Monument Valley Backcountry Tour: 11 Stops with Navajo Guide

More stops, more stories: the extended route past the Mittens and into the hidden arches

The Monument Valley Extended Backcountry Tour is a 3.5-hour 4x4 tour through Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park with a certified Navajo guide, hotel pickup, and 11 stops including the Mittens, John Ford's Point, a Navajo Hogan visit with rug weaving demonstration, and remote arches and ruins. The tour covers 28 miles of backcountry terrain and includes stops not on the standard route. Tribal Park admission ($8 per person) is separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Monument Valley backcountry highlights

• Visit West & East Mitten View
• See Elephant Butte
• Stop at John Ford's Point
• Visit Navajo Hogan and rug weaving demo
• View Big Hogan Arch and Moccasin Arch
• Watch live performance
• Explore Sun's Eye and Anasazi Petroglyphs
• See Ear of the Wind Arch
• Visit Echo Cave Ruin
• View The Totem Pole Monument and Sand Springs
• Stop at Artist's Point and Spearhead Mesa
• See North Window

The Experience

You arrive at Monument Valley with a free afternoon or a morning to spend, and the extended tour is built for travelers who want more than the scenic overlooks. A Navajo guide picks you up at the View Hotel or KOA campground and drives a 4x4 open-air vehicle through 28 miles of the park, stopping at 11 locations that move past the famous Mittens and into the country most visitors never reach. The route includes West and East Mitten View, Elephant Butte, and John Ford's Point — the landmarks you came for — but then keeps going into the backcountry where the guide can tell the stories behind what you are standing in front of.

The Hogan visit sits in the middle of the tour: you walk into a traditional Navajo home and watch a weaver work at the loom, demonstrating the art of rug weaving. From there the stops shift into the remote formations — Big Hogan Arch, Moccasin Arch, the Totem Pole Monument, Echo Cave Ruin, Ear of the Wind Arch, and the petroglyphs at Sun's Eye. The guide brings each one to life through history and storytelling, and at one stop performs live music. The 4x4 vehicle means you can reach terrain the paved scenic drive cannot, and the extended route means you do not have to choose between the highlights and the hidden places.

The tour runs 3.5 hours and includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel. Bring water and dress for the weather — the open-air vehicle offers no shelter, and Monument Valley sits at high elevation where the sun is strong and the wind can shift fast. Groups stay together; private tours can be arranged separately if you need one.

What’s included

• Certified Navajo guide in English.
• hotel or campground pickup and drop-off.
• 4x4 open-aired vehicle.
• photo opportunities at 11 stops.
• Navajo Hogan visit with rug weaving demonstration.
• access to backcountry terrain off-limits to regular visitors.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Monument Valley Tribal Tours

Is this one for you?Book this one if you land in Monument Valley with a morning or afternoon free and want to move past the scenic overlooks into the backcountry stories — the extended route and the Hogan visit are what separate this from the shorter tour, and the guide's storytelling is what makes the remote stops worth the extra time.

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Top questions

What is the difference between the extended backcountry tour and the regular one?

The extended tour includes all the highlight stops plus additional stops not covered in the standard route, giving you more time with the guide and access to remote arches, ruins, and formations deeper in the backcountry.

Do I need to pay anything extra beyond the tour price?

Tribal Park admission is $8 per person and is not included in the tour price; you can pay by check or credit card at the gate.

What happens at the Navajo Hogan visit?

You visit a traditional Navajo home and watch a weaver demonstrate the art of Navajo rug weaving, learning about the craft and the culture behind it.

Is the vehicle open or enclosed?

The 4x4 vehicle is open-aired, which means you are exposed to sun, wind, and dust — dress appropriately for the weather and bring water.

Where does the tour pick me up?

Pickup is at the View Hotel (outside in front, down the stairs) or at the KOA campground for overnight guests; if staying at the campground, you must call to confirm your departure time.

How many people go on this tour?

This is a group tour only; private tours can be arranged separately if you prefer a dedicated guide and vehicle.