Hunts Mesa Overnight Campout

We are French Tourists and have spent one night at Hunts Mesa under tent camping with Toney. We did not imagine the amazing landscape above Monument Valley at sunset and sunrise. After the sunset, what a night under a fantastic sky with Milky-Way, a bbq around a fire, songs and tales of Navajo Nation then under camping tent. The same emotion the next early morning with sunrise. It has been a fantastic moment in our life. The course in 4X4 to Hunts Mesa is very spectacular, up and down rocks and sand. Impossible to guess where the good way could be. Tony is a skilful driver who knows every hill and dale. One suggestion to complete this moment: Toney, please think about indicating the place of restrooms when arriving at the campground before the night! Annie and Rene

Where to begin? Well, the off-roading is very bouncy and a bit scary in parts. It caught us a bit off guard, it is very exhilarating. Don’t do this if you have back problems. But our driver and guides were just brilliant. You feel totally safe with them. The sunset view was wonderful. We were dropped off there for a few hours while our meals were being cooked on a fire back at camp. Sitting by the fire and chatting with our guides was wonderful. They’re so friendly and relaxed and I learned a lot about the culture. The sleeping bags are SO comfortable! I was worried I wouldn’t get a good night’s sleep but i had one of the best in that little tent! My only minor complaint was there weren’t any pillows provided, but I just used my jacket rolled up. In the night at about 1am the clouds finally cleared and I even managed to get some astrophotography done. This trip is a photographer’s dream. Sunrise was spectacular. Like jaw dropping. I can’t get over it. We had ample hours to take it all in. Everything is just so silent. So peaceful. Until the sun gets to a certain height and the birds start to sing. It’s incredible. Then there was another hair-raising drive down, which takes I think two hours each way? The way down was even more fun, sliding down sand dunes and skidding in sand. If you get the chance to do this trip absolute do it. You’ll be seeing everything away from commercialism and just how it was intended.

The views of the famous part of Monument Valley are spectacular, and Toney the Navajo guide directed us to good viewing spots and gave us plenty of time for photos and simply contemplation, both at sunset and sunrise. The dinner he cooked over an open fire was excellent: thick steak, baked potato, corn on the cob and mushrooms, with Navajo tea. We slept in a tent in sleeping bags; it was surprisingly comfortable. The drives from the highway up to the mesa and back down were a superb bonus. You see a lot of unspoiled territory. Toney is a super driver, and the Chevy Suburban handled all the challenges, like path-less stretches up rock faces and down sand slopes. We could have been making a commercial for both the vehicle and driver! I was in awe. All in all, this overnight camping trip is fantastic and well worth the money. Get Toney if you can; you won't be disappointed.