Add dates

Oljato-Monument ValleySafaris & wildlife activities

Our most recommended Oljato-Monument Valley Safaris & wildlife activities

Monument Valley: 3-Hour Sunrise Tour with Navajo Guide

1. Monument Valley: 3-Hour Sunrise Tour with Navajo Guide

Make the most of your trip and experience an unforgettable visual spectacle that you will remember for the rest of your life. Upon arrival at Monument Valley, follow your guide to a nearby vantage point where the sun rises directly from the center of the iconic Totem Pole. Admire the sun as it rises across the vibrant landscape, and marvel as the combination of colors dances across the sky, changing the shape of famous rock formations and arches. After a breathtaking sunrise, enjoy a tour of the valley with plenty of stops along the way to take photos. See the famous West and East Mitten Buttes, John Ford Point, the Three Sisters, Moccasin Arch, the Totem Pole, The Big Hogan, Sun’s Eye, North Window, and Sleeping Dragon. Next, follow your guide into the restricted back country part of the valley that you can only visit in the company of a Navajo guide. Throughout the tour, listen to your guide share fascinating insights and anecdotes, and learn about Monument Valley and Navajo culture. Finally, visit a Navajo Hogan, a traditional Navajo home, to watch a bonus rug weaving demonstration as well as a ceremonial musical performance.

Navajo Tribal Park Monument Valley Self-Guided Driving Tour

2. Navajo Tribal Park Monument Valley Self-Guided Driving Tour

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app which functions as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map — all in one. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Your adventure into the stunning Utah landscape begins on the outskirts of the tiny town of Mexican Hat. From here, we’ll cruise across the rust-red land and crest the rise where Forrest Gump’s long run finally came to an end in the famous Tom Hanks film. This is where you’ll get your first really good look at the wonders that await. Then it’s on to Monument Valley itself. After we pass the visitor center (entrance tickets not included), we’ll learn about the mysterious Anasazi tribe, the first people who ever lived in this harsh place. They left behind ancient, advanced dwellings among the cliffs, which have been abandoned even before the Spanish arrived here. We’ll also hear about the Navajo, of course! This is their valley, after all, and the tribe has a long history here. Next, we’ll come to Wildcat Trail, the only self-guided trail in the park. From here, you can hike through some of the coolest sights the valley has to offer--as long as you bring enough water, that is! After that, we’ll see the towering formations of East Mitten Butte, West Mitten Butte, and Merrick Butte. While there, we’ll dive into the fascinating story of a silver prospector who tried to steal from this Navajo land. You can probably guess how that went for him. Our drive continues to John Ford Point, a gorgeous viewpoint named for the famous Western director John Ford. Along the way, we’ll dig into the countless Hollywood hits that have been filmed here over the years, from The Searchers to 2001: A Space Odyssey. We’ll visit the Three Sisters next. These monoliths loom 1,000 feet over the landscape and seem to defy gravity itself. Plus, we’ll give you some insights into the Navajo families who still live in this valley with no running water or electricity. On our way through the jaw-dropping scenery, we’ll learn more about the long history of the Navajo, from the dramatic tale of Navajo code talkers in World War II to the tribe’s modern presence in the country. At North Window Overlook, we’ll point out the perfect spot to catch a sunrise. Finally, we’ll end up near Camel Butte and Elephant Butte, where our tour will conclude.

2 activities found
Sort by:

You might also like...

Frequently asked questions about Oljato-Monument Valley Safaris & wildlife activities

What are other things to do than Safaris & wildlife activities that are worth visiting in Oljato-Monument Valley?

The other unmissable things to do in Oljato-Monument Valley are:

What are the best Oljato-Monument Valley Safaris & wildlife activities?

Which Oljato-Monument Valley Safaris & wildlife activities are taking additional COVID-19 precautions?

These Oljato-Monument Valley Safaris & wildlife activities are taking additional COVID-19 precautions:

Other Sightseeing Options in Oljato-Monument Valley

Want to discover all there is to do in Oljato-Monument Valley? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Oljato-Monument Valley

The sunrise was beautiful! The tour guide worked to be sure everyone on the tour had the opportunity to take good photos. We enjoyed the tour very much. We did not get much sleep prior to the tour because the sunrise was so beautiful in this valley. NOTE: If you go without a guide, the park limits the number of cars allowed inside. If you don’t go on a tour, be sure you plan to arrive early or to wait in line with other cars until you are allowed entry.

It is a bit of a hazel to get the app working and an easier way is recommended but the tour itself is really fun and you learn a lot about the park and the history.

Very good guides and we see that they like their work. We really liked it.

The sunrise tour was beautiful, even our very helpful and friendly guide!

Our guide was very informative and patient as we took many pictures.