Monument Valley stretches across 91,696 acres of the Colorado Plateau along the Arizona-Utah border. Part of the Navajo Nation, this incredible landscape is filled with towering sandstone buttes, mesas, and spires, making it one of the most recognizable places in the American Southwest. The Navajo name for Monument Valley is Tse’Bii’Ndzisgaii.
Our family explored Monument Valley on a guided Navajo tour, which gave us access to areas beyond the public Scenic Drive and added cultural experiences that became some of our favorite parts of the visit. In this guide, we are sharing the top things to do in Monument Valley and what we would prioritize if you are visiting with kids.
What is Monument Valley?
Monument Valley is part of the Navajo Nation and is known for its enormous sandstone mesas, buttes, and spires rising from the desert floor. Some of the formations tower 400 to 1,000 feet high, creating one of the most recognizable landscapes in the American Southwest.
Monument Valley has huge red sandstone buttes that are featured in numerous western movies. For example, the road leading into the valley is nicknamed Forest Gump Point. You may recall seeing this location featured in the movie as the long road where Forest decided he was done running. The scenery was also used in a zillion other movies, like Stagecoach, Billy the Kid, Easy Rider, Indiana Jones, and The Lone Ranger. It has also inspired numerous animated shows, like the rugged desert scenery from the Coyote and Road Runner cartoons. And Cars used a Monument Valley spoof called “Ornament Valley”.
Geology 101
Understanding these three basic geology terms will help you better appreciate the amazing formations throughout Monument Valley.
Mesa
A broad, elevated landform with steep sides and a relatively flat top. Mesas are larger than buttes.
Butte
An isolated, steep-sided hill with a relatively flat top. Buttes are generally smaller than mesas and are often formed as erosion wears away the surrounding rock.
Spire
A tall, narrow column or pinnacle of rock shaped by erosion.
Getting Here
Monument Valley sits along the Arizona-Utah border within the Navajo Nation. Cell service can be limited, so I recommend downloading your directions before you arrive.
The biggest challenge for us that morning was actually the time zone. Most of Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time, but the Navajo Nation does. Depending on your route and the time of year, your phone may jump back and forth between time zones as you drive. We managed to keep everything straight, arrived on time, and boarded our open-air tour vehicle for an amazing adventure.
Entry Fee: $10 per person, plus a $15 vehicle fee for the Scenic Drive
Hours: Vary by season
Cell Service: Limited
GPS: 37.00414, -110.09889
Disclaimer: Always check the site’s website before visiting.
We took a guided Navajo tour of Monument Valley and highly recommend it. While visitors can drive the public Scenic Drive on their own, a guided tour offers access to additional backcountry areas not open to independent visitors.
Pass Through Sentinel Mesa
As you drive toward the Visitor Center, the landscape begins to open up, and the towering mesas and buttes of Monument Valley come into view. One of the first major formations we saw was the long edge of Sentinel Mesa, with Big Chief Butte nearby.
This was our first real glimpse of the scale of Monument Valley, and it only became more impressive as we continued deeper into the park.
View the Iconic Western Mitten Butte, East Mitten Butte, and Merrick Butte
You cannot visit Monument Valley without seeing its three most iconic formations: West Mitten Butte, East Mitten Butte, and Merrick Butte. All three are visible from the Visitor Center and along the Scenic Drive, creating the classic Monument Valley view you have probably seen in photographs.
The two Mitten Buttes get their names from their distinctive shapes, which resemble hands or mittens rising from the desert floor.
Merrick Butte stands nearby, completing one of the most recognizable panoramas in the valley.
Take the Scenic Drive Loop to View Elephant Butte, Camel Butte, Rain God Mesa and Three Sisters
After passing the iconic Mitten Buttes, the Scenic Drive continues past several other distinctive formations. Elephant Butte was one of those formations I could not see at first, but once we reached the right angle, it really did look like an elephant!
Camel Butte was easier to spot and looks like a camel sitting in the desert.
Behind Camel Butte rises the much larger Rain God Mesa.
As we continued toward John Ford’s Point, we also passed the Three Sisters at the edge of Mitchell Mesa. Once someone points them out, you can easily see three tall figures standing together against the landscape.
