Monument Valley is an icon of the American southwest! If these red rocks aren’t on your must-see list, add them now. And plan to bring your pets, because there are plenty of things to do together in the area.
Monument Valley’s red earth and epic rock formations that stand isolated on the otherwise vast, open landscape are instantly recognizable. They’ve even served as backdrops for a multitude of western films and have been featured in other movies, like Back to the Future III and Forrest Gump. Even better — Monument Valley is a wonderful place to visit with your dogs!
As of April 6, 2022, permits are no longer require to access the valley drive. However, Navajo Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control Guidelines are being followed at all Navajo Parks and Recreation sites. Under these safety protocols, maximum occupancy is limited to 75-percent, which includes restaurants, casinos, hotels, campgrounds and RV parks, museums, zoos, marinas and parks. In addition, Navajo Nation mandates wearing masks in public indoor and outdoor spaces. Please be respectful. And check their website for the most up-to-date information.
Exploring Monument Valley With Dogs
Situated on the Arizona-Utah border, Monument Valley is part of the Colorado Plateau, a 240,000-square-mile expanse of varying desert landscapes that includes 9 national parks and 18 national monuments. Monument Valley differs from the other parks in that it is administered by the Navajo Nation.
And if you’re visiting Monument Valley with dogs, that particular detail should pique your interest. While many national parks are notoriously lacking when it comes to pet friendly access, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park provides a refreshing array of options for adventuring with your pets.
Whether traveling from the north or south, you’ll arrive at Monument Valley via Highway 163. Our drive from Phoenix was about 5 hours. Thankfully Cool Whip and Hercules are top-notch road trip companions!
READ MORE ⇒ Your Ultimate Guide To Dog Friendly Moab
The highway north of the park’s north entrance is where you’ll catch the view seen in Forrest Gump, where Forrest ends his run. There are several pullouts on each side of the road so you can safely park to stretch your paws, take in the view, and snap a few photos.
We pulled into Monument Valley just in time to check in at Goulding’s Lodge for the night. While they do charge a $20-per-pet fee, they don’t discriminate on weight, breed, or number of pets. And with two 70-pound pit-bull-type dogs, we appreciate their inclusive policy!
Plan Your Visit
Arriving in the evening gives you a head start in the morning. The park is open at 8am to 2pm November through January, and 7am to 5pm February through October.
There are fewer visitors and, therefore, fewer dogs early in the day. This is a nice bonus if you have reactive dogs or just want to experience a little solitude among the sandstone giants.
We wound up having the entire park to ourselves the morning of our visit. Does it get any better than that?!
As you head up the driveway to the park, there is an entrance booth just before the visitor center. Neither Cool Whip nor Herc seemed to have any cash with them, so I paid our entry fee: $20 per vehicle for up to four people.
The attendant was helpful and explained which areas of Monument Valley the dogs were allowed to explore. She confirmed that pets are welcome on Wildcat Trail and Valley Drive, but not inside the visitor center.
Pet Friendly Trails in Monument Valley
Wildcat Trail is a 3.8-mile hiking trail leading down into the valley and around West Mitten Butte. If you thought the monuments were impressive from a distance, wait until you’re walking right next to one! Wow!
Pets must be leashed and all hikers must remain on the designated path. Beyond that, you have the freedom to explore at your own pace.
We took that to heart and enjoyed a leisurely 2.5-hour stroll. Hercules sniffed every bush we came upon, and there might have been a stop or two for snacks … because, really, who enjoys an adventure without snacks?!
READ MORE ⇒ 7 Essentials for Desert Hiking with Dogs
Climbing back out of the valley is the only place where the trail was somewhat difficult. The hill is fairly sandy, and it feels a bit like you’re hiking up a dune. The dogs handled it well, though Cool Whip shot me a few disgruntled glances along the way. Walking uphill is her least favorite activity. Though if we’re being completely honest, anything not involving treats, belly rubs, or naps is her least favorite activity.
Valley Drive in Monument Valley
Valley Drive, your other pet friendly option, is a 17-mile dirt road weaving through the monuments. There are pull-outs along the way to stop for pictures and a quick sniff around, but you must be accompanied by a guide if you want to explore beyond the parking areas.
