The Don'ts of Monument Valley

I hope that money goes for the poor horse!

Thanks for a great video. I remember travelling from Capitol Reef and Natural Bridges to Monument Valley in an RV and the scary switch backs (S Bends, as we call them in the UK) leading down into Monument Valley. Worth it though. Lovely memories of our stay here; Gouldings sold some brilliant things...a vase from there is pride of place in our lounge!

Thanks for the great video (once again). You guys make awesome videos.

Just a note to mention that at the end of September/beginning of October is the change of seasons which means....RAIN! It poored cats and dogs in combination with thunder and lightning, when I stayed at a campsite on Navajo land. So that was fun 😂. That meant that I didn't dare to do the loop with my rental car. I could do a tour with Navajo people.

But that brings me to my don't: don't do tours with the Navajo people. The prices are outrageous and really not worth it (bad to no explanation, i felt that they just wanted to cash money and that's it..funny enough they asked for tips in the end 🙄🤣). The tour prices in Monument Valley start at $80! per person in comparison to $8 per person entrance fee if you drive your own car. That difference is just too much. Another Navajo thing, Antelope Canyon, is far too expensive too for what you get as well. You are right about the 4 corners. Because of the rain I went towards Mesa Verde earlier than expected and decided to stop at 4 corners as I had time. Well I shouldn't have. I don't know what they do with all the money they take from the you at the entrance fee. For sure it is not building a car park and/or maintaining the square: benches were broken, only a few stalls were occupied (why don't they put a restaurant/cafetaria there).

Don't get me wrong Monument Valley and the canyons are beautiful (from what I saw) but for $25 extra I had a full day at Disneyland in september in Anaheim.

All in all, my tip is to go there from half October when the chances of rain are much lower and drive around in your own car. And definitely stop at Forrest Gump Point for an epic picture that's for free

I'm sorry if I sounded grumpy, I didn't mean to. Keep up the great work. For my next US trip I know where to get great advice. 😊

I see that the hours of the Monument Valley Visitor's Center are cut sharply starting on October 1. Do you know if you can be on the loop road beyond the hours of the Visitor's Center? As a photographer, I'd like to be on the loop road around sunrise and sunset.

Thank you for some great videos about this amazing place. One thing though, don't miss a Mystery Valley Tour, which brings you to a part of the Navajo land that is only accessable with a guide.

Hopefully we'll make it out there in the next couple of years. I'm waiting until I can properly plan a 2-3 week road trip which is quite difficult. Debating to fly out there (from KY) to and rent a car or drive my own; flying would eliminate 4 driving days (2 out, 2 back) but obviously cost more.

Another documentary to jot down, not sure when/where this will be available but a new doc that's yet to be released but still on the festival circuit, THE TAKING Directed by Alexandre O. Philippe. It's the story of Monument Valley and how it's been shot and preseneted throughout film history. Definitely a must watch for folks like you and me.

The time zone thing is crazy. I wish we could just end daylight savings all together. Cheryl’s HUGE water jug cracked me up. I saw her video introducing it, but it’s still funny (though necessary) to see it being used.

Fantastic information.

To everyone who is reading this, you’re beautiful and an amazing person. Please exercise frequently and eat more fruits/veggies. I wish you all good health, great success, and everlasting happiness!!!

This is the funniest and also dummest review of four corners ever. The significance of the only place in America where four states meet as well as being located within four amazing sovereign tribal locations should be a quiet respectful moment you could teach your children. But because there isn’t enough 5g and fanfare activities this is not a great stop for families. Ahem (white privileged people) sorry the space is designed for quiet reflection which is entirely lost on you as a breeder. Glad you thoug the most enjoyable part was the John Wayne horse pic opertunity who was the biggest asshole ever and a complete biggot who took complete advantage of native rights while persuing his own path to fame. Worst review ever- if you guys need more “entertainment” please keep going and head straight to Disney fairyland :)

We did a day drive from Gouldings RV out to 4 corners and back in one day. It was a really fun day and packed in quite a bit. Kids (11, 9, 7) loved 4 corners running in circles saying they ran through 4 states, or insisting that they are in a state alone which is a first for them. The loop was Monument Valley driving tour, 4 Corners, Hovenweep, Bluff Historic Site, Gooseneck SP, Mexican Hat, and Gump Road.

Glad you folks finally made it. I sure hope you rode with the Navajo instead of just sitting on the horse at the point! Better wear long pants if you do. Quite a ride.

If you have unlimited time and money go on the 8 day tour of all the parks with a tour guild..You get into the parks: long waits. For monument valley: go and stay in the hotel.. its worth it.. If you don't have a four wheel drive and and ability to drive an almost corkscrew road: also the ability to relax and look outside. Pay for a tour: its worth it. So much information. You have to be on one to see mystery valley.

I will say if you are disabled the tours will not work for most people. I could get in and out of the van and jeep I rode in but I lucked out: I would not have been able to do the other vehicles i saw doing tours. The hotel has one elevator and as its on reservation land is not ada approved. The stairs are on the outside of the hotel and very hard to find the doors from the inside. Either book close to elevator or be prepared to walk half a mile as the hotel looks out on the Valley from every room and is very long. But its so worth the view: the sunsets are amazing. Goulds eating is okay but the store is not. The grocery store is nice just down the road: you can get what you need as after a day out waiting for food would not be fun.

