Monument Valley

Monument Valley is not a national park but a Navajo Tribal Park — sacred land of the Navajo Nation and simultaneously one of the most iconic landscapes in the world. The massive sandstone rocks (buttes and mesas) rising from the flat desert plain are the quintessential image of the American West. John Ford began filming his Westerns with John Wayne here in 1939, and since then, Monument Valley has appeared in countless films, commercials, and music videos — from "Forrest Gump" to "2001: A Space Odyssey".

What to Expect

The main attraction is the 17-Mile Scenic Drive — an unpaved dirt road that loops through the valley and passes all the major formations. You'll need a vehicle with ground clearance (no sports cars!), and the drive takes 2–3 hours with photo stops. The most famous formations:

• West and East Mitten Buttes — The "gloves" are the quintessential postcard image.
• Merrick Butte — The massive mesa right next to the Mittens.
• John Ford's Point — The viewpoint the director chose for his Westerns. Here you can pose on a horse for a tip.
• The Totem Pole — A narrow, 91-meter-high rock spire that seems to defy gravity.

Guided Tours

Vast areas of the valley are only accessible with a Navajo guide — and these tours are worth every dollar. The guides lead to hidden petroglyphs, explain the spiritual significance of the landscape, and take you to places self-drivers never see. Highly recommended: Sunrise or Sunset Tours (from $75 per person, 2.5 hours) and the Upper Monument Valley Tour (from $95, 3.5 hours).

The "Forrest Gump Point"

21 km south of Monument Valley on US Highway 163 is the spot where Tom Hanks, as Forrest Gump, ended his run across America — a perfectly straight road leading directly to the buttes. One of the most photographed road sections in the world. Caution: The road is in use! Park your car safely at the side and watch for traffic.