monument valley goulding's tour

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#1 rated tour company in monument valley.

Goulding's Resort & Tours offers a variety of exclusive guided tours through Monument Valley and beyond. All of our tour guides are local Navajos who grew up in and around the Monument Valley area. During the tour, they will provide our guests access to the trails and paths not open to the public while offering insight into Monument Valley. Discover the far-reaching destinations you have seen in popular Hollywood movies. With authentic insights about Monument Valley, you can enjoy and relax among the towering dunes. Whether you are visiting with your significant other or enjoying a family trip with your kids, Goulding's Resort & Tours has something for everyone and makes the best choice for planning a stay at Monument valley.

After your tour, explore Goulding's Resort & Tours, the well-equipped and amenity-rich resort features fantastic rooms, restaurants, museums, campgrounds, and stores. You can use the base camp at Goulding's Resort & Tours to make the most of your mesa excursions.

Book your tour today!

What makes goulding's resort & tours the best place to stay during your tour.

Goulding's Resort & Tours is one of the places where a smorgasbord of interesting options awaits for the visitors. The resort caters to your living needs by offering your aesthetically designed and amenity-rich spaces including spacious rooms, villas, and campsites.

Start your trip to Monument Valley with your local guide after booking a myriad of exciting excursions. Go on half-day, full-day, or hour-long trips to some of the exotic and less traveled spots such as Mystery Canyon .

Do not miss a walk to the Goulding Trade Post Museum. Within this museum, you will find a historic trading post reminiscent of the 1920s and 1940s, harkening back to the time of its sale. Go upstairs to see the historic rooms in the area of living quarters of Harry and Leone "Mike" Goulding.

Get a close glimpse of the location featured in many celebrated movies as well as viewing the John Wayne classics and several other memorabilia in the Earth Spirit Theater.

Goulding's Resort Rooms

Goulding's Hillside Villas

Goulding's RV Park & Campground

Stagecoach Restaurant

Indoor Pools

Goulding's Museum

Hiking Trails

Goulding's Gift Shop

Goulding's Grocery Store

Goulding's Destination Weddings

Enjoy this never-ending fun at monument valley by booking rooms at goulding's resort & tours to make your trip memorable., see what others are saying about goulding's resort & tours, summer vacation 2018.

Loved it with a CAPITAL "L" This area is best described as majestic. Beautiful, Iconic Bluffs and Mesa. Forrest Gump Highway is near here. Took the sunrise tour. I was going to do the drive myself, glad I sprung for the cash and had somebody else do the driving. We went from here to Page Az, then to South Entry of Grand Canyon. If you love BIG Nature. Take the trip. We stayed at Goulding's 1 night and had a cabin near the Store / Gas station just a bit down the road. Excellent, comfortable, backed the rental car up to the back door of the cabin and unloaded the cooler and suitcase. Could not have been easier.

Best hotel we stayed in on our whole trip to the USA

Great rooms - all of which have an incredible view of monument valley from their balcony. Really amazing food served at the lodge's restaurant and friendly staff. A few shops etc nearby, not too much of an issue but something to note is that you can't purchase alcohol anywhere on the reserve (nearest place 16 miles away) including inside the restaurant. Great experience

The view is Monument Valley

We stayed here after visiting 4 Corners and Mexican Hat. We arrived in time to take an afternoon tour which we did. We had dinner at their restaurant and a free movie featuring westerns that were shot in Monument valley, the showed Stage Coach this night. The room was big and comfortable and had a view of Monument Valley!! A nice place to stay!

Sunrise Tour of Monument Valley

Our family took the sunrise tour of Monument Valley and were thrilled with the scenery and "photo ops." The ride was a bit rough over unpaved roads through the valley itself. The guide was Navajo and grew up locally so she showed us all the highlights and more. She told us local stories and made sure we were at a good angle to catch the sunrise at the Mittens. Expensive tour, but worth it!

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Goulding's Tours

Review Highlights

“ After visiting a hogan , we covered the usual loop as well as restricted areas not open to self-drivers. ” in 3 reviews

“ We did the full day tour and it was great. ” in 2 reviews

“ We learned more about the Navajo history, saw some absolutely gorgeous areas, petroglyphs and much more. ” in 2 reviews

Location & Hours

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1000 Goulding's Trading Post Rd

Monument Valley, UT 84536

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This tour was led by a Navajo guide. He shared lots of Navajo history, lore, and culture. We stopped at numerous picturesque points. We went some places the general public can't go. I'd never been here and so appreciate seeing this with a good tour and a great guide. This place is awe-inspiring, and after experiencing this place I understand from whence it gets its title. This was totally worth it.

