In about two weeks, my family and I are departing for 10 days in Arizona. We'll be spending the first several nights in Sedona, then continuing to the Grand Canyon for two nights, spending three nights in Page at the foot of Lake Powell, and then returning to Sedona for a final night on the way back to Phoenix. My wife and I have been to Sedona before, but 14 years ago, and I would be interested in hearing any other suggestions people might have (sights, things to do, places to eat, etc.) at these locations.
And I do have one specific question: when you go to Monument Valley, is it sufficient to drive the loop that's open to everyone, or should you really hire one of the Navajo guides and get beyond that loop? And if you're doing it in a day trip from Page, as we will be, is there really time to get the full benefit from hiring one of the Navajo guides?
Sedona / Grand Canyon / Lake Powell / Monument Valley Suggestions Sought
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I would drive to Kayenta from your stay at the G.Canyon and visit Mon.valley.Then you can drive to Page.Paul
You haven't told us what your interest are.
Hiking to see the scenery, drive thru scenery, other, etc.
I think you finish your float trip about noon/1 PM or so, and you can easily get over to Kayenta (under 3 hours) - and up/into MV before the sunset - which is a big event - as is the sunrise.
We didn't hire a Native Guide - just drove the loop - and enjoyed it - but also did some reading ahead of time to further appreciate the history of the area, and you might also see if you can get one of the old John Wayne movies which has Monument Valley in the background.
Funny - they seem to keep leaving the same scenery most of the time in one of the films. http://www.desertusa.com/mag05/dec/m_valley.html
Also go by the Burger King in Kayenta to see the tribute to the brave Navajos who served in the Pacific during WWII and confounded the Japanese with their "code" - made up from the Navajo language - which is very difficult to decipher.
The movie - Windtalkers - with Nicholag Cage - depicts this. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0245562/
Such a shame they could't even talk about what they did in the War - as it remained classified until the early 70's.
Hi Jeff,
Don't know if this is too late but two great things to do in the Page area are going to Slot Canyon - spectacular and go with one of the Chief Tsosie guides (he operates of Page)and they do the best tours. Try to get the tour that has you in the canyon about noon. The other is a hike of Horseshoe Bend - the hike is just south of Page on 89 but do it early because at this time of year it will be very hot. Oh and another suggestion is take the tour of the Dam and someone said you are doing the float trip? You can combine that with any of these suggestions. Also, you mentioned family - how old are your children...if you are interested in the geology of the area, continue north of Page towards Utah on 89 about 15 minutes from Page. There is a wonderful Bureau of Land Management visitor's center with information on Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument as well as Dinosaur exhibits and information of the geology. We spent a week just in the Page area and now always stop by there on our way to Utah.
Monument Valley is awesome but would add lots of driving time to your trip. In terms of the loop rd, we took a guided tour because the road is in very bad shape - holes, rocks sticking up, etc. and we didn't want to take a chance damaging the rental car. In addition, the guides have interesting info so I'm glad we did. A day trip from Page may be pushing it.
Thanks for the responses so far. My kids are 17 and 15. We've considered but don't plan on doing the float trip below the Glen Canyon Dam - it seems a little bland.
Hcoorssen -- I've just started focusing on the slot canyons around Page. I have read a lot of discouraging things about the crowds in Antelope Canyon. Is there any preference for Upper Antelope versus Lower Antelope? I've also begun hearing good things about a less accessible canyon called Canyon X. Does anyone know anything about that?
Is Horseshoe Bend the place where there's that incredible view of the Colorado River doing what amounts to a hairpin bend? If so, that's definitely on my list of things to see.
Also, I've begun pondering whether to possibly do the Rainbow Bridge boat tour/hike on Lake Powell in preference to Monument Valley. It's 4.5 hours to Monument Valley and back, and it is starting to seem to me that once you get there and take in the standard view of the Mittens, is there really that much more to do? Maybe that's why you need to hire a Navajo guide.
Another bonus of getting over to Monument Valley is the Navajo National Monument - which is about 30 miles before you get to Kayenta. Well - it's about 20 miles before you get to Kayenta - and then up the side road about 10 miles.
Loved the Navajo National Monument - where you can get a great look at the Cliff Dwellings, and if you have time, even hike to one. http://www.nps.gov/nava/index.htm And they have a good visitor's center, with movies, etc.
And as for Monument Valley - I am sure a Native American Guide would add to the experience, but we just loved driving around by ourselves, and the sunset/sunrises are awesome.
We did Antelope Slot Canyon with Chief Tsosie guide four years ago - they do it small group...we went with just another family in SUV - five of us and guide. It was memorable...they do another which is longer and just for professional photographers in the upper slot canyon. I got wonderful pictures because our guide was so good and we were behind the crowd. Yes, the hike is the incredible overlook. Don't know anything about Canyon X