cliff dwellings and kivas. A stop at the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center in Dolores is a great starting point. Hike Lowry Pueblo or Sand Canyon for half- to full-day adventures. |
| b. (HALF-DAY) Hovenweep National Monument | About 1 hr from Cortez (3 minutes off 491) Explore hauntingly beautiful stone towers built on canyon rims. This site pairs well with Canyons of the Ancients or as a standalone trip on your way towards Bluff, Utah. |
Rejoined Route: Continue to Monument Valley
2. Bluff, Utah
Adam Kampe
- 1.5 - 2 hrs from Cortez, depending on route
Optional stopover or overnight, Historic Bluff offers a dose of frontier charm.
Visit Bluff Fort, explore the Twin Rocks Trading Post, and grab a bite at the cozy café tucked beneath them.
3. Optional Side Trip from Blanding
- 35 minutes north of Bluff via US-191
From Bluff, head north to the town of Blanding, where you’ll find a cluster of cultural attractions and archaeological access points.
Start at Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum to see one of the best Ancestral Puebloan artifact collections in the Four Corners.
Just down the road, stop by the Blanding Visitor Center and the quirky Dinosaur Museum for a fossil fix.
From there, head west on UT-95 for about 25 minutes to reach House on Fire Ruin—a famous cliff dwelling with a short hiking trail.
Try to arrive mid-morning when the rock ceiling glows like fire.
From here, you have two options:
| Route Option |
ROUTE C (RECOMMENDED): Backtrack to Bluff |
ROUTE D (ALTERNATIVE): Continue to Monument Valley via Cedar Mesa and Natural Bridges |
| Estimated Drive Time |
Estimated drive time:
|
Estimated drive time:
|
| Information | Return south the way you came and pick up the main Monument Valley route through:
• Sand Island Petroglyphs • Wolfman Panel Petroglyph • Hobbs Wash Historic Marker • The Rincon |
From Mule Canyon, continue west on UT-95, passing through Cedar Mesa and optionally detouring to Natural Bridges National Monument (30 mins each way). Then head south on UT-261 to reach:
• Muley Point Overlook (panoramic canyon views) • Moki Dugway (steep, unpaved switchbacks carved into the cliffs) • Valley of the Gods (go all the way across for the full experience) Please note: Due to the steep, winding nature of the dugway, this route is not suitable for RVs, vehicles with tows, or other oversized vehicles. Instead, take route C, backtracking to Bluff, and skipping stops 15, 16, and 17.At the east end of Valley of the Gods, you can: Optionally detour 5 minutes northeast to stop 18, at Goosenecks State Park Then, when you’re done, head south on US-163 for Monument Valley Then continue from Mexican Rock, at stop 19 |
Route C: From Bluff to Monument Valley
Estimated Drive Time to Monument Valley: Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes
4. Sand Island Petroglyphs
Adam Kampe
- Just outside of Bluff, 5 minutes west on 191
A quick and accessible stop to see hundreds of petroglyphs. No hiking required—just park and walk up to the panel.
5. Hobbs Wash Historic Marker
- Along US-163, 8 minutes west of Bluff
A roadside pullout that offers a great excuse to stretch your legs while learning a bit of local settler history.
6. OPTION: [Half-Day Side Trip] Comb Wash & Kachina Petroglyphs
- Near UT-95 turnoff, about 10 minutes west of Bluff
A rugged 1-2 hour detour for those with high-clearance vehicles. Comb Wash features dramatic geology and hidden rock art, including the intricate Kachina Panel.
7. OPTION: The Rincon
Adam Kampe
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15 minutes off US-163, near the San Juan River
This horseshoe bend in the river is striking from above. Just know that the route is pretty bumpy, and suggested for only high-clearance vehicles, and not at all if it rains.
Be sure to turn around at the rincon—the road gets rougher the further in you go.
8. Valley of the Gods
Shutterstock Image
- Connects UT-261 to US-163, east entrance 15 minutes west of Bluff
- 1–2 Hour Scenic Drive
Drive a rugged dirt road through towering red rock spires. Feels like Monument Valley without the entry fee—or the crowds.
