Monument Valley: Extended 4x4 Backcountry Tour & Navajo Hogan

Summary

Monument Valley’s quiet arches, stories by firelight, and backcountry tracks

You’ll ride deep into Monument Valley by 4x4 with a Navajo guide, hearing stories only locals tell. Step inside a traditional Hogan for a rug weaving demo, echo your voice under stone arches, and wander places most travelers never reach. If you’re open to dust in your shoes and legends in your ears — this is for you.

What’s the experience like?

“You see that?” our guide, Ben, asked as he pointed out the window of the 4x4. I was still brushing red dust off my jeans from the last stop — West Mitten View — but I looked up and there it was: Elephant Butte, hulking and weirdly gentle in the morning haze. The engine idled while he told us how the names came about (some of them are way funnier in Navajo, apparently). It’s hard to describe the silence here — not empty, just thick with something old. Every so often you’d hear a hawk or someone’s laugh bounce off a mesa.

I didn’t expect to end up sitting inside a real Hogan that day. The air smelled faintly of cedar smoke and wool. We watched as Mary (she’s been weaving since she was a kid) showed us how she starts a rug — her hands moved so fast I could barely follow. She let me try saying “Yá’át’ééh” and honestly, Li laughed at my accent but Mary just smiled and nodded like she’d heard worse. There was this moment when sunlight hit her loom just right; I still think about that.

The route covered more than I thought — John Ford’s Point (yep, that John Ford), Big Hogan Arch where Ben did this wild echo trick with his voice, then Sun’s Eye where you can actually spot ancient petroglyphs if you squint. Some stops felt almost too quiet; at Ear of the Wind Arch we all just stood around listening to wind whistle through rock. The sand gets everywhere but you stop caring after a while. By Artist’s Point my phone was full of photos but none really caught how huge it all feels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Monument Valley highlights

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

Top questions

How long is the Monument Valley extended backcountry tour?

The tour covers approximately 28 miles within Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park and includes several scenic stops; total duration may vary depending on group pace.

Is pickup included for the Monument Valley 4x4 tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included from The View Hotel or KOA campground (overnight guests must call ahead for departure time).

Do I need to pay an entrance fee for Monument Valley?

The Tribal Park Admission Fee is not included in the tour price; it is $8 per person.

What unique stops are on this extended backcountry tour?

You’ll visit West & East Mitten View, Elephant Butte, John Ford's Point, Big Hogan Arch, Sun's Eye with petroglyphs/ruins, Ear of the Wind Arch, Echo Cave Ruin, Totem Pole Monument & Sand Springs, Artist's Point & Spearhead Mesa, North Window plus a Navajo Hogan visit with rug weaving demonstration.

Is this group or private?

This is a group tour; private tours can be arranged separately upon request.

Are there any health restrictions?

The tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health; pregnant travelers over 5 months should avoid joining.

Are children allowed on the tour?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

What should I wear for the Monument Valley backcountry tour?

Dress appropriately for weather conditions as tours operate outdoors in open-air vehicles; sand can get everywhere!

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off from The View Hotel or KOA campground (for overnight guests), travel in an open-air 4x4 vehicle led by a certified Navajo guide who shares stories along every stop — plus entry into areas usually closed to regular visitors and a demonstration of traditional rug weaving inside a local Hogan before returning dusty but happy.