ivarussell

I can't decide wheter I want to drive from Monument Valley to Sante Fe to Denver or Monument Valley to Great Sand Dunes to Denver. Help!

sylvia3

I'd go to Sand Dunes via Canyon of the Ancients.

DebitNM

While there is "natural beauty" around Santa Fe; it is quite different than the Great Sand Dunes.

Santa Fe has lots of historical building and sites, art galleries, markets, churches with a big choice of hotels and restaurants.

The Sand Dunes is a park and as such, is more about the outdoors. Can you find hotel at this late date? Are you going to camp? Can you get a spot to camp?


It's a matter of what your interests are and what you want to see.

DebitNM

Oh, when is this trip because right now, it isn't a good time to drive in the area of the park -

https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvis...-pass-road.htm

What kind of vehicle do you drive; that might also be a concern.

fmpden

Kind of like asking if you should go to Paris, Texas or Paris, France. There really is no similarity so what do you want to do?

wtm003

It depends on your interests, when you plan to go and what you want to do.

The link Debit posted shouldn't impact your visit if you just want to climb the dunes and play in the creek and any vehicle will get you to the starting point at the visitor center.

How many nights? I usually stay at the Fairfield Inn in Alamosa.

DebitNM

Ignoring the link; they are really 2 different areas and that is the crux of the issue. You could technically do both depending on your time frame.

tomfuller

Where are you coming to Monument Valley from? What is your time frame?
Is this a one way car rental with a big drop fee in Denver?