Guided tours are available for purchase, and some are pet friendly, as long as all guests approve of the pet riding along. If you choose to drive the road yourself, be sure to check with the visitor center staff for current conditions. We arrived after a night of rain, and they recommended avoiding the drive without a 4-wheel-drive vehicle.
Beyond Monument Valley
So you’re probably thinking, “You drove five hours with your dogs to Monument Valley just to do a 3.8-mile hike?!” Yup, we sure did! Monument Valley is what draws you in, but once you get here, there are plenty more places to check out.
Mexican Hat, Goosenecks State Park, and Muley Point are all great pet friendly options. But our favorite choice is Valley of the Gods. The name alone is impressive!
Valley of the Gods
Valley of the Gods is often described as a smaller version of Monument Valley, but don’t let size fool you. You’re likely to be just as impressed, if not more! Additionally, Valley of the Gods is on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, and that makes it a fantastic place to visit with pets!
READ MORE ⇒ Pet Friendly Off-leash Hiking on Federal Lands
Set up your bed (tent, car, RV, etc.) in any of the previously used campsites along the 17-mile dirt road in Valley of the Gods and make the most of your stay. Yes, another 17-mile dirt road – and this one should also be avoided after rain if you are not equipped with 4-wheel-drive. The road crosses several washes and has a few tight turns, so stay alert.
Cruise along the drive until you find a site that calls to you and your furry companions. Ours was located along the back curve of a short U-shaped side road. Being back from the main road kept Cool Whip and Hercules from getting distracted by passing vehicles, and we had a great view.
After setting up camp, Cool Whip and Herc took me exploring. Your pets likely won’t give you much say in the matter, either. There are so many new smells and places to sniff! And you can walk right up to the towering red statues and wander along the ravines. You’ll probably all be tuckered out well before bedtime.
Be Weather Aware
Check the weather forecast while planning your trip to ensure optimal enjoyment. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park and Valley of the Gods are located in the desert, where temperatures can climb well above 90 degrees in the summer months and fall below freezing in the winter. Planning ahead promotes paw-fect adventures for you and your pets!
We hope our dog friendly trip to Monument Valley encourages you to visit with your pets! If you find more dog friendly things to do, be sure to share them in the comments below! And while you’re in the neighborhood, check out all the dog friendly things we found to do in Moab, Utah!
Super helpful, thank you so much.
Happy to help, Jim. Have a great trip!
Hi, Thank you for such an informative article. Cool Whip and Herc are adorable! I wonder if it’s dusty and windy there? Planning to go there mid March. My pups are small and short-legged with allergies. I would avoid this trip if it’s too dusty for my dogs, even though I really want to visit this place. Thank you.
Hi PupsMom! Thanks for your note. Traveling in the west means there’s a chance you’ll get a really windy day that will kick up the dust. That being said, we’ve traveled through Monument Valley a few times and have spent quite a bit of time in nearby Moab, and we’ve never been bothered by dust. Spring might tend to be more windy than the other seasons, but there’s also a chance the ground will have more moisture from winter snows, which would help to keep the dust down. I don’t know if that helps you, but I hope if you do decide to go that you have a fantastic time!
Thank you so much, Amy. Your reply is really helpful.
Which guided tours are pet friendly in Monument Valley?
Hi! Some tour operators allows pets on the tours, as long as the tours are not full and other guests are okay with the dog joining. When you choose a tour that looks good to you, just call and talk to the staff to find out if they’ll allow your dog. I’d start with 3 Sisters Navajo Guided Tours, since they specifically mention pet friendly vehicles. Here’s a link >> https://3sisternavajoguidedtours.com/tours/ Safe travels!
Hi Kerenza! The camping spots at on the BLM land at Vally of the Gods is free! =)
Did you have to pay for the camping spot?
Cool Whip and Hercules did okay without booties. The trail is definitely dirt, rocks, and sand, but nothing with sharp edges that made me worry about their paws. If your dog is used to wearing booties, I’d bring them along just in case. Each dog has different preferences. Happy pup-ventures!
Did you feel that your dogs needed booties on their feet? Looks like the trail is dirt and rock?