Marvelous Monument Valley

     When I was a little boy and I thought of the Wild West, I thought deserts and canyons, buttes and mesas. Films such as “Wild Wild West” and “Stagecoach” didn’t help to discourage my young impressionable mind. So it’s needless to say that I’ve always wanted to visit the majestic place depicted in the movies that is, to many of us, the picture-esc vision of the Wild West. On our first day of Van-life I was finally able to visit the place I’d always wanted to and I’ve got to tell ya, Monument Valley is exactly as beautiful as little me envisioned it to be.

     When entering Monument valley you should take note that your National Parks pass will not work here, as MV is located on Navajo land. The fee to enter the park is 20 bucks for a car up to 4 people and 10 for a motorcycle. Be warned, the scenic drive to be able to visit the different monuments and structures doesn’t allow RV’s or motorcycles. Honestly, this is more so for your safety as the drive itself is a mix of gravel, dirt, and very rocky bumps. The speed limit reads 15 miles an hour and we were going just 5 as some of the rougher parts. But I assure you, your car or SUV will be able to handle it, but I wouldn’t want to take anything larger than a sprinter van on the trail. If you arrive in an RV or motorcycle and want to do the scenic route, the park does offer motor tours.

     Don’t lose the info pamphlet that you receive on entering the park. The map of the valley is pretty good, and provides you a good amount of detail on the different formations that you see, though Gabrielle and I swore three different structures were “elephant rock” and it is my personal belief that Cly Butte looks the most like an elephant. Go check MV out for yourself and you see I’m right about this.

 (Me and my beautiful wife Gabrielle)

The visitor center is well put together with many scenic overlooks and exhibits. The information provided on plaques for you to read isn’t a word vomit like you find at some national parks, so that’s refreshing. Many parts were dedicated to the story of the Navajo Code Talkers in WW2 which was fun for a history buff like me, and was much better presented than any of my history teachers ever covered it in school (sorry Mr. Hammer) The exhibits mention the involvement Hollywood had making the film Stagcoach staring the Duke himself, and have a fantastic timeline painted on a wall depicting different important events in the area and for the Navajo throughout history. Many of the facts on the wall may surprise you, and are a good reminder of how hard things have been in the area even up to our generation.

The gift shop is amazing and has so many handmade goods that everyone in the family will be able to find something they like. The usual southwest items were in stock such as dreamcatchers and keychain drums, but the book section was really knowledgeable boasting even a Navajo to English dictionary.  Gabrielle enjoyed the handmade coral and turquoise jewelry, and the beautiful knife display with gorgeous knives adored with antler handles that had been dyed! We were both excited because neither of us had seen antler that had been dyed before.

     Monument Valley resides on Navajo land and so you need to be very respectful when entering. We actually stopped the van and picked up a burger container that was littered on the scenic route. You are entering someone else’s home and wouldn’t want anyone to leave their greasy burrito wrapper on your coffee table, so please don’t litter here, that’s just crappy behavior.

     All in all I would say you can visit monument valley in no more than one day. There are only a few short hikes that we could find and the scenic driving loop, along with the Hogan Village. There is a restaurant in the park but I can’t review on it since we didn’t eat there. You can ride horses in the park from locals who have corals, but the rides are short. Still, if that’s your thing then go ahead and help a local ranchers business out. You can also camp in the park, but in my opinion it’s a bit steep. Prices start at 20 bucks for tent campers and 50 for RV’s, with prices going up in the peak season.
If you want to see the landscape that inspired your inner cowboy or cowgirl then Monument Valley in Arizona is a must see. So go make a weekend road trip and enjoy what the west has to offer.