Monument Valley - Navajo Guided Tours

Thanks, Clattertruck, I stand corrected about the trading post museum building. Interesting that you got to talk him - a real link to the golden age of western movies.

Don & Carolyn wrote:

The next morning before leaving, we stopped at the little Gouldings Museum over near the hotel. This was the original hotel and it has movie memorabilia, especially about John Wayne. Worth an hour or so. We went on up to Blandings, which has a great small museum of Ancestral Puebloan artifacts at Edge of the Cedars State Park. From there, a straight shot on up to the Moab area.

FYI the museum building was the original trading post. Harry Goulding and his wife Mike lived upstairs. I had the pleasure of talking to Harry in 1965.

Ron

Don & Carolyn wrote:
THANK YOU for all of the wonderful information! We will be in the Monument Valley area around September 10. Did you all stay in the area for about two days?

We stayed one night and felt it was plenty. We drove down from Mesa Verde(with a brief stop for a photo at Four Corners)and arrived mid-day. At Gouldings' campground office, we booked a late afternoon open van tour for that same day. The van picked us up right in front of the campground office, very convenient.

By going late afternoon, we had wonderful light on the red rocks. Our guide was not particularly forthcoming with any information, perhaps because all the other passengers spoke Italian and French (probably not will be the case in mid September.) But the scenery speaks for itself, and the guides know the ideal stops for great photos.

A tip - Bring water and be sure to hit the restroom before the tour. There were none down in the valley except a "last resort" portapotty, and that was a couple of hours into the tour.

The next morning before leaving, we stopped at the little Gouldings Museum over near the hotel. This was the original hotel and it has movie memorabilia, especially about John Wayne. Worth an hour or so. We went on up to Blandings, which has a great small museum of Ancestral Puebloan artifacts at Edge of the Cedars State Park. From there, a straight shot on up to the Moab area.

THANK YOU for all of the wonderful information! We will be in the Monument Valley area around September 10. Did you all stay in the area for about two days?

Thanks!

The boondocking spot mentioned above is directly in front of the much-photographed 'Mittens'. To be parked there and taking in the view in all lighting is truly special. We enjoy staying there. However, they are now in the middle of re-doing the area - not sure if making regular campsites or what but I don't believe it's open right now. Check online. Many folks stop there for a night so perhaps they'll make campsites to up the price which would be a shame. The 'rustic' look fits in just fine with the area. We've always driven our own vehicle so we can take our time with photos. You can also get out of your own vehicle and walk around to get another viewpoint. We've gone out morning and again in the evening for different lighting. Yes, the road is rough and again, it should be to go with the surroundings. You just drive slow as everyone does. It's not that long of a drive through the Valley. Enjoy your trip!

If you don't mind boondocking there is a campground (use that term loosely, actually more a parking lot designated for camping) within the Tribal Park that overlooks the mittens. The only facility it has is a port-a-jon, and I think it's $10 a night to stay there. It's very doable for a night or two and worth the inconvenience just for the privilege of waking up to that view!

we used Simpson's Monument Valley tours and they asked us if we wanted an open jeep or a van. We chose the van and really enjoyed ourselves. The "off limits" areas are well worth the price. Plus it is very rough on your own private vehicle. I'd prefer to let the commercial vehicle's suspension absorb all the abuse :)

www.trailhandlertours.com

Stay at Gouldings RV park, we had space 34 I had a super view. We took the private tour out of Gouldings it was about 3 to 4 hours being it was private we were in a van. It was very reasonable. Every one we came in contact was friendly and fun to be around.

We love Monument Valley and have been there twice. Both times we stayed at Gouldings and both times we took the all day tour. The guides will tell you about the formations and the lifestyle of the Navajo, depending on the guide. The last trip we took our guide (I believe her name was Carol) took us to visit her Grandmother who was living in a traditional Hogan.
The tours depart from Gouldings so you just go to the office to sign up. The people there are extremely poor so we try to buy a few trinkets and spend a little money while we are there.
Not all of the Navajo you meet will be friendly but just try to remember how we have treated these people in the past and I am sure you will understand why they feel as they do.

Apparently there are no road graders in the area because the tour we went on was VERY bumpy from ruts in the road and the Guides like to drive fast! One of the passengers with a sore back BEFORE the trip was complaining.
It may be my ignorance but I'd feel a little funny driving my car around in some of the areas that the natives believe are sacred. Of course, they can drive there!