Monument Valley

In the world of Travel and RVing there are some places you just have to go and Monument Valley, Utah is one such place. Anyone who has watched an American western movie has seen parts of Monument Valley and film director and Irish legend John Ford made himself and John Wayne famous here. Ford shot great classic westerns here like: My Darling Clementine (1946), Fort Apache (1948), She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949), The Searchers (1956) and Sergeant Rutledge (1960). John Wayne had referred to this remote region of Navajo country as the place "where God put the West."

 
photo by Keith Bennett 

Goulding was established in 1923 as a trading post. There is an interesting museum there that displays the history of its founders and the subsequent survival idea; to attract movie makers to this part of the country. The RV Park, Goulding’s Campground, is right in the heart of the sites to be seen and offers very comfortable settings. This clean, modern campground with beautiful views of Monument Valley has the following amenities: wireless internet access, heated indoor pool, laundry, full RV hook-ups, tent sites, hot showers, grocery store, 50 amp service, tours of Monument Valley and cable TV. While the area can get a bit dusty, the incredible scenery more than makes up for the minor inconvenience.

 
photo by Keith Bennett 

 
photo by Keith Bennett 

There is only one main road through Monument Valley, US 163, which links Kayenta, AZ with US 191 in Utah. The stretch approaching the AZ/UT border from the north gives the most famous image of the valley, and possibly of the whole Southwest - a long straight empty road leads across flat desert toward the 1,000 foot high stark red cliffs on the horizon, curving away just in front.

 
photo by Keith Bennett 

 
photo by Keith Bennett 

The only area that can be seen in a private vehicle is the 17 mile drive around the park, but with a guided tour you will be able to see sights that are available only to the Navajo nation. At one point the Navajo nation was only 10,000 but now is in excess of 200,000. The guides are excellent and well worth their fee. I strongly suggest a sunrise tour as it will never be forgotten. The scenery coupled with the Navajo history makes for a most enjoyable way to start a day.

 
photo by Keith Bennett 

 
photo by Keith Bennett 

In summary, Monument Valley is a place that is difficult to visit just once and I look forward to our 2009 trip this fall. From Denver the trip to Monument via a stop in Moab is about as good as it gets.

Happy Camping