Ansley was a fantastic guide on our 4 hour back country tour. Great photo ops, good information, and interesting history on the Navajo culture. Well worth the $90.

We took the 3 1/2 hour tour and it was GREAT! Ron was our tour guide and he was helpful, friendly and was able to answer all our questions. We learned more about the Navajo history, saw some absolutely gorgeous areas, petroglyphs and much more. Some of the group took too long at a couple of stops so we may have had a shorter stay at one of the stops but it didn't matter. If you are here and want to learn about Navajo life and see some gorgeous scenery over 3-4 hours this is a must tour!

Our guide was Henry and he was fantastic. Good stores, history, conversation and he speaks 5 languages! We took the deluxe tour to include the Hogan, what an experience. Yes, you may drive yourself however you will not go into the areas the tour does, will not have someone to provide history of place, no lots of facts, and no Hogan!. Spend the money and take the tour - if you're lucky enough to get Henry you will be all set.

We took the full day tour. It has been hours since the tour ended, yet my husband and I keep talking about what am amazing day we had. Our amazing day was all because of Ron, our friendly and fun tour guide. We were the only guests today and he saw we wanted to take photos. After our first stop, he mentioned that we would change things up to get perfect lighting. And when we were moving through destinations pretty quickly, he added a bonus stop at the end of our tour. At each stop he would point out the best positions to get the perfect photo. I cannot wait to go through the hundreds of photos we took. I highly recommend taking the all day tour. You will see the special backcountry that you would miss on a shorter tour. Thanks again, Ron and Gouldings for a day we won't forget!

One of the greatest tours I've taken, Dennis our tour guide was excellent on he kept us informed on life on the reservation and all the sites. We took the evening tour.. He took some of the best shots of me in the tear and I made it into a poster, it's really great. I will be back and I will do another tour for the all day tour.

We had an EXCELLENT sunset tour with Jonathan on Saturday night. He was cautious driving over the rocky/uneven terrain and gave such an awesome history of Monument Valley. We especially loved his stories from growing up. It was really special that he sang us a Navajo song that he used to sing with his grandparents.

A very good and enjoyable tour of Monument Valley with Henry. A beautiful day and gorgeous weather allowed us to experience the amazing scenery. Tour Guide, Henry, was kind, funny, interesting, and clearly dedicated to his work. He takes great pride in his native land and clearly enjoys giving tours. Looking forward to bringing family and friends to Goulding's for a tour next time we visit Monument Valley. Well worth it!

See all photos from J G. for Goulding's Tours

Overall the tour was good but not enough time to take pictures in other areas but the specific stops done by the tour guide. It was great seeing the Navajo area closed to the public and the views were amazing. Great hearing Navajos history however our guide , Leo was little hard to understand for most of us. During winter is really cold, please bring jackets. We did the 2.30 pm tour hoping to see the main sites during sunset but that was not the case. The tour guide was pleasant and willing to take pictures.

See all photos from Alina P. for Goulding's Tours

We did the full day tour and it was great. Visiting Mystery Canyon in the morning was wonderful. Just incredible. Invest the time -- it's so beautiful.

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Call Today! 855-761-8133

The premier monument valley hotel.

Nestled in the heart of an iconic southwestern landscape, Goulding’s Resort & Tours offers the authentic Monument Valley experience. Our beautiful, amenity-filled resort provides just about everything you could ask for to satisfy your lodging needs. Established in the 1920’s Goulding’s has been rooted in the very fabric of Monument Valley and continues to be the premier Monument Valley hotel and recreation destination in the area.

Whether you stay in the cozy confines of the resort-style lodge or the awesome RV Park and Campgrounds, you’ll be more than satisfied with your Goulding’s experience . Relax on your own private balcony and savor the spectacular views provided by our resort’s beautiful location. You’ll have a direct view of iconic landscapes like Eagle Mesa, Brigham’s Tomb and King on his throne just to name a few.

Book your room today!

More than just a monument valley hotel, we also offer large villas, apartments or homes. all of these spacious accommodations have at least two bedrooms, a private bath, a living room, and a fully equipped kitchen – the perfect choice for larger families or extended stays., don’t just enjoy the serenity of the surrounding area from your room, see it up close and personal on one of our professionally guided tours..

