In late October, heavy rain caused extensive damage to Valley Drive, the main scenic road through Monument Valley, the most famous park in the Navajo Nation. The road was shut down entirely, and for the past few weeks visitors could only access the visitor center and the area around The View Hotel, which overlooks the iconic Mittens.
The good news: Valley Drive is no longer completely closed. Navajo 4×4 tour vehicles are back on the road, so guided tours are running again.
The bad news: for now, private vehicles still aren’t allowed on the scenic drive. If you’re driving a rental car, you’ll need to leave it in the park’s parking lot and book a guided tour.
What Happened to Valley Drive?
As we reported in this article, heavy rain began on October 24, 2026, and an official statement issued on October 26 announced that the road was unsafe for vehicles. As a result, access to the park was heavily restricted until further notice.
Partial Reopening of Valley Drive
The scenic drive is now open to guided tours. For now, the only way to see the valley’s iconic buttes up close is aboard a Navajo tour vehicle, with commentary from a Navajo guide along the way. On your own, you can still explore the area near the entrance, including the visitor center and the Mittens overlook, and spend the night at The View Hotel.
When Will It Fully Reopen?
So far, no date has been announced for the full reopening of Valley Drive. We’ll keep this post updated as new information comes in, and you can follow our USA travel news for the latest. For general tips on planning your trip, check out our Monument Valley guide.
US-163 Closed Near Bluff: How to Reach Forrest Gump Point
Beyond the Valley Drive closure, there’s another issue for travelers heading to Monument Valley. Forrest Gump Point, one of the most iconic viewpoints in the United States, is now harder to reach if you’re coming from the north. That’s because floodwaters washed out the Comb Wash bridge on US-163 between Bluff and Mexican Hat.
So if you’re coming from the north (for example, on the classic drive from Moab to Monument Valley), US-163 is no longer an option, and you’ll have to detour via the rougher, more winding Moki Dugway. Coming from the south, however, Forrest Gump Point is easy to reach: it’s a short drive from Monument Valley itself.
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