Wildcat Trail is a 3.9 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Monument Valley, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from April until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Dogs on leash
Kid friendly
Hiking
Views
Wild flowers
Wildlife
No shade
Fee
Note: Users have reported that the road to the trailhead is currently closed. This hike takes visitors past some of the most famous rock buttes in Monument Valley. It is the only hike in the valley that you can access without a guide, so it's heavily traveled, but you should definitely do it if you're going to be here. The walk is on a loose, sandy surface but otherwise this is an easy trail free of any obstacles. Begin your walk from the Wildcat Trail sign in the northwest corner of the visitor center parking area. There is a $20 fee to enter the park.
Very nearby the visitor center which has restrooms.
Provided by VisitUtah.com: "Trail contact: Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation, PO Box 2520, Window Rock, AZ 86515; (928) 727-5870 or (928) 871-6647"
Provided by VisitUtah.com: "Finding the trailhead: From Mexican Hat, Utah, drive west on US 163 for 20.5 miles to Monument Valley Road. Turn left (southeast) onto Monument Valley Road and drive 3.9 miles to the visitor center parking area and park in the northwest corner of the lot. The trailhead is just a short walk on Indian Route 42."
Tue Jun 23 2020May 2019 trip to Southwest, sixth visit to AZ, last time was 10 years ago in late spring. Day 4. I still have time in late afternoon for this hike after I drove whole valley loop. Thunderstorm was on the way but I just made just in time before downpour. Driving in the evening on US-163 saw rainbow. I was alone whole time, better go counterclockwise because trail is easier to follow. Spectacular despite dark cloudy sky.
Wed Jun 17 2020Tried to go on 6/17/20 but the road is closed- if you want pictures there are still some scenic pull over spots on the main road.
Sun Mar 08 2020Fri Mar 06 2020Wonderful hike. Spectacular views and scenery. The trail is well marked and easy to follow.
Wed Feb 05 2020Great hike around West Mitten Butte. February was cold and sunny but the trail was dry and hard. Best of all we had the whole hike to ourselves. Breathtaking beauty! Check out our video of the Wildcat Trail - https://youtu.be/S4_xlfGbCuI
Thu Jan 16 2020Sun Dec 08 2019easy. well marked
Fri Nov 29 2019Easy trail. We had a snow storm in the morning so it was somehow muddy but nothing difficult. Beautiful views.
Thu Nov 28 2019This is an exposed trail on the Valley floor so be sure to wear proper sun protection and bring hydration. We started the hike early and had the trail to ourselves. Truly surreal. The hike down tonthe floor and back up is essentially a dune so prepare those glutes. though not particularly challenging, the hike of a lifetime for the views alone!
Wed Nov 20 2019Short easy hike with amazing views all the way through
Tue Nov 12 2019Sat Nov 09 2019A must do if your staying the night at Monument Valley or just passing through. I stayed at The View camp site, straight access to trail, well maintain and free showers!
Tue Oct 29 2019I advise everybody to do that trail, it is just breathtaking! Not intermediate but easy trail. Mostly flat except at the beginning but it’s a short and not steep slope. The view on the buttes is amazing and seeing them from so close is wonderful. I recommend it 100%. And it is way better than the drive because you are close to the butte and mostly alone (people hate to walk - by chance! :) )
Sun Oct 13 2019Nice and easy trail
Sun Oct 13 2019Best part of our trip to Monument Valley as the trail was very scenic without all the crowds. We started our hike at 0730 and only saw a few other people at the very beginning of the trail. The hike is very easy, other than climbing up all the sand to get back to the parking lot. All Trails indicates that this trail is 3.9 miles; however, it recorded our hike at 4.7 miles...not sure why.
Wed Oct 09 2019Wed Oct 02 2019Tue Oct 01 2019Most of the trail is easy. The last 800 m /0.5 mile are moderate, climbing in a sandy path. Excellent views and unique viewpoints of the buttes.We did this trail around noon. It wasn't too hot and it took us about 2 hours with few short breaks.
Sat Sep 21 2019An easy trail, beautiful views. Try to do it early in the morning or in the evening.
Fri Sep 20 2019No shade.... loose sand in the beginning which means it will be there when you come back up after the hike.... I enjoyed the scenic drive better than the hike.... Fairly simple and just more of a close up of the main buttes... If you go after hours, there is no charge....which also means if you go before opening, there is no charge.... After the initial downhill, the trail is fairly flat...3-4 small shade trees is all...take water and a hat.
Wed Sep 11 2019Superbe randonnée qui fait le tour complet d’un des trois gros rochers. Aucune ombre alors le soleil tape fort apporter vous un minimum de 1,5 L d’eau. Vous allez probablement rencontrer un chien, qui pauvre bête était en manque cruel de nourriture et d’eau, je lui ai donner du bœuf séché et de l’eau. Une belle journée
Tue Sep 03 2019very easy trail , bring a backpack as your water will heat like a kettle
Mon Sep 02 2019nice scenery in the evening
Sat Aug 31 2019This is the only walking trail in Monument valley we started at 7.45 and finished in a little under 2 hours. It's worth the early start as there is very little shade and it's was the high 80's when we finished. It's a good opportunity to see the Mittens from the ground reasonably easy and well signed.
Wed Aug 21 2019Beautiful views make this path completely worth it. It cost $20 to gain access to the area (Navajo land) - so make sure you have cash on hand. I’d recommend going earlier in the day to avoid the heat since it’s completely exposed.
