2 Hour Monument Valley Horseback Tour
Description
Hop in the saddle for a two-hour horseback ride through the western spirit of Monument Valley! Gallop past towering mesas and red rock formations as the spirit of the Old West surrounds you. Your Navajo guide, a seasoned cowboy, with our well-trained loveable horses will share their spirit of the people’s land. Whether you’re a seasoned wrangler or an absolute beginner, this journey will leave you with memories as big as the valley itself. So, dust off your boots, feel the wind and join us for an unforgettable ride through this iconic frontier!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Drive or walk your way towards The View Hotel Premium Cabins and at the end of the road is a path leading to our horse stable. When you arrive at the Sacred Monument Tours Horse Stable location, you’ll meet your Navajo guide, sign a waiver and receive a safety briefing.
We’ll begin our journey with a scenic ride to The Mittens, also known as the West and East Mitten Buttes. Enjoy stunning views and learn about the geological significance of these iconic landmarks. When viewed from the south, the buttes appear to be two gigantic mittens with their thumbs facing inwards.
This butte was named after a well-known 19th-century prospector, Richard Merrick, who was one of the first to explore the area. The butte, standing 5,000 feet above sea level, is often seen in iconic Western films, making it a popular stop on horseback tours. As you ride through the valley, you’ll feel like you’re stepping into a classic Western movie scene, with Merrick Butte standing proudly in the background. Its striking silhouette adds to the rugged beauty of the landscape!
It’s often referred to as the “watchtower” of the valley due to its towering presence and strategic location. Standing at 6,200 feet, it has been a natural landmark for centuries, guiding both the Navajo people and early explorers. During horseback tours, riders can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding desert, and the mesa’s distinct shape often evokes the image of a lone sentinel keeping watch over the land. It’s a popular stop for photography, offering stunning vistas of the iconic red rock formations.
Your tour concludes at the Sacred Monument Tours Horse Stable location where you’re free to ask your guide any remaining questions and take last minute pictures with everyone including our horses!
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(502)
HIGHLY DISCOURAGED 2-HOUR HORSEBACK TOUR!! Fall from a horse due to the total irresponsibility of the guides. I advise anyone against relying on Sacred Monument Tours. Unfortunately, I know well that a horseback excursion in Monument Valley is a beautiful experience that everyone would like to do once in their life (and it is precisely the reason why we relied on them, being one of the very few authorized and well-known tours to access the area), but I beg you not to do it so as not to ruin your vacations or, worse, put your life at risk. What was supposed to be an unforgettable adventure turned into a nightmare when my friend was thrown to the ground by a horse, risking paralysis or worse, due to the total incompetence and inattention of the staff. I have participated in other beginner excursions and I know what it means to work safely: here, the attention to the customer is zero. The accident was caused by the guide: Almost at the end of the ride, the guide made a sound/sign to the horse (a kiss); the animal suddenly bolted and my friend flew to the ground violently. After such a serious incident, there was no adequate assistance. They only hid behind the waiver signed at the beginning. We know that all tours make you sign a liability waiver, but bureaucracy is one thing, and total indifference and lack of aid in the face of a danger created directly by them is another. I also add that throughout the duration of the tour, the guide was completely inattentive and absent: he spent the time with headphones in his ears, walking very far from us. I even fell behind alone for a long stretch because my horse was tired and had detached from the group, without anyone noticing. Always with signs made to the horses, he gave them instructions to trot even though we were beginners. Furthermore, at the beginning they ask if you prefer a helmet or a cowboy hat, an absolutely unprofessional and dangerous choice for those who are not experts. They are totally improvised, have no care for customers, and put people's safety at high risk. Do not make our same mistake: it is not worth it!
Beautiful tour, the guide Marco was excellent! A unique experience. Thanks also to the fantastic horses Tank & Tonto. ❤️
It was a magnificent and exhilarating experience! For my family, it was the first time on horseback, but these animals were so docile and well-trained that they knew on their own what they had to do! Our guide Marco was helpful and knowledgeable! Even the heat, which I feared would be stifling, was not a big problem! I hope sooner or later to repeat this experience!!
Excellent way to discover the park. 2 hours are necessary to give yourself time and multiply the viewpoints.
We had an incredibly great trip out in Monument Valley with two guides. They gave us good guidance during the trip, and were incredibly pleasant to talk to.
Very happy with The ridning tour! Unbelievable amazing View! So happy with it and money Well spent! Amazing tour guide aswell, Dylan.
What can I say... We were fortunate to be just the two of us, my husband and I, and we witnessed a magnificent sunrise. The guide, very attentive, understood my sensitivity as a painter and was never-ending in sharing stories about the rock engravings of our ancestors, as well as about the local fauna and flora. A big thank you to Mr. T for this excursion in the desert of Monument Valley, which was as beautiful as it was spiritual.
Hands down one of the coolest experiences we've ever done. Our guide Dylan was fantastic leading us on trails that put us right in the midst of the beauty of Monument Valley. 10 out of 10 experience!
Wonderful tour and even better on horseback! The views of the monuments from up close were amazing! Highly recommend this tour!
What a wonderful memorable experience we had riding horses in Monument Valley. Nice small group of only four. We got to see the monuments up close and had views not many people can experience. If you are going to Monument Valley, we highly recommend this fantastic tour.
