The Road to Monument Valley

Kane Gulch Ranger Station - Discover the history and rock formations of Bears Ears National Monument at the Kane Gulch Ranger Station. Here, you can explore exhibits, gather hiking information, and receive guidance from friendly rangers for your adventure.

Muley Point East - The first of two lookouts offering expansive views across the San Juan Cliffs and extending to Monument Valley.

Muley Point - While gazing across the San Juan Valley, try to spot John’s Canyon Road at the base of the cliffs. On a clear day, you might also catch a glimpse of Monument Valley’s iconic buttes and mesas in the distance.

Moki Dugway - The Moki Dugway road is both breathtaking and challenging. This three-mile stretch winds down twelve hundred feet of cliffside through sharp switchbacks. With an 11 percent grade, the road is steep, unpaved, and lacks guardrails. However, several viewpoints along the way offer stunning vistas.

Valley of the Gods Road - From Moki Dugway, enjoy views of the vast expanses and towering monoliths of the Valley of the Gods.

Valley of the Gods - Often called “mini Monument Valley,” this experience is anything but small. Grand red sandstone monuments stretch across a rough and bumpy dirt road. The western entrance exits near Bluff, while the eastern entrance is just below the Moki Dugway.

Goosenecks State Park - This small state park features a short paved drive to the goosenecking San Juan River overlook, followed by a long, bumpy dirt road for further exploration. A small fee is required.

Sand Island Petroglyphs - This landmark and recreation area showcases Native American rock art dating from 300 to 3,000 years ago.

The Rincon - This impressive rincon is a massive butte within a now-dry oxbow lake. The bumpy dirt road requires a 4-WD vehicle.

Mexican Hat Rock Formation - True to its name, this large red rock resembles an upside-down sombrero. While visible from the road, visitors can hike and scramble to the top for a closer look.

Mexican Hat - Just south of the notable Mexican Hat Rock, this small town is a perfect stop for hungry travelers, curious visitors, and those wanting to stretch their legs by the San Juan River.

Forrest Gump Point - “I’m pretty tired. Think I’ll go home now.” This iconic movie scene was filmed in a location as extraordinary as the film itself. This quick roadside stop is a favorite among tourists and is completely free!

Brick Arch film location for “Once Upon a Time in the West” - This is the renowned “hanging arch” from the classic film “Once Upon a Time in the West.” Although most of it has fallen, the base remains intact, making it a worthwhile stop for film enthusiasts.

Monument Valley - This roadside stop provides excellent views of the northeastern red rock features of Monument Valley.

モニュメントバレー展望所 - Even without entering the Monument Valley Tribal Park, this scenic road offers glimpses of monuments like The King on His Throne, the Stagecoach, and Brigham’s Tomb.

Goulding’s Lodge - Goulding’s Lodge and Trading Post is a historic landmark. Stop by for a meal, an overnight stay, or to learn about Navajo and film history at the museum.

Navajo Welcome Center - The Navajo Welcome Center is an ideal stop to refresh, learn about local tours, and purchase handcrafted souvenirs. It’s also where you can switch to your Monument Valley Shaka Guide Tour if you’ve purchased it.

Monument Valley - Monument Valley gained fame with John Ford’s classic western, “Stagecoach.” Today, its iconic towers, buttes, and mesas are synonymous with the American West.

Navajo Indian Market - This is a fantastic opportunity to acquire artisanal Navajo souvenirs, such as woolen rugs, silver jewelry, or authentic leatherworks.

Monument Valley Tribal Park

Navajo Welcome Center - The Navajo Nation Welcome Center is a great first stop, offering information about the area, restrooms, crafts for sale, and a restaurant.

Navajo National Monument - This statue provides a quick photo opportunity on your way into the park.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park - With park staff ready to answer questions, plus a gift shop, cafe, and informative exhibits, this is an excellent way to begin your drive through the valley. The viewpoint from the center is perfect for photos and overlooks the first part of the drive, including the two Mittens formations.

Lee Cly Trail - One of two hikes that can be taken without a guide in Monument Valley, the Lee Cly Trail is a two-mile loop starting south of The View Lodge and circling near Mitchell Butte.

Wildcat Trail - Wildcat is an easy four-mile round trip hike that loops around the West Mitten Butte, offering excellent views of the East Mitten and Merrick Butte.

The Mitten Buttes And Merrick Butte - The first major viewpoint along your Monument Valley Drive. From here, you can see the large Merrick Butte and the two mitten twins. This stop sometimes features Navajo vendors selling local crafts.

East Mitten Butte - Another fantastic view of Monument Valley’s front features, especially the wide Mitchell Mesa.

John Ford’s Point - John Ford Point is the top stop in the park. The panorama from the ledge was frequently used by director John Ford in his western films. For a bit of adventure, hop on a horse for a Christmas card-worthy photo.

Linda’s Fry Bread - Feeling a bit hungry on your adventure? Stop by Linda’s Frybread Stand for a delicious fried treat. Try it with salt and honey!

