
This restaurant is located in Kayenta, a half hour drive from the Visitor Center. However, we did eat breakfast here after our sunrise photography tour, and we thought the food was pretty good.Īmigo Café. Like Goulding’s Lodge, their prices are on the expensive side and the food is average. Tim and I dined on salads, which were nothing special, but they were a fraction of the cost of an entrée. Entrees cost about $25 but the food is very mediocre. Expect overpriced, mediocre food in and around Monument Valley. This is not a place you visit for the food. Then we drove west to Page, Arizona to see Antelope Canyon. In the afternoon we took the three-hour tour of Teardrop Arch. After a late breakfast, we checked out of our cabin and spent the mid-part of the day driving the Valley Drive (Tribal Valley Loop). We ate dinner at Goulding’s Stagecoach Dining Room and then watched as the sunset over the Mittens.ĭay 2 – Up very early for a cold but beautiful sunrise photography tour of Lower Monument Valley. We spent the afternoon visiting Forrest Gump Point, the Valley of the Gods, and Mexican Hat. In Kayenta we stopped for lunch at Amigo Café. How We Planned Our Timeĭay 1 – We drove from Phoenix, Arizona. However, if you are short on time, you can do the Valley Drive, taking just a few hours of your time, if you are on a road trip through the area. In my opinion, doing at least one tour is worthwhile because it lets you experience more of Monument Valley. The must-do activities are the Valley Drive and the view from Forrest Gump Point. This gives you the opportunity to do a sunrise and/or sunset tour if you desire. Since it takes about three hours to get to Monument Valley from almost anywhere else in the vicinity, it helps to stay overnight, at least one night. How Much Time do You Need in Monument Valley? The view of Monument Valley from the Forrest Gump pull out. Visitors are welcome to pull off safely on the side of the road and take photos from the shoulder only.” Due to the road’s traffic leading to past injuries and fatalities, we urge you to take your safety seriously and refrain from taking photos from the middle of the road.

“ Please be aware this iconic photo-op is located along a highly-trafficked road. Here is information from the Visit Utah tourism website: There have been recent fatalities and injuries here. Note that this photo spot is located on a highway. This is just a 20-minute drive from the Visitor Center.
#Monument valley sunrise movie#
Located on US-163, the famous view of Monument Valley featured in the movie Forrest Gump is not to be missed. This really is a beautiful part of the USA. By the way, just driving down the road here is packed with stunning views. If you have a little extra time and want to explore farther, here are some ideas for you. This is best for people who do not feel comfortable self-driving the dirt road or for those who just want to sit back and relax and enjoy the views. This tour takes you to all of the same sites you would see on your own, however, you do it with a guide and in their vehicle. You can take a tour on the Valley Drive with a Navajo guide. If you want, you can start the day at sunrise and go all the way to sunset. There are many options for tours depending on your interests. This hike is a 3.2 mile loop that circles around the Mitten Buttes and Merrick Butte. All other hikes must be done with a guide. This is the only self-guided hike that you can do in Monument Valley. Tours to places like Mystery Valley and Teardrop Arch are fantastic, but I think you would be missing out on something if you skipped John Ford’s Point or the Mittens. If you only have a few hours to spare, your time is best spent driving the Valley Drive.

#Monument valley sunrise series#
Now, Monument Valley has been featured in a large number of popular movies, including Forrest Gump, National Lampoons Vacation, Mission: Impossible II, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the HBO series Westworld. It wasn’t until John Ford featured this landscape in his well-known films (including Stagecoach and Rio Grande) that Monument Valley began to experience some popularity. The only ones who really aware of the beauty of this place were the Navajo Indians who lived on the land. Until the 1930’s, Monument Valley was an obscure, seldom visited location. Most of the area that is visited by tourists is called the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. It is not officially a National Park since it sits within the Navajo Nation Reservation. Located on the Utah-Arizona border, Monument Valley is part of the Colorado Plateau.

How Much Time do You Need in Monument Valley?.