This scenic, bumpy drive connects Highway 163 to Highway 261.
Take it all the way through from the east entrance to the west exit to connect to more attractions, like stops 15-18.
9. Moki Dugway
Shutterstock Image
- Off UT-261, south of Natural Bridges, 20 minutes north of Valley of the Gods west entrance
Drive down the infamous Moki Dugway, a cliff-hugging gravel descent with epic views.
10. Glen Canyon and Muley Point
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- Off UT-261, ~15 minutes north of Valley of the Gods west entrance
Muley Point is a jaw-dropping overlook perched above the deep canyons of the San Juan River, with distant views of Monument Valley and Glen Canyon.
11. OPTION: [Full-Day Side Trip] Cedar Mesa & Natural Bridges
- Via UT-95 (~1 hour north of Valley of the Gods west exit, 1.5 hours from Bluff)
Natural Bridges National Monument offers a network of short and moderate hikes to three massive natural spans. Combine this with Mule Canyon ruins and Bear’s Ears viewpoints for more to explore.
12. Goosenecks State Park
Shutterstock Image
- Just north of Mexican Hat, south end of Hwy 261
- Quick Stop (30 mins-1 hour)
A jaw-dropping overlook where the San Juan River winds through 1,000-foot canyons in tight U-shaped curves. Small entry fee required.
13. Mexican Hat Rock
Shutterstock Image
- On US-163
This quirky rock formation shaped like—you guessed it—a sombrero is worth the pullover. For those looking to stretch their legs, you can hike your way up to the top in about an hour.
14. Once Upon a Time Brick Arch
- Just before Forrest Gump Hill, on US-163
A small arch beside the road from the film Once Upon a Time in the West. Great for a creative shot.
15. Forrest Gump Hill
Shutterstock Image
- On US-163, ~15 minutes north of Monument Valley
Pull over at the exact spot where Forrest stopped running. The view of Monument Valley's buttes in the distance is cinematic gold.
16. Monument Valley Viewpoint
Shutterstock Image
- On US-163, ~10 minutes north of Monument Valley
Catch your breath—this is what you came for. Sunrise and sunset light up the red buttes in magical ways. Stop to check out the view before heading into the tribal park.
17. Goulding’s Lodge & Museum
Adam Kampe
- Just west of Monument Valley entrance
An optional end stop. Browse exhibits about the early Hollywood Westerns filmed here, grab a bite, or stay overnight in historic surroundings.
18. Monument Valley – You Made It!
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You’ve arrived at one of the most iconic landscapes in the American Southwest—those red rock giants are even more stunning up close.
This is Navajo land, rich in culture, spirit, and generations of tradition.
Start your visit at the Monument Valley Visitor Center, where you’ll get stunning panoramic views, cultural exhibits, and an introduction to the land’s deep significance.
From there, explore the short hiking trails near The View Lodge.
If your vehicle can handle it, take the 17-mile Valley Drive—a rugged dirt loop through famous formations like:
- the Mittens
- Elephant Butte
- Totem Pole
Want to go deeper? Mystery Valley—often called the “other half” of Monument Valley—is only accessible by guided tour.
Local Navajo guides can take you to hidden arches, ancient dwellings, and rock art sites you won’t see on the main loop.
And if you're looking to ride in style while learning about the area's geology, legends, and movie history, just fire up the Shaka Guide Monument Valley tour—it’s your personal handheld storyteller, ready to show you the sights.
Want even more ideas on what to do in the valley? Be sure to check out our Monument Valley Itinerary and Know Before You Go Articles!
Arrival Tips for Monument Valley
Rachel Ennis
Visitor Hours and Entry Fees
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park operates under the stewardship of the Navajo Nation, and its hours vary seasonally:
Summer Hours (May–September):
- Scenic Drive: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM)
- Tour Booth: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Winter Hours (October–April):
- Scenic Drive: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry at 2:30 PM)
- Tour Booth: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The park is closed on major Navajo Nation holidays, including Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day
Entry Fee: $8 per person, check the park website for the most up-to-date prices.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation website.
