Wildcat Trail Sunrise Walking Tour

Greet Father Sun by taking our Wildcat Trail Sunrise Walking Tour. This 4-mile hike, starting from the hotel, is one of the most beautiful trails that you will ever follow. Sunrise at Monument Valley greets you with a myriad of different colors. It’s as if the skies were made of molten lava. The trailhead begins at the primitive campground. From this vantage point, the panoramic view is different than from your hotel room. As you descend nearly 900 feet to the bottom of the valley floor, you will be in awe of the immense size of these sacred monoliths, carefully sculpted by the winds of time. Reaching the base of the giant monuments, unable to fit them in your cameras view finder, you now know this is truly the work of the creator. Your Navajo guide at this point, will play a melody on native flute. You will be able to envision yourself in another place in time as you listen to the gentle notes. Continuing on the trail, you begin to notice more than just the beauty of the monuments. You’ll witness immense sand dunes with ripples that appear to be caused by the stone tossed into a clear still pond. Vegetation that has a beauty of its own, you can start to respect how it survives in this harsh but beautiful environment. Reaching the back side of the mitten butte, you feel as if you are now looking at a completely new creation. Take one last look at the sun as it warms the entire valley and bathes it with brilliant colors. Walking the stream beds, you will see the erosion that sculpted these works of art over the millions of years. Castle Rock to the north, rises majestically above the valley floor and the Blue Mountains peaking around its corner. As you ascend back to the top of the mesa, you feel such peace and serenity unlike you’ve ever felt before.

The Mesa Rim Trail

The Mesa Rim Trail is a ½ mile one way trail. The trail is easy, with one moderate slope at the end. The trail offers some of the best photographic vantage points in the entire park. As you walk along the trail, you’ll enjoy the different panoramic views of the valley. The trail enjoys an abundance of native vegetation including yucca, sagebrush, Indian paintbrush, and Navajo tea to name a few. Much of the vegetation is still used by the Navajos for medical and other purposes. Sighting of the wildlife is an everyday occurrence; don’t be surprised if you see coyotes, foxes, and a large number of different rodents. Reptiles are prevalent throughout the park. There are dozens of different lizards of all shapes, sizes, and colors. The lizards are similar to chameleons as that they change colors to match their surroundings. Be cautious while walking, rattlesnakes reside in the park. Avoid reaching in holes or under rocks. Midway though the hike you will be able to see the mountains of southern Colorado, which are over 100 miles away (165km). When you ascend to the end of the trailhead, you are directly below the massive Mitchell’s Mesa, which towers over 1200 feet above. Your view point from here is nothing short of spectacular as you gaze at the beauty of Monument Valley. During your descend back to the hotel, you marvel at the view you missed. To your left are Grey Whiskers and Mitchell’s Buttes, to the west you will see Navajo Mountain, and to the north the Henry Mountains. If you are fortunate enough to take this hike during the sunrise or sunset, you will have an experience you will truly never forget. Only at Monument Valley can you walk a ½ mile from your hotel and feel as if you are the only person in this vast country.

Jeep Excursions

1 Hour Mini Tour
A quick view of Monument Valley with four stops for photos: Mittens View Point, Elephant Butte, John Ford’s Point and the North Window. $40 per person

1Hour 1/2 Hour Tour
We take you halfway into “the Valley,” with additional photo stops, driving the entire 17-mile loop road, to see the most celebrated buttes, spires and panoramic views from different angles. $50 per person.

1 1/2 Hour Tour
We take you halfway into “the Valley,” with additional photo stops, driving the entire 17-mile loop road, to see the most celebrated buttes, spires and panoramic views from different angles. $50 per person.

2 1/2 Hour Tour
Our most popular tour! In addition to the 1 1/2 hour tour route we show you the backcountry with its natural arches, Anasazi petroglyphs, and ancient Anasazi dwellings. The backcountry of Monument Valley is a restricted area and only guided tours are allowed. A visit to a Navajo woman’s hogan is optional. At the hogan, Susie Yazzie will demonstrate Navajo rug weaving and your guide will talk about Navajo life: What is it like to grow up and live out here? Why are there male and female hogans? Why do they always face east? What native plants do we use, and how?… The tour continues through an area of natural arches and Anasazi petroglyphs and ruins. Who were the Anasazi? What happened to them?… We finish with a visit to Sand Springs, the Totem Pole and Yei Bi Chei rocks. $55 per person.

Sunrise & Sunset Tours
These are regular tours we run at Sunrise and at Sunset. They are not designed as photo tours. We show you as much of the valley in a short period of time as we can. Not enough time to work with tripods or to compose photo's. The best time for photography - even for non-professionals - is early in the morning or in the hours around sunset when Monument Valley shows off its finest colors. Our Sunrise and Sunset Tours usually last 2.5 hours, but even an hour and a half at sunrise or sunset is well worth it. Price per person: $50 for 1 1/2 hours; $60 for 2 1/2 hours; $65 for 3 hours.

Half-Day Tour (4 hours)
Minimum of 4 people. You have a choice of Monument Valley or nearby Mystery Valley.

Mystery Valley offers many ancient, beautiful and well-preserved Anasazi dwellings, petroglyphs and pictographs, as well as natural arches. The Anasazi Indians lived throughout this area before they disappeared 800 years ago. Because few tours go there, Mystery Valley is a very quiet and peaceful place. $75 (+ 5%) tax per person.

The half-day Monument Valley tour includes additional photo opportunities, additional ruins and petroglyphs, and a short walk to Hidden Arch. Also $75 (+ 5%) tax per person.

All-Day Tour
Minimum of 4 people. We spend a half day in Monument Valley and a half day in Mystery Valley (see the descriptions above) with a lunch break at noon. $110 (+ 5%) tax per person. Add $8 if you would like us to provide lunch.