Can I Explore Monument Valley Without a Guided Tour?
- You can explore Monument Valley’s 17-mile scenic loop without a guide, but a high-clearance vehicle is strongly recommended.
- Download offline maps or the Shaka Guide tour—cell service is limited and navigation signs are minimal.
- Access to Mystery Valley and Hunts Mesa requires a licensed Navajo guide for safety and cultural preservation.
- Arrive early for better light and fewer crowds, and always pack water, gas, and trash bags.
- Follow Navajo Nation rules: stay on designated roads, avoid restricted areas, and never photograph people without permission.
Where You Can Go Without a Guide
Visitors to Monument Valley can drive the 17-mile Valley Drive loop on their own—no guide required—as long as they’re in a personal vehicle.
This scenic dirt road winds through some of the valley’s most iconic landscapes, but it’s important to come prepared.
While the road is accessible in dry conditions, it’s highly recommended to have an all-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicle.
After rain, the terrain can become muddy and uneven, and a 4-wheel drive vehicle may be necessary to navigate safely.
More than likely, you’ll see sedans cruising through, rain or shine. But just keep in mind: if you get stuck, you’ll be responsible for that towing fee..
Along the loop, you’ll find several popular photo stops, including the towering Mittens—those two famous buttes that look like giant stone hands—and John Ford’s Point, where countless westerns were filmed.
It’s a self-paced way to take in the dramatic red rock formations that define Monument Valley.
Where a Guided Tour is Required
Rachel Ennis
Mystery Valley and Hunts Mesa are breathtaking backcountry areas in Monument Valley, but access is restricted—you’ll need a Navajo guide to visit.
These sites include sacred places, ancient ruins, and fragile landscapes, and the Navajo Nation requires guided tours to protect them.
Guides not only provide access to areas closed to the general public, but they also share cultural context, stories, and history you won’t find on your own.
To get to Mystery Valley or Hunts Mesa, you’ll typically depart from the Monument Valley Visitor Center or nearby towns like Kayenta.
A high-clearance 4x4 vehicle is essential, but most tours provide transportation.
Mystery Valley features arches, petroglyphs, and cliff dwellings, while Hunts Mesa offers sweeping views above Monument Valley’s iconic spires—especially popular for sunrise or overnight trips.
Book with a licensed Navajo guide or tour company in advance to explore these incredible places respectfully and legally.
Exploring Solo
There are a lot of good reasons to join an in-person guided tour, but it might not be for everyone. Take a look below to help decide which experience is right for you.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Flexibility— Explore at your own pace, stop where and when you want, for as long as you want. |
No navigation help— No cell service in many spots, and signage is minimal. P.S- Shaka Guide works with no signal, no worries! Just download the tour in advance! |
|
Cost-effective— Cheaper than booking an in-person guided tour. |
Missed experiences— You won’t see ancient, hidden arches, or petroglyphs that are only accessible with a guide. |
|
Privacy— Enjoy the scenery on your own, or with your family and friends. |
No direct cultural connection— You miss out on the deeper meaning behind the landmarks, provided by real face-to-face interaction with a Navajo tour guide. |
|
Good for photos— You control your timing and setup for photography. |
Limited access— You're restricted to the main 17-mile loop; no access to backcountry areas like Mystery Valley or Hunts Mesa. |
|
Simple logistics— Just pay the entrance fee and go (on the designated 17-mile loop). |
Rough road— The loop is unpaved and can be bumpy; not ideal for low-clearance vehicles. |
Quick Tips for Visiting Without a Tour
Rachel Ennis
- Arrive early – You’ll beat the crowds, catch cooler temps, and get the best light for photography (especially before midday).
- Drive a high-clearance vehicle, if possible – The 17-mile loop road is unpaved, bumpy, and can get rough—especially after rain.
- Bring plenty of water and gas – Services are limited in and around the valley, so come prepared.
- Respect Navajo Nation rules – Stay on the designated route, obey all signage, and never wander into restricted areas or sacred sites.
- Pack out trash – Help keep this sacred landscape clean for everyone.
- Don’t count on cell service – Download maps (or your Shaka Guide tour) ahead of time or grab a paper one at the visitor center.
Explore with Shaka Guide
Whether you’re planning to go it on your own or take an in-person guided tour, the Shaka Guide GPS tour is a great accompaniment to your trip.
Download the Monument Valley tour for stories inside the park, and The Road to Monument Valley to explore more of the Navajo Nation and surrounding areas, including Valley of the Gods and the Moki Dugway.
Rachel is a storyteller, nature nerd, and park enthusiast who believes every trail has a tale. When she first visited Yellowstone, she was captivated by the steaming geysers, thundering waterfalls, and wild, wide-open spaces.
Now, she’s on a mission to share the stories that live in the land—and the places that make us feel small in the best way.
Ready to explore Monument Valley?
Take Shaka Guide’s Road to Monument Valley Audio Tour for turn-by-turn directions, local stories, and the freedom to explore at your own pace.
Visiting more parks in the region?
Don’t miss our Monument Valley Tour Bundle — it includes tours for Mesa Verde and Monument Valley Tribal Park.
Still planning?
Check out our Road to Monument Valley Itinerary and Know Before You Go guide to prep for your trip.
Have questions?
We’re happy to help — email us at aloha@shakaguide.com.
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