isabel

I was hoping to do both Monument Valley and Valley of the Gods when I visit the area in September. Monument Valley is now open but requiring a tour and there doesn't seem to be one official one, their website lists about 20 and it's not a great system (takes you to yahoo.com and then you need to search again -stupid system). I found several and they all have at least a few decent reviews (from this July) but the cheapest is $65 per person (plus "admission") and while they say they are taking "safety precautions" they are group tours. So I'm not sure it's worth it. I know you can see the "classic" shot on RT 163.

Has anyone done one of these tours recently and can recommend one and comment on it (especially how enclosed the jeep/vans are)?

Has anyone done both Monument Valley and Valley of the Gods and can comment on if Valley of the Gods is "almost" as good? I know it is supposedly a smaller version of Monument Valley. Sometimes things are famous just because they are well know and sometimes because they really are that great. Wondering which is the case for Monument Valley vs Valley of the Gods.

Thanks

Patty

It's not on the scale of Monument Valley but we were still impressed with Valley of the Gods. It's BLM land so you'll see some dispersed camping. Unfortunately there was a bit of smoke haze when we went last October. I don't have any experience with tours.

StantonHyde

As the Delta variant sweeps through Utah and the Navajo reservation, I would lean towards Valley of the Gods vs. Monument Valley.

mlgb

I can't make any personal recommendation and it was a long time ago when I self-drove through MV, but the tour vehicles then were open air jeeps. Probably worth calling a few of the operators.

Nelson

Staying at The View at Monument Valley is great, whether you do a tour or not. Looks like it is currently open. Golding's is fine but you don't have "the view".

There is also a funky B&B in Valley of the Gods that is a cool place to stay, we spent a couple nights there about 5 years ago, really enjoyed it.

So, both areas are good.

Parktrvl

Monument valley. Don't need a guide reservation. There are dozens of guides at the parking lot include horseback rides
Your entry fee allows you do drive a 17-mile loop that visits the main mittens/buttes.
Guides take you further back - Recommend mystery valley if you enjoy Indian Ruins (Anasazi not Navajo who built nothing sturdy)
Guide service is also available at Goulding Lodge near MV

Valley of Gods. Not the same scale of MV, but very attractive
Per my guide book (Moab to Monument Valley), they are visible for the first eight miles traveling west from highway 163
The Bnb phone number is 790 749-1164. It is located at the far west; 18 miles from highway highway 163
If you stay there, visit Moqui dugway and Goosenecks State park.

Parktrvl

I just visited there site - Yes, they have shut down - no free tours anymore

Makes no sense other than suck more money tourist due to C-19, of course.

1. The former free four was in your own car at your own pace
2. Now, a guided tour in back of a truck with a bunch of people next to each other.

isabel

Thanks for the replies

It clearly states on their website that you cannot self drive at this time (they claim it is because of the shape the road is in). You must take a tour. It looks like in addition to the tour cost you still pay the entry fee.

The View Hotel looks wonderful, unfortunately it doesn't fit with the rest of our trip to spend a night there. It would be perfect for lunch and they have a restaurant. But I wonder if you are only allowed to drive (onto the Navaho rez) to the hotel if you have a reservation for the hotel. That would mean someone just wanting to eat at the restaurant wouldn't be allowed. Does anyone know for sure if this is the case? I guess we'll just show up and see what we can do. It is good to know that you probably don't need to pre-reserve a tour, but due to Covid I don't think I want to ride in a vehicle (even one with open sides) next to a bunch of strangers.

zebec

Isabel, that area was part of our 1995 honeymoon. I encourage you to continue 'spreading the net wide' in your search for answers. Maybe check out TA plus RS sites with the same query?
Regarding 'the shape the road is currently in', do take that seriously. Rough roads there back in '95 cost me a lost film roll. Returning in our jeep, we bobbed and bumped around. Later when I checked, that precious roll was missing, and it seemed certain then that it'd somehow gone flying out of my Domke bag without my noticing.

