monument valley horseback tours

Getting a horse tour is easy on the spot, but in advance is tricky -- no one ever seems to answer the phone or email on the web tour numbers for any of the proposed companies -- but in the parking lot of The View Hotel (just inside the park) there is a booth for jeep rides (about 6 or 7 jeeps sit around all day waiting for customers); and one for horses (staffed in November and I guess for the winter by Black's). We walked up and got a ride the same day. Beautiful, fine. You have to drive (or you can be shuttled) further into the park -- about a 15 minute drive on a dirt road (not too bad, certainly doable in an ordinary car) -- to get to the stables. We did 2 and a half hours (with Peary) and it was all breathtaking and a true desert experience.

The Monument Valley horse back ride was one of the best experiences we had during our US road trip. My wife, teenage son and I headed off at 5am and got to enjoy Monument Valley come to life as the sun came up. Our Navajo guide was very friendly and added to the enjoyment of our ride by telling us about the history of the Valley and his people. This is a must do and will leave you with lasting memories every time you see Monument Valley pop up in a movie or on TV.

If you are on a tourist craze and have just a day or a half in the area, try the jeep tour. But once you see the magnificent view of Monument Valley from the road (at Forrest Gump View) and feel the intensity if the Navajo Nation, you are very well aware that reasonably will need at least two days (I stayed four) in the area. Once you have time, take the horseback tour into the valley, it is amazing, another form to experience the valley that has been also done by jeep but going through trails that the jeeps just can't go. For the horseback rides you obviously need to enjoy the experience and know horseback galloping that is the best form to do the tour. I also recommend at least the three hour tour, but if you can afford a longer one, go an do it.

We booked a 3 hour horse ride in Monument Valley with Blacks. We ended up riding for more than four hours which was just wonderful. It is just fantastic and an experience not to be missed. The two of us rode out with our Navajo guide Logan who was brilliant at telling us about the history of his people and the film locations we were seeing. The horses are mustangs, so small and fit for this strenuous work as they are the local horses of the region. They were all healthy with evidence of recently trimmed feet. On horseback you get to get close to the magnificent rock formations and the local nature whilst enjoying peace and quiet. Photos are no problem. On the few occasions we saw jeep rides I felt sorry for them as it just isnt the same. If you are physically able the only way to really explore Monument Valley is on horseback. You do not need to be an experienced rider as you will be given help with what to do if you don't know. We cannot thank Logan enough for what what the highlight of our holiday. Blacks offer very good value for money. Do read the information in other reviews below as they helped us greatly plan the timing of our ride. When we went in early October (6th) Navajo time was an hour ahead of the location we drove from so we just asked the time when we arrived at the entrance to the park.Don't consider the trip to the corral in an ordinary car. Our hire car was specifically chosen to be a full SUV (FWD to us Brits) with good ground clearance. We watched some people have real problems driving down the road in ordinary cars - use the truck that Blacks provide if necessary. My husband and I are already talking about another trip to Monument and booking again to ride with Blacks and Logan.

We had a great time on our 2 hour tour with our guide Logan - he showed us fantastic spots and did a great job.

We spend 3 hours riding with Black's riding tour. The scenery is amazing and this experience will never be forgotten. I'm a true beginner with horses and Peterson, our Navajo guide, was excellent. He makes it very intuitive and easy. One of the best thing I've done so far. Definitely worth it!

Our tour guide was a Native American, somewhat of an expert with horses. Our teenage boys loved it, they went galloping later on with the guide. The purchase of tickets was disorganized. It was a bit messy. They can do a better job!

All horses are mustangs. Hardy but small. I am 6'2" and 230 pounds. My horse carried me for 6 hours with no problem. Guide was attentive and knowledgeable. All guides are Navajo.

We opted for the 3 hours ride. Despite the rain and the clouds, the ride was great especially thanks to our guide Marlo. He loves his culture and his job and to please his client. Good point for him. Horses were good as well. We recommend.

We spent 3 wonderful hours with Black's horse back tours. The ride in the restricted area of the park was awesome. The guides were exceptional and so safety minded. We are retired and I had to be helped on the horse! However, there was no problem. A highlight was being in a cave and the guides singing Navajo songs. Would go again tomorrow, if I could.

Today, friday 13th, we booked an 2 hour trip with Sacred Monument Tours. Near the parking lot in the park itselves. Our guide was Tulley S. A very relaxed guide who can tell a lot about the scenery, the tribes, Navajo enz. A real Indian. The horses were well fed, had water for drink and looked like healthy horses. Very reliable horses. Great and confortable saddles. And a beautifull ride.I will never forget this. The guide is watching for all different types of riding qualities and will find a good horse for you. And if you want: he will hold your horse during the ride. And do some draf and galopping.It was really great. Thank you Tully!!!

Sounds romantic, but if you really want to see the valley and learn of the culture of the Navajo people, take a jeep tour. Fascinating. Try Monument Valley Safari Tours and ask for Clifford to be your tour guide. These tours are expensive - about $75 pp but they are very informative and enjoyable. Horseback riding is horseback riding. You come home sore and tired and have seen very little of the park in a two hour ride.

My family has been on multiple horseback tours in various parts of the country but this trip with Black's blows them all away. Our guide, Marlow, was awesome. He did a great job giving us the historical & spiritual background of the valley. The best part of the tour was that we got to actually "ride and gallop" the horses and not just walk them in the same old boring single file row on the designated trails. For my three sons, ages 20-24, this was the highlight of their vacation despite whitewater rafting, hiking and mountain biking earlier in the week in Moab. They are already trying to convince us to return next year for a repeat tour. Way to go Black's Horseback Tours.....7 thumbs up!

We went on the sunrise tour. We had a family of 4 from England ride with us. the 2 guides were great and I didn't feel like on was on a kiddy ride. The guides were very informative about the sprital part of the Valley and what it meant to their Tribe.

This was an amazing tour, our guides were great and it was the only way to experience monument valley from such a beautiful spot. Unforgettable !