Grand Canyon and Monument Valley en route to Santa Fe (in July)
 

I am planning a really big road trip and need a bit of help with the Arizona part of the trip.

We will be spending the night in Scottsdale. The next morning I would like to drive to the Grand Canyon and spend the night. This will be our first time to the Grand Canyon and so any suggestions would be appreciated! What kind of exploring can we do when we get there? It will be the end of July and it sounds like it will be HOT! I would like to watch the sunset from a magical place. The next morning I would like to watch the sunrise from a great spot, have breakfast and hit the road.

I have just started thinking about adding the Monument Valley to the trip. We are headed towards Santa Fe and so it seems like it might be do-able. What is that experience like (in July...)? We would stay the night there and then drive to Santa Fe the next day. Are there interesting towns along the way to Santa Fe?

Does this sound like a good plan? Any tips, suggestions, places to eat or stop along the way would be a terrific help!

On the way from Scottsdale to Grand Canyon you might want to stop at Montezuma's Castle National Monument and drive though Sedona, AZ.

They say that any overlook is good for sunrise or sunset. If you go to the more popular places then you will run into crowds and lines to get back on the shuttle buses. You can read more here http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisi...sunset.pdf.pdf

As you exit the park make sure you stop at several of the overlooks and at Desert View. The landscape changes.

Monument Valley is very do-able on your way to Santa Fe. It's going to be hot. You can drive into Monument Valley in your own vehicle and if you decide to take a guided tour...please make sure you do one in an air-condition vehicle!!!

I don't know how much time you have for your road trip, but you won't be far from Mesa Verde National Park in southeastern Colorado.

Utahtea

utahtea! You are the best!! Thank you so much for that great link on sunrises and sunsets and the excellent suggestions.

I will look into both Motezuma's Castle and Sedona and see if we will be able to add them in. We are in for a super long drive (Los Angeles to Key West) and so we can not add too many more things...

Thank you for your help!

I have to agree with Utahtea regarding going to Mesa Verde NP. It is wonderful and should not be missed. Perhaps a stop in Durango would be fun too?

Don't leave Albuquerque off your list either, there is a lot to do there, including a great AAA baseball team and stadium. The zoo is wonderful!

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t342

http://www.cabq.gov/biopark/zoo/

I have info on another thread on here. Also, after leaving Mesa Verde, do stop at Chaco Canyon, another must see when you are in the area.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...n-question.cfm


Drive the Turquoise Trail from Santa Fe to ABQ

http://www.turquoisetrail.org/


Tent Rocks just south of Santa Fe is another that should be on your list.

http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/rec...ent_rocks.html

Deb

Thank you, DebitNM! I will look it all up.

Ask away, I live just outside Mesa Verde NP and also have a home in ABQ.

Deb

You might also want to stop at Page, AZ for a half day smooth water boat trip on the Colorado from the Dam to Lees Ferry, and take some pictures at Horseshoe bend and Antelope Canyon. Then when you get to New Mexico, do take time at Bandelier NM. It is great and very different from the other ancient sites mentioned.

Thank you for all the help so far!

I have been looking at the map (a lot) and am wondering- is Monument Valley really amazing? I think that it will be but just wanted to make sure since it is a bit off the route.

Everyone will have a different opinion of what "amazing" is. I think Monument Valley is one of those amazing & magical places. Here are some pictures, maybe it will help you decide: http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationP...lley_Utah.html


Monument Valley will add about 75 miles and about 3 hours of driving time. If you do decide to skip it, you might want to add an extra 20 miles and visit Petrified Forest National Park just off of I-40. If you do go, get off in Holbrook and take Hwy 180 to the park, then the park road back to I-40. The Petrified Forest really doesn't compare to Monument Valley IMHO, but it wouldn't be as far out of your way.

Utahtea