Goulding's Museum & Trading Post is a historic building in Monument Valley. It is the same site as the original trading post from the 1920s, and the former home of Harry and Leona (“Mike”) Goulding. Harry brought movie director John Ford to Monument Valley, and the stunning landscape inspired him to make several famous movies including “The Searchers,” starring John Wayne. There is still an antique movie set in place from the movie “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon,” along with other movie memorabilia at the museum. Monument Valley has remained a popular place to film television and movies, including “Forrest Gump.”

The Gouldings befriended many people of the Navajo tribe. Unique Indian artifacts are also on display in the museum. Goulding's Museum & Trading Post currently funds college scholarships for local students through their donations.

The Navajo call Monument Valley Tse Bii Ndzisgaii, meaning “Valley of the Rocks.” In order to tour the majority of Monument Valley, it is required to take a Navajo guide along. Hiking is only allowed where the land is unfenced, and guided tours are available for people to see the rest of the park.

Goulding's Lodge offers three main tours to make visitors more familiar with the desert surroundings. A knowledgeable guide drives guests in a comfortable van through this spectacular desert. There are 3 ½ hour tours, full-day tours, and full moon tours available. The 3 ½ hour tour takes passengers past all the main rock formations in the park and far into Navajo tribal land.

Full Day Tours covers the same area plus Mystery Valley. Mystery Valley is known for its ancient rock dwellings and Anasazi Indian ruins. There are amazing photo opportunities as guests explore the preserved ancient rock art.

Full moon tours (as the name implies) are available in the evening of a full moon. Visitors ride through Monument Valley and see how the majestic arches, bluffs, and cliffs appear illuminated by the light of the moon. Rug weaving, Navajo construction, and major movie locations are also covered. These tours last about 2 ½ hours, and there's no experience like it!

Inside the Goulding's Lodge is Harry & Mike's Theater, which puts on a renowned and award-winning presentation called the “Earth Spirit Show.” This combines sounds and an artful display of the surrounding scenery by photographer Ric Ergenbright. Every guest at Goulding's Lodge receives complementary tickets to the show, and it is also included as part of a Goulding's Monument Valley Tours. (Tickets are $2.00 for visitors.) There is also a new program in the lodge's theater called “Among the Monuments.” The geology of Monument Valley is displayed with a creative interpretation of the Navajo culture.

River rafting is an enthralling way to see America's southwest region. There are businesses specializing in river adventures in Utah near Goulding's Lodge, taking visitors to fabulous nearby desert destinations.

Adrift Adventures in Moab, Utah offers whitewater rafting along with kayak, canoe, and jeep rentals. Rafters have the choice to tour the Colorado and Green River. This company provides full-day trips, sunset raft trips, or half-day trips in the morning and afternoon.

Green River trips lead visitors through famous Desolation Canyon. It is a scenic trip with abundant rapids. There are many rugged beaches along the way to stop and relax. Green River trips are offered in sea kayaks, dory boats, row boats, and inflatable kayaks.

Rafters also have the option to combine half-day horseback riding with river trips, going through Canyonlands National Park's Cararact Canyon.

Adrift Adventures offers a way to combine all these thrilling adventures with a land tour through Monument Valley. This trip is part of a 5-day and 4-night package, which includes a scenic flight over Canyonlands National Park and full-day tours with overnight accommodations at Monument Valley. This trip also provides a half-day horseback ride, rafting, and a visit to the historic town of Bluff. These specialty trips depart every Sunday from April to October.

Wild Rivers Expeditions in Bluff, Utah features multi-day trips along the San Juan River. Visitors whitewater raft from Bluff to Mexican Hat on a 26-mile stretch of the upper canyon for 1 to 5 days. Guests staying overnight are provided with meals and camping accommodations. There are guides to give interpretive tours of the upper, lower, or full canyon. They discuss its geology, natural surroundings, rock art, and Indian ruins.

The Upper Canyon river trips between Bluff and Mexican Hat are 1 to 5 days long. Many ancient cliff dwellings and rock art exists along this stretch of river. The longer trips allow for many fascinating hikes to take up to Comb Ridge and Chinle Wash.

Lower Canyon trips stretch from Mexican Hat to Clay Hills on the San Juan River. Rafters flow through the “Goosenecks” section and the Grand Gulch. The Lower Canyon trips span 58 miles through desert wilderness and last 4 to 5 days.

Full Canyon Trips from the Upper Canyon down to Clay Hills are a total 84 miles, and last one week to 10 days. The longer trips allow for more off-the-water canyon exploration.

There is a lot of wilderness to explore along the river in these areas including bighorn sheep, cottonwood trees, and fossils hundreds of millions years old.

Redtail Aviation takes visitors on 1 to 2-hour tours over Monument Valley, the Colorado River, and Canyonlands National Park. They arrange customized flights for up to 6 people at a time.

Redtail Aviation's Monument Valley Tour combines the Canyonlands Air Tour with an incredible flight over Monument Valley and the Lake Powell area. This flight stops at Goulding's Lodge & Trading Post, then takes off over the San Juan River with vistas of the Abajo Mountains and Dark Canyon. The flight continues back over Dead Horse Point State Park for more dynamic views before returning to Canyonlands.

The Moab Adventure Center offers a 2-hour Monument Valley Tour. The airplane begins over Canyonlands National Park where the Colorado and Green Rivers cut through the rocky and rugged terrain. The plane lands at Goulding's Lodge & Trading Post, and visitors can get out and explore the tremendous pinnacles and colorful buttes Monument Valley is known for. The plane turns around to tour more of the park from high above the San Juan river.

Slickrock Air Guides are another local company offering flights over Monument Valley and Canyonlands National Park. This flight also lands at Goulding's Lodge & Trading Post for a desert land tour. The trip continues above the San Juan River Goosenecks and Grand Gulch. After passing the majestic Abajo Mountains, this flight returns to Moab near Salt Creek.

Visitors don't need to go far from the Monument Valley area to take a scenic flight tour. Both Redtail Aviation and Slickrock Air Guides fly out from the terminal building at Canyonlands Field. The Moab Adventure Center is located on Main Street in Moab.