Monument Valley, Sandstone formations in Colorado Plateau, United States.
Monument Valley is a collection of red sandstone towers and mesas rising from the desert landscape on the Arizona and Utah border. The tallest formations reach up to 1000 feet (300 meters) above the valley floor and form one of the most recognized silhouettes in North America.
Wind and water eroded softer layers over millions of years and exposed the harder sandstone formations visible today. The Navajo have lived in this region for centuries and regard the rocks as sacred sites of their ancestors.
The Navajo Nation manages this area and continues to hold traditional ceremonies here that are mostly closed to outsiders. Visitors can speak with local guides and learn about the meaning of the rock formations and the community's connection to this place.
A dirt loop road of about 17 miles (27 kilometers) runs through the valley and is passable with most vehicles, though dust and washboard surfaces are common. Guided tours with Navajo guides allow access to additional areas that cannot be entered without permission.
The area sits at an elevation of roughly 7100 feet (2160 meters) and straddles the state line between Arizona and Utah within Navajo territory. Many of the most recognized rock formations carry Navajo names like Tse Bii Ndzisgaii, reflecting the community's deep connection to these places.
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