Road Trip to Monument Valley

Recently we went on a road trip to Monument Valley located on the Arizona Utah border. We’ve lived in Arizona for over thirty years but this was our first time to to Monument Valley, considered one of the most photographed places on earth.

From Phoenix it’s about a five hour drive to Monument Valley. Monument Valley is located in the heart of the Navajo Nation Reservation. This rugged, remote landscape was both beautiful and familiar since Monument Valley is the backdrop of so many iconic Hollywood Westerns. Driving along we spy giant red sandstone buttes towering over the valley floor below. Just before the entrance to Valley Drive is the Visitor Center which offers handicrafts, souvenirs, rest rooms, a restaurant and a hotel.

We chose to drive the seventeen mile dirt road to enter this sacred land. We didn’t take a tour but instead paid the $20 to complete a self tour on the dusty but adequate 17 mile Valley Drive in a Toyota Corolla. The bumpy roads are open only to cars and trucks but closed to RVs and buses. I felt sorry for the bus riders who’s only choice to see more of the sights were open air Jeep tours. Temperatures were reaching nearly 100* and the path was extremely dusty for the captive tourists, sweating and choking on the dust in their attempt to see the iconic sights.

We took our time and Greg managed the road easily. There were plenty of opportunities to stop and take pictures and even purchase some handicrafts along the way. We took about two hours to visit. Bring plenty of water with you. Since it was in the height of the summer season hiking trails were closed.

This land is both spectacular and awe inspiring. It is an amazing place to visit and one I would like to return to again. It would be truly spectacular to see this landscape covered with snow.