Translated into the language of the Native Americans who called the area home, Monument Valley means Valley of the Rocks.
It is located on the Colorado Plateau and is characterized by huge, multicolored sandstone buttes, the tallest of which rise more than 1,000 feet above the desert floor below.
The valley is located in the southwest between Arizona and Utah, within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation Reservation.
In the 1930s, it was a popular location for Western movies, but today it is mostly the domain of Native Americans and tourists from all over the world.
1. 2 ½ hour Monument Valley tour with access to backcountry
You might think that a mere 2 ½ hours wouldn’t be too much time to see the area’s breathtaking sights, but former tourist guests agree that’s not the case.
This small-group tour is only available with local Navajo guides, giving it a unique cultural aspect not found on other tours.
Attractions include the Three Sisters, John Ford Point, and the Sleeping Dragon, to name a few.
After the sightseeing portion, you will visit a Navajo home, interact with the residents, watch a fascinating demonstration of traditional carpet weaving, and immerse yourself in the local culture.
View prices and reviews
2. 3-Day Iconic American Natural Beauty Tour from Las Vegas
In the American Southwest, the glitz and luxury of the Las Vegas Strip is definitely worth checking out, but the area’s natural wonders often dwarf Sin City by comparison.
This 3-day tour begins in Las Vegas and includes stops at many of the country’s most famous attractions.
Zion National Park, Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon, and Monument Valley are the highlights of the tour, and visitors tend to use words and phrases like stunning, awe-inspiring, and magnificent to describe what they see and experience.
You’ll also learn about the region’s rich film heritage and the Native Americans who have called it home for countless generations.
View prices and reviews
3. Monument Valley 3-Hour Tour
Monument Valley is such a fascinating natural wonder that it is best experienced in small groups.
Participants on this three-hour tour will travel to the valley’s gems in an African safari-style convertible that beats the comfort of an air-conditioned van at all times.
Stops include Big Hogan, Sun’s Eye, Sleeping Dragon and John Ford Point, named after a famous film director of the early 20th century.
Tours include engaging narration from experienced guides, access to areas not open to the public, stops in traditional Navajo villages, and ceremonial music performances.
View prices and reviews
4. Three-day tour of Antelope Valley, Monument Valley and Horseshoe Bend
Never in the history of the universe has anyone described Monument Valley as lame, boring, or average.
It’s truly breathtaking, and when combined with other epic natural wonders like Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, it makes for a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
Tours begin and end in Las Vegas, run Wednesday through Friday, and also include a jeep tour of the Navajo Reservation with stops in Sedona’s Red Rocks and Valley of Fire.
Along the way, you’ll learn from your guide how the stunning landscape was created by the erosion of wind and water.
View prices and reviews
5. Antelope and Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce and Monument Valley Tour
The rugged landscapes of the Southwest are just for exploring on a 4 x 4, and this multi-day combo tour gives guests the opportunity to do just that.
This is a rugged 3-day tour that includes Bryce and Zion National Parks, Monument Valley, and the Grand Canyon.
Needless to say, this is a whirlwind tour loved by amateur photographers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Tours are usually limited to 14 participants, offering everyone a unique and intimate experience.
Can also be upgraded to a Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour, which also includes hiking and Native American cultural tours.
View prices and reviews
6. 7-Day National Park Small Group Tour
For those who have a full week to visit some of the most iconic sites in the American West, this 7-day tour is the ticket.
You’ll camp under the stars, stroll the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, hike through stunning geological formations, and possibly spend the rest of your life in the process.
Sunrise and sunset are magical times, so you’ll experience the majesty of both in Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon.
There is also a jeep tour with a Navajo guide in Monument Valley.
Participants must be at least seven years old and cannot be wheelchair-bound.
View prices and reviews
7. Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Zion National Park Tour
Have three days and two nights to spare?
Interested in being blown away by some of the most stunning terrain in North America?
If so, read on, as a combination tour of Arizona and Utah’s natural wonders could be a great fit.
Activities include visits to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, and Zion National Park in Utah.
You and your travel companions will wander between Navajos, take a jeep tour of the desert, and if the spirit moves you, choose an unforgettable helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon.
Spend a full day in Monument Valley, or take a guided hike in Zion.
View prices and reviews
8. Monument Valley 3-Hour Sunrise
The otherworldly buildings scattered across the Southwest are the stuff of legend, and their names are often striking.