How strict are they about masks at monument valley? I thinks it's odd that if you're out in the middle of the desert, or in your car, they'd make you wear masks, but I'm not sure how strict they enforce it. Besides that, it's 2023 now, shouldn't they let people decide for themselves?

How many nights or days stay in The View hotel do you think is comfortable if we want to do the following: 1. Horseback riding tour in the mittens area (do the John Wayne movie trail?), 2. Drive the loop and take pictures from scenic spots (not in a hurry), 3. Take pictures with horse at John Ford point, 4. Check out Goulding's and the John Wayne cabin/museum, and 5. drive over to Forrest Gump point and take pictures?

We've been to Monument Valley a number of times, our last trip three years ago The restaurant at Gouldings serves some great native american food and there's a place in Mexican Hat that serves what they call swing steaks. You were talking about the film stagecoach two other films that feature the valley in color are "She wore a yellow ribbon, Fort Apache, The searchers, and My Darling Clementine. That little building you showed was John Wayne's office (Captain Brittle's) in the film She wore a Yellow ribbon and still has the "Captain Brittles," sign on the door as well as items from the movie. There's also a KOA campground just down from Gouldings as well.

Thanks for the great video. We hope to get to Monument Valley this year. It's a beautiful place!

That horse photo op is genius. Such a cool souvenir! My mom loves John Wayne—this would be a fun area for her to visit! Thanks for all the tips!! 🎉

Great videos!!! 😊 ..I can’t seem to find the link to the other Monument Valley video 🤷‍♂️

Lovr your videos giys heading to the grand circle in September love your cam footage can you tell me what type please

You should check out "The Searchers"

Hi, we are planning an RV trip with our 4 young kids. We had only planned on driving through Monument Valley on our way up to Moab but I'm curious if you would suggest stopping for the tour (because we can't drive our RV)? We are hitting many other spots and parks on our trip, so honest opinion if you think it would be worth our time or would just "driving by" suffice? Maybe there's a good lookout spot for a picture and to stop and let them really see it? We're from the East Coast and planning this trip has been overwhelming! Definitely appreciate your time and advice!!

مكان جميل أتمنى زيارته ذات يوم .. أحلم به منذ طفولتي ... مع العالم عندنا في الجزائر مكانا مماثلا اسمه بريزينة ..( BREZINA-IN -ALGERIA

Thanks for the tips. I plan on going there soon.

Thank you so much for the tip about timezones! I had no idea--I'm from the East Coast and hoping to come out and do a road trip and hadn't even thought about that!

Here's a "don't". Don't be that person who stops at the Forrest Gump point on US 163 for a photo op and expect traffic to stop for you while you're in the middle of the road! Utah built those turnouts for a reason!

Another one: if you have a decent high clearance vehicle, don't miss Valley of The Gods in Utah, which is just north of the Monument Valley area. It's equally impressive and a lot less busy with crowds.

I agree, the four corners were a waste of time!

I'm in tears viewing what has happened to Monument Valley. When we visited the #1 destination on my bucket list in the 1970's, we were the only 2 people in the entire tribal park!
We spent the night in a hogan in Black Mesa as guests of the people. By ALL means GO to 4 Corners and stand on 4 states at once!
The Navajo are making money now with all of the tourist visiting. Respect the people and the land this a holy place. Skip the John Wayne propaganda. Learn more about the Dine' people!
Again, I'm glad I went before it was ruined.😢

I'm not sure what you expected Four Corners to be it is exactly what it is described as

don't stay at the lodges and bring your own booze!!!!!

hi guys. greetings from England. A very famous place in America with its natural beauty and red hills carved by nature over millions of years. Very cool place that is worth visiting.

Folks should watch "The Searches" also before visiting this area.

Hey! Thanks for the tips! Loved the video! I have a question for you. My wife and I are driving through Monument Valley this summer. We aren’t staying the night or have any accommodations, but is there a place to disconnect our travel trailer to do the scenic drive?

Planning mid May trip and love your info.

Thank you for the info. om the time zones. Also on Antelope Canyon.

At 7 minutes -- but, but, but, driving around Monumental Valley is cheaper,
and it's more fun. You can stop where you want to take photos, and You
can return to whatever location that you want to re-view.

well....we're visiting in the end of July..... 😖

the biggest "Don't" you forgot is "Don't bother". place is beautiful, sure... but it's a heavily corrupt third world nation that suppresses it's people- all sanctioned inside the US. the cops are corrupt as hell, and most times a 50$ bill will get them to leave you be until the next one comes, and it's another 50$. the Navajo people are akin to second class citizens, they may be given the same rights as the rest of the nation on paper, but they rarely see those freedoms.

do not support this overt tyranny by giving them your tourism dollars.

Ive got another dont for visitors to Monument Valley... "PLEASE DONT stop in the middle of the Highway OR run around on the Highway." Dont know how many visitors ALMOST get hit by oncoming traffic.

I'm from Italy..I was there last October and I still have a lot of nostalgia.

But if you're in the area why not visit 4 corners? It's may not be a really big deal, but it is the tourist thing to do.

If you're going to prep for the trip by watching a Duke movie, it should be The Searchers. Besides being a better movie, the Monument Valley landscape plays a prominent part.

I 100% agree with you on Four Corners....uhh.