Totem Pole & Yei Bi Chei – Monument Valley Scenic Spires Guide
Discover Totem Pole & Yei Bi Chei—dramatic sandstone towers with deep Navajo cultural meaning. Find how to reach the viewpoints, scenic tips, tours, and FAQs.
Overview of Totem Pole & Yei Bi Chei
Totem Pole is one of Monument Valley’s most recognizable formations—a thin sandstone spire rising dramatically from a broad desert floor. Just beside it, the cluster called Yei Bi Chei forms a series of aligned towers resembling figures standing in ceremony. Together, they create a scene unlike any other in the valley, offering a striking contrast between isolated height and rhythmic repetition.
Geological Features
These formations were carved from Entrada Sandstone, shaped over millions of years by selective erosion. Totem Pole is a remnant of a once-larger butte, eroded until only a slender pillar remained. Yei Bi Chei’s pattern of multiple columns illustrates how fractures, wind, and water combined to sculpt parallel fins from a single structure.
Key Points:
- Rock type: Entrada formation sandstone
- Age: ~160 million years
- Process: Wind abrasion, freeze-thaw cycles, and differential erosion
How to Visit: Access & Viewpoints
Totem Pole & Yei Bi Chei sit in the southeastern sector of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. They are visible from several points on the scenic loop, but the closest viewpoints require a licensed Navajo guided tour, as the area includes sensitive cultural and natural sites.
- Self-drive: Good distant views from designated pullouts along the loop
- Guided tours: Recommended for closer access, storytelling, and photography
- Road conditions: Lower loop roads can be sandy or uneven—avoid driving off established tracks
Before your visit, check daily hours at the Visitor Center; most access follows sunrise–sunset schedules.
Photography & Best Lighting
Totem Pole is a favorite location for sunrise photography because the first light strikes the spire directly, leaving the surrounding desert in soft shadow. Yei Bi Chei’s multiple towers cast layered shadows that look especially dramatic during early morning and late afternoon.
Tips:
- Lens choice: Telephoto to isolate Totem Pole; wide angle to include both sets of towers
- Foreground: Desert grass, sand ripples, or jeep tracks add scale
- Weather: After light rain, reflections in shallow puddles can create unique shots
- Stability: Bring a tripod—winds near the dunes can be strong
Cultural Importance to the Navajo
“Yei Bi Chei” (also spelled Yeibichei, Yei Bi Cheii, Yeii Bicheii) refers to the Holy People in Navajo (Diné) tradition—spiritual beings who bring healing, protection, and balance to the world. In Navajo culture, Yei Bi Chei specifically refers to the ceremonial dancers who represent these Holy People during the Night Way Ceremony (Tłʼééjí)—a nine-day healing ritual focused on restoring harmony and health.
The stone figures echo the silhouettes of ceremonial dancers and are treated with respect. Totem Pole itself is not climbed—both out of cultural respect and geological fragility.
Local Navajo guides offer deeper interpretation, including the symbolic roles of Yeis in healing ceremonies and seasonal rites.
Monument Valley Loop Drive Tours
Visitor Tips & Safety
- Follow all marked roads; the sand near the spires can be soft
- Avoid drone use unless explicitly permitted by Navajo regulations
- Carry ample water—shade is minimal
- Desert surfaces can be fragile; stay on durable paths
- Winds may pick up sand—protect camera equipment
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive close to Totem Pole & Yei Bi Chei?
Closest access is generally through licensed Navajo-guided tours due to cultural areas and fragile terrain.
Are these formations climbable?
When is the best viewing time?
Where are the best viewpoints?
Can I use a drone here?
Best Scenic Viewpoints
