Explore the iconic 17-mile scenic loop of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park at your own pace with a GPS-triggered self-guided audio tour. These downloadable guides provide offline maps, turn-by-turn directions, and deep insights into the area's Navajo roots and Hollywood history.
Free Cancellation Drive the 17-mile Monument Valley loop with an audio tour exploring Navajo culture and Hollywood’s film history.
Free Cancellation Explore Monument Valley’s cinematic landscapes and Navajo heritage with a GPS-triggered audio tour for your drive.
Free Cancellation Explore Monument Valley’s 17-mile loop with an audio guide covering Navajo history, film sites, and hidden overlooks.
Free Cancellation Drive through the iconic sandstone buttes while listening to stories of Navajo culture and desert geology.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Monument Valley — from practical tips to personal highlights.
A self-guided audio tour of Monument Valley offers a flexible, immersive way to explore the world-famous 17-mile scenic loop at your own pace. Using GPS technology, these smartphone apps automatically play location-based stories about Navajo culture, geological formations, and Hollywood history as you drive through the majestic desert landscape.
Marvel at towering sandstone masterpieces like the East and West Mitten Buttes and Merrick Butte. These massive formations rise up to 1,000 feet above the valley floor.
Stop at the spectacular viewpoint named after the legendary Hollywood director. This is the perfect spot to capture classic Western movie-style photographs.
Listen to engaging audio narration detailing the rich history of the Navajo Nation. Learn about their pastoral way of life and why this land is considered deeply sacred.
Discover the science behind the scenery. The audio guides explain how wind and water carved the Cutler Group siltstone into the fragile spires you see today.
Drive past slender, towering spires that represent some of the most delicate erosion in the park. According to Navajo belief, this formation is a sacred god held up by lightning.
Park your vehicle and stretch your legs on the 3.2-mile Wildcat Trail. It is the only self-guided hike in the park that meanders directly into the shadow of the West Mitten Butte.
Before purchasing a self-guided audio tour for Monument Valley, it is important to understand how the apps work, what vehicle you will need, and what additional costs to expect at the tribal park.
You only need to purchase one audio tour per vehicle, making it a highly cost-effective option for families and groups. Connect your phone to your car's Bluetooth or use an auxiliary cable so everyone can listen.
The audio tour apps do not cover your admission to the park. You must pay the Navajo Tribal Park entrance fee at the gate, which is $15 per person plus a $20 vehicle fee to access the scenic drive.
The 17-mile scenic loop is a rugged, unpaved dirt road with deep sand dunes and severe potholes. While standard sedans can attempt it in dry weather, high-clearance SUVs or 4WD vehicles are strongly recommended.
Cellular service and Wi-Fi are virtually nonexistent inside the valley. You must download the audio tour app and the specific Monument Valley tour to your phone over a strong network before you arrive.
Most self-guided audio tours offer lifetime access with no expiration date. You can start, pause, or resume the tour anytime, providing complete flexibility if your travel plans change or you encounter bad weather.
The audio tours guide you along the public 17-mile loop road. If you want to explore restricted backcountry areas like Mystery Valley or Hunts Mesa, you are legally required to hire a licensed Navajo guide.
Keep in mind that drones and dogs are strictly prohibited everywhere inside the Navajo Tribal Park. Drones will be confiscated by park officials if flown.
Because Monument Valley is a sovereign Navajo Tribal Park and not a U.S. National Park, America the Beautiful and Golden Eagle passes are not accepted for entry.
| Action Tour Guide | GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) | WalknTours | Shaka Guide | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per Vehicle | $24.99 | $19.99 | $15.00 | $12.74 |
| App Platform | Action Tour Guide App | GuideAlong App | WalknTours App | Shaka Guide App |
| Offline GPS Mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Park Entrance Fees Included | No | No | No | No |
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park operates on different schedules depending on the season. The park is closed entirely on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
Always check local weather conditions before entering, as heavy rains can cause sudden closures of the loop road.
Monument Valley is located on the border of southeastern Utah and northern Arizona, accessible via Highway 163.
The shoulder seasons of late Fall and early Spring are the best times to visit. Months like March offer comfortable daytime temperatures and smaller crowds. Late March and mid-September are highly sought after by photographers to witness the Mitten Shadow event, where the shadow of West Mitten perfectly aligns with East Mitten at sunset.
Times to Avoid: The peak summer season (May to September) brings intense heat exceeding 100°F (38°C) and long wait times. Additionally, the monsoon season from July through September triggers severe afternoon thunderstorms, creating dangerous flash flood hazards on the unpaved loop road.
The Monument Valley Visitor Center terrace is fully wheelchair accessible and offers some of the most spectacular, unobstructed views of the Mittens and Merrick Butte without needing to navigate rough terrain.
However, the 17-mile scenic loop drive is a rough, unpaved dirt road with deep sand, making it entirely inaccessible for independent wheelchair travel. Elderly visitors or those with mobility issues can comfortably enjoy the loop drive from the passenger seat of a vehicle, but the 3.2-mile Wildcat Trail is not recommended due to uneven terrain, lack of shade, and high elevation.
