Go beyond the scenic loop road and into the restricted backcountry of Monument Valley on a 2.5-hour Navajo-guided safari. This 28-mile route takes you past the iconic buttes most visitors photograph from a distance and then deep into areas of Monument Valley that are accessible only with an authorized Navajo guide, where ancient petroglyphs, natural arches, and sacred formations wait off the beaten path.

Stand at John Ford Point, the filming location for some of the most famous Western movies ever made, with panoramic views across Monument Valley's desert floor
Enter the backcountry to see the Sun's Eye Arch, Ear of the Wind, and the Big Hogan Arch up close
Step inside a traditional Navajo Hogan and watch a rug weaving demonstration by a local artisan
Listen to a live Navajo flute performance echoing off sandstone walls inside a natural amphitheater
Discover ancient Anasazi petroglyphs and ruins that tell the story of the people who lived in Monument Valley long before the Navajo arrived

For anyone who wants to experience Monument Valley as more than a photo stop on a road trip, this backcountry tour reveals the landscapes, stories, and living culture that make this one of the most extraordinary places on earth.

What's Included

Navajo guide for 2.5 hours
Open-air or enclosed safari vehicle transport (seasonal)
Live Navajo musical performance
Navajo Hogan visit with rug weaving demonstration
Access to restricted Monument Valley backcountry areas

Things to know

Arrive 15 minutes early at The View Hotel or 30 minutes early at the KOA Campground office. The tour uses open-air safari vehicles during spring, summer, and fall, and enclosed vehicles during cold weather and for private tours. The ride covers rugged desert terrain and can be bumpy. Dress in layers and wear enclosed shoes.

Bring a hat, sunscreen, and water. Cash is recommended for purchasing handmade jewelry, food, and crafts from Navajo vendors at stops along the route. Monument Valley operates on Mountain Daylight Time from March to early November, which is one hour ahead of Arizona time.

Itinerary

This is a typical itinerary for this backcountry safari tour. The order of stops may vary based on guide discretion and conditions on the day.

Your guide meets the group at the departure point and you board the safari vehicle for the drive into the heart of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. The route covers 28 miles of rugged desert terrain, with frequent stops for photos, stories, and cultural demonstrations.

West and East Mitten Buttes

The tour begins with views of the two most recognizable formations in Monument Valley. Rising roughly 1,000 feet from the desert floor, the Mittens have appeared in countless films, paintings, and photographs. Your guide shares the Navajo stories behind their shapes and explains the geological forces that carved them from the surrounding plateau over millions of years.

Three Sisters and Sleeping Dragon

From the Mittens, the route passes the Three Sisters spires and the Sleeping Dragon formation. Your guide points out how the shifting light transforms the color and character of these buttes throughout the day, and why certain formations hold specific spiritual significance in Navajo tradition.

John Ford Point

One of the most famous viewpoints in Monument Valley, John Ford Point is named for the director who used this exact vista as a backdrop in classic Westerns like Stagecoach. The panoramic view from this overlook stretches across the valley floor to distant mesas and buttes. Navajo vendors sell handmade jewelry and traditional food at this stop, and there are opportunities to photograph a Navajo rider on horseback silhouetted against the skyline.

Navajo Hogan

The tour stops at a traditional Navajo Hogan, a round, earth-covered dwelling that has been the center of Navajo family life for generations. You step inside to see the structure and its east-facing doorway, built to welcome the rising sun. A local artisan demonstrates the traditional process of rug weaving, explaining the patterns and their meanings. Handmade items are available for purchase with cash.

Big Hogan Arch and Live Musical Performance

Inside the restricted backcountry, the tour stops at the Big Hogan, a massive natural arch that forms an acoustic amphitheater in the sandstone. Your guide performs a live Navajo flute or vocal piece here, and the sound resonates off the rock walls in a way that makes this one of the most memorable moments of the tour. Nearby, you will also see Moccasin Arch.

Sun's Eye Arch and Anasazi Petroglyphs

Deeper in the backcountry, you reach the Sun's Eye, Monument Valley's second largest arch, where sunlight beams through the opening and illuminates the sandstone in vivid orange and gold. Your guide leads you to nearby Anasazi petroglyphs and ruins, carved and built by the ancient Puebloan people who inhabited this area centuries before the Navajo.

Ear of the Wind

The Ear of the Wind is a distinctive arch set against a steep sand dune in the backcountry. Your guide explains its name and significance, and you can walk up to the base for a close look at the formation and the sweeping views of Monument Valley behind it.

Totem Pole and North Window

The tour passes the Totem Pole, a slender sandstone spire that rises nearly 400 feet, and the North Window, a natural frame that offers one of the most photographed perspectives in Monument Valley. Your guide helps position you for photos before the vehicle turns back toward the departure point.

Pass-by highlights include: Mitchell Mesa, Merrick Butte, Elephant and Camel Buttes, and Chief's Head formation.

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Monument Valley: Navajo-Guided Backcountry Tour