Monument Valley trip

[Simon_Cowbell]

Anyone done this?

Any recommends?

 

[User 1019]

You're ******* right, I do. If you go near that area and don't spend some time at Monument Valley, Arches and Zion, you need your ass beat.

 

[JakeandElwood]

Beautiful area, Simon.

Get an Indian Taco at Monument Valley.

 

[Cosmo]

Watch for stray dogs in Kayenta.

 

[slappy4428]

Now, I owe it to myself to tell you, Mr. Griswold, that if you are thinking of taking the tribe cross country, this is your automobile. The Wagon Queen Family Truckster. You think you hate it now, but wait till you drive it.

 

[User 1019]

I once stayed at a Holiday Inn in Kayenta, Arizona. :D

 

[John]

You're ******* right, I do. If you go near that area and don't spend some time at Monument Valley, Arches and Zion, you need your ass beat.

Agreed. And if you go to Arches, make sure you visit Dead Horse Point State Park across the street.

That's my favorite part of the country and I can't wait to get back out there some time.

 

[DanOregon]

Oh hell yeah. Woke up on the last day of a Southwest swing in Cortez, Colo. Hit Four Corners at sunrise, headed west, got lost on a Navajo road (longest 45 minutes of my life, never been so happy to see asphalt), got a flat tire, put on the donut, made it to Monument Valley, took some pictures, left after about 15 minutes, had about 5 hours to get to Tucson for a wedding, just made it (still driving the donut) before the bride walked down the aisle. What a day. Just realize - there isn't a lot of stuff around there besides the Valley - but it's still worth the trip.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

One of the most beautiful places on earth. I think we've gone there 3 of the 4 past summers and we're probably going again this year.

We plan to stay here: http://www.monumentvalleyview.com/

It was under construction last summer. I think it just opened in January. It's one of two hotels near Monument Valley (Gouldings is the other), and the only one where you can actually see the valley from your room. It's attached to the visitor's center. It should be spectacular.

Otherwise, you're staying in a Motel 6 30 miles away in Kayenta, dodging the stray dogs outside McDonalds.

Don't make the mistake of thinking you can see it from the highway. You can't. You have to pay the fee to the Indians and drive down into the valley on a dirt road, or take a tour. The road is rough but we've done it in a minivan with no problems. The tours are supposed to be tremendous - they take you places you're not allowed to drive to - but dust is a major problem riding in an open jeep on dirt roads.

One of my favorite things in the area is the local radio station. They play old country (think Patsy Cline and Ferlin Husky), CNN Headline News, and traditional Navajo music, with DJs that speak Navajo. It's a trip.

While you're in the area I highly recommend Canyon de Chelly, about 80 miles south of Monument Valley. It's in the middle of Navajo country, for my money it's far neater than the Grand Canyon, and absolutely nobody goes there. It'll be you, some German tourists, and a few Navajos selling their artwork. It's pretty spectacular.

About 100 miles west is Antelope Canyon, just outside Page. Do a Google image search for Antelope Canyon. It'll knock you on your ass.

3Bags is right about Zion. And Bryce Canyon is pretty amazing too.

Have fun. It's one of my favorite parts of the country.

 

[JakeandElwood]

Definitely stay at a hotel there, not in the town. Also, Bryce is nice, but if you have to pick between that and Zion, definitely go with Zion.

 

[Football_Bat]

Stay away from Colorado City. That's all I got.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

Shameless float job....

 

[Bubbler]

John Ford and Sergio Leone have made me want to see Monument Valley.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

John Ford and Sergio Leone have made me want to see Monument Valley.

There are times when you stop, look in a certain direction, and are struck by the fact that you've seen this view over and over all your life, but now you're seeing it in person.

 

[Cosmo]

Simon, if you go ... make sure you go two hours up the road to Moab, too. Great little town. I went there a couple of times on quickie vacations. Great hiking and biking up that way, along with a few solid little restaurants. Fun place.

 

[JakeandElwood]

Simon, if you go ... make sure you go two hours up the road to Moab, too. Great little town. I went there a couple of times on quickie vacations. Great hiking and biking up that way, along with a few solid little restaurants. Fun place.

Moab is cool, and if you go be sure to check out Arches National Park. Some great views there.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

If I ever.... ever... think about using Continental again instead of JetBlue, you have permission to shoot me, at Jon-Erik Hexum range.

 

[JakeandElwood]

Haha. Oh, and I was serious about the Indian Taco.

 

[MileHigh]

Highly, highly recommend southeast Utah. You can spend days, weeks in Moab on all the hiking and biking trails. Been in that area many times. If you want to go a bit to the east, Mesa Verde National Park is awesome too. And if you go to Mesa Verde, you might as well go the extra 35 miles to Durango.