Inside the tribal park, the main hub is the Visitor Center, where you can purchase permits, browse exhibits, and use the restrooms. Just adjacent is The View Hotel and Cabins, which is the only lodging facility located directly inside the park boundaries, offering rooms with private balconies, tent sites, and an RV park.
While driving the 17-mile loop, you will find several roadside stands where local Navajo artisans sell authentic handmade crafts, wool rugs, and silver jewelry. Note that there are no food or water facilities along the dirt road itself, so you must bring plenty of drinking water with you.
Because Monument Valley is a sovereign Navajo Tribal Park, visitors must respect strict local laws and cultural guidelines:
No, the audio tour apps only provide the GPS-guided narration. You must pay the Navajo Tribal Park entrance fee at the gate, which is $15 per person plus a $20 vehicle fee.
Yes, but you must download the tour app and the specific Monument Valley tour data to your phone while you have a strong Wi-Fi or cellular connection before arriving. Once downloaded, the app uses your phone's internal GPS to trigger the audio offline.
While standard sedans can attempt the drive in dry weather, you do so at your own risk. The unpaved dirt road has severe potholes, uneven terrain, and deep sand dunes, so a high-clearance SUV or 4WD vehicle is strongly recommended.
No, you only need to purchase one audio tour per vehicle. You can connect your smartphone to your car's stereo system via Bluetooth or an auxiliary cable so all passengers can hear the narration.
No, Monument Valley is a Navajo Tribal Park located entirely within the sovereign boundaries of the Navajo Nation. It is managed by the Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation Department.
No, National Park passes like the America the Beautiful or Golden Eagle passes are not accepted at Monument Valley. You must pay the specific tribal entry fees.
Most visitors spend about three hours driving the 17-mile scenic loop and stopping at the various viewpoints. If you choose to hike the 3.2-mile Wildcat Trail, you should add an additional two hours to your itinerary.
No, dogs are strictly prohibited at all Navajo Tribal Park locations, including Monument Valley. You will need to make alternative arrangements for your pets before visiting.
No, the use of drones is strictly prohibited throughout the entire park to protect the privacy of Navajo residents and respect the sacred nature of the land. Any drones flown will be confiscated.
The only trail you are permitted to hike without a guide is the 3.2-mile Wildcat Trail. Independent off-trail hiking or exploring restricted backcountry areas is strictly illegal unless you hire a licensed Navajo guide.
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This self-guided audio tour follows the 17-mile loop through Monument Valley, highlighting the area's deep Navajo roots and its famous history as a Hollywood filming location. One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, giving you the freedom to stop at scenic overlooks and explore the landscape at your own pace without following a group schedule. After booking, you will receive a link to download the Audio Tour Guide App by Action. You should download the tour while connected to WiFi or mobile data before heading out; once installed, the app uses GPS to play audio automatically and works entirely offline. You will have lifetime access to the tour, meaning it never expires and can be used on any future visits. Important: This purchase is for the audio guide only and does not include your park entrance fee. Please check the park's current operating hours before you arrive to ensure the route is open.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, French
This self-guided audio tour navigates the red sand roads of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, highlighting the massive sandstone buttes and cinematic vistas that defined the American West. The guide provides context on Navajo traditions, tribal history, and the valley's role as a backdrop for legendary Hollywood films. Audio triggers automatically based on your GPS location, sharing insights on ancient dwellings and the cultural significance of the landscape as you drive. Designed for flexibility, the app works without cell service or Wi-Fi, making it reliable in remote desert areas. You can choose from suggested itineraries ranging from a few hours to multiple days, moving at your own pace without a fixed schedule. A single purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, never expires, and includes all future updates, essentially serving as a personal narrator for your entire trip.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This self-guided driving tour follows the 17-mile scenic loop through the heart of Monument Valley. Using GPS-triggered audio, the guide provides context for the landmarks exactly when you reach them. You will see the famous Mitten Buttes and Merrick Butte while learning about the Navajo Nation’s history and the spiritual significance of these sandstone formations. The route includes stops at major viewpoints like John Ford’s Point, Artist’s Point, and the North Window Overlook. Along the way, the audio shares stories from the valley’s film history—explaining how these landscapes became the face of the American West in Hollywood—and points out lesser-known spots most visitors miss. The guide also provides practical advice on where to eat and the best locations for photos.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This self-guided audio tour follows the road into Monument Valley, highlighting the massive sandstone buttes and desert terrain. As you drive, the guide explains the geological forces that shaped these formations and provides historical context for the region's most famous landmarks. The narration focuses on Navajo culture and the spiritual significance of the landscape to the Diné people. You’ll hear local stories and history that offer a deeper perspective on the area than a standard map. To access the tour, download the Shaka Guide app and play the audio through your vehicle's speakers or headphones. Please note that several locations, including the Monument Valley Tribal Park, recommend using a 4-wheel drive vehicle. While 4-WD is not strictly required for the main route, drivers assume all responsibility for their vehicle and personal safety when navigating unpaved sections.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English