Monument Valley tour with kids?
 

We're planning to visit Monument Valley in August with two children, eight and three. I'm wondering about the Gouldings tours. How kid friendly are they? Are you riding around in a vehicle the whole time, or are there stops? What kind of vehicle is it, and is it over a road, or over rough terrain? What do you see on a tour that you wouldn't see from the road? Thanks in advance for as much detail as you are willing to give me! Also, has anyone ever stayed at the Gouldings Campground?

Definitely take the kids on a Monument Valley tour. It's the best way. You'll get the most out this magnificent site. One of my lifetime favorites. Don't know about the campgrouds; we stayed at Gouldings Lodge. If the campgrounds face the mountains, make sure you get up before dawn to watch the sun rise over the monuments. Breaktaking! <BR>As for your other questions, I forget what the vehicle for the tour was. It's a dirt road, if I remember correctly, but the ride wasn't uncomfortable. <BR>In any event, definitely take the tour!

Howard is correct...do take the tours. You can pick a tour at Goulding's or go down to the visitor center and there are many trucks/vans/jeep-types with Indian drivers ready to take people. We always stay at Goulding's, nice rooms, good restaurant, little museum and info. on film companies that stayed there during filming in the area. You cannot drive Monument Valley yourself, rough terrain and the Indians will not let you do it. Monument Valley and the tour are always at the top of our list for guests staying with us. If you go in the summer, Gouldings tours are in late afternoon to take advantage of the shadows on the rock formations. You make couple of stops, one at a hogan with an Indian woman weaving a rug and one, a photo op. with little kids dressed in traditional clothing. Definitely well worth it!! Remmeber that it will be very hot and no doubt, dusty. Call Goulding's and ask about the campground...don't remember seeing it.

Just so you know -- you can drive your own car (for an admission fee) on a 27 km loop through the main part of Monument Valley. You cannot walk further than 100 meters from the road, and you will not see the parts of the Park you would see if you pay for a guide. Some may wish to pay for a guide in order to see and learn more; others may wish to see and spend less. You have a choice. If it might rain, or has in the last 24 hours, I would NOT recommend taking your own car along this dirt road.