Embark on an adventure through gorgeous Monument Valley and discover the jaw-dropping landscapes that made the valley famous. Our tours guide you through a number of beautiful landmarks and provide education on the area’s rich cultural background. Stop at the iconic East and West Mittens, John Ford’s point and even the awe-inspiring Three Sisters Viewpoint amongst many others.

You’ll even be granted the opportunity to visit the on property Navajo Hogan and view an authentic rug weaving demonstration.

Imagine the serene sprawling landscape as the backdrop as you say your vows.

Goulding’s can also accommodate group or corporate events and even weddings thanks to our catering, spacious rooms and guided tours., there’s no sense in enjoying monument valley on an empty stomach..

Goulding’s Stagecoach restaurant offers classic American, Hispanic and Navajo inspired cuisine that is sure to satisfy your taste for southwestern flavor. Open for breakfast lunch and dinner, Stagecoach’s menu is designed with various tastes in mind offering everything from classic steaks to vegetarian options.

Stagecoach also offers gorgeous scenery for you to enjoy while dining. The panoramic views of the surrounding cliffs and teetering structures provide the perfect backdrop for your dining experience. You haven’t really experienced true southwestern dining until you have the golden sun slowly disappearing behind the mountains while you enjoy some of the finest cuisines the area has to offer.

Book your stay with Goulding’s today and discover adventure on a whole new level.

See what others are saying about goulding's resort & tours, summer vacation 2018.

Loved it with a CAPITAL "L" This area is best described as majestic. Beautiful, Iconic Bluffs and Mesa. Forrest Gump Highway is near here. Took the sunrise tour. I was going to do the drive myself, glad I sprung for the cash and had somebody else do the driving. We went from here to Page Az, then to South Entry of Grand Canyon. If you love BIG Nature. Take the trip. We stayed at Goulding's 1 night and had a cabin near the Store / Gas station just a bit down the road. Excellent, comfortable, backed the rental car up to the back door of the cabin and unloaded the cooler and suitcase. Could not have been easier.

Best hotel we stayed in on our whole trip to the USA

Great rooms - all of which have an incredible view of monument valley from their balcony. Really amazing food served at the lodge’s restaurant and friendly staff. A few shops etc nearby, not too much of an issue but something to note is that you can’t purchase alcohol anywhere on the reserve (nearest place 16 miles away) including inside the restaurant. Great experience

The view is Monument Valley

We stayed here after visiting 4 Corners and Mexican Hat. We arrived in time to take an afternoon tour which we did. We had dinner at their restaurant and a free movie featuring westerns that were shot in Monument valley, the showed Stage Coach this night. The room was big and comfortable and had a view of Monument Valley!! A nice place to stay!

Sunrise Tour of Monument Valley

Our family took the sunrise tour of Monument Valley and were thrilled with the scenery and "photo ops." The ride was a bit rough over unpaved roads through the valley itself. The guide was Navajo and grew up locally so she showed us all the highlights and more. She told us local stories and made sure we were at a good angle to catch the sunrise at the Mittens. Expensive tour, but worth it!

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Submit your name and email and when we have special offers, discounts or rebates, we'll let you know first.

1000 Gouldings Trading Post Rd Oljato-Monument Valley, UT 84536

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Goulding's Monument Valley

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GOULDING'S MONUMENT VALLEY - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

CLOSURES MAY BE POSSIBLE, DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER.

Monument Valley Tour Operators

Navajo nation park & recreation.

To book a guided tour in Monument Valley, please select a tour operator from the list below.

There are tour guides available upon arrival.

Hours of Operation:

The Monument Valley 17- mile loop is accessible by vehicle only. You can purchase Entry Fee and Guided tour upon your arrival. RV’s, Camper van’s, motorcycles and Large SUV’s or Off-Road Vehicles are Prohibited on the valley drive. Valley drive has rough terrain and deep sand dunes.

Entry to all Navajo Tribal Park areas are enter at your own risk. Dogs are Prohibited at all Navajo Tribal Park locations.

Designated Hiking Trails are at your own risk. We ask that you sign in/out at each location for trail usage. Trails are open during Navajo Tribal Park Hours of Operations 8am to 5pm. Please wear comfortable clothing and be prepared for unpredictable weather, always stay hydrated and be aware of your surroundings.

The mask mandate has been lifted and the use of a mask is at your discretion.