Pause and Explore John Ford’s Point
Make sure to stop at John Ford’s Point, one of the most recognizable viewpoints along the Scenic Drive. The overlook is named for director John Ford, whose Western films helped make Monument Valley famous on the big screen.
When we visited, a local rider was offering the opportunity to photograph the classic horseback pose at the edge of the overlook. For an additional tip, the girls were able to sit on the horse and recreate the iconic Monument Valley shot themselves. They absolutely loved it!
There were also Navajo vendors nearby selling jewelry, crafts, and souvenirs.
Visit A Traditional Navajo Hogan
One of the biggest advantages of taking a guided Navajo tour is access to areas beyond the public Scenic Drive. Our tour included a stop at a traditional Navajo hogan, where we learned more about Diné culture and daily life.
The hogan was constructed from natural materials, including wood and earth, which helped keep the interior surprisingly cool despite the desert heat. A Navajo woman who lived on the property showed us how wool is hand-prepared, spun into yarn, and used for traditional weaving.
This personal cultural experience became one of the most memorable parts of our Monument Valley tour.
Traditional Hair Tying Ceremony
The Navajo woman also spoke with us about Diné traditions and the significance of long hair. She asked if she could tie Buttercup’s hair in a traditional tsiiyééł, a Navajo hair bun wrapped with yarn.
She began by brushing her hair with a traditional Bé’ézhóó’ hair brush.
Then gathered and folded her hair before carefully wrapping it with yarn.
When she finished, she quietly spoke a Navajo blessing over Buttercup’s head. Of course, Spider Monkey wanted her turn next!
This was an incredibly special experience for both girls and one of the most memorable parts of our guided tour.
Drive through the Back Country to View Totem Pole and Navajo Fire Dancers
As we continued into the backcountry, we reached Totem Pole, one of the most distinctive spires in Monument Valley. Our guide also pointed out the nearby Yei Bi Chei pinnacles, a line of narrow rock formations standing together against the desert landscape.
This was one of the areas we could only reach with our Navajo guide, and the formations looked completely different from the larger mesas and buttes we had seen earlier in the day.
Drive through the Back Country to View Thunderbird Mesa and Its Arches
As we continued through the backcountry, we passed Thunderbird Mesa and stopped at several natural arches we could not have reached on the public Scenic Drive.
One of our stops was Moccasin Arch, a large opening eroded into the sandstone.
Nearby, we visited Big Hogan, a natural amphitheater with an opening in the ceiling that lets sunlight stream in. These backcountry stops were another reason we were glad we chose a guided Navajo tour of Monument Valley.
Study the Petroglyphs and Listen to Navajo Stories
Another favorite stop of mine was Sun’s Eye, a pothole arch with petroglyphs nearby. This was the closest we had ever been to petroglyphs, so the girls could clearly see the carvings, and we could all appreciate the detail.
Petroglyphs are images carved or pecked into rock surfaces. In many desert areas, the darker outer patina is removed to expose the lighter rock underneath, creating the design.
Our guide explained that the petroglyphs here were created by Ancestral Puebloan people who lived throughout the Four Corners region.
He also shared stories from his own experiences in this area, including camping nearby and being awakened by mysterious sounds and movement around the rock formations.
Junior Ranger Program
When we visited, the girls picked up a Monument Valley Junior Ranger booklet at the information center. It gave them another way to engage with what we were seeing throughout the day and added a fun activity to the visit.
The Family Verdict
Our guided tour of Monument Valley was amazing. The backcountry scenery was incredible, but the cultural experiences made the biggest impression on our family. Being invited to learn about Diné traditions and watching the girls take part in the traditional hair tying experience gave us memories we will carry with us for a long time.
It is easy to understand why Monument Valley is such a meaningful place within the Navajo Nation. Standing among the towering mesas, buttes, and spires, you really feel the scale and history of the landscape. Monument Valley was one of the highlights of our American Southwest road trip and absolutely worth the visit.
Make sure to check out our adventures in nearby Lower Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Mesa Verde National Park. Also, follow along on our road trip through the American Southwest!
Follow along on our other amazing family travel adventures at adventureisinoursouls.com.
