Monument Valley: Backcountry Jeep Tour with Navajo Guide
Who This Trip Suits
Two and a half hours with a Navajo guide in an open-air truck, on the Valley Drive and in the backcountry that private cars cannot enter. The tour stops at the West and East Mittens, the Three Sisters, John Ford Point and the Totem Pole, then turns off the public road to Moccasin Arch, Sun’s Eye, the Big Hogan and the North Window, and the guide usually ends with a song. It is the most booked tour in Monument Valley on GetYourGuide, rated 4.8 from 2,479 reviews.
Recent reviewers name their guides, Trevis, Carol and Nate among them, and say the tour showed them “areas not open to the general public”. Groups are small: up to 12 in the open vehicle in warm weather, in an enclosed van when it is cold.
Practical points from the listing: the tour runs on Navajo Nation time, an hour ahead of the rest of Arizona from March to early November, and the gate line can take 25 minutes from May to October, so arrive early. The park entry, $10 a person, is paid at the gate; the tour price already includes the 6% tax and 3% operational fees. Bring a hat, sunglasses, water and a scarf for the dust.
The price is from $68 a person (checked October 2026), with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. For the same route in the evening light, see the sunset tour; for the whole day with Mystery Valley, the full-day tour.
About This Experience
See all the sights of Monument Valley on a small group tour led by a local guide. Enjoy an exclusive visit to the valley’s backcountry, which is only accessible with a Navajo guide.
Highlights
- Explore the Monument Valley with a local Navajo guide in an open-air safari vehicle
- Travel into restricted parts of the Monument Valley only accessible on this tour
- Admire iconic landmarks such as West and East Mitten Buttes and the Totem Pole
- Learn about the culture, history and traditions of Navajo Nation
- Enjoy the intimacy of a small-group tour
What's Included
- ✓ Local Navajo Guide
- ✓ Access to the restricted backcountry of Monument Valley
- ✓ Traditional musical performance by your guide
- ✓ 6% tax and 3% operational fees included
Not Included
- Monument Valley Tribal Park entry pass ($10 per person)
- Food
- Tips
Good to Know
- The tour is operated on Utah Time (Mountain Daylight Time), which is one hour ahead of Arizona from March to November. If you are traveling from Arizona please be sure to leave one hour earlier (March 8th to November 1st, 2026)
- During peak season (May to October), there’s usually a line to enter the Tribal Park. It can take up to 25 minutes to get in. Please arrive early!
- The tour is operated in an open-air safari-style vehicle with a maximum of 12 passengers in warm weather and in an enclosed SUV vehicle with a maximum of 7 people in cold or hot weather
- It is recommended to bring a bandana and sunglasses to protect your face from dust and sand
- This tour is not suitable for infants aged 1 year or younger or women who are more than 5 months pregnant due to rough terrain
- The Tribal Park entry ticket ($10) is not included in the tour price and can be purchased upon entry to the park
- Car seats are required for children 2 years and under. Please bring it on tour.
