A Monument Valley visit is also a chance to experience Navajo culture directly, from guided storytelling to traditional food — and it pairs naturally with a couple of nearby Southwest landmarks if you have extra days. Here's how to round out the trip.
Navajo-Guided Experiences
Many Navajo-owned tour operators combine the Valley Drive with storytelling, traditional song, and demonstrations of skills like weaving — a much deeper experience than the self-guided loop alone, and a direct way to support the Navajo Nation's tourism economy. Frybread, a Navajo staple, is worth trying at one of the small stands near the visitor center.
Forrest Gump Point
A few miles north of the valley on Highway 163, the spot known as "Forrest Gump Point" — where the actor stopped running in the film — has become a popular photo stop in its own right, with the valley's buttes stretching straight down the highway behind you.
Nearby: Goosenecks and the Valley of the Gods
Goosenecks State Park, a short drive away, overlooks dramatic hairpin bends of the San Juan River carved 1,000 feet below the rim, and the Valley of the Gods offers a quieter, less-visited version of Monument Valley's rock formations along a scenic backroad. Browse Monument Valley tours and experiences below to plan your trip.
Pack for the Desert
Remote high-desert driving calls for a bag that can carry extra water and layers. The VacationGrabs Big Outdoor Leather Backpack is a dependable choice.
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