Best time to visit Monument Valley
Re-score for me — drag the dial — every chart on the page recolours live for your heat limit 27°C
Default 27 °C is the upper edge of the Holiday Climate Index "ideal comfort" band (Scott, Rutty, Amelung & Tang, 2016). Above this, most warm-tourism travellers report measurable discomfort.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
How is this scored? HCI / Steadman / CCI gate — full methodology and citations below.
Compare with another destination
Add as many as you like — stacked below the main strips above. Each row is just the recent-window score strip and (for beach destinations) sea-temperature strip.
Tours in Monument Valley
29 top-rated tours via Viator. Booking links earn this site a commission at no cost to you. Map locations are approximate (centred on Monument Valley).
- 1
Monument Valley Group Tour - 3 Hours - Navajo Spirit Tours - 2
3.5 Hours Mystery Valley Group Tour - 3
Dreamcatcher Evening Experience in Monument Valley - 4
Monument Valley 4x4 Tour - 5
2.5 Hours of Monument Valley's Backcountry 4×4 Tour - 6
3 Hour Monument Valley Tour - 7
Monument Valley Extended Backcountry Tour - 8
Monument Valley Backcountry Tour - 9
3.0 Hours of Monument Valley's Sunrise or Sunset 4×4 Tour - 10
Sunrise Tour of Monument Valley - 11
3.5 Hours of Monument Valley's Cultural 4×4 Tour - 12
1.5 Hour Tour of Monument Valley's Loop Drive - 13
2 Hour Monument Valley Horseback Tour - 14
3.5-Hour Mystery Valley's 4×4 Tour - 15
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park GPS Audio Driving Tour - 16
Full Valley Tour 2.5 Hrs. - 17
2.5 Hours Monument Valley Historical Sightseeing Tour by Jeep - 18
Mystery Valley Tour 3.5hr (3SNGT 3.5hr) - 19
1.5 Hour Jeep Tour in Monument Valley - 20
Hunts Mesa (Sunset & Sunrise) Campout & Tour - 21
Scenic Express tours 1.5 hrs - 22
MOST POPULAR!! 2.5hrs ScenicTour: Arches, Ruins & Navajo Culture - 23
Mystery Valley & Monument Valley All Day Tour - 24
4 Hour Monument Valley Astrophotography Tour - 25
Self Guided Driving Audio Tour of Monument Valley - 26
Monument Valley's 3.0 Hours Cultural Tour - 27
Monument Valley Hogan Overnight Experience - 28Monument Valley Deluxe Tour
- 29
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Self Guided Audio Driving Tour
Last refreshed 2026-08-13.
Similar climatesArches National Park96% · Moab95% · Zion92%
Other destinations with the most-alike year-round climate to Monument Valley (apparent temperature, rain hours, sunshine — matched within the same trip-profile). The ±N chip compares each match's typical score for the current month against Monument Valley's. Based on the 2020-2024 climatology, not this year's actual weather.
Month-by-month
| Month | Temp °C | Feels °C | Rain days | Rain h | Rain h/day | Humidity | Wind km/h | Sun h | UV | Interest | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -6–3 | -1 | 5 | 60 | 12.0 | 64% | 19 | 187 | 3 | Quiet | 6 |
| Feb | -3–7 | 2 | 3 | 34 | 11.3 | 45% | 22 | 205 | 4 | Quiet | 6 |
| Mar | 1–12 | 7 | 7 | 66 | 9.4 | 37% | 25 | 234 | 6 | Busy | 7 |
| Apr | 6–20 | 14 | 2 | 16 | 8.0 | 18% | 27 | 278 | 8 | Busy | 8 |
| May | 12–26 | 20 | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 15% | 28 | 308 | 9 | Quiet | 8 |
| Jun | 18–31 | 27 | 1 | 10 | 10.0 | 15% | 27 | 308 | 11 | Quiet | 8 |
| Jul | 21–34 | 31 | 1 | 14 | 14.0 | 21% | 24 | 309 | 11 | Moderate | 6 |
| Aug | 19–32 | 30 | 4 | 24 | 6.0 | 26% | 23 | 291 | 10 | Peak | 7 |
| Sep | 15–28 | 25 | 3 | 28 | 9.3 | 26% | 20 | 262 | 8 | Busy | 9 |
| Oct | 7–20 | 16 | 3 | 24 | 8.0 | 32% | 19 | 239 | 6 | Quiet | 9 |
| Nov | 0–10 | 6 | 2 | 19 | 9.5 | 38% | 19 | 209 | 4 | Quiet | 7 |
| Dec | -4–5 | 0 | 4 | 34 | 8.5 | 51% | 17 | 188 | 2 | Moderate | 6 |
UV Index in Monument Valley by Month
UV index in Monument Valley peaks at 11 (extreme) in July, dropping to 2 (low) in December. May, June, July, August, September reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.
