Oljato-Monument Valley: A Gateway to Monument Valley, Utah

I thought I saw it all: pointed hoodoos, mesmerizing desert canyons, slot canyons as deep as a sea, and elusive desert waves. Yet it was another beautiful day, and we were more than ready to explore the Oljato – Monument Valley area, a gateway to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

^{Last updated: April 4, 2025}

One day in Oljato - Monument Valley, Utah - Roads and Destinations — *A complete guide to visiting Oljato-Monument Valley*

Spending a Day in the Oljato-Monument Valley Area

Set on the border of Utah and Arizona, the Oljato-Monument Valley area intrigued us way before we reached it. After four days on the road exploring astounding wonders of the American Southwest, we looked forward to sticking to one time zone.

The difference between California, our first and final destination, Arizona, and Utah time was just one hour. But at that point in our journey, even this insignificant change started to put pressure on us.

We didn’t have many activities planned for the day in Oljato-Monument Valley. Truth be told, it wasn’t even the right time to visit the area, known as a gateway to the famous Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. While this little place looked welcoming and inviting, the Navajo Tribal area itself was closed due to a pandemic. No one could predict when it would open again.

Visiting Oljato – Monument Valley

Our plan for the day was simple: driving around and admiring the sandstone formations on our way to Goulding’s Lodge. Set just 5 miles away from the Monument Valley Visitor Center, the lodge area is surrounded by some of the most popular desert formations in the Southwest.

Oljato-Monument Valley is a census-designated area located on the border between Arizona and Utah. For many, it’s a temporary home where they start and end their day adventures in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. The area is famous for a large number of desert buttes, some pointed, others flat at the top.

Meet the Buttes

The towering pillars scatter throughout the Oljato-Monument Valley area. Towering over both sides of the road, they led us all the way to the Goulding’s Lodge. Never too close to each other, they looked like warriors guarding their kingdom.

A few rocky towers lingered close to the road, allowing for a good look and a few snaps even from a moving car. Many, however, prefered the solitude of the desert, so far yet so close to Oljato-Monument Valley.

With hardly any cars sharing the road with us on that day (a perk on traveling on a weekday), we weren’t in a rush to get to our cozy cottage in Oljato-Monument Valley. Roshan drove slower now, soaking up the views he had hoped to see for so long. I busied myself with photographing the buttes. It was as good as it could get. After a few days filled with hikes, this slow start of the day was highly appreciated.

Inside Gouldings’ Apartments in Oljato-Monument Valley

Experienced budget travelers, as we were, we treated ourselves to a rather luxurious stay. A spacious cottage with combined living and kitchen areas felt like a tiny mansion, compared to a camper van near Joshua Tree National Park where we had spent our first night of the trip.

That first accommodation was beautiful and enjoyable to some extent. But we chose the wrong time to stay there. At the end of March, even California’s desert was still cold. Running from the camper van to a bathroom nearby and not being able to warm up enough in a shower (an always-a-hot-shower person will understand) was my least favorite part of the entire experience.

The day at our cottage in Oljato-Monument Valley promised to be more enjoyable. And it was indeed. If not for a clogged bathtub that let the water drain at a very slow speed, leaving nasty stains on the bathtub walls, the place could be just perfect.

Utah - Roads and Destinations — *Luxurious desert stay in the valley*

Ending the Day in Oljato – Monument Valley

While our dinner was still cooking, I sneaked out to finish that beautiful day in Monument Valley with a few pictures of the sun going down behind the famous pillars.

A New Day in the Oljato-Monument Valley Area

A new day in Oljato-Monument Valley started with another landscape photography session. The distant pillars looked transformed in the early morning sunlight. A slender crescent on the yet dark sky above a row of similar cottages prior to the appearance of the sun looked almost surreal.

No foreign sounds, except for occasional cars passing by, interrupted this visual and auditory idyll. I couldn’t imagine a better start of the day in this secluded corner of the Oljato-Monument Valley area.

Spring Visit: But April just claimed its rights on this deserted valley. The change in day temperature in Oljato – Monument was noticeable. The nights and early mornings were still as cold as they were probably in the winter.

As the day was slowly getting warmer, our quiet adventure in Monument Valley was coming to an end. We feasted on leftovers from the dinner, made fresh oatmeal for Dylan, and said goodbye to our cozy cottage.

Things to Do: Yet we were not ready to complete our day trip to Oljato-Monument Valley yet. A tiny gift shop, located in the same building as the reception desk, and a historic museum aroused our curiosity. As fate would have it, both were closed.

We took another glance at the towering pillars and off we went to Williams, Arizona, for more day hikes and outdoor adventures.