Second time in Monument Valley and it is really beautiful. This time we did not take a trip with native american guide in the valley, as we did last time and it was amazing. This time we just take in the view from the View hotel and it is fantastic.
Driven by the area many times. This time we decided to stop.Pleasantly surprised by the accessibility of this park. It's totally free and kept up. It's more that just views of the rock formation, as impressive as that is. The park contains monuments in memory of US Indian soldiers, including an impressive one dedicated to the Navajo Code Talkers from WWII, which explains exactly what these brave people did for the US in this war. There is also an honorary Hall of Memory dedicated to Navajo Soldiers who have died in conflicts throughout our history. A lovely peaceful area. The sidewalk is flat and accessible for strollers and wheelchairs, and there are trees which provide shade, and a nice frame for the photos you will take.There is also an unobtrusive table set up nearby where local Indian crafts people sell their wares. Some beautiful items are for sale if you care to browse.Access and parking are easy and free. There is an outdoor john also, but no food is sold here.I would recommend this for families as the history is important to pass on.
I gave this an average, because while the scenery is spectacular, the 17 mile loop road thru the park is HORRIBLE! We didn't even make it a mile into the park before we got scared for our car and turned around and drove out again. We scraped the bottom of our vehicle once going over a bump, and passed a Mustang that had bottomed out and gotten stuck in the sand along the side of the roadway. I don't know why the Navajo management doesn't close the loop road to private vehicles and channel everyone into a paid tour on a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Even with a tour charge, the customer experience would be much better. Fortunately, there was enough scenery around the visitor center, and also a lot of scenery on Highway 163 that was free.
If you like the native people you will enjoy it and see their side of the history we learn in school. The staff was very nice and helpful. I've loved it!
Monument valley appears so familiar as it has been used for so many movies. We choose to drive the loop rather than take the tour and I'm so pleased we did as the tour is pretty expensive and seemed to be quite rushed.The road is pretty rough going and should not be attempted in a low car, we had a SUV but a 4x4 is ideally needed. Once the first descent into the park has been negotiated the road does improve. It is worth the drive as the valley is truely spectacular.
If you can go and drive the trail it's totally worth it! Right out of a Western!! Road is rugged and fun and the places to pull off and sight see are awesome. When you leave be sure to visit the Alien place!! Super nice lady and really cool pictures to share!!
知道丰碑谷是从阿甘正传 那个很多人一起在美西公路上跑步的镜头背景就是丰碑谷 我也中了美西自驾游的毒在去page的路上正好经过丰碑谷 所以拐个弯去看了下 和一路上的景观有点重复 就是几块大石头孤零零屹立在美西的荒原上 如果赶上日出日落时石头会被照得通红 感觉很壮观,这种风格的景观在国内好像是没有 值得一看 路上的广告说这个是第九大奇迹 觉得美国人民也会忽悠了
Incredible rock formations. The Navaho's run the attraction. They have lodging there. You pay to drive around the rock formations on a dirt road. I believe it is a 17 loop. The area has been in many Western movies. Bring your cameras.
We all picture the Arizona Desert in our minds from the pictures we saw in the old westerns and the photos that abound of Monument Valley. Having moved to AZ it took me 25 years before I actually made the trip to see it with my own eyes. It is gorgeous. We drove through this area on our own in a Miata without getting stuck.Road conditions will vary. It is a 17 mile drive, and on the self tour you can park and take the 3-mile hike around West Mitten Butte. We had the information in books and pamphlets provided by the visitors center. I think paying for a tour would be worthwhile, But our time was limited. There are some areas that you can only access with a tour. The desert is simply gorgeous. I love Arizona. As you gaze at the land you gain a new appreciation of the 50 million years of impact of wind, rain, erosion, and the weather having sculpted these magnificent formations in the southwest, It made me feel connected to the planet and to the cosmos, feel the weight of time and the ancients while wondering if I was on an alien world. It is no wonder that Ford chose to film westerns and Kubrick chose to use it in 2001. The tours are in open vehicles and the road is dusty and dry. Start at the visitors center to obtain information and see the exhibits. They also have food, drink, and bathrooms. Take water.There are no facilities on the drive, which circles around to bring you back to the beginning. Allow yourself a half day if you like to photograph and contemplate. We spent a little over 3 hours. May through September it is open from 6 am to 8 pm.There is a fee to enter the park. It is per vehicle charge.I tried to pick overview pictures and not the traditional photos of this area. Size is distorted in the open desert simply by the lack of items for comparison and the distances involved, I admit I don't remember the names of things so can't list the names in the photos.If you enjoy this, then I suggest you take a drive to Chinle, AZ which is 2.5 hours east and drive the loop around Canyon de Chelly. (which I hope to go back some day and do a formal tour with Navajo guides on both of these monuments to history and geology.)
If you have never been then go. It is a desolate beauty. There is a bit much in the way of touristiness that has been added over the years, unfortunately. Once you get away from all that, the stillness of the place will take your breath away.