All Navajo Tribal Parks are Closed on: Thanksgiving Day, NN Family Day (day after Thanksgiving), Christmas Day, New Year’s Day.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Security will be on duty and monitoring the area.

MORE INFORMATION: PLEASE REVIEW.

Monument Valley Guided Tour Operators

• Bennett Tours   ph. 928-221-9975
• Sacred Monument Tours, LLC    toursacred.com   ph. 435-727-3218
• Phillips Photography Tours   monumentvalley.com     ph. 928-429-0040
• Explore Monument Valley  ph. 928-429-1959
• Navajo Spirit Tours   ph. 435-444-7773
• RGJ Inc dba Goulding’s Tour    ph. 435-727-3225
• Roy Black’s Guided Tours   ph. 928-429-0637
• Valley View Guided Tours  ph. 435-485-0103
• Monument Valley Tribal Tours     ph. 385-347-6243
• Monument Valley Holiday Tour   ph. 928-489-1732
• Mitten View Tours        ph. 928-429-4672
• Hunt’s Mesa Off-Road Trails – UTV Tour  Call/Text: 928-302-8398
• Monument Valley Tribal Tours  ph. 385-347-6243
• Tinhorn Tour   ph. 928-489-9128
• MV Dineh Bekeyah Tours   ph. 928-409-0088
• MV Twin Warriors Tours   ph. 928-429-8628
• Sandstone Tours     ph. 435-200-5450
• Monument Valley Rain God Mesa Tours   ph. 928-606-9422
• Monument Valley Safari, LLC     ph. 435-220-0539
• Three Sister Navajo Guided Tours    ph. 602-327-2472
• Blackwater Tours    ph. 435-727-3312
• Monumental Tours    ph. 435-444-9529
• Tinhorn Tours    ph. 928-383-0783
• Monument Valley Tours   ph. 435-727-3313.

Horse Trail Rides

• Dineh Trail Rides  ph. 928-209-2692
• Tse Bii Trail Rides  ph. 928-489-2593

San Juan River Tours

• Tse’kooh Outfitters    ph. 928-301-7060
• Ancient Wayves River and Hiking Adventures  ph. 505-239-8505
• Dzil Taah Adventures, LLC.  ph. 928-429-8531.

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Monument Valley Rooms

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— Goulding's Resort & Tours —

Goulding's resort & tours, your gateway to, monument valley history the great outdoors adventure.

Take in the breathtaking Valley views from a variety of lodging options, including contemporary rooms, spacious suites, and detached villas. All accommodations include modern amenities to help you explore, relax and unwind.

Breathtaking Tours

Experience the sights, culture, and history of Monument Valley through one of Goulding’s exclusive tours. Travel along backroads and trails not usually open to the public while being introduced to the unique culture of the native Navajo people.

RV & Campgrounds

Relax under the starry sky while enjoying full RV hookups and tent sites, along with cable TV, wireless internet, full bathrooms, and a sun deck. Shuttle service connects campers to all Goulding’s amenities. Cabins also available.

Goulding's at Monument Valley

Enjoy the stunning southwestern sights of Monument Valley at Goulding’s Lodge – the area’s premier  lodging and recreation destination. Whether you choose the lodge or RV park and campgrounds, expect endless views with resort-style amenities. But Goulding’s is so much more than just a place to rest. Feast on authentic southwestern and Navajo flavors in the Stagecoach Dining Room. Relax and rejuvenate in the indoor pool or on the sun deck. Commemorate your visit to the gift shop or pick up supplies at the on-site convenience store. Take a glimpse into the past at the Goulding’s Trading Post Museum or catch your favorite Western in the Earth Spirit Theater. A private airstrip is also available. Goulding’s is a can’t-miss destination in your southwest sightseeing adventure!

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Download a copy of our brochure to learn more about the amazing amenities and accommodations that Goulding's has to offer!

Goulding’s Lodge is steeped in a rich history, from native Navajo trading to the iconic Western films that put Monument Valley on the map. The museum explores all aspects of the area over the last 90 years. Open to all visitors.

STAGECOACH RESTAURANT

Dine on delicious traditional Navajo and Southwestern cuisine while taking in the surrounding sights of the Valley. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in a hillside setting, offering unparalleled views and a glimpse into the local culture.

Take home a memory from your Monument Valley adventure! The gift shop features handmade jewelry, pottery, rugs and more. All artwork is guaranteed authentic, made locally or regionally by Native Americans.

