How many hours will it take to drive from Monument Valley to the south rim of the Grand Canyon? We'll be driving from Moab and Arches,so we'd also appreciate some info. on driving times in between Arches and Monument Valley.

From Moab to Monument Valley is about 2 to 3 hours drive. Via Blanding and Monticello. You will stop along the way to take photos, that I guarantee. From Monument Valley, it's about four hours to GC South Rim via Kayenta, Tuba City, Cameron, and then into GC by the "back door." Be careful of your speed. The roads are patrolled by the Navajo highway patrol and they are quite strict. Of course, you may make this trip in less time, but what's your hurry? It's pure gorgeous.

In your trip planning, make sure you stay overnight at Goulding's Lodge at Monument Valley and then get up to watch the sun rise over the monuments. Truly, a great experience!

I second the vote for Goulding's Lodge. I arrived at night and was absolutely amazed at what I saw when I opened the curtains the next morning. Besides, you are right in the heart of things there.

As for your drive, I'd also recommend a detour to Canyon de Chelly if you have the time. The hike down isn't the easiest and takes awhile, but well worth it, and the cliff dwelling is spectacular.

Thank you so much for all the good advice. We will unfortunately be rather short of time,but we do want to see as much as possible. Is it possible to see Monument Valley without doing one of the set tours? I assume we'll arrive in the evening after visiting the Arches and then we'll head towards the GC the next day. If there are shorter hikes we're more than happy to do them,but is it possible to experience the splendour from the car as well?

Monument Valley is pretty, but I think you can see plenty from your car. There is one dirt road turnout that penetrates a few miles into the backcountry. I understand that driving off road is frowned upon by the Navajo police. If you want to see more than what is visible from the road, you must take a tribal guided tour.

When I have driven through the area, I always stop at the turnouts and take a few pictures. The term "valley" is something of a misnomer. The land is relatively flat, except where it has been cut up by deep, steep walled canyons. The monuments themselves are monolithic remnants of an erosive sandstone sitting on a more resistant rock. The main section of the monuments is made up of DeChelly Sandstone, overlain by isolated areas of a more resistant formation called the Shinarump. The sandstone is stained red because of a little hematite (iron ore) in the overlying rock. That is what gives the monoliths that enchanting color.

The country is wide open, so with a telephoto lens you can take pictures for miles around. With a good pair of binoculars, you can also see for miles and miles in almost any direction.

As Al said, you are in Navajo country -- which actually has its own laws and police. Hard to believe, but you are a foreigner.

But, Bob, you make Monument Valley sound so bland and sanitized. It's anything but. And, if you haven't seen Monument Valley at sunrise, then you really haven't see it at its most glorious.

But, Bob, you make Monument Valley so bland and sanitized. To really appreciate Monument Valley, you must ride through and then view it at sunrise. Only then can you say you've truly experienced Monument Valley!

Well Howard, I guess if knowing how the formations came into existence is bland, then I plead guilty. I don't find geological explanations to be bland.
I like to know how those monoliths got there. Nobody went out and played Johny Appleseed and planted them!!
(Hey, that's an idea. Sell red sandstone monolith seeds to the tourists!! Take them home, plant, fertilize, water, and in a few million years you will have a few small ones sprouting in the backyard.)
Does the geologic explanation of the Goosenecks of the San Juan hit you as bland? Just how did an old age river pattern get down at the bottom of a steep-sided canyon.
And for that matter how did the Grand Canyon get cut into the side of a hill?
Rivers run around hill sides, not through them!! Rather than making it bland, the geologic history of the whole area makes it come alive. And just how did those arches get there?? And what force put those gigantic cracks at the bottom of the GC??

Cecilia, I promise not to get into the geological fray here, but to answer your question, I felt I got a great first-timer's overview of at least part of Monument Valley in my rented car from Goulding's lodge in Kayenta/Four Corners without having to hire a guide or take a special tour. Of course I would have loved to be able to spend more time there, but, like you, my time was limited and I was trying to see as much as possible. I definitely want to return someday and would stay in the same place. For that matter, if I recall, Goulding's was about the only place I found to stay right in Monument Valley.

First of all, Bob, my double posting before was not intentional! The forum was acting up. Now, my comments was meant as a criticism only in the sense that I thought your "scientific" comments didn't convey the incredible beauty of the site! I didn't mean to demean you in any way!
And Daniel, you are correct in stating that Goulding's Lodge is the only place to stay in the immediate area and it's not that large, which is why I always advise people to make reservations well in advance.
I still urge anyone visiting the site to do whatever they can to stay overnight there!

Cecilia,
I have also been researching about Monument Valley and found that there is not a lot of information out there about it. Here are several websites that I found with interesting information (several are travelouges):
www.so-utah.com (go to Mon. Valley section)
www.amwest-travel.com
www.inetworld.net/ruthiek/
www.bateman.demon.co.uk/arizona2.htm#PlanAccom
I read in a guide book that you can drive yourself into the Tribal area using a guide map, for a small fee, however it is a dirt road. They said that most cars do fine, but some people are uncomfortable with the road conditions. Of course you then have to stay on the road, whereas some of the tours take you off the road and give you the commentary as well. They said to allow two hours to do the drive yourself. Good luck!