The heavy rains that have hit Monument Valley in recent days have caused serious damage to Valley Drive, the famous 17-mile scenic loop that runs through Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. The road is temporarily closed to both private vehicles and guided tours, and no reopening date has been announced.
The good news is that the park is not completely closed: according to the latest available updates, the visitor center and the overlook in the area of The View Hotel remain accessible, where you can admire the famous Mittens. Let’s take a look at what happened and what options remain for those planning a visit in the coming days.
What happened to Valley Drive?
The rainfall over the past few weeks has caused erosion, ground subsidence, and damage to roads in the area. In an official statement dated October 26, 2026, park management explained that the new rains, which began on October 24, had also damaged a temporary route that had previously been repaired to allow limited access.
The conditions of Valley Drive are currently considered too dangerous for travel: potholes, unstable ground, possible rockfalls, and damage to drainage systems are preventing vehicles from passing.
What can still be visited?
As confirmed by the official Navajo Parks & Recreation notice from October 26, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park remains open, as do the Visitor Center and the Welcome Center. It is therefore still possible to reach the visitor center and take in the famous Mittens and Merrick Butte from the overlook, though without driving along Valley Drive.
For those who have already booked a guided tour, the park’s notice indicates Mystery Valley as a possible alternative to the Valley Drive. However, the possibility of taking the tour depends on road conditions, so it is necessary to contact the Navajo tour operator directly to check whether it is feasible.
We also have not found any updated confirmation regarding access to the Wildcat Trail, the park’s only self-guided hiking trail.
When will Valley Drive reopen?
At the moment, a reopening date has not been announced. Park staff are working with Goulding’s and Navajo Parks & Recreation to repair the damage, but the scale of the work still does not make it possible to say when the road will be passable again. The park statement also warned of another storm system arriving between October 29 and 30, with the risk of further delays to the work.
Follow us for further updates. For general information on planning your visit, please refer to our Monument Valley guide.
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