Get to know Goulding's

Goulding’s Lodge has been synonymous with Monument Valley for nearly a century. Harry and Leone (aka “Mike”) Goulding purchased land and started Goulding’s Trading Post in the 1920s. During the Great Depression, they saw an opportunity to bolster the local Navajo economy by bringing in movie production companies looking to film in the Southwest. Harry met with director John Ford, the wheels were immediately set in motion, and the film Stagecoach started production in Monument Valley soon after.

Since then, Goulding’s has hosted films crews, photographers, artists and tourists from around the world. The trading post has expanded to include a lodge, campsite, tour operation, restaurant, convenience store, and a private airstrip. The LaFont family bought Goulding’s Lodge in 1981 and continues to keep the amenities modern while honoring the rich American and Navajo history surrounded by iconic landmarks.

Hollywood Loves Monument Valley

From classic Westerns to modern favorites, Monument Valley has set the scenic stage for countless movies. Visit the museum to see behind-the-scenes photographs and learn more about Hollywood’s love of the Valley.

Earth Spirit Theatre

Sit back, relax and experience Monument Valley through the Western films that made it famous. Iconic John Wayne movies rotate and play throughout the day. Click to see the current schedule.

Weddings & Events

The breathtaking sights of Monument Valley are the perfect backdrop to weddings, social gatherings, and corporate events. Contact Goulding's Lodge for availability, packages, and more information.

Airstrip at Goulding's Monument Valley

Fly in to see the scenic southwestern sights of Monument Valley and land on Goulding’s exclusive airstrip, one of the few in the area. Fuel and supplies also available. Click for details.

Book your stay at Goulding's Resort & Tours today!

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Is it possible to do a late afternoon Monument Valley Loop drive and drive back to Page in the evening? We are staying at Lake Powell Resort and trying to do the Secret Canyon/Horseshoe Bend tour in the morning, drive to Monument Valley in the afternoon and get back to Lake Powell in the evening. Not sure about that drive possibly after dark.

Since Page and Monument Valley are 2 hours apart, I think it might be possible. It might depend most on what you'll be doing in Monument Valley. And if you are willing to drive after the sun goes down.

If you are doing the scenic drive, it could take anywhere from 2-3 hours. The road could be rough, and you would not be able to drive fast.

It seemed like Monument Valley area gets pretty dark in the night time. There is not much there. Page itself was lit pretty well, being a small city. The road in between might be dark. (We don't have experience driving in dark desert, so we avoided driving after the set set.)

One thing I would note is that food option is limited in Monument Valley area. You have more options in Kayenta, which is ~25 minutes away from Monument Valley, and is probably on your way. So you might need to plan ahead where to eat.

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7 top tips for photographing Monument Valley

F or many, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is the American West. It’s been the backdrop to countless movies and the subject of some spectacular landscape photography over many decades, Monument Valley on the Arizona Utah border is a destination that requires some research if you are to get the most out of it. 

The classic view in Monument Valley is of three Navajo Sandstone buttes called West Mitten Butte, East Mitten Butte and Merrick Butte. There are many other compositions to try your hand at, but the view of these three buttes – as captured while standing next to the visitor center, of course – is the image most photographers want to capture. The joy is to get that image on your own terms, both at sunrise and sunset, and possibly at night, too, without ignoring the rest of the richly photogenic area. 

1. Understand the region

Monument Valley is within the Navajo Nation, the largest land area held by a Native American tribe in the U.S. that covers parts of Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. As you stand beside the visitors center in Monument Valley Tribal Park and look at the three buttes you’re looking east and southeast. The position of the rising sun will differ depending on when you go, but at sunrise, you’ll get the three buttes in silhouette, with all three lit up and looking orange in the late afternoon ‘golden hour’ before sunset. It costs $8 per person per day to enter Monument Valley Tribal Park, where official opening hours vary throughout the year. In practice, it sometimes opens at 7:00 a.m. despite that not being advertised. 

2. Find a room with a view

If you want to guarantee being in the right place for sunrise and sunset then stay in the park itself. The View is a hotel beside the visitors center on the edge of the valley with a great view of West Mitten Butte, East Mitten Butte and Merrick Butte. Even if you get a room with a perfect view for photography, you are yards away from a ringside seat. The best place to stay, however, is a cluster of simple rentable cabins slightly away from the crowds at the top of the valley side that has a stupendous view. Just as good is a basic campground in the sand dunes at the top of the Wildcat Trail. All are managed by The View, a Najavo-owned business.

