Monument Valley
Visiting the unique landscape of Monument Valley
USA
The Monument Valley Tribal Park, located in the rural southeastern portion of Utah is an iconic backdrop for American Western films. The valley is home to towering sandstone rock formations that have been sculpted over time by the forces of wind, water, ice, and temperature. The massive sandstone buttes soar 400 to 1000 feet above the valley floor. Monument Valley is located on the Navajo Nation Reservation and the entry fee is $8 USD per person.
We did the self-guided 17-mile scenic drive. The road was unpaved with uneven switchbacks, we saw some cars having trouble going up some of the sections. If you are not comfortable driving on dirt roads or have a vehicle that is not suitable for sandy terrains, you can join the guided tour. The guided tours use open air 4x4 trucks to explore the area. We started our journey at the visitor center that has a great viewing platform overlooking the valley and road.
We really enjoyed the scenic drive, we were constantly stopping to take pictures of the magnificent landscapes. Words cannot describe the beauty of this magical place; the landscape is utterly unique. The scenic drive took us about 2 hours to complete. Below is a map that you can get when you arrive that lists the points of interest.
I think no matter if you are a fan of the film or not, it is still a beautiful spot worth checking out. But if you do decide to run onto the road, be super careful with traffic. Remember, you are on a highway! Happy exploring!
If you are a fan of the film Forrest Gump (1994), you may be interested in stopping at the Forrest Gump Point on the way to Monument Valley on Route 163. About 15 miles southwest of Monument Valley, the location was featured in an iconic scene where Forrest Gump with his band of running followers, decided to end his run across America.
To find the spot we searched for “Forrest Gump Point” on Google Maps and when we got there, we noticed there were a few empty lots along the highway for visitors to pullover and take pictures.
Aliya loved climbing around John Wayne point, and as we drove the roads, it was spectacular to see these grand natural structures up close.
