Monument Valley 4x4 Tour: stand at John Ford's Point

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.91 (1,715 reviews) 94% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/9

Duration2h 30m

GroupUp to 60

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Red rock formations and ancient petroglyphs from an open-air 4x4

You ride in an open-air 4x4 through Monument Valley's backcountry for 2.5 hours, stopping at seven major viewpoints including Mitten View and John Ford's Point, then deeper into terrain with Anasazi petroglyphs and a hogan demonstration. Bottled water and native music are included. Depart on the hour from The View Hotel loading area, 15 minutes early arrival required.

2h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Monument Valley scenic and backcountry tour

Visit Mitten View
See Mitchell Mesa
View Merrick Butte
Explore Elephant and Camel Buttes
Stop at John Fords Point
Observe Three Sisters
Visit Rain God
Explore Backcountry Chiefs Head
See Big Hogan and Totem Pole View
Visit Suns Eye and Ear of the Wind
Attend Hogan demonstration
Enjoy native music entertainment

The Experience

"You're going to see things most people miss," our guide said as we climbed into the open-air 4x4 outside The View Hotel. He wasn't exaggerating. The 2.5-hour Monument Valley backcountry tour takes you past the famous overlooks—Mitten View, Mitchell Mesa, John Ford's Point—but then keeps going into the rougher terrain where the real story lives. You'll stop at Chief's Head, Big Hogan, and Totem Pole View, each one a different angle on the red rock landscape, and each one quieter than the last.

The backcountry section is where the Anasazi petroglyphs come in. These aren't replicas or museum pieces—they're carved into the actual rock, and your guide walks you through what the symbols mean and how old they are. You also get to see a traditional hogan demonstration, which gives you a sense of how Navajo families actually lived out here. The tour covers somewhere between 28 and 45 kilometers depending on conditions, all of it in an open vehicle, so you're not separated from the landscape by glass. There's native music at some point too, though the real soundtrack is the engine and the wind and the occasional raven.

Logistics matter here: tours depart strictly on the hour from the loading area about 50 yards west of The View Hotel entrance. You need to arrive 15 minutes early, and there's a time zone thing to know—the Navajo Nation runs on its own time, which is an hour ahead of Arizona from mid-March to October. Bottled water is included, the vehicle is pet-friendly, and the tour runs in all weather, so bring a jacket if the forecast looks uncertain. Not suitable if you have spinal injuries or can't handle uneven walking surfaces, but otherwise it works for most fitness levels.

What’s included

Your 2.5-hour tour includes transport in an open-air safari vehicle through Monument Valley's scenic viewpoints and backcountry, bottled water, hand sanitizers upon request, entry to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, a hogan demonstration, native music, and local taxes. The vehicle is pet-friendly, and service animals are welcome.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomeNot for back problems

Operated by MV Dineh Bekeyah Tours

Is this one for you?Best for travelers who want to see beyond the main overlooks and don't mind rough terrain or open-air vehicles—the backcountry access and petroglyphs are what set this apart from the standard scenic drive, and the fixed 2.5-hour window fits between other activities without eating a full day.