Are you asking yourself if you can you take a dog to Monument Valley? YES!!! Now let me show you the best dog friendly things to do in Monument Valley! You’ll want to stay until the end, because I have included some amazing bonus spots outside of Monument Valley.
How Do I Get to Monument Valley?
Monument Valley can be found on the border of Arizona and Utah. The park is owned and run by the Navajo Nation.
Flying can be difficult with a dog and often not permissible if they aren’t a service animal. But if you do go that route the closest airport to Monument Valley is Flagstaff, Arizona and it’s 176 miles away. Not exactly close. Other major airports are much further and include Phoenix (320 mi), Albuquerque (324 mi), Salt Lake City (380 mi) and Las Vegas (400 mi).
We are from Phoenix, Arizona so we just drove from Phoenix to Monument Valley. It’s about a 5 hour drive.
Why Visit Monument Valley?
Monument Valley flew under the radar for some time, but all that changed when John Ford featured this beautiful landscape in his films! It has shot to fame over the years and for good reason.
To be honest, this place will leave you SPEECHLESS! The Panoramic views found here show the most spectacular buttes towering over the valley. This place is almost too good to be true.
What to know before visiting Monument Valley
So you want to know what to expect before traveling to Monument Valley with your dog? Let me share some of the best dog-friendly travel tips for Monument Valley.
- How much time do you need? To be totally honest, you can do the scenic drive through the park in 2-3hours, but I would highly recommend spending 1 day here.
- What time of year should you visit? Monument Valley is located in the desert, so to beat the hear visit in the spring (April-May) or fall (September – October). You’ll also avoid big crowds by skipping the summer time.
- What are some packing essentials you will need? Water, snacks, a hat and sunscreen. There is little to no shade in Monument Valley so you want to make sure you and your dog are staying hydrated and protected. If you are visiting in the summer, you need to pack booties for your dog because the ground can get hot.
- What is the cost to get into the park? It costs $8 per person to enter the park. They do not accept National Park passes, because it is tribal land. No fee for dogs.
- Can you drive through the park? Yes! There is a 17 mile scenic loop you can take, but if you want a more in-depth tour of the park you’ll want to book a tour. There are some parts of the park you can only access via tour.
- What wildlife do I need to keep an eye out for? There are coyotes and semi-feral dogs so make sure you keep a close eye on your dog. You will also want to be vigilant for snakes and scorpions.
If you think I have missed something make sure to keep reading, because this dog friendly monument valley guide is jam packed with some great travel tips!
Dog Friendly Things to do in Monument Valley
Now let’s get to the good stuff shall we! Let me help you find the best dog friendly things to do in Monument Valley.
Monument Valley’s Scenic Drive
Valley Drive provides visitors an option to weave through the monuments and admire the landscape from their vehicles. This scenic loop is 17 miles long and is filled with some great turn-outs.
Always check weather conditions as this is a dirt road and flooding can occur.
You can exit the vehicle with your dog and take in the views but your dog must remain leashed. This is a great option if you are running short on time like we were.
If you want to go beyond the parking areas you must be accompanied by a guide.
Dog Friendly Monument Valley Tour
Make the most out of your experience in Monument Valley by booking a tour.
I am going to share why this is one of the best dog friendly things to do in monument valley. You can only access the entirety of the park with a Navajo guide. You’ll get a chance to learn about the Navajo history and get access to areas that remain off-limits to the public.
The best dog friendly tour in Monument Valley is Three Sister Navajo Guided Tours. When you make the reservation you will want to request a pet-friendly vehicle.
Dog-Friendly Hiking in Monument Valley
The thing is there is really only one dog-friendly hike in Monument Valley, but good news is it’s a good one! It is also the only trail that guests can access unaccompanied by a guide.
Wildcat Trail is just under 4 miles round-trip and provides some spectacular views of the monuments. If you are looking for an up close view of the Monuments this hike is it!
The coolest part about this hike is that at one point it takes you to a spot where you are surrounded by three towering buttes. The average time to complete this hike is 1.5 hours.
Make sure to pack plenty of water and snacks for you an your pup!
Dog-Friendly Hotels in Monument Valley
We stayed at Gouldings Lodge and found it to be very dog-friendly. There is just a $20 pet fee and there is no restriction on weight, breed or even number of pets!
The hotel can be found just at the foot of this Monument and is located about 5 miles from Monument Valley. You can find a restaurant, a museum, a pool and a gift shop here! And the views are incredible.
Dog-friendly hotels are limited, and the only other reasonable dog-friendly hotel available in the area is Hampton Inn Kayenta.
Best Spots to Visit Near Monument Valley
It wouldn’t be a visit to Monument Valley without making a pit stop at the most iconic spot in the Southwest, Forrest Gump Point.
Often times this road gets overlooked by visitors, because it isn’t usually found on the standard route to Monument Valley.
So where is Forrest Gump Point? Forrest Gump Point is located on Highway 163 Scenic Drive. The easiest way to find it is to enter Forrest Gump Point into your GPS.
Best time to visit Forrest Gump Point? This spot can get crowded, and the highway can get fairly busy by cars so I suggest visiting at sunrise or sunset. You’ll capture the most stunning views of Monument Valley over the horizon.
The next stop you want to add to your list is Goosenecks State Park.
Have you heard of this hidden gem tucked away in the south of Utah? Think of Horseshoe Bend, but multiplied by three! Goosenecks State Park can be found just 30 minutes from Monument Valley and is still widely unknown.
What makes this place truly spectacular is the series of canyons that have been naturally formed by a winding River giving it a “gooseneck” look.
It’s dog friendly and the entrance fee is only $5, which is a steal when you take a look at this place!! So don’t sleep on it, and make sure to include this spot on your next road trip through Utah
Other stops near Monument Valley worth visiting:
I hope you find this guide helpful as you find the best dog friendly things to do in monument valley! And while you are in Utah make sure to check out my dog-friendly guide on Kanab, Utah.