The Hub Point - Hub Point offers views of the wagon-wheel-like hub and a look out to Mystery Valley—the back area of Monument Valley accessible only by guided tour.

Totem Pole And Yei Be Chei - This viewpoint overlooks several impressive pillars. Yei Bi Chei is said to resemble masked Navajo dancers, and Totem Pole is one of the tallest free-standing spires in the world.

The Cube - The Cube appears so unusual, it seems man-made. But no! This cubic sandstone feature was crafted by nature, fractured into perfectly straight lines.

Artist’s Point - Artist’s Point is one of the park’s most famous overlooks. The view of flat desert landscapes is interrupted by striking rock features like the distinctive King-On-His-Throne.

The Thumb - The Thumb is exactly what it sounds like—a quirky rock feature shaped like a thumb! It also offers great views of Camel and Elephant Butte.

North Window Overlook - Another popular spot, this overlook provides views of the valley’s front and is one of the most photographed locations in the tribal park.

Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park Entrance Sign - Upon entering the park, visitors can take a quick photo at the entrance sign to commemorate their visit.

Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center - The Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center is filled with artifacts, artwork, and displays for visitors to enjoy. You can also chat with rangers or grab a map to plan your trip easily.

Entrance Station Kiosk - If you haven’t purchased your entrance pass before entering the park, this is where you’ll buy it.

Mancos Valley Overlook - This first roadside overlook offers stunning views of the Mancos Valley.

Morefield Campground - The Morefield Area, besides hosting the park’s only gas station, includes the Ranger Station, Campground, and several popular trails for visitors to explore.

Prater Ridge Trail - The Prater Ridge Trail crosses the Prater Ridge between Parater and Morefield Canyons, offering two hiking loops: the North Loop, spanning 3.6 miles (5.7 km), and the shorter South Loop, covering 2.4 miles (3.9 km). Hiking both loops completes the entire Prater Ridge Trail, totaling 7.8 miles (12.6 km).

Knife Edge Trail - This historic trail follows the route of the Knife Edge Road and offers beautiful views of Montezuma Valley. This relatively level trail is about 2 miles or 3.4 km long.

Point Lookout Trail - Ascending steep switchbacks on the west side of Point Lookout, the 2.2-mile (3.5 km) roundtrip trail offers hikers magnificent views of the historic entrance road and mesa.

Montezuma Valley Overlook - The Montezuma Valley Overlook showcases the valley and Cortez, and is also a great place to watch the sunset.

Park Point Overlook Trail - This short, paved walk leads to the highest elevation point in the park, featuring several overlooks, informational signs, and the park fire watchtower.

Geologic Overlook Trail - A short walk leads to an overlook and wayside exhibits, providing insights into the area’s geology.

Far View Sites - This easy, 0.8-mile (1.3 km) hike includes several Ancestral Puebloan sites, such as Far View Terrace, Far View Reservoir, the Pipe Shrine House, and the Far View Tower.

Cedar Tree Tower - Cedar Tree House is an Ancestral Puebloan Tower Kiva complex just a few steps from the parking lot. The Farming Terrace Trail is a short, easy 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) that showcases some ancient farming terraces.

Spruce Canyon Trail - The Spruce Canyon Trail is a moderately difficult 2.4 miles (3.9 km) point-to-point trail, starting and ending at the Chapin Mesa Museum. It’s one of the park’s best trails for wildlife-watching, particularly birding.

Petroglyph Point Hike - An absolute must-do trail, this 2.4-mile (3.9 km) loop trail is moderately difficult and rocky, with some mild scrambling at one end. It’s more than worth it, as hikers are rewarded with a stunning petroglyph panel, remnants of an Ancestral Puebloan dwelling, and beautiful views of Spruce Canyon throughout.

Spruce Tree House - The Ancestral Puebloan Spruce Tree House is currently off-limits to in-site visitation due to structural instability, but visitors can still get a great view of the site from the balcony behind the museum. Extra-lucky visitors may also catch a ranger program about the site. Check the museum for details.

Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum - The Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum is an essential stop for all park visitors. There, visitors can enjoy a film on the park’s history, several exhibits, and get information on ranger talks and tours.

Spruce Tree House - If you aren’t planning on packing a picnic lunch, consider stopping by the Spruce Tree Terrace Cafe for a quick snack or a hot meal.

Pithouse - The first stop on the Mesa Top Loop Road, an Ancestral Puebloan Pithouse built around 550 C.E.

Navajo Canyon View - This roadside viewpoint offers stunning views of the Navajo Canyon and the Echo Cliff House.

Square Tower House - This is the tallest cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde—a four-story structure. The overlook is free, but tickets are required to visit Square House.

Pithouses and Villages - This stop allows visitors to appreciate the evolution of Ancestral Puebloan architecture over time, from the earliest pithouses to the more modern pueblos.

Mesa Top Sites - These sites showcase beautiful Ancestral Puebloan kivas and chimney airflow systems.

Sun Point Pueblo - This 30-room village was one of the last structures built by the Ancestral Puebloans before their departure.

Sun Point View - A viewpoint with a viewing scope overlooking several cliffside dwellings.