Big Hogan, Sun’s Eye, Sleeping Dragon, and Totem Pole are some of the most colorful; they’re all included in this short but packed tour of Monument Valley.
Experience the sunrise like never before as your guide takes you to the observation deck near the iconic totem pole.
After witnessing how the sun’s peak rays transform impressive natural forms into colorful boulders of a bygone era, you may be inspired to create a masterpiece.
View prices and reviews
9. Monument Valley 4×4 Tour
There’s something special about being led through Monument Valley by an experienced Navajo guide.
After all, the Navajo people have called this area home for so long, and they know it better than anyone.
The tour lasted about 2.5 hours and visited most of the sites that the others on the list did. But unlike some, you’ll travel in open-air vehicles and spend time learning about Native American culture.
Depending on the weather, you may also be taken to areas that are only accessible when visiting with members of the Navajo Nation.
View prices and reviews
10. Hunt Mesa Overnight Camping
For those who truly love the outdoors, there’s no better way to experience Monument Valley than hiking and camping.
Sure, the desert is full of venomous snakes, tarantulas and scorpions, but luckily they seem to avoid campers at all costs.
This overnight camping trip from Hunts Mesa lasts about 20 hours and includes stunning scenery, plenty of walking time to explore, and local lore around a campfire that crackles in the fading light of the canyon.
Sounds amazing, doesn’t it?
In short, it is – but not recommended for pregnant travelers, travelers with back problems, or travelers with less than average fitness levels.
View prices and reviews
11. 1 ½ hour Valley Loop Drive tour of Monument Valley
It may sound unbelievable, but it’s possible to experience the wonders of Monument Valley in less than two hours.
You won’t be hiking, driving an off-road vehicle over terrain, or mingling with Native Americans, but you’ll see much of what the valley has to offer from the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle.
This is a great option for those traveling with young children and older family and friends with limited time.
Tours follow Valley Loop Drive, offering multiple opportunities to stop and photograph the unforgettable things you see.
Please note that children must be accompanied by an adult.
View prices and reviews
12. 2 ½ hour guided tour of Monument Valley
If you’ve noticed a recurring theme on the aforementioned Monument Valley tour, it’s probably that longer isn’t always better.
This is great news for travelers with limited time and budget.
This 2.5-hour tour covers nearly 30 miles of indescribably beautiful natural landscapes, but you can also see petroglyphs of ancient cliff dwellers of the Anasazi people who seemed to have disappeared centuries ago.
The tour also includes the grounds within Navajo Tribal Park, where arches, towering formations, and deep canyons are easily visible.
Multiple departure times are available to accommodate travelers with different schedules.
View prices and reviews
13. Monument Valley Sunrise Photography Tour
Monument Valley is one of the most photographed spots in the Southwest, and this 3-hour evening tour is designed with die-hard photographers in mind.
Guided by experienced and passionate photographers, it consistently brings guests to the perfect vantage point at the right time, capturing the moment forever.
You need to get to the totem pole on time before the sun rises, but that’s a small price to pay according to previous guests.
There’s also a 3 hour sunset tour that departs in the late afternoon, so consider doing both, lunch and a nap.
View prices and reviews
14. Monument Valley Tour
This small-group tour of Monument Valley gives guests the opportunity to tailor their experience to their individual interests.
The tour includes stops at the two Mitten Buttes, the Three Sisters and the Elephant Butte. For those looking for a little cultural exchange, rub shoulders with the Native Americans, see how they lived, and take part in a traditional music performance.
All tours take place in open-air vehicles and are led by experienced and knowledgeable Navajo guides, so you’ll see and learn things that other tours don’t.
Click the link below for a complete list of options.
View prices and reviews
15. Monument Valley Basic Tour
Circle tours are great for those who want to start and end their day in the same place. This 17-mile tour of Monument Valley is a popular option for those with less than three hours.
It touches on all the major sights the valley is known for and offers guests the opportunity to stop and photograph the sights at multiple vistas along the way.
Also stop at an authentic Navajo Hogan and Navajo women’s rug weaving demonstration.
The length of this tour allows enough time in the day to connect with other excursions to the equally impressive sights of the nearby national park.
Check Prices & Reviews Where to Stay: Best Hotels in Colorado (CO)
Lowest Price Guarantee