Best months in detail
September
9/1015–28°C (feels 25°C) · 3 rain days (28h) · 262 sun hours · 26% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 8 (very high)
October
9/107–20°C (feels 16°C) · 3 rain days (24h) · 239 sun hours · 32% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 6 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 7 (high)
June
8/1018–31°C (feels 27°C) · 1 rain days (10h) · 308 sun hours · 15% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 11 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 12 (extreme)
Every month
Show the other 9 months in detail
January
6/10-6–3°C (feels -1°C) · 5 rain days (60h) · 187 sun hours · 64% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 3 (low) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 4 (moderate)
February
6/10-3–7°C (feels 2°C) · 3 rain days (34h) · 205 sun hours · 45% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 4 (moderate)
March
7/101–12°C (feels 7°C) · 7 rain days (66h) · 234 sun hours · 37% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 6 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 8 (very high)
April
8/106–20°C (feels 14°C) · 2 rain days (16h) · 278 sun hours · 18% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 8 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)
May
8/1012–26°C (feels 20°C) · 1 rain days (9h) · 308 sun hours · 15% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 9 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 11 (very high)
July
6/1021–34°C (feels 31°C) · 1 rain days (14h) · 309 sun hours · 21% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 11 (extreme) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 13 (extreme)
August
7/1019–32°C (feels 30°C) · 4 rain days (24h) · 291 sun hours · 26% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 11 (extreme)
November
7/100–10°C (feels 6°C) · 2 rain days (19h) · 209 sun hours · 38% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 4 (moderate)
December
6/10-4–5°C (feels 0°C) · 4 rain days (34h) · 188 sun hours · 51% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 2 (low)
It is not a national park, and the gate shuts at 2:30pm in winter
Monument Valley is a Navajo Tribal Park, owned and run by the Navajo Nation rather than the National Park Service. The practical consequence is immediate: the America the Beautiful national park pass is not accepted, and a separate per-person fee is charged on entry.
The second consequence is the clock. The Scenic Drive runs 8am to 5pm from October through April, with last entry at 2:30pm; from 1 May to 30 September it runs 8am to 7pm with last entry at 4:30pm. That last-entry time is the one that ruins itineraries — arrive at three in the afternoon in winter, having driven from the Grand Canyon, and you will not be admitted at all.
The 17-mile loop itself is unpaved throughout, with rough terrain and deep sand.
Sources: Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation — Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park , Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation — entry fees
How many days do you need to see Monument Valley?
One day, or an overnight. The 17-mile loop takes two to three hours at a careful pace, and the valley is at its best at sunrise and sunset, so staying nearby lets you catch both. Many visitors treat it as a stop between the Grand Canyon and Moab. A winter overnight is the only practical way to catch sunset inside the park, since last entry is 2:30pm October to April.
How long does it take to drive the 17-mile loop in Monument Valley?
Two to three hours with stops at the viewpoints. The road is unpaved for its full length with rough terrain and deep sand, so progress is slow and low-clearance vehicles struggle. Guided Navajo tours also reach areas the self-drive loop does not. Check the last-entry time before setting out — 2:30pm from October to April, which cuts the day shorter than expected.
How much does it cost to go through Monument Valley?
There is a per-person entry fee set by Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation, charged per entry and per location. The America the Beautiful national park pass is not accepted here, because this is a tribal park rather than a National Park Service site. Guided tours cost extra.
Is 1 day enough for Monument Valley?
Yes for the Scenic Drive and viewpoints. But watch the last-entry time — 2:30pm from October to April, 4:30pm from May to September — because arriving late in the afternoon means being turned away rather than getting a short visit. Remember too that your national park pass is not valid here — this is a Navajo Tribal Park with its own per-person fee.
What is the best month to go to Monument Valley?
April, May, September or October. July peaks near 33C with little shade on the loop, and January nights fall to around −5C. The shoulder months give comfortable temperatures and the low sun angle that makes the buttes photograph well. Note the shorter winter hours: last entry is 2:30pm from October through April.