Oak Tree House - This roadside stop overlooks the 1250 C.E. Oak Tree House, a large cliff village.

Fire Temple - This overlook provides a view of the Fire Temple, which features several homes, a firepit, and a central plaza.

Sun Temple - Sun Temple, an uncompleted Ancestral Puebloan ceremonial structure, has puzzled anthropologists regarding its exact function since its discovery.

Cliff Palace - Cliff Palace is one of Mesa Verde’s most popular stops—and for good reason. With 150 rooms and 23 kivas, this cliffside wonder requires scheduling a ranger-guided tour in advance.

House of Many Windows - This “House of Many Windows” is actually pierced by countless small doorways, often mistaken for windows.

Hemenway House Overlook - This carefully perched cliff house was built in the early 1200s as part of the larger Balcony House Community.

Balcony House - Visitors should secure advance tickets for this ranger-guided tour. The Balcony House consists of 38 rooms, 2 kivas, and a plaza. To visit, guests need to be in relatively good health, as they will need to crawl through a small tunnel and climb several ladders.

Soda Canyon Overlook Trail - This short and easy 1.2-mile (2 km) out-and-back trail is ideal for wildlife spotting. Along the way, you’ll enjoy several views of the cliff houses dotting the adjacent cliffside. Be sure to walk all the way to the Soda Canyon overlook for the best view of the canyon.

Window to the Past - Wetherill Mesa’s geologic overlook and picnic area is a great stop in the afternoon for a quick snack while you take in views of Montezuma Valley.

McElmo Canyon - This is the final roadside viewpoint for enjoying Montezuma Valley overlook along Wetherill Mesa Road and is another excellent spot for birding.

Rock Canyon Tower View Trail - The Rock Canyon Tower is a stop where you’ll want to use your binoculars. The tower structure is located on the opposite canyon wall.

Wetherill Mesa Kiosk Trail - The Wetherill Mesa Station Kiosk should be your first stop before heading to the Long House Trail. This informative hub, located at the end of Wetherill Mesa Road, provides visitors with essential details about the Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings and archaeological sites in the area. Offering maps, interpretive exhibits, and trail information, the kiosk helps visitors plan their ideal route through the surrounding, intersecting trails.

Wetherill Mesa - The Wetherill Mesa Sites include Step House, Kodak House, Long House, Nordenskiold Site 16, and Two Raven House. The hikes here can total up to or over 4.5 miles if you visit all the sites. Visitors should prioritize Nordenskiold Site and Step House, as well as the by ticket-only Long House.

Long House - This is the only Ancestral Puebloan site on Wetherill Mesa Road that requires a ranger guide to visit. This sprawling structure consists of 50 rooms, 21 kivas, and several upper storage rooms.

• Tours never expire
• Freedom to explore at your own pace
• Offline map (no wifi or data needed)
• Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
• Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips, and music
• Audio narration plays automatically as you drive

• Private Transportation
• Entrance Fees
• Parking Fees
• Meals & Refreshments

Set off on a captivating journey through history and landscapes with the Monument Valley and Mesa Verde Self-Guided Tour Bundle!

Navigate through Monument Valley’s renowned red sandstone formations, experiencing the rich Navajo culture and the cinematic vistas of the American Southwest.

Next, venture into Mesa Verde National Park, exploring the ancient cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans and discovering the stories of a civilization etched into stone.

Featuring GPS-triggered audio narration, offline maps, and the liberty to explore at your own pace, this bundle provides a flexible and enriching experience without the limitations of group tours.

Join countless travelers who have turned their road trips into unforgettable adventures—download now and let history and nature lead your journey!

Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours

• Get Started Easily: • Book Your Tour: Receive a confirmation and easy instructions via email. • Download the App: Follow the simple steps in your email. • Redeem the Tour: Use the redeem code in your email to redeem the tour in the app. • Prepare Ahead: Download the tour using strong Wi-Fi.
• Begin Your Journey: • Select Your Tour: Go to the My Stuff tab in the Shaka Guide app to launch the tour. • Start the Tour: Select the tour starting point and follow the GPS instructions. • Follow Shaka Guide: Stick to the suggested route and speed for the best experience.
• Why Choose Our Audio Tour: • Cost-Efficient: One tour for the entire vehicle—no per-person fees! • Ultimate Flexibility: Start, pause, and resume on your schedule. • Convenience: Use the tour any day, over multiple days if needed.
• Top Features: • Hands-Free: The tour works automatically - GPS-activated stories, directions, and music play as you drive for a seamless experience. • Works Offline: No need for continuous wifi or data. • Reliable Support: Get help via call, chat, or email.
• Private and Personalized: • Crowd-Free: Enjoy a private tour with just your group. • Customizable Stops: Pick the stops you want and skip the ones you don’t!
• The Ultimate Guided Tour: • Detailed Itinerary: Includes travel tips and recommendations. • Engaging Narration: Captivating stories and history.
• What Our Users Say: • “A fantastic way to explore! Easy to use and very informative.” • “Loved the flexibility to stop and go as we pleased. Highly recommend!”

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.