Discover Navajo
24 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Monument Valley
Classic red-sand desert landscape dominated by the West and East Mitten Buttes and Merrick Butte — iconic silhouettes ideal for wide-angle vistas, telephoto compression and minimalistic compositions. Visit Navajo Tribal Park viewpoints for paved access; the 17-mile dirt loop requires a high-clearance vehicle or a guided Navajo tour (permits/fees at the Visitor Center). Best light is at sunrise and sunset for warm side-lighting and long shadows; clear nights offer excellent Milky Way shots. Weekn
Spearhead Mesa
Spearhead Mesa is a dramatic red-sandstone mesa in Monument Valley offering classic Southwest silhouettes against vast sky—ideal for wide landscapes and minimalist compositions. Best at sunrise or sunset for warm side-light and long shadows; winter sunrise can yield clear, crisp air. Located on Navajo Nation land—respect local rules, pay any access or guide fees, and heed signage. Road access can be rough; paved pullouts along US‑163 and guided tours provide closest viewpoints. Expect crowds at夕
John Ford Point
John Ford Point overlooks Monument Valley’s iconic sandstone buttes and wide desert foreground — a classic Western vista used in films. Best at golden hour (sunrise for soft front light; sunset for warm backlighting and silhouettes). Located in Navajo Tribal Park: pay park fee at the Visitor Center, park at the designated overlook. Respect tribal rules (stay on marked areas) and expect variable weather; dramatic clouds and dust enhance compositions.
Monument Valley Tours
Classic red-sand desert with towering sandstone buttes (West and East Mittens, Merrick) along Highway 163. Shoot wide desert panoramas, silhouette buttes at sunrise/sunset, and long telephoto compression from overlooks. Located in Navajo Tribal Park — pay entry fee at the visitor center; some areas require guided tours (Valley Drive). Best light: golden hour and blue hour; moonlit nights produce dramatic silhouettes. Park at the visitor center and designated pullouts. Summer is hot; monsoon can‑
Monument Valley Scenic Drive
Monument Valley Scenic Drive is a 17-mile loop through iconic sandstone buttes, mesas and spires—perfect for dramatic landscape compositions and silhouette shots at golden hour. Located in Navajo Tribal Park; entry fee and visitor center permits required. Many viewpoints have short parking areas; some overlooks are wheelchair accessible, but dirt sections may need high-clearance or guided tour. Sunrise and sunset cast warm, directional light; midday highlights red tones but harsher shadows. Dron
Gray's Nesting
Gray's Nesting sits inside Monument Valley’s red-sand desert with iconic sandstone buttes and sweeping mesas. Photographers should capture vast scale, layered foregrounds of scrub and tracks, and dramatic sky contrast. Best at sunrise or sunset for warm side-light and long shadows. Accessible via dirt roads off the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park; check tribal park hours and fees, bring water, a high-clearance vehicle or join a guided tour. Modest parking at nearby pullouts; expect midday haz
The Thumb
The Thumb is a dramatic sandstone pinnacle rising from the red desert near Kayenta—iconic Monument Valley-style silhouettes ideal for strong graphic compositions. Visit at sunrise or sunset for warm side-light and long shadows; winter offers crisper air and fewer tourists. Located on Navajo Nation land—pay park fees, respect closures, and use marked pullouts for parking; many viewpoints are roadside but 4WD may be required for closer access.
Grey Whiskers Butte
Distinct sandstone butte rising from Monument Valley's red plain — ideal for wide desert panoramas, dramatic silhouettes at sunrise/sunset, and telephoto studies of layered rock and weathering. Located on Navajo land; access may require park fee or guided tour for off-road approaches. Best light: golden hour and blue hour; monsoon season brings dramatic skies. Parking available at nearby viewpoints along Valley Drive; expect wind and dust. Respect cultural rules and stay on designated trails.
Crystal forest campground
Small campground and trail area in Navajo County near the Petrified Forest’s Crystal Forest: scattered, colorful petrified logs, badland vistas and open sky. Photograph rich mineral hues, wood textures and sweeping desert compositions. Best at golden hour or after storms for saturated color; midday harsh light. Accessible via park road with a short loop trail and small parking area; park entrance fee and Leave No Trace rules apply. Summer heat and monsoon storms affect timing; weekdays and early
Balanced Rock
Balanced Rock in Monument Valley is a dramatic red-sandstone balancing formation set against wide desert skies — ideal for stark silhouettes, scale shots with visitors, and textured detail of stratified rock. Best at sunrise or sunset for warm side-light and long shadows; late afternoon brings rich reds. Located inside Navajo Tribal Park — pay entrance fee at the visitor center, respect tribal rules, parking at the roadside turnout. Access is short walk from the lot; expect wind and dust, and no
Giant Logs Trail
Short loop trail through enormous petrified logs and colorful badlands — prime for close-up texture, wide-angle scenes and abstract patterns. Best at golden hour for warm tones and long shadows; mid-morning weekdays reduce crowds. Accessible, family-friendly boardwalks and a small parking lot at the trailhead; entrance fee to Petrified Forest National Park applies. Fragile fossils have cultural and scientific significance—do not remove or climb on specimens.
Welcome to Arizona Sign
Photograph the iconic white-and-blue "Welcome to Arizona" sign framed against Monument Valley's red sandstone buttes and the long sentinel highway. Best at golden hour (sunrise or sunset) for warm light and deep shadows. Easily reached from Highway 163 with roadside pullouts; park safely off the shoulder. Located on Navajo Nation—be respectful of local rules and private areas; drone use requires permission. Expect wind and dust; bring lens cloths.
