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.
Bill Gracey/Flickr
The drive to Monument Valley is about three hours from Flagstaff and just over five hours from Phoenix, if traffic is light.
Wolfgang Staudt/Flickr
You'll briefly drive through Utah before turning right back into Arizona to reach the visitor center, and...
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park/Yelp
This sight for sore eyes!
Scott Taylor/Flickr
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.
Michele Cannone/Flickr
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.
Grey Barklay/Flickr

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Hunts Mesa, which is located just south of the Mittens, is another pretty spot that you can check out on a guided tour.
Steffen Kamprath/Flickr
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.
Robert Moser via email
There are plenty of ways to experience the park, including by hiking.
Rick McCharles/Flickr
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.
Clément Cousin/Flickr
Think one day just isn't enough? Don't worry, you can spend the night at the park.
Ian Sanderson/Flickr
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?
Michael Wilson/Flickr

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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Monument Valley in Arizona

Beth Price-Williams | January 09, 2021

Which hidden gems in Arizona should I visit?

Living in or visiting Arizona means the chance to see some of the country’s most stunning natural beauty. Among the many Arizona hidden gems that deserve a spot on your bucket list is Coal Mine Canyon. The spellbinding canyon sits just east of Tuba City and is the perfect spot for snapping photographs. For some of the greenest, most beautiful water you’ve ever seen, make your way to Emerald Cave. The cave boasts sensational green water, and you can only reach it by boat. Grand Canyon Caverns, Knoll Lake, Mount Graham, and Sycamore Canyon are also spectacular hidden gems in Arizona.

Which state parks should I visit in Arizona?

Living in Arizona means spending as much time outdoors as we can. One of the best parks in Arizona to spend time is Tonto Natural Bridge State Park in Payson. The breathtaking park is home to Tonto Natural Bridge, which stands 183 feet tall. Below the tunnel, you’ll discover a gorgeous 400-foot long tunnel. Red Rock State Park is another one of those must visit natural attractions. Although small at less than 300 acres, the state park boasts an abundance of natural beauty, including meadows, buttes, and hills. Stroll along Oak Creek, or spend the day hiking, biking, or horseback riding.

Does Arizona have any natural wonders?

Some of the most beautiful places in Arizona are, undoubtedly, its natural wonders. Join a guided tour, for example, of the spectacular Antelope Canyon, a paradise for photographers. (The only way to experience the canyon is to go on a guided tour). If you love waterfalls, you’ll definitely want to visit Havasu Falls, a beautiful cascade that drops into a jaw-dropping turquoise pool. The waterfall tumbles down 100 feet, making it well worth a visit. Lava River Cave, Monument Valley, Petrified Forest National Park, and Red Rock State Park are all natural wonders in Arizona that everyone should experience at least once.

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Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ 84536, USA