Central Monument Valley, Arizona
The area south of the 17-mile scenic drive and just south
of Thunderbird Mesa contains a cluster of nice arches in close proximity.
Many of these are seen in a standard commercial tour of Monument Valley.
It takes a half-day to visit these arches. All of these arches are
within the boundaries of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park and a Navajo
guide is required for any visitation. For larger images and map locations,
click on the thumbnail images below.
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. |
|
EYE OF THE SUN is a cave
type natural arch eroded in DeChelly sandstone. Notice the person below
for scale. 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. |
|
UNNAMED ARCHES. These two small arches would normally
not be included here because of their small size. However, the rightmost
arch in the photo above has been used by several famous photographers to
frame a Monument Valley vista. To assist those interested in finding this
arch, it is included here. The pair is located on the west end of Submarine
Rock, southwest of Eye of the Sun. |
|
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. |
|
BIG HOGAN is a cave natural arch eroded in DeChelly sandstone.
It is located very close to Moccasin Arch. 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. |
|
HIDDEN ARCH is a cave natural arch eroded in DeChelly
sandstone. Even though it is located close to Moccasin Arch and Big Hogan,
it is often not included in the regular commercial Monument Valley tours,
so you may need to request it. |
|
DONUT ARCH is a pothole natural arch eroded in DeChelly
sandstone. It is located on the top of an isolated butte (known as Saddle
Rock) so can only be viewed from a distance. |
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Monument
Valley Portfolio | Central Monument Valley | Mystery
Valley | Hunt's Mesa |
Eastern Monument Valley
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