Sunset Tour of Monument Valley: Navajo guide, back country access

Watch the light shift across seven monuments while a Navajo guide reveals the stories behind them

A three-hour sunset tour of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park with a certified Navajo guide, pickup and dropoff at View Hotel or KOA campground, and access to back country areas closed to independent travelers. The guide leads stops at West and East Mitten, John Ford's Point, a traditional Navajo Hogan where you watch rug weaving, Moccasin Arch, petroglyphs and ruins, and the Totem Pole, with five to ten minutes at each to photograph and explore. You'll hear the history and traditions of Monument Valley and see a live performance by the guide as the sun sets.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunset tour of Monument Valley

• Visit West and East Mitten View
• See John Ford's Point and Three Sisters
• Visit Navajo Hogan and rug weaving demo
• Explore Moccasin Arch and Big Hogan Arch
• Enjoy live performance by guide
• View Sun's Eye and Anasazi Petroglyphs
• See Totem Pole Monument
• Visit North Window or Artist's Point

The experience

The tour starts with pickup at View Hotel or, if you're staying at KOA, at your campground (call ahead for the exact time). Your certified Navajo guide drives you into areas of the park that are off-limits to visitors on their own: the back country where the lighting and shadow work differently as the day moves toward sunset. The route covers seven stops, each one a different angle on the monuments and the landscape.

At the Navajo Hogan, you watch a weaver at work on a traditional rug, and the guide performs for the group as you move through the back country. The stops include West and East Mitten, John Ford's Point and the Three Sisters Monument, Moccasin Arch and Big Hogan Arch, the petroglyphs and ruins at Sun's Eye, the Totem Pole, and North Window or Artist's Point depending on the light. You get five to ten minutes at each stop to take photos and look around. The guide fills the drive with information about Navajo culture, the history of the valley, and the stories tied to each formation.

The whole tour runs three hours. Pickup and dropoff are included. The Tribal Park Admission Fee ($8 per person) is separate and paid on the day. Infants can ride on an adult's lap. The pace is steady but not strenuous. You're in a vehicle most of the time, stepping out briefly at each stop.

What’s included

• Pickup and dropoff at View Hotel or KOA campground.
• certified Navajo guide leading the tour in English.
• access to back country areas not open to independent travelers.
• Navajo rug weaving demonstration at a traditional Hogan.
• live performance by your guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 13:45, 14:00 and 15:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years)

GroupUp to 45

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Monument Valley Tribal Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to see restricted backcountry areas and watch Navajo rug weaving in a traditional hogan. Your guide handles navigation while you stay mostly in the vehicle with brief stops at each location.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 4 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is John Ford's Point and why is it called that?

John Ford's Point is a scenic overlook in Monument Valley named after the filmmaker who shot several Westerns in the park. It's one of the most photographed spots in the valley, offering a wide view of the Mitten formations and the surrounding landscape.

Can I see the petroglyphs and ruins on this tour?

Yes, the tour includes a stop at Sun's Eye, where you'll see Anasazi petroglyphs and ruins as part of the back country route your guide takes you through.

What happens during the Navajo rug weaving demonstration?

At the traditional Navajo Hogan, you watch a weaver demonstrate the craft of rug weaving by hand, and your guide performs a live show while you're there, sharing cultural traditions as part of the experience.

Do I need to pay the park admission separately?

Yes, the Tribal Park Admission Fee of $8 per person is not included in the tour price and is paid separately on the day of your visit.

Where does the tour pick me up?

The tour picks up in front of View Hotel at the guide loading area. If you're staying at KOA campground, pickup is available there too. Call ahead to confirm your departure time.

How much time do I spend at each stop?

You'll have a minimum of five to ten minutes at each of the seven scenic stops to explore, take photos and look around before moving to the next location.