Yeah, you can drive the loop on your own, provided you have a high clearance vehicle and don’t mind getting it a little roughed up. But most likely you wouldn’t know all the turns to take and stops to make. Our guide, Joseph was awesome! Not only did he show us the most scenic parts of the valley, he provided history and commentary to put it all in context. We would have missed out on that part of it otherwise, and that was what made this tour so worth it. Joseph has a wonderful sense of humor and kept things fun while still incredibly enlightening. So glad we saw Monument Valley this way. Highly recommend.