SANDS SPRING
A small spring and riparian pocket set against Monument Valley’s red sandstone and sweeping dunes. Photograph reflections, contrasting textures (water, sand, rock) and seasonal greenery framed by iconic buttes. Best at golden hour for warm side-light and long shadows; after rainfall the spring and puddles create mirror reflections. Site is on Navajo Nation—check for access rules, respect signage, and park at designated pullouts or the nearest visitor area. Rough dirt roads may require high-clear
100 West Second Street
Standin' on the Corner Park at 100 W Second St captures small‑town Route 66 nostalgia: a life‑size bronze cowboy, muraled brick facades, vintage signage and the bow‑of-town rail tracks. Best at golden hour and blue hour for warm brick tones and neon; sunsets add dramatic skies. Easy street parking and wheelchair‑friendly paths; free public park with frequent tourists on weekends. Compact layout makes quick shoots possible; respect locals and businesses.
Ericson Cly Memorial
Small roadside memorial set against Monument Valley’s towering sandstone buttes — a compelling foreground subject for wide vistas and intimate detail shots. Best at golden hour or blue hour when warm light sculpts the buttes. Accessible via a gravel/unnamed road; expect basic parking and a short walk. Located on Navajo land — respect cultural customs, don't disturb the site. Carry water, sunscreen, and check weather and local access/permit rules before visiting.
Agate House
A small WPA-era pueblo rebuilt using colorful petrified wood (agate) in Petrified Forest National Park—excellent for close-up textures, architectural detail, and contextual landscape shots. Visit mid‑ to late afternoon for warm side light that brings out the stones' colors; sunrise offers softer light and fewer visitors. Site is roadside with short boardwalk access and limited parking; park entrance fee and seasonal hours apply. Interior may be closed—respect barriers and cultural significance.
The Cube
A stark geometric sculpture set against red desert and distant buttes near Kayenta — ideal for contrast, minimal compositions and dramatic long-shadow studies. Visit at golden hour for warm light and deep shadows; blue-hour offers cool, graphic silhouettes. Located on Navajo Nation land near roadside access; parking is limited and facilities scarce. Respect local signage and cultural sensitivities; confirm public access beforehand and carry water, sun protection and dust protection for gear.
Welcome to Utah Sign
A roadside 'Welcome to Utah' sign at the Utah–Arizona/Monument Valley approach — a perfect human-scale foreground to Monument Valley's iconic buttes. Best at sunrise or sunset for warm side lighting and long shadows; night for Milky Way backdrops. Located on US‑163 with a small pullout for parking; respect Navajo Nation rules and tribal park fees if entering Monument Valley. Expect wind and dust; pack layers.
Roundhouse Resort
A pine‑fringed mountain resort beside small lakes and ponds, offering rustic lodge architecture, boardwalks, seasonal foliage and clear night skies. Shoot reflections on calm water at golden hour, snow‑draped pines in winter, and warm lodge interiors at dusk. Easily reached by paved roads with on‑site parking for guests—ask permission before photographing private cabins. Best visited at sunrise/sunset for soft light, autumn for vibrant color, and winter after fresh snow. Weekdays are quieter; be
PVC at The Roundhouse Resort
PVC at The Roundhouse Resort offers rustic alpine architecture framed by Ponderosa pines and mountain vistas — great for lodge interiors, exterior lines against pine forests, and seasonal color (autumn gold, winter snow). Best at golden hour and blue hour for warm facades and dramatic skies; weekday mornings are quieter. Accessible by car with on-site parking; check with resort for interior or event access and drone restrictions. Expect cool mountain weather; bring layers and all-season footwear
Pinetop Lakes Equestrian Center
Wooded equestrian facility set among Pinetop pines and small lakes—photograph horses in stalls, riders on trails, rustic barns and reflective water with forest backdrops. Best at golden hour or late afternoon for warm light and long shadows; fall brings aspens and color. Property is fairly accessible with on-site parking; check ahead for lessons, events or permission to photograph riders. Expect quiet weekdays; weekends can have lessons and groups.
Dilkon Field
Wide open high-desert field near Dilkon offering expansive skies, red-brown soil textures, scattered junipers and distant mesas — ideal for dramatic sky-to-land compositions and minimalist landscapes. Best at golden hour or after storms when clouds add drama; clear nights yield Milky Way shots. Access via local dirt roads; parking roadside or in small pullouts. Located on/near Navajo Nation — be respectful, follow posted rules, and avoid photographing people or private property without consent.
Rainbow Forest
Colorful petrified logs, mottled badlands and sweeping desert vistas in Petrified Forest National Park. Shoot the fossilized wood’s vibrant silica hues, layered mesa backgrounds and nearby Painted Desert vistas. Best at golden hour for warm side-light that reveals grain and color; diffuse light (overcast) reduces harsh shadows and brings out subtle tones. Accessible via a paved loop with short boardwalks and trails; park entrance fee and limited parking at popular overlooks. Respect protected, N
Sleeping Snoopy Rock
A standalone sandstone formation in Monument Valley resembling a sleeping Snoopy—strong silhouette potential against wide desert skies. Best at sunrise or sunset for warm side-light and long shadows; clear days offer dramatic color, storms add mood. Located on Navajo Nation land—obey signs, pay park fee, use official viewpoints and parking along Valley Drive. Some areas require guided tour or high-clearance vehicle. Respect local cultural sites and restrictions (drones often prohibited).