Monument Valley

The valley is entirely on the Navajo reservation.  Early on the morning of 1 July 2011, we visited the valley.  


The formations on the right are called the Left Hand and the Right Hand.  They are 10 miles apart.

The Navajo Nation has been attempting, unsuccessfully, to obtain National Park status for decades.  However, since it is on the reservation, they have been able to restrict access without U.S. Government intervention.  The tribe limits the number and types of vehicles that access the valley.  Tickets to ride in a mini-bus to view the valley, are purchased at the visitor's center.  

The mini-busses are staffed by Native American drivers.  The ride through the valley is slow with frequent picture stops and a running commentary.  Because it was so early in the morning, the desert temperatures had not warmed up yet and were pleasantly in the mid 70's.  Our driver said that it would be in the 90's later in the day.

 The Navajo believe these to be sacred grounds and strive to protect them.  Many of the views are recognizable from Western movies made in the 1940's, 50's, and 60's staring John Wayne and others.   However, the tribe no longer "rents" the valley.

On the way back to the visitor's center, our driver sang us a traveling song.   It lasted most of the way back, several miles, to the visitor's center.

Although it is not a National Park, Monument Valley is a must see when touring the southwest. It is close in proximity to Arches NP, Mesa Verde NP, and the Grand Canyon NP.  It is a fantastic place to visit.