Monument Valley & Valley of the Gods
Aug 8th, 2021, 05:20 PM
#21
I agree with Birdie.
As far as standing at the viewing platform near the Visitor Center without taking a tour, I can't see that there is any COVID risk. Masks are required. You can (and I think must) pay for your entry fee online.
I also am not sure that the VC is actually open. It might be that the View Hotel has taken over some of those functions at the present time. Best way to find out is to make direct contact.
As far as standing at the viewing platform near the Visitor Center without taking a tour, I can't see that there is any COVID risk. Masks are required. You can (and I think must) pay for your entry fee online.
I also am not sure that the VC is actually open. It might be that the View Hotel has taken over some of those functions at the present time. Best way to find out is to make direct contact.
Last edited by mlgb; Aug 8th, 2021 at 05:23 PM.
Aug 9th, 2021, 03:47 AM
#22
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Many threads on these forums ask for opinions so it's normal you'd get conflicting replies. "Is Monument Valley beautiful?" or even "Are the rocks more red or more orange?" But when the question is totally objective - "Is the road open?" Sure seems like you would not get conflicting answers to that. I posted this exact same question on Rick Steves site and have read all the reviews on Trip Advsor, not to mention just googling it. Still no clear answer. Here are a few of the RECENT (look at the dates) trip advisor reviews.
"Aug 7, 2021 The manager at the hotel mistakenly told us that the 17 mile drive was shut down. I checked it out by driving to the Navajo Visitor's Center and found out it was NOT shut down. I don't know whether this was a ploy to get us to pay for a guided tour on those open trucks (they're starved for tourists) or it was an honest mistake. But we paid the twenty dollars for our car and had an amazing, unrushed, leisurely tour of the entire valley. The dirt road is adequately graded, you just have to take it easy. You don't have to have a four wheel and don't let anyone tell you different. If you want a million photo opportunities with no time limit, TAKE YOUR OWN CAR. It was fabulous!!!!!!"
"Jul 2021 I arrived on a Tuesday toward the end of July 2021 to find that Google Maps was wrong and the area was open--plus other Trip Advisor Reviews earlier this month expressed the same surprise. I had hoped to take a tour into the back areas only Navajo guides could take me, but the Visitor Center People that day did not have anyone else but me that afternoon when I arrived and it was a 2 person minimum or I had to pay double. I wasn't upset and they suggested I try the Tours organized by the top hotel in the Park. Those tours have scheduled times that did not work with my schedule. Only a little disappointed about no back-country tour. I had great time given the ability to pull over and take pictures easy with almost no traffic at the 20+ pull over sites off the road. "
"Jul 2021 Monument Valley just reopened to visitors July 2021! You can now see the 17 mile loop. We had an amazing time this awe inspiring site. Some important points: # The park is closed to Personal vehicles. YOU CANNOT DRIVE YOUR OWN CAR. You must get an approved tour through the Navajo nation where they drive you through. This is better, because the road is a rough, non paved and rocky, and will likely damage your rental car. The tickets can be done at the visitors center or ahead of time. # You need a permit to get on the Navajo nation. You purchase this when you drive to the View Hotel to where the tours start. . They check this when you are on your tour bus, and it is separate from the tour fee."
Fortunately my route takes me down US163 anyway so I guess I'll find out (and be sure to post here). But this research has told me a few things: I will do the Valley of the Gods drive (I am coming from the north so will be passing that first). And I won't pre-pay or reserve anything at Monument Valley but just see what's what when I get there.
"Aug 7, 2021 The manager at the hotel mistakenly told us that the 17 mile drive was shut down. I checked it out by driving to the Navajo Visitor's Center and found out it was NOT shut down. I don't know whether this was a ploy to get us to pay for a guided tour on those open trucks (they're starved for tourists) or it was an honest mistake. But we paid the twenty dollars for our car and had an amazing, unrushed, leisurely tour of the entire valley. The dirt road is adequately graded, you just have to take it easy. You don't have to have a four wheel and don't let anyone tell you different. If you want a million photo opportunities with no time limit, TAKE YOUR OWN CAR. It was fabulous!!!!!!"
"Jul 2021 I arrived on a Tuesday toward the end of July 2021 to find that Google Maps was wrong and the area was open--plus other Trip Advisor Reviews earlier this month expressed the same surprise. I had hoped to take a tour into the back areas only Navajo guides could take me, but the Visitor Center People that day did not have anyone else but me that afternoon when I arrived and it was a 2 person minimum or I had to pay double. I wasn't upset and they suggested I try the Tours organized by the top hotel in the Park. Those tours have scheduled times that did not work with my schedule. Only a little disappointed about no back-country tour. I had great time given the ability to pull over and take pictures easy with almost no traffic at the 20+ pull over sites off the road. "
"Jul 2021 Monument Valley just reopened to visitors July 2021! You can now see the 17 mile loop. We had an amazing time this awe inspiring site. Some important points: # The park is closed to Personal vehicles. YOU CANNOT DRIVE YOUR OWN CAR. You must get an approved tour through the Navajo nation where they drive you through. This is better, because the road is a rough, non paved and rocky, and will likely damage your rental car. The tickets can be done at the visitors center or ahead of time. # You need a permit to get on the Navajo nation. You purchase this when you drive to the View Hotel to where the tours start. . They check this when you are on your tour bus, and it is separate from the tour fee."
Fortunately my route takes me down US163 anyway so I guess I'll find out (and be sure to post here). But this research has told me a few things: I will do the Valley of the Gods drive (I am coming from the north so will be passing that first). And I won't pre-pay or reserve anything at Monument Valley but just see what's what when I get there.
Aug 9th, 2021, 08:03 AM
#23
Sounds like a plan!
I did notice on the View Hotel website that it says "Hotel and Cabin guests are allowed to drive into the Valley during their stay"> This began July 8 according to the website.
No clue how they enforce non-guests.
I did notice on the View Hotel website that it says "Hotel and Cabin guests are allowed to drive into the Valley during their stay"> This began July 8 according to the website.
No clue how they enforce non-guests.
Last edited by mlgb; Aug 9th, 2021 at 08:07 AM.
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