Lodging Nearby
The View Hotel
Rachel Ennis
As the only hotel inside Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, The View Hotel offers an unbeatable location.
Its rooms feature private balconies with unobstructed views of the iconic Mittens formations.
Amenities include Wi-Fi access, a restaurant serving traditional Navajo and American cuisine, and proximity to hiking trails and the Visitor Center.
Goulding’s Lodge
Situated just outside the park boundaries, Goulding´s Lodge is a historic establishment featuring a variety of accommodations, including:
- lodge rooms
- villas
- campgrounds
Guests can enjoy amenities such as an indoor pool, a restaurant offering Navajo specialties, and a trading post museum.
Both lodging options provide unique experiences that immerse visitors in the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Monument Valley.
Road Trip Tips and Essentials
Rachel Ennis
Before you hit the road between Mesa Verde and Monument Valley, take a few minutes to prep—this is remote country.
Fill up your gas tank in Cortez and/or Bluff, the last major towns before the open road.
Bring plenty of water, snacks, and sun protection, especially in warmer months.
Download offline maps and your Shaka Guide tours ahead of time, as cell service can be spotty—especially near the Utah–Arizona border.
And don’t forget your camera—you’re in for some serious views!
FAQs
How long is the drive from Mesa Verde to Monument Valley?
About 2.5–3 hours nonstop from Mesa Verde/Cortez, but plan a full day with stops.
What’s the most scenic route between Mesa Verde and Monument Valley?
Go through Bluff, then Valley of the Gods → US-163. Add Muley Point/Moki Dugway only if you’re comfortable with steep gravel roads.
Can you drive from Mesa Verde to Monument Valley in one day?
Yes—easily. For a slower pace, overnight in Bluff or Mexican Hat.
Is the drive from Mesa Verde to Monument Valley difficult?
Highways are easy. Some top detours are dirt/gravel, and the Monument Valley Scenic Drive can be muddy after rain—high-clearance helps.
Are RVs allowed on the drive from Mesa Verde to Monument Valley?
On main highways, yes. No RVs/trailers on Moki Dugway, and many dirt-road stops aren’t RV-friendly. There are, however, one or two RV parks nearby.
What is the best month to visit Monument Valley?
April–May and September–October for the best weather and light.
Do I need a reservation or park pass for Monument Valley?
No reservation for entry, but there’s an entry fee, and National Park passes aren’t accepted.
Where should you stop for gas and snacks on the drive from Mesa Verde to Monument Valley?
Fill up in Cortez, Mexican Hat, and again in Bluff or Kayenta—services are limited in between.
Will you have cell service on the drive from Mesa Verde to Monument Valley?
Often spotty—download offline maps and Shaka Guide tours ahead of time.
What should you bring on the drive from Mesa Verde to Monument Valley?
Water, snacks, sun protection, layers, good shoes, and a spare tire plan if taking dirt roads.
Explore Mesa Verde & Monument Valley with Shaka Guide
Bring the stories of the Southwest to life with Shaka Guide’s self-guided audio tours of Mesa Verde, Road to Monument Valley, and Monument Valley tours.
Learn about ancient civilizations, epic landscapes, and Navajo culture—all at your own pace, with music, storytelling, and expert narration along the way.
Download before you go and explore like a local!
Rachel is a storyteller, nature nerd, and park enthusiast who believes every trail has a tale. When she first visited Yellowstone, she was captivated by the steaming geysers, thundering waterfalls, and wild, wide-open spaces.
Now, she’s on a mission to share the stories that live in the land—and the places that make us feel small in the best way.
Ready to explore Monument Valley?
Take Shaka Guide’s Monument Valley Audio Tour for turn-by-turn directions, local stories, and the freedom to explore at your own pace.
Visiting more parks in the region?
Don’t miss our Monument Valley & Mesa Verde Tour Bundle — it includes tours for Mesa Verde, and Road to Monument Valley!
Still planning?
Check out our Monument Valley Itinerary and Know Before You Go guide to prep for your trip.
Have questions?
We’re happy to help — email us at aloha@shakaguide.com.
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