Might there be a local pro photographers association nearby there whom you could also contact?
Hope your trip goes well.
I am done. the end.

isabel

Parktrvl - or anyone who's been there in the last month or so - I notice that the visitor center is "4 miles from HWY163". Is it still possible to drive that far?

mlgb

I doubt that Parktrvl has been to many of the places he posts about. I think he is using the same second-hand sources as the rest of us.


Why not contact the Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation Department and ask?

Parktrvl

I have been to Monument Valley at least four times. Mystery Valley was a remarkable tour of hidden Anasazi ruins. I usually camp at Gouldings, but they became expensive. Better is a dry campsite on the road to 1/2 way to MV. The first time, we were free to travel anywhere. But like Antelope Canyon that era is gone. My first trip to Antelope Canyon was free, once I found it. One elderly Navajo was selling jewelry - hardly any people in the canyon.

I've been to the Valley of the Gods at least twice from highway 163 to the west end and up on the road to Moqui Dugway (right) or to Goosenecks (left) As you exit from highway 163, about 200 yards, is a creek bed. It is solid so any reasonable clearance vehicle can cross including Class A RVs.
Once on the top of Dugway, where the pave road ends, turn left for about 4 miles to Muley Point that is the most spectacular view of the Southwest. Below is John's Road across a vast canyon. Entry is from the road to Gooseneck - a narrow road. There are fascinating petroglyphs bird-head petroglyphs about 9 miles west on this road. The road is very narrow and cliff-steep about 1,000 feet. Another ten miles, or so, there is a fabulous campsite along a creek.

Gooseneck is a State Park where I often camp. Do not camp on the rim, due to high winds from the river San Juan River below. The river winds over six miles, traversing about 1.5 miles.

Do you need more information that I'm not well versed on this area?

Parktrvl

Forgot to add Monument Valley. It is about 4 miles from highway 163 to Entry Booth then to the visitor center. The fee charged there includes the 17-mile drive - assume it still does. Same distance to Goulds, in the opposite direction. This is a very impressive VC especially (to the right pass the VC booth) a separate section honoring the WW II Pacific Navajo Code Talkers. Highly recommend spending at least 30 minutes there. The Japanese were never able to break their code which was, basically, use of the very, very complex Navajo language. Also, they were not able to capture a Navajo either.
Most/all of the jewelry displayed is authentic Navajo. The Hopi jewelry (silver on silver) is in a corner to the distant right. Small display.
Their modern restaurant has a superb view of all Mittens. There is outside dining as well. Navajo Taco is popular.
The road to the Mittens is to the far north. The first 1/3 miles is slightly steep and tad rough, but any high clearance can navigate it. Rest of the road if very good if dry. Before guide only rules, you could drive and walk around the Totem Poles. No more. The only public hiking trail is from the View hotel. Don't know if you have to be a resident to use it - never asked, or cared. .
The large flat camper section is the left just before dropping down on the Mitten Road. As of last Oct, it was dry camping. Before construction of the View Hotel, that area was used for dry camping. One time we were there, raw sewage was flowing from their toilet building. We did not camp there.
Photograph. From the VC, walk to the left where there is a vertical rock about 4 feet high next to the wall. This is THE classic photograph of the Mittens with that rock in the foreground. Many years ago, it was not scarred with graffiti, now it sadly is.

mlgb

Do you have any RECENT personal experience to impart to the OP about Monument Valley? Or is it just "a long time ago" followed by "I assume it still does". I mean, the View Hotel opened in 2008. And the tribal websites say that passenger cars cannot go down the 17 mile drive at this time, despite what you "assume". If someone books into the View Hotel, they may have access, however.

It would be helpful to include how long ago it has been.

I hope the OP is able to get an answer directly from the Navajo Parks department or Monument Valley Nation about whether the restaurant is open, since no one here has been since the parks reopened on a limited basis last month. It does not sound like they intend to drive the 17-mile formerly accessible loop anyways, but wish to drive as far as the Visitor Center and have lunch there. Anyone can go to the website https://navajonationparks.org/tribal...nument-valley/ which apparently the OP has already done.

