Monument Valley is one of the most beautiful and photographed places in the world. With enormous pillars of sandstone that seem to grow out of the earth framed by drifting clouds, this is a landscape that’s both awe-inspiring and makes you understand just how small human life is. It’s also been made famous in films and images for decades and this scenery is probably what you think of when you think about the American West.
Monument Valley is a part of the Colorado Plateau on the Utah-Arizona state line, near the Four Corners landmark. This is an area that’s sacred to the Native American Indian people and it’s within the territory of the Navajo Nation Reservation.
Finding the best neighborhood to stay in Monument Valley for your first time is simple. There are actually very few places where you can stay in this wild landscape, so make sure you book early, or you’ll miss out on the few hotels that are nearby. Let us help out with that by giving you a head start on the best places to look for accommodation for every type of traveler.
Quick Tips – Where to Stay in Monument Valley?
- Where to stay in Monument Valley first time – Oljato-Monument Valley
- Where to stay in Monument Valley on a budget – Bluff
- Best neighborhood in Monument Valley for families – Kayenta
Where to Stay in Monument Valley
For quick bookings, here’s where you should stay.
Located in the best neighborhood in Monument Valley for couples and all other types of travelers, this hotel has a gym and an outdoor pool. The rooms are air-conditioned and have private bathrooms and you should make sure you eat at the hotel’s restaurant, which serves Navajo or Western-style dishes.
Monument Valley Neighborhood Guide
Monument Valley is a vast, wild area, filled with national parks and tiny little towns with only a few residents. This is the Old West as you’ve probably only seen it in movies, with red dirt and strange mountain shapes in every direction.
Every guide to where to stay in Monument Valley includes Oljato-Monument Valley. This is the closest township to the site, and it offers a small collection of places to stay and places to eat.
The next area on this list is Bluff. Bluff is further away from Monument Valley, which is why you’ll find cheaper accommodation in this town. But you’ll also have to balance that with the need to find transport to Monument Valley if you really want to see these otherworldly formations.
And the final area on this list is Kayenta. This is probably one of the most popular accommodation choices for people visiting Monument Valley, making it the best neighborhood in Monument Valley for families. It’s still a tiny town, but large enough to have several accommodation options and restaurants.
Monument Valley’s 3 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in
Are you still not sure where to stay? Well, here’s a closer look at what each area has to offer.
Neighborhood#1 – Oljato-Monument Valley
Where to stay in Monument Valley first time
- COOLEST thing to do in Oljato-Monument Valley – Visit Monument Valley at sunrise or sunset for the best views
- BEST place to visit in Oljato-Monument Valley – Navajo Indian Market for quality souvenirs and goods at great prices
Oljato-Monument Valley is the best neighborhood in Monument Valley for your first time. This census-designated place is tiny, with a population of under 200, and yet it’s the closest place to Monument Valley that offers accommodation and restaurants.
- Learn more about Monument Valley at the Museum
- Soak in some more views from John Wayne Point
- See more stunning rock formations without the crowds at Ear of the Wind
- Trek the Wildcat Trail
- Grab some provisions at Champ’s Chicken or the View Hotel
Best Budget hotel in Oljato-Monument Valley
Goulding’s Lodge
Located in the heart of Oljato-Monument Valley and as close to this amazing site as you can get, this lodge is essential to any list of where to stay in Monument Valley close to everything. It’s a 3-star hotel with its own restaurant, an indoor pool, and a 24-hour front desk for tours and advice. It has comfortable rooms with air conditioning in case the desert heat gets too much for you!
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Neighborhood#2 – Bluff
Where to stay in Monument Valley on a budget
- COOLEST thing to do in Bluff – Go camping and check out the petroglyphs in Sand Island Recreation Area
- BEST place to visit in Bluff – Bluff Fort to learn about the area’s history and buy souvenirs
Bluff is around 50 miles southwest of Monument Valley. It’s a tiny town with just over 300 residents and mostly sees locals, so you can enjoy local prices during your stay. This makes it the best neighborhood in Monument Valley if you are on a budget.
There’s something really wild west about this town with its deep red dirt, wooden buildings, and isolated feeling. It’s also close to its own collections of interesting landmarks and attractions.
- Hike the Wolfman Panel Trail and keep an eye out for archaeological finds along the way
- Stop for a meal at Bluff Gardens or Canyon Wren Bed and Breakfast
- Examine the intricate carvings at the Sand Island Petroglyph Panel
- Marvel at the majestic Twin Rocks
- Grab a memento of your stay at the Cow Canyon Trading Post
- Take a relaxing and scenery packed ride through the Valley of the Gods
Best Budget hotel in Bluff
Kokopelli Inn
Located in the best neighborhood in Monument Valley if you are on a budget, this hotel is simple and basic but has some surprising facilities. It has its own deli and you can enjoy free pastries, fruit, and coffee every morning in the lobby. It also has a mini-market and BBQ facilities, so you definitely won’t go hungry, as well as simple rooms with fridges and private bathrooms.
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Neighborhood#3 – Kayenta
Best neighborhood in Monument Valley for families
- COOLEST thing to do in Kayenta – Very carefully take in the views from the Toes
- BEST place to visit in Kayenta – Monument Valley for otherworldly scenery
Kayenta is the largest town close to Monument Valley that offers accommodation, so it’s the best choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Monument Valley for families with kids that need amenities and entertainment. There still aren’t a lot of accommodation options in this part of the US, so you’ll have to get in fast to avoid missing out.
Kayenta has a population of just over 5,000 people and it’s 25 miles south of Monument Valley.
- Learn about the Navajo way of life at the Navajo Shadehouse Museum
- Grab a meal at Church’s Chicken or Sonic Hamburger
- Grab the makings of a meal or some snacks at Bashas’ Diné Market
- Head out of the desert to Kaibab National Forest for hiking trails, boating, camping, and fishing
- Go hiking, camping, or take a tour through an ancient Pueblo cliff village at Navajo National Monument
Best Budget hotel in Kayenta
Wetherill Inn
Simple but comfortable, this inn is a good choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Monument Valley on a budget. The hotel is 40 minutes drive from the famous landmark, has its own pool, and serves a good continental breakfast every morning so you can get out and about early. The rooms have work desks, private bathrooms, and satellite TV with film channels.
Final Thoughts on the Best Places to Stay in Monument Valley
Beautiful, otherworldly, and historically important, Monument Valley and the area around it are a must-visit destination. There aren’t a lot of accommodation choices in this part of the world, but if you book early then you’ll be able to find a comfortable base in the best neighborhood in Monument Valley close to everything.
***Disclaimer*** Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you book your accommodation through the site, One Weird Globe will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps me keep the site going :)
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