What is a butte and what is a mesa?
A butte is an isolated hill with steep, often vertical sides and a small, relatively flat top.
A Mesa is an elevated area of flat land with cliff like sides.
The different between a butte and a mesa is the size of the top. A mesa has a top that is wider than its height, while a butte has a top that is narrower than its height.
Located at the Four Corners area of the Navajo Nation on the Utah-Arizona border, Monument Valley is a Navajo Tribal Park that is adorn with buttes and mesas.
The most iconic ones being the East and West Mittens. Their thumbs facing inwards saluting one another.
Other noticeable buttes include the Elephants:
Not obvious from this angle? Drive around and try again!
the Camel
The Hub – symbolizes the hub of a wagon wheel. Navajos see it as a fire place in the center of a gigantic Hogan.
Yei Bi Chei (left) – named after the Navajo healing ceremony; And Totem Pole (right) – which is technically a spire.
Monument Valley is made famous by director John Ford
who filmed several of his Western movies there, including classics such as Stagecoach and the Searchers – both featuring John Wayne.
A popular attraction among international tourists, Monument Valley can be visited via a 17-mile scenic dirt road drive – All-wheel and high ground clearing vehicle recommended.
After visiting Monument Valley, we continued our way north passing Mexican Hat
and Valley of Gods.
On approaching Moab, we encountered our first arch along US 191.
We will be stationed in Moab for the next two days, using it as a base to visit Canyonlands and Arches National Park.
Travel-Gourmand.com 
Beee-yoo-tiful! Are those bristlecone pine? Wonder what it’s like there mid-late March? We’re road trippin’ next year that time.
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I think so. Mid-late March you may see some snows on valley floor and you may get some stunning shots 😉
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Monument Valley is an amazing place! I had such a memorable time there and waking up at dawn at the campsite to see the breathtaking view will always hold a special place in my heart. Thanks for sharing..😊
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Thanks Bel!
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Oh it is beautiful indeed. And this looks like our journey there too! We stopped at the nearby lodge to get some Navajo fry bread!
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I totally missed out on the Navajo fry bread 😦 Need to find it somewhere to experience it.
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Have some dear memories of this place with my fiancé.
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Oh I miss Monument Valley.
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This is a special and magical place. Thanks for sharing great photos and telling us the difference between butte and mesa, I did not know that. My Italian mother seems to have a spiritual connection to this place, because she always wants to go there. 🙂
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You are welcome Brilliantviewpoint. This place seems to be very popular among Europeans. I don’t know about Italian, but there were tons of French tourists when we were there 🙂
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Beautiful area have a great time exploring
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Thanks Terry!
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Gorgeous area. I haven’t visited there yet. Wonderful photos.
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Thank you Diana.
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Terrific photos!
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Thanks Eliza!
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