If you can't get a room/cabin/tent in Monument Valley Tribal Park itself then you'll have to stay outside the park, which generally means staying around four miles away back down Monument Valley Road. The most accessible place to stay is Goulding's Monument Valley, a historic trading post that is now a hotel on one site and, slightly further away, an RV and campsite at another site. Gas stations and grocery stores are available, as is a basic restaurant, though you’re not going to get a view of Monument Valley – and you’ll need to get up that bit earlier to drive into the park. You can book a range of tours at Goulding’s. 

3. Tackle the Loop Road yourself

Most visitors to Monument Valley appear just to take in the view from the visitor center, you can get far deeper into the park without getting out of your car. The Valley Drive is a 17-mile dirt road that is best tackled slowly – particularly the first steep descent – though a 4x4 will help. It’s pretty rough all the way around, though mostly flat, and there are soft sand sections. You can book a tour and see it all on the back of a safari-style truck. Most of those tours do take you down private roads not accessible to those who take their own car, but compared to driving yourself you’ll have a lot less time for photography. While the tourist trucks stop in every third viewpoint or so of the dozen pullouts between the buttes and mesas, if you have your own car you can spend as long as you like. It’s generally agreed that it takes two hours to The Valley Drive, but photographers should plan on four or five hours. It’s best done as early in the morning as possible before the crowds arrive.

4. Take the ‘secret’ photography hike

Although you can stay in the park itself and have to yourself after the gates have closed and before they open, there is a budget option very close by that’s just as good. Before you reach the gates of Monument Valley Tribal Park there’s a Navajo Nation Monument. Take a left-hand turn onto a dirt road and, after a few hundred yards, you’ll reach a couple of campsites called Hummingbird, which you can book on Airbnb. As well as being far cheaper places to stay, whether you're camping or in an RV or campervan, there is a trail that leads from here to the edge of the valley that has genuinely stunning views. It’s the ideal place for a sunset if you’ve just arrived in the region and don’t want to pay the park’s daily entrance fee. It also offers a slightly different view of the three buttes, but is no less dramatic. 

5. Bring the right gear

When tackling a subject as vast as the landscapes of the American West, it's best to come prepared. If you can only bring one lens, make it a zoom lens that covers an effective focal length range of around 25 to 105mm. However, a telephoto stretching to 300-400mm can also be for isolating specific rock formations such as the Three Sisters, and Totem Pole and Yei bi Chei. A wide-angle lens is not so critical unless you are interested in astrophotography, though since The Loop is closed at night you’ll need to stick to the rim of the valley for that (though unless you’re here in early spring and prepared to stay up very late the Milky Way is not ideally positioned). In general, the light pollution and frequent car headlights in the area make Monument Valley less than ideal for astrophotography. 

6. Venture down the WildCat Trail

Few tourists do it, but the chance to get a close-up of one of the famous buttes is not to be missed. A 3.2-mile trail from the valley rim at the visitors center, the Wildcat Trail loops around West Mitten Butte and back up to the rim. It takes a couple of hours and is best done in the late afternoon when the shadows lengthen, with half the walk in its shadow and plenty of opportunities for starburst photography and silhouettes of the mighty butte. You need to sign out at the beginning of the trail and sign in when you return, but be sure to be back at the rim for sunset – it’s the perfect place. Just bear in mind that Monument Valley is 5,550 feet above sea level, so the hike back to the rim is best taken slowly. 

7. Explore the area

Although Monument Valley Tribal Park is the place to head, there are plenty of other spectacular views to be had in the general area. The most famous is a few miles northeast of Monument Valley on Highway 163 at what’s informally known as Forrest Gump Point. It’s actually three separate small parking areas, one of them unnamed and one called Monument Valley Overlook. For all three it’s possible to get an image of the highway snaking into the distance to Monument Valley. It’s an image that's on postcards literally millions of times and not surprisingly the highway is almost permanently covered in tourists trying to snap selfies. If you are a photographer you'll want to avoid all that, which you can do by going to the overlook closest to Monument Valley, which tends to be quieter. Other iconic red rock landscapes in the general area include Mexican hat about 25 miles further along Highway 163 and, about 10 miles further on than that, the fabulous 17-mile loop road called Valley of the Gods – though you’ll need a 4x4 to be safe. 

Check out guide to other great locations for photographers: the best places for photography around the world

Arizona author fell in love with the films of Monument Valley. Now he's telling their stories

In 1964, Michael Blake was seven, and in the early stages of his truncated career as an actor. 

