Inspirational Destinations – Monument Valley, Arizona, US
As photographers we come across many areas that touch our hearts. It seems funny to me that it may be a smell, a feeling, an experience or simply, the light that calls us to return over and over again. I’m certain that as we meander the highway of life, we find that our heart attaches to some locations that we journey to.
This assignment for my friends at Really Right Stuff was a challenge for me. How do I select my favorite location from all of the places that I have visited? That was one very tough decision. I wrestled with that until I dug deep. The answer became simple.
The Monument Valley Tribal Park (MVTP) has burrowed itself into my soul. This began before I had ever visited in person.
I have always had a hunger to travel and be amongst the most beautiful locations in the world. I was drawn to the beauty of Monument Valley in the early 1980’s when I saw images from the Muench family. I knew that I needed to go out to Arizona from my home on Long Island, New York. That decision changed my life. I would eventually leave the comforts of the area where I grew up, where my photography business flourished, where I flew my hot air balloon, where my friends and family lived. These changes were all because of my love for Monument Valley.
Monument Valley is a region of the Colorado Plateau characterized by a cluster of vast sandstone buttes, the largest reaching 1,000 ft above the valley floor. It is located on the Arizona–Utah border, near the Four Corners area.
Best time to visit
One of the wonderful things about the journey to Monument Valley is that there is no bad time to go see it. Weather and seasons make that statement a reality. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall provide us with unique views into the face of the southwest. This is certainly true of Monument Valley.
Living just 6 hours away allows me to hit the road on a whim. When a blizzard is in the forecast for the Four Corners region (Az., New Mexico, Colorado and Utah), I head up to MV. I tend to stay away during the very busy summer months, if I can.
Time Allowed
It seems that I cannot spend too much time on the Arizona/Utah border where Monument Valley lies. My trips tend to last between 4-6 days, since weather is such a big part of this vast landscape. I do enjoy the wintertime mostly as crowds are gone and with the low arch of the sun during these months, I can almost photograph all day there. It is not uncommon to have clouds for the dramatic depth that they add with the shadows and mixed sunshine. A bit of rain or snow can add a lot of character and mood, as does nighttime. For hours before or after closing, you will be required to hire a Navajo guide to bring you into the (residential) park to capture another dimension.
Town of Arrival
One of the good things about Monument Valley is it’s remoteness. One of the challenges of reaching Monument Valley is the remoteness. It is a nice full day drive from most of the areas larger airports. Albuquerque Sunport (ABQ) is the closest at 186 miles, Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) in Phoenix is 320 miles. Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) is 398 miles, Salt Lake City (SLC) is 383 miles and Denver International Airport is 501 miles away from the tribal park. I would suggest, if time allows, arrive through one airport and return through another airport as there are many other locations that you can visit before or after seeing the beauty of MV.
Favorite location
Once you drive into Monument Valley you will see a few places that you will stop at as many as three times a day while visiting. The first is one of the best views of the park, right from the campground as you actually enter the beginning of the 17 mile loop road. This will afford you the best view of the Mittens at sunrise. This area rivals the rolling sand dunes near a butte called Totem Pole in the very back of the park.
Physical Activity required
The one disappointment of being within the MVTP is that hiking is not allowed. You can drive to many of the magnificent buttes and then take a short walk around them to enjoy the surroundings.
Area’s favorite location
Each of the stops along the 17 mile drive will become a favorite location. John Ford, the Hollywood director who shot many John Wayne films here in MVTP has been memorialized with John Ford Point. You will find that Artists Point, North Window and Three sisters are areas for spectacular views.
Aside from the self-drive tour, you can hire a Navajo guide to take you to the Ear of The Wind, The Sand Dunes, Mystery Valley and the remarkable Hunts Mesa., which overlooks the entire MVTP.
Besides Photography
Although there are horseback rides that you can take, most of the areas to visit are photo-centic. About 25 miles north of MVTP is another very nice area of buttes called the Valley of the Gods. You will also find the Goosenecks of the San Juan about 20 minutes from there. When returning you may want to stop for a cocktail in Mexican Hat. The MVTP is a dry (no alcohol) region.
Do Not Miss
No matter where you fly to and ultimately drive in from, there are many lovely areas to visit while exploring the Colorado plateau. Just 90 miles away is the town of Page, Az. Where you can visit Antelope Canyon, where the water has eroded the sandstone and created lovely slot canyons. On the outskirts of town is a spectacular overlook of Horseshoe Bend. Just up the road from Page you will find both Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. To the north of MVTP is another pair of spectacular National Parks, Arches and Canyonlands.
If you are traveling south to Phoenix, you may want to consider visits to the Grand Canyon and Sedona in the red rock country of northern Az.
Best advice
The best advice that I can offer you is to be sure to get plenty of rest before you journey to Monument Valley. You will want to be out and about all day and into the night to see this spectacle in different light and weather conditions. Just please; do not blame me when you fall in love with Monument Valley.
Ken Sklute began his photographic career capturing 200 mph race cars in New York at an early age. He soon moved into the wedding and portrait industry but chose to relocate to Phoenix, Arizona in 1996 in order to be out photographing the beautiful desert southwest landscape.