Monument Valley, AZ

We entered the valley from Colorado via Highway 160 (or 491) and we gassed up at the UTE Mesa Casino (where my sister Marion used to work) before beginning our trip to Monument Valley. They have a great travel center and a big rig station so you can fill up before heading across the desert. We fueled up and attempted to clean the windshield, but the cleaner would dry before I could get it all off (mind you our windows are 12ft tall so it takes all your arm strength to get them scrubbed and cleaned). We got it done and with a full fuel load we headed out. We went south for a few miles and then headed toward Monument Valley on Route 162. When we turned onto this road we were worried it was not set up for full size RV’s but after a few miles, we were doing the speed limit and cruising along.

Then we hit the Arizona Boarder and it all changed. Suddenly we were  riding a roller coaster of a road. I mean I have hit about everything on the road that I thought was rough, but this was something I was not prepared for. We had heard from some people in Moab that they experienced a rough road when coming up from New Mexico and he said he had to “slow down, I don’t care what the people behind me said”. We thought he was being over dramatic but now I know what he was talking about. We made it through but the Lectric bikes in the Toad loosened up their tie downs and banged around for a while.

Anyway, we were coming into Monument Valley and we saw a sign which read “Forest Gump Highway Ahead”. I asked Lori what that was about, and she said it was from the movie when he decides to stop running. The next few signs said there are pullouts to take pictures. And then the last sign said “Caution – People on Roadway”, We came over the hill and sure enough there is the road from the movie. It will come right to you when you see it. We pulled over and took some pictures and checked it all out and then started down the highway. That is when we saw all the people on the side of the road getting ready to jump out and take a picture when the cars went by. Here we come in 55K lb. rig, and I am thinking, I sure hope nobody is stupid enough to jump out in front of us.

You should have seen all the “YouTube Influencers” doing their hair and getting ready to get the “Shot’. Amazing what you see out in the middle of the desert.

We made to the main intersection and found the Goulding’s RV Resort (https://gouldings.com). It is tucked away in canyon and is very an impressive place. They have pretty much everything you need there and the scenery is impressive. You have to love a place that says, 1. Do not leave shoes outside or the dogs will take them & 2. Do not feed the dogs, they are from other homes and come here at dinnertime because people will feed them. And true to the rules, every morning and evening about 6 of them would show up and I swear they had the act down to a science. They would walk the rows of campers and RV’s and give you the saddest look you have ever seen, just like the people who stand in the median of the roads with their signs. After they were done, they would take off barking and hollering like they had a great time.

MONUMENT VALLEY

We did not have a lot of information about the valley. The resort has tours you can take from a 2.5-hour tour up to an 8 hour tour, they also have sunrise and sunset tours. These tours are in an open back truck converted with seats for about nine people and they have a native Indian tour guide.  We heard you could drive the 17-mile loop on your own but did not know how.

So, in the am we jumped in the TOAD and headed out towards the valley. We saw a map that said “Toll Booth” and “Visitors Center”. We went in that direction and sure as can be, there is a toll booth. $8.00 per person, credit card only and they give you a map and explain what road you can drive. Just up the road is the “Visitors Center”, kind of, they did not have much and I think they have not recovered from Covid. We walked around and read some of the displays and learned quite a bit about the history of the area and the people. Then we went upstairs and found the biggest, nicest, best stocked, modern gift shop we have ever been in. They have everything there. There is also a hotel here called “The Cliffs” and a restaurant. They have viewing decks around the side and out the back and that is where you get your first views of the valley, and it is where you just stand there in awe of the place.

We could see below how to get to the road into the valley so off we went. The signs say you need about 2 hours to drive on the road but that is if you have a business meeting you need to get to. We took almost five hours because we stopped and checked out everything we could. There are pullouts for picture taking and almost all of them have locals selling homemade trinkets and jewelry. They are very nice people so help them out if you can.

Another thing we learned is there are things you can do in the park they don’t tell you about. At the first “what we thought” turnout, we pulled into a Horse riding stable where you can rent horses and a guide, and they will take you around the base of a few of the spires. Wish I knew about this beforehand because, well damn, I just might have done it. Time did not allow. So, we went up the road to the next area we saw people and came to “Fords” point. This is the area where they filmed major westerns. There is a local guy there with a horse and he will go out to the point on the horse so you can get a picture just like in the old movies. Here they had trinket stands, Flatbread and Navajo Tacos for sale also.

Next up you figure out that if you drive the 17-mile road, you don’t get to go on some of the other roads the natives get to take. Beware that if you want to see the whole valley, you need to be with a local guide. We kept going and saw some amazing sights. There is a place called “WWII Code Talkers Point” which has views across the valley. This is an excellent place to pull out some chairs and have lunch and admire the view. You can even see some of the people taking pictures of “Forest Gump” highway if you have good binoculars (high Powered).

Back to the RV we went and then Lori found there was a hike on a trail to an arch near the resort. When we finally figured out where the trailhead was, we were standing there doing a Homer “Doh”, it was right across the road from where we were parked. We did the short hike to the arch and viewpoints and they were well worth it. Made for some amazing pictures and no “YouTube Influencers.”

This valley is vey moving and has quite a bit to see. If you get a chance, I highly recommend a trip there. Plan for a full day and if you want to see some sunrise or sunset tours, maybe two.

BTW, you can hire a guide right at the visitors center in the valley. They have a booth right in the parking lot and are waiting for people to hire them. Again, wish we knew that before we got there.

Oops, almost forgot. Since this is an Indian Reservation, they do not sell alcohol. Make sure and bring your own!

Next stop is Page AZ for a special trip!