He was born into the industry: His father, Larry J. Blake, was a character actor who inhabited such roles as the saloon owner in “High Noon” who gets punched by Gary Cooper, and the guy who repossesses William Holden’s car in “Sunset Boulevard.” Blake had tread in his father’s footsteps as soon as he could walk, starting in commercials at age two.

One Saturday, father and son had gone to the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood to catch an afternoon screening of the John Ford film “Cheyenne Autumn.”

It may have been the six-time Oscar winner’s last Western, but it was the start of a lifelong obsession for young Blake. The cavalry, the Indians, the action — he thought it was all neat. But he was truly transfixed by something else.

“Seeing on a big screen Monument Valley for the first time, I was just…” Blake trailed off and shook his head in awe. Sixty years later, words still don’t do it justice.

From that day on, every time he played cowboys with his friends, the trees and bushes they darted between were — at least in Blake’s mind — the breathtaking sandstone buttes on the Navajo reservation.

Blake eventually traded acting for makeup artistry but stayed in showbiz for decades. Now retired — kind of — he is in the third act of his film industry career: historian and author.

His latest book, “The Cavalry Trilogy,” revisits the director and the Southwest landscape that caught his imagination so many years ago.

'Thank God I wasn't successful'

Blake sees losing out on a part in 1970s TV staple “The Brady Bunch” as an important turning point in his life.

“If I had gotten that, other things that happened in my life wouldn’t have happened,” he said.

Crucially, not getting the role meant he wound up in an episode of “Marcus Welby, M.D.” instead, where, at age 13, he was gifted his first makeup case. 

He had been bugging the makeup artist, asking “What’s this? What’s this?” At the end of Blake’s last day on set, the artist gave him his old case, full of stage makeup tools like pan-sticks and pancake foundation.

Blake said he took it home, grabbed every blonde kid he could find, and gave them “Cary Grant tans.”

He continued to dabble in makeup as he pursued acting through his teens. When he was 20, still hoping to be a character actor, an agent was blunt: “I don’t know how to sell you.” 

So Blake pivoted. He talked his way into an audience with Nick Marcelino, then head of makeup at Universal Studios, and showed his portfolio.

“Six months later, October 24, 1978 – not that I remember the date,” Blake joked. “I walked through the big red doors of the makeup department, and started my 40-year career.”

Makeup was a more reliable paycheck than acting. But Blake is relieved he never became a child star for other reasons too.

As he stayed in the industry, he saw people he had competed against for roles struggle with the psychologically brutal transition from cute child star to Joe Schmoe actor.

As well, his father — who struggled with alcoholism and “could be nice, but had a hair trigger at times” — would have been “the stage mother from hell.”

“I always say, thank God I wasn’t successful,” Blake said.

Makeup became his creative outlet. Throughout his career, he created Klingons and Cardassians on the set of “Star Trek,” worked on blockbusters like “Spider-Man 3,” and picked up Emmys for “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” in 1998 and “Key & Peele” in 2016. 

He retired in 2018 and now lives in Buckeye with his wife, Linda. His office is wall-to-wall film memorabilia, and his Emmys sit on a table by the door, where visitors are encouraged to hold them.

You couldn’t pay him to return to Los Angeles. The city changed, Blake said, and so did the film industry. “It was time to leave the party.”

He’s done with modern Hollywood, but not with its Golden Age.

Ford a 'tremendous painter'

Blake’s first book was about the actor and makeup artist Lon Chaney.

He had idolized Chaney from a young age — he was once disciplined at school for emulating Chaney’s role as an armless knife thrower in the 1927 silent horror film “The Unknown” — and had become something of an expert on the actor's career.

In 1993, he turned that knowledge into a book. He went on to write two more about Chaney, as well as a book on how the infamous Wyatt Earp shootout at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone was rendered in eight different films.

“I just gravitated to film history,” Blake said. “I grew up around old actors.”

Ford loomed large as a potential subject.

“I will say he is the greatest director of American cinema, bar none,” Blake said confidently. “I had an actor once say, ‘Wow, what about Quentin Tarantino?’ I said, ‘John Ford has four best directing Oscars, a record that has never been topped. Plus he has two best short subject Oscars. Case closed.”

(In the interests of transparency, Blake is not a Tarantino fan: “Couldn’t direct traffic, as far as I’m concerned.”)

