"Monument Valley is a place where God put the west", is what John Wayne (1907-1979) stated after filming "The Searchers" (one of the greater known movies created in the westernized film industry). Understood as John Wayne Country, this beautiful red sandy desert is home to the Navajo Nation, five John Wayne movies, and the dwelling to large sand stoned rock formations. But what makes this America's greatest westernized diamond?

Monument Valley is home to the Navajo Nation, one of the largest Native American tribes in the U.S. Originally migrating from western Canda, they currently live along the 17-mile road cutting through the heart of the Arizona desert. What makes the tribe so interesting is the Navajo Nation's traditional values and lifestyle have endured for over 3 centuries. During their tourist season, when visitors come to learn of the beautiful region, they open their reservations to express their cultural enlightenment. Some Cultural traditions being the 24 different Chantaway ceremonies, sand paintings/murals, and celebrations hosted by the group's tribal healers.

Though preserved in its magnificent cultural traditions, the members of the Navajo Nation struggle with multiple problems in their environment. Issues being their scarce resources for water, the decreased expansion of their culture, and the lack of economic activity between the nation and its environment. Those in the Navajo nation, especially in Monument Valley, find that most of their income is produced from tourism. They preserve their cultural traditions and histories through tours given in the park, spreading information within their tribes, and even hosting cultural festivities resulting from the immersion of curious outsiders.

Aside from what the Navajo Nation demonstrates of their culture and the struggles those in the community face, Monument Valley is considered one of America's greatest gems due to the fact that the large towering sandstone cliffs had formed for over hundreds of years, reaching around 1,000 feet above the ground. Many during the summer season travel to the beautiful open space to experience the guided Jeep tours (Navajo Natives run this), hike the trails (Local favorite called - the wildcat trail), and communicate with the Navajo Natives in their homes. Even while staying at "The View" hotel, tourists will watch a local John Wayne movie filmed in the preserved environment and later photograph the nightlife of the great desert.

There is also a large variety of native and endangered animals residing in the dry desert. Usually seen at night, these creatures add to the diversity of the picture that makes this national park so unique. Animals such as mountain lions and coyotes, add to the more westernized view, while birds like the red-tailed hawk and the native tree sparrow make a nice addition to the aerodynamic aspect of the park. One animal that is found of greater interest is the long nose leopard lizard, endangered and well defined from a glance, these animals have well adapted to the greater amounts of habitat fragmentation previously taken place at the national park. All can be found in the diversity of the park through the tours ran by the local Navajo Natives.

Whether it is because of the cultural insight into the Navajo Nation, the variety of local activities in the most photographic park in America, or the larger variety of animals native to the region, Monument Valley is a must on every traveler's bucket list.