Anyone can look on Google Maps and see that the road to the visitor center is paved as is the parking lot and is not part of the former 17 mile loop. One can prepay for the $20 permit and drive that far, without being on a tour. You can see on Google Maps where the toll entry plaza is located. I do not know if the Visitor Center is open at this time. But there should be a viewpoint near the end of the parking lot (see Google Maps satellite view).

There is also additional information on the View Hotel website. It does not sound like THEIR restaurant is open fully, not even to guests.

Parktrvl

First we are retired, so traveling is our hobby especially southern Ut and northern Az.
When at MV?
>October 2020 driving down from Moab
>October 2019 driving from N.R.G.C to Bluff, Ut to hike the ruins along Butler Wash - especially the Procession Panel. We've been there twice.
>In the 2000s stopped at MV once/twice. At that time, we camped at Gouldings which is an excellent CG. A few sites have views of MV.
>First trip was in the mid-90s. Not a large VC or parking area as there is now.
We have not taken a horse tour, which as I understand it, is very good. I don't particularly like horses; mules are great (rode them down SRGC to Phantom Ranch.
No one caught my trick insert in post above. The steep and curved road to Moqui Dugway is very high quality gravel. The pavement I reverenced is the road FROM highway 95.
This Tuesday, we are going back to North Kaibab Forest to visit ALL their Grand Canyon overlooks. - plan for at least one week. This will the second time. Will visit Pt. Sublime again 3rd time, entering from Kaibab Forest not from GC. Try to find a path down into the valley as there are ancient Anasazi Indian ruins there like those at Walhalla. Yes, I been to NRGC Walhalla ruins and at the Colorado River during a raft trip down the Colorado River - Unkar Delta.
To be polite, I won't question the validity of your travel experiences

janisj

Parktrvl: Don't let it get under your skin. As you participate here on Fodors a little longer and get used to some of the 'personalities', you'll understand that certain posters become really annoyed when contrary opinions/advice are offered. Its most often on Alaska threads, but just about any west coast/southwest topics can get the same treatment. I thought your posts were really helpful and informative.

mlgb

Parltrvl, were you allowed to travel into Monument Valley in October 2020, I thought all of the Navajo Nation was closed due to COVID? Their website indicates that it was only just reopened in July?
I am particularly addressing Monument Valley, not general travels in the desert Southwest. Your reply is not clear. Was the last time you were in MV 15-20 years ago (in the 2000's?)

And yes, I will continue to ask questions when it is not clear that the poster has recent information (especially in the last year).

Maybe they visited these places or lived there long ago, but they haven't been lately. Sorry if that annoys janisj who seems to stalk me on the Forums. I gather that she herself has nothing pertinent to add here.

PS I was last at Monument Valley in 2006, before either the View or the Visitor Center was built. I was able to self-drive but that was back then. I stayed at Gouldings as well. It sounds like your last visit was also before the new regime. I even posted a trip report about it
Trip Report, Zion, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley,

I was last in Moab in 2008.

I was last in Arizona and New Mexico in 2019. Last doing the Grand Circle Tour in 2017.

I always try to indicate how long ago my experience was. I wish more posters would do this upfront.

Patty

I would call to see if the visitor center is actually open. Here's what you can see from the viewing deck without going down into the valley.

Birdie

The vaccination rate in the Navajo Nation leads the country at a rate above 60%. The rate in Utah and Arizona hovers around 45%. I’d lean towards Monument Valley.

With an unemployment rate at 50%, I’m ok with the idea of the Dine charging as much as they can get for tours of the lands they were forced onto. Everyone else has made money from those lands, mining coal and minerals. The owners of the lands might as well make a bit showing off their property.

mlgb

[/QUOTE]With an unemployment rate at 50%, I’m ok with the idea of the Dine charging as much as they can get for tours of the lands they were forced onto. Everyone else has made money from those lands, mining coal and minerals. The owners of the lands might as well make a bit showing off their property.[/QUOTE]

I agree. And they also charged admission way back before the new facilities and paved road were built.