Monument Valley Self-Guided Driving Tour: Navajo History

Embark on a self-guided driving tour through Monument Valley’s stunning landscape. Learn about Navajo culture, tribal history, and Hollywood stardom while enjoying panoramic views.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park - Discover the dramatic landscapes and rich history of Monument Valley with a self-driving audio tour along the 17-mile marked Navajo route. As you drive, you’ll hear about the stunning “Wild West” formations of Monument Valley. The scenic vistas offer insights into Navajo culture and history, breathtaking panoramas of a unique landscape, and an unmatched experience. This self-guided audio tour provides maximum flexibility and value.

Note: This tour spans over 44 miles and covers the highlights of Monument Valley in 2-3 hours.

  • Forrest Gump Point - Our journey through Monument Valley starts just outside the valley at Forrest Gump Point. The top of this hill provides a fantastic view of Monument Valley, made famous by the movie!
  • Welcome Center - As we drive along this trail through the Navajo Nation, we’ll learn about the Navajo, the first tribe of Monument Valley, and how this desert emerged from a vast sea.
  • Wildcat Trail - Our first detour is at Wildcat Trail, where you can step out and walk into the valley itself.
  • West and East Mitten Buttes - The tour continues past the three striking formations of the iconic Monument Valley panorama: the East and West Mittens and Merrick Butte. Why are they called mittens? Why Merrick? We’ll uncover the stories behind these structures as we get closer.
  • John Ford’s Point - As we venture deeper into Monument Valley, we’ll learn more about the Navajo, the mythical buried silver, and their struggle to defend their land against encroaching colonists. We’ll hear about the Long March of the Navajo, the Navajo Code Talkers of WWII, and the Navajo families living on the reservation today. We’ll also explore the portrayal of the Navajo in Western movies, particularly in John Ford’s Hollywood.
  • Artist’s Point - As we continue learning, we drive to Artist’s Point. This overlook is famously popular among painters and illustrators. Many artists have set up their canvases here to capture this stunning landscape with paint and brush.
  • North Window Overlook - Our drive takes us to the North Window Overlook, a perfect spot for sunrise. The morning rays illuminating the buttes and spires of Monument Valley are unforgettable! Even if you visit after sunrise, the views are unparalleled.
  • Camel Butte - Finally, we reach the last incredible vista of the tour: Camel Butte and Elephant Butte. Camel Butte might not look much like a camel, but naming rocks requires some creativity! Camel Butte almost reaches 1,000 feet, but it is dwarfed by its sibling, Elephant Butte, which stands over 1,000 feet high. While impressive on its own, remember that you’re on a plateau already elevated around 5,000 feet, making the peak of Elephant Butte more than 6,000 feet above sea level!
What's Included
  • Great value: One purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
  • Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
  • Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
  • Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
  • Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
  • Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
  • Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
  • Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
What's Not Included
  • Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Additional Information

Purchase only one tour per vehicle, not per person. Everyone listens together!

Explore the “Wild West” of Hollywood and Navajo history as you drive through Monument Valley’s dramatic landscape. This self-guided audio tour along a 17-mile Navajo route allows you to enjoy the incredible panoramas while learning about Navajo culture, tribal history, and Hollywood stardom. Explore with maximum flexibility and value.

After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.

New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!

This isn’t an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

  • How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
  • How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
  • Amazing Savings: why pay for an expensive, crowded, and limited bus tour — priced per person! — when you can have ONE amazing audio guide on your OWN phone for your WHOLE group?
  • Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
  • Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
  • Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
  • Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
  • Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
  • Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
  • For the tour guide app to function as intended, iPhones must be iOS 13 or above and Androids must be version 9 or above.
Location
Monument Valley Post Office
Welcome Center
After booking the tour, search your email for the phrase "Set up your self-guided tour now." Follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.0
(53 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Zeszesjand
Jul 27, 2024
Monumental memories - Already at dawn at the entrance to the park. The slowly rising sun is constantly changing the landscape. Fine to do with a regular car, if you drive quietly. But this gives you enough time to see everything properly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
David_b
Jul 10, 2024
Worth the visit the audio made it even better. - The rock formations are hard to describe. It takes your breath away. The road could use some improvement but there were recents storms that had damaged the road. The audio added to the trip with explainations and stories.
Review provided by Viator
Deeppurple1509
Jun 30, 2024
Amazing - Fantastic, Information inside was very interesting. Cafe and shop is lovely. Trail is fantastic. Dirt track roads and very uneven, you have to drive very slow, but in awe of what you see as you drive around.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
291haideew
Jun 3, 2024
We spent so much time just talking it all in and capturing life long memories - It was amazing and got lots of photos , I think definitely worth seeing and something to put on your bucket list of things to do and see
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Randyman59
Jul 24, 2024
Good - Buying the self driving tour online was easy. Not sure I needed it though. Map pretty much got us around. One area, on the map was code talker point. Virtual tour called it artist something. It was worth seeing. Didn't see a lot of smiling faces in the back of those open tour vehicles. Flavor of the day was SLOW.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robert_g
Jun 7, 2024
Wow experience, but beware of road surface. - Monument Valley sites are so impressive and a must see. I mistakenly went to the Visitor Center, missed the early part of the tour and picked it up there. The tour finished before the end of the road with no clear way to exit. The dirt/grave road is extremely rough and uneven. It is not appropriate for a car. I strongly recommend using only a truck or SUV type of vehicle. Wished I knew this in advance.
Review provided by Viator
Julie_b
May 17, 2024
Good experience once downloaded - I enjoyed hearing history and information about the monuments. I was happy to do it at our own rate. It was very confusing figuring out how to download the information. I had to email for help, despite being told the link would be emailed automatically (it wasn’t). Some of the information played twice. Happy to have done it but interface could be improved.
Review provided by Viator
Dave_l
Aug 25, 2024
Sheer grandeur - The narrative alright. We learned something’s but seemed a little slight. Would recommend with caveat that we’ve heard better guides.
Review provided by Viator
Mark_i
Aug 17, 2024
App did not work. - App would NOT load, didn't work. We downloaded it multiple times and nothing. We called customer service and they were useless. We spent so much time trying to open the app we didn't have an opportunity to enjoy the valley. Very disappointed.
Review provided by Viator
Glenn_h
Jun 25, 2024
Park closed-wasted money - The park was closed so we did not have an opportunity to do the drive. We only had one day in the area so could not go later. Waste of money.
Review provided by Viator
Select Date and Tickets
up to 4 guests
1
Traveler
September 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today