Monument Valley

Travel | Monument Valley

Monument Valley is another jaw dropping location. The endless desert views, amazing rock formations, dramatic sky and bumpy scenic road make for an incredible visit.

Monument Valley is part of the Navajo Nation and requires the purchase of a permit to visit the area. Located along the Arizona and Utah border, I stopped at the Tribal Park on my way to Durango, Colorado. It was the perfect stop to take in nature and walk around in a stunning setting, before carrying on with my road trip.

At first, I was a bit hesitant to take my Jetta on the 17 mile, unpaved, scenic drive. After speaking to a few people, I quickly learned the road was in good enough condition to handle a passenger vehicle, driven with caution. Driving tours are also available if you are unsure about taking your own car on the road. I found the first and last mile of the loop to be the most bumpy, requiring slower speeds and careful maneuvering.

The scenic drive, with stops along the way, took approximately three hours. If you find yourself at the Arizona and Utah border with the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park within a close distance, I highly recommend making the stop.