Does it get cold in Monument Valley?
Yes — this is high desert at around 1,700 m, not low warm desert. January lows average about −5C and snow on the red buttes happens most winters, which is a striking sight. The day-to-night swing is large in every season, so carry layers even when the afternoon is hot.
What is the best time of day to visit Monument Valley?
Sunrise or the last hours before sunset, when low sun gives the buttes their depth and colour. That runs straight into the access rules: last entry is 2:30pm from October to April, so a winter sunset inside the park is not possible on a self-drive visit. Guided Navajo tours can operate outside standard hours.
Which tour company is best for Monument Valley?
Guided tours are run by Navajo operators licensed by the Navajo Nation, and they reach backcountry areas the self-drive 17-mile loop does not — including sites closed to unguided visitors. Booking through a Navajo-owned operator also keeps the money in the community whose land this is. The tribal park's own site lists authorised operators.
What is the average annual weather like in Monument Valley?
Dry and sunny, with big seasonal swings. July is hottest at about 33C, January coldest with lows near −5C, and rainfall is minimal all year — January is the wettest month at only around 20 mm. Late-summer monsoon storms are brief but can make the unpaved loop road difficult, since it is dirt throughout.
What not to miss in Monument Valley?
The view from the visitor centre terrace over the Mittens and Merrick Butte — the image most people arrive for — then the 17-mile dirt loop for John Ford's Point and Artist's Point. A guided Navajo tour reaches backcountry areas closed to unguided visitors, including Mystery Valley and several arches, and is the only way to see them.
Is Monument Valley worth the money?
The per-person tribal fee is modest and the setting is genuinely singular — sandstone buttes rising several hundred metres from a flat desert floor, on Navajo land. Bear in mind your America the Beautiful national park pass is not accepted here, since this is a Navajo Tribal Park rather than a National Park Service site, so it is a separate cost.
What other attractions are near Monument Valley?
It sits on the natural route between the Grand Canyon and Moab, so most visitors are already passing. Within a few hours are Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend near Page, Canyon de Chelly to the south, and Valley of the Gods and Goosenecks just north in Utah — the last two free, uncrowded and often more memorable than their fame suggests.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Monument Valley
When is the best time to visit Monument Valley?
September is the highest-scoring month (9/10 on the Holiday Climate Index). Typical conditions: 15–28°C (3 rainy days). The top three months by score are September, October, June.
What is the worst time to visit Monument Valley?
January is the lowest-scoring month (6/10). Typical conditions: -6–3°C (5 rainy days).
Is Monument Valley too hot in summer?
2 months (July, August) trip the heat deal-breaker in our scoring: apparent temperature crosses the comfort cap, so even with clear skies and low rain the score is held down. Plan around it if heat tolerance is low.
When are crowds lowest in Monument Valley?
Search-interest seasonality (Google Trends 2021-2025) is lowest in November and peaks in August. Interest tracks both in-trip visitors and lead-time planners, so treat it as a "destination is on people's minds" signal rather than literal arrivals.
Which months in Monument Valley have good weather but fewer tourists?
October (climate 9/10, crowd index 13) and May (climate 8/10, crowd index 39) — shoulder months with above-average climate and below-median search-interest. Often the best value-for-weather trade.
What is the UV index in Monument Valley by month?
UV peaks at 11 (extreme) in July and is lowest in December at 2 (low). Monthly peak values: Jan 3, Feb 4, Mar 6, Apr 8, May 9, Jun 11, Jul 11, Aug 10, Sep 8, Oct 6, Nov 4, Dec 2. May, June, July, August, September reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.
What is the UV index in Monument Valley in July?
July is the peak UV month in Monument Valley, with a daily-peak UV index of 11 (extreme). At this level, sunburn can occur in under 20 minutes on unprotected fair skin. Apply SPF 50+, wear protective clothing and a hat, and avoid direct midday sun (11:00–17:00).
How high can UV get in Monument Valley on the sunniest days?
Most days look like the monthly average, but on the sunniest ~1 in 10 days UV climbs higher than the mean suggests. July is the worst case: typical days average UV 11 (extreme), but the top 10% of days reach UV 13 (extreme) — and even higher. Months where the sunniest days routinely exceed the typical reading: January, March, April, May, June, July, August, October. Plan sun protection for the worst case, not the average.