A Breathtaking Park In Arizona Features Unique Geological Formations And Vibrant Crimson Mesas

The American West's must-visit national parks and monuments are worthy of just about anybody's bucket list. However, among them all, the one that takes the cake when it comes to iconic Western scenery is Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park right at the Utah–Arizona border. We're talking 91,696 acres of vast plains dotted with majestic rock formations, ranging in height from 400 to 1,000 feet. The formations resemble massive crimson cathedrals towering over the desert, casting surreal sunrise and sunset shadows depending on the season. It's no wonder that Monument Valley (Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii in the Navajo language) is considered sacred by the Navajo and is also considered one of the 75 most beautiful landscapes in the entire world. 

The valley's otherworldly terrain is the result of millions of years of wind and water erosion. Like master sculptors, these natural forces have chipped away at the softer sediment layers in the sandstone, revealing the iconic rock formations over time. Today, Monument Valley is one of the most photographed and filmed places on Earth, making appearances in Old Westerns such as John Ford's "Stagecoach" and "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" along with more recent films like "Easy Rider," "Forrest Gump," "Back to the Future Part III," and many others. 

Monument Valley's iconic rock formations look amazing on the big screen, but they are even more impressive when viewed in person. The best way to see them is by entering the Monument Valley Tribal Park (admission is $8 per person) and driving the 17-mile scenic loop through the valley. This route has 11 stopping points along the way with numbered signs with the descriptive names of the rock formations, like "Camel Butte," "Totem Pole," and "Three Sisters." The loop is open to visitors every day, all year round, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in winter and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in summer.

Visitors are allowed to drive the loop in their own private vehicles. However, motorcycles and RVs are not allowed due to the ruggedness of the dirt road, which has deep sand in some places. If you can't or prefer not to drive yourself, book a tour with a Navajo guide, who will transport you around the loop and to other parts of the park. But these Navajo-guided tours are much more than mere transportation. They provide opportunities to discover the valley's hidden gems and step into the Navajo world for a few hours. Through their unique cultural perspective, visitors can discover a whole new dimension of Monument Valley — not just its remarkable geology but also its history, people, and most cherished stories and secrets. 

Sick of driving and want to get face-to-face with a butte? Well, the only self-guided hike you can do in the park is via the Wildcat Trail, a 3.2-mile loop around the gorgeous West Mitten Butte. This is an easy-to-moderate hike with great views, but you should remember to take extra water and sunscreen all year round, as there's very little shade on this trail. Otherwise, you'll need to hire Navajo guides to hike in other areas of the Tribal Park –– but spectacular adventures await you if you do. For example, one guided five-hour excursion involves trekking to the top of Hunts Mesa, one of the tallest plateaus in Monument Valley. 

Navajo guides also offer photography tours and an all-inclusive camping experience with an overnight stay in a hogan, the traditional dwelling of the Navajo people, which is constructed with juniper logs and bark and covered with packed red dirt. Camping also allows visitors to experience the magic of the valley during the starry nights and at sunrise and sunset. When the sun is low on the horizon, the play of light and shadows on the rock formations is at its most intense, and the colors are at their most magnificent. After blissing out in Monument Valley, be sure to explore more of Southern Utah and Northern Arizona. From Monument Valley, it's only 124 miles to the red rock wonderland known as Lake Powell, an incredible lake for swimming after a long, hot desert drive.