“That’s where Forrest Gump stopped running.”
Monument Valley isn’t just a view – it’s the view. Rust-red buttes and spires rise like stone giants from the desert floor, painting the skyline in shapes you’ve seen a hundred times on movie screens. But this isn’t Hollywood’s playground. This is Navajo land, where stories are older than the rock itself.
Driving here feels like entering another world. It’s part natural cathedral, part cultural landmark, part living film set. You’ll see mesas that glow at sunrise, trails where silence feels heavy, and formations so striking they’ve become global icons.
Our self-guided audio driving tour takes you along the 17-mile loop inside Monument Valley. GPS triggers narration as you drive, blending Navajo history, Hollywood lore, and natural wonder without a single wrong turn. Go at your pace, pause where you like, and let the land tell its stories through your speakers.
Start with the iconic hill where Forrest Gump stopped running, then enter the valley where the Anasazi once built cliff homes and the Navajo continue to live today. Stand in awe at East and West Mitten Buttes, Merrick Butte, and the towering Three Sisters. Soak in cinematic panoramas from John Ford Point. Wander Wildcat Trail if you’re up for a hike. Catch the soft glow at North Window Overlook. And end among Camel Butte and Elephant Butte, where stone takes the shape of imagination.
Disclaimer: May trigger excessive photo-taking, spontaneous cowboy impressions, or a deep urge to trade city life for an old pickup truck under desert skies.
Download the Monument Valley Trip Planner for more details on how to reach the park, must-see stops, best places to stay, when to visit, activities to do, packing tips, and more!
Vehicle Restrictions: The 17-mile Valley Loop Drive is a rugged dirt road through the park. Although standard cars are permitted when the route is dry, the Navajo Parks & Recreation explicitly states you enter at your own risk and recommends a high-clearance vehicle or SUV due to deep sand, ruts, and rough terrain. Large RVs and trailers are strongly discouraged, as many rental contracts prohibit travel on unpaved roads.
NOTE:
- The scenic drive is unpaved, and high-clearance vehicles are recommended from May to September.
- Motorcycles and RVs are not permitted.
- Check admission fees and operating hours on navajonationparks.org.
- Learn more about the road conditions, admission fees, and other pertinent information here.
Hello and Bonjour – Explore Monument Valley in English and French!
All languages are available to you when you purchase the tour.
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Monument Valley Map
Where To Start?
Starting Point Address: Navajo Welcome Center, Welcome Center, Oljato-Monument Valley, UT 84536, United States
How Does It Work?
- Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
- Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If multiple versions or entry points are available for your tour, be sure to download all the audio guides.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to the car stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux, and bring headphones on walking tours. CarPlay and Android Auto are currently not supported; we’re working toward a solution with Apple
- To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
- The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
- Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
Audio Story Highlights
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Welcome
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Introduction to Monument Valley
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How It Came to Be
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From Sea to Desert
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The First Tribe of Monument Valley
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Ticket Booth
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Visitor Center
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Wildcat Trail
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The Navajo
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New Arrivals
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West Mitten Butte, East Mitten Butte, Merrick Butte
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Butte vs Mesa vs Plateau
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Navajo Silver
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The Long Walk of the Navajo
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Hollywood’s Favorite Set Piece
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Ericson Cly Memorial & John Ford Point
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Three Sisters
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Families of Monument Valley
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Navajo Code Talkers
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What Is a Reservation?
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Modern Navajo
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Artist's Point
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Sunrise Recommendation: North Window Overlook
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Camel Butte & Elephant Butte
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Conclusion
Preview The Tour
Tour FAQs
Monument Valley is on the Colorado Plateau between Utah and Arizona. It’s not a National Park because it’s on the Navajo Nation Reservation. The Navajo name is actually Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii, which roughly translates to the valley of rocks. Tourists mostly visit Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Read more on our blog about the moniker. Monument Valley was little-visited until the 1930s. Only the Navajo Indians who lived here appreciated its beauty. Monument Valley became popular after John Ford featured it in his films.
The best time to take a Monument Valley tour will depend on your own preferences, but we’d generally recommend the spring or fall. The weather isn’t as extreme during those months, and the park is also less likely to be crowded than during the summer.
1) The Navajo lived in hogans. A hogan was a domed shaped house with a wood frame and walls made out of clay. 2) Before they started raising sheep, the Navajo wore clothes made of woven yucca plants or deerskin. The men wore breechcloths and the women skirts. Their shoes were soft leather moccasins. Later, they wore clothes woven from the wool of sheep. 3). Women wove blankets and made clay pots while the men made jewelry. One form of jewelry that is still popular today is silver jewelry. The Navajo like to use turquoise in their jewelry as well. 4) The Navajo language is so difficult to learn that it was used as a secret code in World War II.
The distance between the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley is about 181 miles. Without any breaks, it will take about 3 hours and 20 minutes to drive this distance. We recommend doing both the tours over 2 days to get the most out of your visit.
This vast valley is most beautiful early in the morning. As the sun rises higher in the sky, it positions itself among the sandstone buttes. The buttes range in height from 400 to 1,000 feet. The buttes each have a name: East and West Mitten Buttes have large spires. Get more insight on the same on our blog .
People come from all over the country to take a Monument Valley tour because of the unique and iconic beauty of the park’s geological formations, which have been popularized by decades of Hollywood movies and advertisements shot in the park.
Traveling directly from Monument Valley to Arches National Park is a distance of 160 miles (257 kilometers) and should take about 3 hours and 40 minutes under typical traffic conditions.
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Inclusions and Exclusions
App on your phone: A link to download the Action Tour Guide App and Password for your tours.
Easy to use: Stories play automatically via GPS, hands‑free. Assistance available all day via call, chat, or email.
Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Valid for multiple visits up to 1 year after purchase.
Interactive audio stories: Experience local history and culture through clear, concise narratives from experienced narrators.
At your own pace: No group. Take breaks for photos, snacks, hikes. Go at your own pace.
Offline use: No cell signal or wifi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
Don’t miss a thing: Enjoy a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated videos, text guides, and hidden gems.
Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks.
Entry tickets or reservations for any attractions along the route.
Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station.
