Monument Valley: Full Valley Tour with Restricted Area & Hogan Visit

Summary

Winding through monument valley’s arches petroglyphs and navajo stories

You’ll ride deep into Monument Valley’s restricted area with a local Navajo guide, seeing arches like Big Hogan and hearing echoes under their stone curves. Ancient petroglyphs appear on canyon walls near Sun’s Eye, while inside a traditional Hogan you’ll meet rug weavers from Susie Yazzie’s family sharing stories and craft. The desert air sticks with you long after.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was how the light in Monument Valley doesn’t really sit still — it sort of drifts over the red rock, shifting shadows around those huge buttes. We’d barely started when our guide, Tom, pointed out a formation called Big Indian. He said locals see faces in the rocks all the time; I squinted and tried to see it too, but honestly, I mostly saw a giant loaf of bread. Tom laughed. The wind picked up some red dust and for a second it smelled like warm clay and sagebrush — not something you get back home.

We bumped along into the restricted area (you can’t go here without a Navajo guide), past Sleeping Dragon and then stopped at Big Hogan. There’s this echo under the arch if you clap or say something — Tom sang a few notes in Navajo and it bounced back at us softer somehow. At Sun’s Eye we found ancient Anasazi petroglyphs scratched into the canyon wall, faded but still there after all this time. It felt weirdly quiet standing under them; even the kids in our group went silent for once.

I didn’t expect to end up inside a Hogan with members of Susie Yazzie’s family. They were weaving rugs — hands moving so fast I couldn’t keep track — and explaining what each pattern meant. Someone asked about the cradleboard propped against the wall and they told us about Navajo traditions for newborns. I tried to remember how to say thank you in Navajo but fumbled it; everyone just smiled anyway. There was bottled water waiting for us (needed it after all that dust), and we wandered out blinking at the sun again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Monument Valley highlights

• Visit Big Indian and Sleeping Dragon
• See arches: Big Hogan, Moccasin Arch
• View Sun’s Eye and Ear of the Wind
• Observe ancient Anasazi petroglyphs
• Visit Hogan with Susie Yazzie’s family
• Watch traditional Navajo rug weaving
• Learn about Navajo artifacts

Top questions

How long is the Full Valley Tour in Monument Valley?

The tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours.

Is access to Monument Valley's restricted area included?

Yes, entry to the restricted area is included with your Navajo guide.

What attractions are visited on this tour?

You’ll see Big Indian, Sleeping Dragon, Big Hogan, Moccasin Arch, Sun’s Eye, Ear of the Wind, and ancient Anasazi petroglyphs.

Is there a demonstration of Navajo rug weaving?

Yes, you visit a Hogan where members of Susie Yazzie’s family demonstrate traditional rug weaving.

Are infants or small children allowed on this tour?

Yes, infants can join using their own car seat or sitting on an adult’s lap; strollers are allowed too.

Are animals allowed on this tour?

Animals are allowed on tour besides service animals.

Is bottled water provided during the tour?

Bottled water is included for all participants.

What’s included

Your experience includes entry into Monument Valley’s restricted area with a Navajo guide, stops at major formations like Big Hogan and Sun’s Eye to view arches and petroglyphs, plus a visit inside a traditional Hogan where Susie Yazzie’s family demonstrates rug weaving—all with bottled water provided along the way.