Monument Valley in January

malibuguybc wrote:
I have planned a trip to Monument Valley from Bullhead City about mid January, can anyone give me some advise on places to see, weather, side trips, places to stay, etc. I will be travelling without the RV this time, just my pickup.
Any ideas would be really appreciated
Thanks, KB

Here is a really old post on the subject area; May or May Not help.

Try putting these locations in as a trip;

Drive out to 3 days
Chinle, AZ – Canyon De Chelly – not on your list but I wouldn’t miss it. This will take a day –
Day 4
Mexican Hat, Ut – you can go here or Mesa Verde but if I were you I would save Mesa Verde for an all Colorado trip next year.
Monument Valley, UT – spend the night again and drive thru the Valley on the unguided tour in the early AM or they late PM depending on when you arrive. –
Day 5
Page, AZ – Lake Powell spend the night with the lake and again depending on when you get here you can explore the area in AM or PM or both –
Day 6
Grand Canyon North Rim, AZ – as you can see I think the north rim is worth while –Be sure to catch Breakfast in the lodge with the Canyon out the picture window – Hike if you an to see as much as you can.
Day 7
Zion NP, UT – Many people will just drive thru (or ride the bus) but if you can take just one hike go to Angels Landing –good long hike/climb to the top of Angles Landing with a view you will never forget . Camera and tripod are a must. I would stay in the Mt Carmel RV Park and just drive the toad thru the tunnel to the park.
Day 8
Bryce Canyon NP, UT – this is a sunset park time your visit so you can hike back into the Ho-Dos and catch a sunset. Coat, tripod, camera and flashlight are needed.
Day 9
Rt 12 thru Escalante to Capital Reef NP – this drive, while it will only take a few hours is one that I could spend most of the day doing. This is the Hog Back drive that is one of a kind—you can do a search for more info and pictures. Spend the night in the park CG and be sure to bring your dinner and get out for sunset on the Red Rocks of Capital Reef.
Day 10
Arches NP, UT -- Now I know you are not putting this on your list but if you have the time stop by and hike back to the big Arch – you can catch Canyon Lands NP or head to Bus up Rt 128 toward I-70 beautiful drive along the Colorado River with the Red cliffs in the background – don’t miss this drive.
Day 11
Now we are headed home but if you left on Friday you might get that extra couple of days to add to the end of your trip on I-70 home – the added bonus is Glenwood Springs on I-70 along the Colorado River this is a special Over Under highway to preserve the wildness of the river –another beautiful drive-thru Vail and to Frisco if possible try to spend the night in Tiger Run RV Park with one last beautiful western sunset. If you are not pressured for time get off I-70 at Idaho Springs and take Rt 6 thru the tunnels and the Canyon to Golden – when you come out just jump on Rt 58 and it will tie back into I-70 to head home. ( now with this last part of the trip and after having a taste of Colorado you can start planning next years trip to Colorado)

Day 12-13 -14 -- Arrive home

So you should have two days to throw into the mix where you need them.

This is a very ambitious trip but I have done it a couple times in the same time frame so I know it can be done. I should mention that I’ve taken more time on occasion and try to do this or parts of this trip every winter when we head back east towards home. No matter how many times I drive in this area it never get old.

Sorry, much more info than you wanted, but you asked — I just tried to answer your question and let you knew some of us do this in this time frame.

BOL,

malibuguybc wrote:
Maybe I should just do the tour in my truck with some heat in January. Might not see as much but at least I'll keep warm.

You'll see plenty. We did the tour in our own truck because we have dogs and we saw plenty. Took us all day. We took our time. Made plenty of stops at the viewpoints AND stopped at every single vendor's table to look at the crafts. Great trip. Whatever the people who took the guided tours saw differently than what we saw, we'll never know and never miss it.

Maybe I should just do the tour in my truck with some heat in January. Might not see as much but at least I'll keep warm.

valley of the gods,moki dugway,muley point,mexican hat,gooseneck park and natural bridge all worth the time.
unless they use different vehicles in the winter the tours are in a open pick-up
truck.

malibuguybc wrote:
Does anyone have 1st hand knowledge of tours through Monument Valley or should I just try the self guided tour?
Also, I might like to checkout Chinle for a round trip on my way home via Winslow, standing on the corner!!
Thanks, KB.

Self-guided tours are fine if you have the right vehicle...your truck would be fine.

I'd still suggest the guided tour for two reasons....

1. You get to see a lot more if you take the longer tours. Self guided tours are limited to a smaller area
2. When driving yourself, and trying to go slow to avoid busting something, you are apt to get run off the road by the Indian tour guides who often drive like nuts :)

malibuguybc wrote:
Does anyone have 1st hand knowledge of tours through Monument Valley or should I just try the self guided tour?
Also, I might like to checkout Chinle for a round trip on my way home via Winslow, standing on the corner!!
Thanks, KB.

My brother and I stopped in at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, the self guided tour is a easy drive that almost any vehicle can do.

Does anyone have 1st hand knowledge of tours through Monument Valley or should I just try the self guided tour?
Also, I might like to checkout Chinle for a round trip on my way home via Winslow, standing on the corner!!
Thanks, KB.

Thanks tatest - forgot to mention that the historic post at Goulding's should be visited. Also Mexican Hat - the balanced rock and Valley of the Gods. Edge of the Cedars State Park has been recommended on other posts, but we didn't get there. Should've since it is outside of Blanding.

Some of the Google Maps Streetview images for this area were taken in January 2008. Around MV there are scattered snow patches beside the road.

Monument Valley is high desert, it has seasons, the weather will be what it will be in winter. Roads are usually passable. Prepare for windy, subfreezing condtions for your outdoor activities. Not unusual for parts of the area you'll travel to accumulate a foot or two of snow by January, depends on what side of the mountain relative to direction of storm travel.

The site is on reservation land, limited commercial development. Visitor accommodations are at trading posts, the post for Monument Valley is Goulding's. I think it is pretty nice.

The valley is not far, by local standards for driving times, from the small cities north of the reservation (Mexican Hat, primarily) which offer more amenities and choices than a trading post. For that matter, Monument Valley is not all that far from Moab, which is the center for high-desert red-rock tourism and recreation in southeast Utah. It is further, but still less than a half day's drive, from Farmington, New Mexico, the 'big city' in the area.

Your direction of travel, last 'big city' is Flagstaff, last place before the reservation with multiple accommodations could be Winslow, other places to see include Grand Canyon, red rock tourist area of Prescott-Sedona. Sites in SE Utah, SW Colorado are beyond Monument Valley. There are more canyonland national parks in SW Utah as well.