Mystery Valley - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Monument Valley is a region of the Colorado Plateau characterized by a cluster of vast sandstone buttes, the largest reaching 1,000 ft above the valley floor. It is located on the Utah-Arizona state line, near the Four Corners area. The valley is a sacred area that lies within the territory of the Navajo Nation Reservation, the Native American people of the area, and is accessible from U.S. Highway 163.

Ear of the Wind is a pothole natural arch eroded in DeChelly sandstone. It is one of several nice arches which are included in the commercial Monument Valley tours that go to the area south of the self-guided loop drive. This arch is within the boundaries of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park and a Navajo guide is required for any visitation.

Agathla Peak, a 1,400 foot volvanic plug in the south of Monument Valley, Arizona. It consists of volcanic breccia cut by dikes of an unusual igneous rock called minette. It is one of many such volcanic diatremes that are found in Navajo country of northeast Arizona and northwest New Mexico. These rocks are part of the Navajo Volcanic Field, in the southern Colorado Plateau. Ages of these minettes and associated more unusual igneous rocks cluster near 25 million years.

Moccasin Arch is a large pothole natural arch eroded in DeChelly sandstone. It is one of several nice arches which are included in the commercial Monument Valley tours that go to the area south of the self-guided loop drive. It is located within the boundaries of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

A hogan is the primary, traditional dwelling of the Navajo people. Other traditional structures include the summer shelter, the underground home, and the sweat house. A hogan can be round, cone-shaped, multi-sided, or square; with or without internal posts; timber or stone walls and packed with earth in varying amounts or a bark roof for a summer house, with the door facing east to welcome the rising sun for wealth and good fortune.

John Ford's Point is a vantage point in Monument Valley.The vantage point was named after director John Ford. He shot nine movies in Monument Valley, which is why it is often called John Ford's Country. This ledge was often used as a camera location in his films. Today it is a popular excursion destination, from here you have a great view into the red desert of Monument Valley.