Monument Valley Biking

Experience the enduring legacy of the Old West by touring Monument Valley on the back of a mountain bike. Because most of Monument Valley is situated on Navajo soil, the spectacular red mesas and isolated buttes can only be accessed with a Navajo guide. Luckily, there are plenty of Navajo-owned tour companies to guide you on your journey.

Monument Valley is not so much a valley as it is a flat desert landscape interspersed with behemoth sandstone pillars—the last remnants of the sandstone layers that have eroded away. The majestic environs of Monument Park have served as the backdrop for innumerable Western and other Hollywood creations. Photographers, artists, historians, and outdoor enthusiasts flock to the valley to take a trip through time—to a forgotten era of the Old West.

The best time of day to experience the Valley is during the early morning or late afternoon when the lighting is the best. Biking is permitted on the 17 mile loop that winds through Monument Valley; however, this road is shared with motorized vehicles and is very dusty.

In order to really get off-road, you'll have to hire a Navajo guide to take you biking on tribal lands. Many guides set up shop along U.S. 163, which runs through Monument Valley. However, it's really worth the extra planning to schedule a ride with Navajo guide in advance so that you take full advantage of any cultural activities that might be going on during your visit. Dreamride, LLC specializes in mountain bike tours into the Navajo lands of Monument Valley. For more info, visit their website at http://www.dreamride.com/navajo.html.