He cites Ford’s economical shooting style — “he knew what he wanted” — and artistic vision behind the lens as things that made him great. 

“He was a tremendous painter with a camera,” Blake said.

And what better canvas than Monument Valley? The deep red sandstone in Arizona’s northeast corner, carved into towering buttes and spires, unrolls across the desert as though waiting for a location shoot.

“Ford loved Monument Valley,” Blake said. “You see that so much in his films. The love affair is there.”

The director had filmed there before, shooting “Stagecoach” in 1939 after Harry Goulding, a white man who operated a trading post on Navajo land, persuaded him to give the dramatic setting a try. 

In 1941, Ford joined the Navy, serving as the head of the Field Photographic Unit. After the war, he returned to Hollywood and shot another film in Monument Valley, all the while aching for independence from studio executives.

He and producer Merian C. Cooper struck out to form their own production company, Argosy Pictures. But their first film performed dismally at the box office, leaving the fledgling business in debt.

This is where Blake's “The Cavalry Trilogy” picks up. The book follows Ford’s career post-World War II and chronicles the making of Ford’s trilogy of the same name: “Fort Apache” (1948), “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon” (1949) and “Rio Grande” (1950).

The first two were filmed on location in Monument Valley.

It was financial pressure that led Ford to make “Fort Apache,” and eventually the entire trilogy, Blake said. But the director also relished the chance to work in Monument Valley again.

A rustic location shoot

Ford spent 17 days shooting scenes for “Fort Apache” in Monument Valley, with the rest filmed in Simi Valley, California. Monument Valley remains a remote location today, but in 1947, it was even more so.

“You had to bring everything in,” Blake said. “Tents, food, water, everything.”

The big names would fly in, but most people traveled by bus, along bumpy, dusty roads. Actor Harry Carey Jr., who appeared in “She Wore A Yellow Ribbon”, once described the journey to Blake, adding: “If it was raining, forget it.”

Tent cities were erected for the cast and crew. Stars like John Wayne, Henry Fonda and Shirley Temple enjoyed the privacy of their own tents, while extras, stuntmen and crew were packed in by fours.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner were eaten in a huge mess tent, and porta-potties served as bathrooms. 

“Not many people took showers,” Blake said, “because the shower was a big five gallon oil drum filled with cold water.” 

That said, they shot “Fort Apache” in July. “So cold water probably felt fairly good.” 

The heat was just one of many challenges. Issues ran the gamut from insect bites to difficulties with transportation to the periodic dust storms that ground production to a halt.

It was also costly to set up an entire film set on the remote Arizona-Utah border. The third film of the trilogy, “Rio Grande”, was made with a different distributor and shot in Moab, Utah, to save money.

But Ford knew he simply couldn’t recreate the magic of Monument Valley in or around Hollywood.

“What he captured on film was worth it,” Blake said. “I think that's how Ford looked at it, that it was worth it to shoot there.”

He also enjoyed working with the Navajo people, Blake said, and the tribe enjoyed the economic boom that came with Ford’s films.

Ford employed Navajos as extras — they would play members of different tribes, depending on the film, though always spoke in Navajo — and translators. He even hired a Navajo medicine man to bring favorable weather to the set.

In particular, he worked closely with brothers Lee and Frank Bradley and John Stanley, who acted as liaisons and interpreters on several Ford films.

In 1949, after a snowstorm cut off many families living in Monument Valley, Ford arranged for supplies to be airdropped to them at Harry Goulding’s request. 

An enduring influence

Blake sees Ford as one of the most influential directors of all time, perhaps second only to Alfred Hitchcock.

“David Lean studied 'The Searchers' before he shot a single frame of 'Lawrence of Arabia,' just to see how Ford shot the desert,” he said. “And Orson Welles ran 'Stagecoach' 40 or so times. And if you watch 'Stagecoach' and then go and watch 'Citizen Kane,' you can see Ford's influence with the shots.”

His influence on Blake, too, was profound. Nine years after he saw “Cheyenne Autumn,” he had another brush with Ford that is etched into his memory: attending the director’s funeral with his father, who acted in two Ford films.

“I fought to hold back the tears,” Blake writes in “The Cavalry Trilogy.” “Try as I might, I couldn’t do it when I saw John Wayne crying and the floodgates opened.”

Blake shares Ford’s love and reverence for Monument Valley. 

“It’s my favorite place in the world to be,” he said.

Writing about it, he added, has just given him another excuse to visit.