Monument Valley Loop Drive Tour: 17-mile scenic drive with guide

John Ford's Point, movie locations, and the overlooks that define Monument Valley in 90 minutes

This 1.5-hour guided tour covers the 17-mile Valley Loop Drive in Monument Valley with a local professional guide who shares the area's natural and cultural history. You travel by open-air Safari vehicle (enclosed SUV in winter), stop at John Ford's Point where John Wayne and Mark Wahlberg filmed iconic scenes, and visit the scenic overlooks every visitor should see. Bottled water is included; arrive 15 minutes early at the loading area outside The View Hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Monument Valley Loop Drive Tour

• Start tour at Monument Valley
• Stop at John Ford's Point
• Explore cinematic movie locations
• Visit scenic overlooks
• Complete 1.5 hour loop drive

The Experience

Monument Valley's Loop Drive is a 17-mile route through some of the most photographed landscape in the American West, and a guided tour lets you stop at the places that matter without navigating the road yourself. The tour departs on the hour from the loading area outside The View Hotel (arrive 15 minutes early), and your local guide boards with knowledge of the region's geology, history and the films shot here. You travel in an open-air Safari vehicle designed to let you see in all directions—in winter, an enclosed SUV keeps you warm while you still get the views.

The first major stop is John Ford's Point, the overlook where John Wayne filmed his most famous Westerns and where Transformers: Age of Extinction was shot with Mark Wahlberg. Your guide explains why filmmakers chose this exact vantage and what you're looking at across the valley floor. From there, the route takes in the scenic overlooks that anchor every visitor's memory of Monument Valley—the formations, the light, the scale of the place. The whole loop takes 1.5 hours, which means you see the essentials without the full-day commitment.

The tour runs in all weather and operates on Mountain Standard Time (note the one-hour difference between Arizona and Navajo Nation time zones from mid-March to October). Bottled water is provided, and the vehicle is pet-friendly. Uneven walking surfaces appear at some stops, and the tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries. Children must be accompanied by an adult; child rates apply only when a child shares the tour with two paying adults.

What’s included

• Local professional guide fluent in English.
• open-air Safari vehicle or enclosed SUV in winter.
• bottled water.
• local taxes.
• pet-friendly travel.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomeNot for back problems

Operated by MV Dineh Bekeyah Tours

Is this one for you?If you're short on time but want to see the formations and overlooks Monument Valley is famous for, this 1.5-hour loop with a guide who knows the film history and the landscape removes the navigation and the guesswork about which stops matter most.

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Top questions

What is John Ford's Point and why do so many movies get filmed there?

John Ford's Point is the overlook where director John Ford shot his most iconic John Wayne Westerns, and it became the go-to location for filmmakers because of the dramatic rock formations and the way the light hits them. Transformers: Age of Extinction also filmed there. Your guide explains the geography and the film history at the stop.

Do I need to pay an entrance fee to Monument Valley Tribal Park for this tour?

Entrance to the Monument Valley Tribal Park is not included in the tour price and is paid separately. The tour itself covers the 17-mile Loop Drive with your guide and vehicle.

What kind of vehicle will I ride in, and can I bring my dog?

You travel in an open-air Safari vehicle that lets you see in all directions; in winter, an enclosed SUV is used instead. Both vehicle types are pet-friendly, so you can bring your dog along.

How much time do we actually spend at each stop, or is this mostly driving?

The 1.5-hour tour covers the full 17-mile loop with stops at John Ford's Point and the scenic overlooks, so the day balances driving and viewing time. Your guide determines the pacing and how long you linger at each location.

What time does the tour leave, and when should I arrive?

Tours depart strictly on the hour from the loading area outside The View Hotel. Arrive at least 15 minutes early for loading; your guide will be waiting at the loading area approximately 50 yards west of the hotel entrance. Do not meet inside the hotel building.

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes, the tour is suitable for families and couples of all fitness levels. Children must be accompanied by an adult; child rates apply only when a child shares the tour with two paying adults.