Monument Valley: worth a visit?
 

After we've visited Bryce, we want go to the Grand Canyon. We 're thinking to drive via Monument Valley. We plan to do it in one day, but it's gonna be a long drive. My question is: is Monument Valley worth the long detour or can we better skip it?

Monument Valley is a great place to visit & photograph but your detour is just too long for what's gained. Recommend you save it for next time. Hope you are talking about South Rim of Grand canyon or else the detour is really out of the way.

If you want to stay in Monument Valley, there is only one place: Goulding's. It's just north of the Utah/Arizona border. Otherwise there is a motel in Mexican Hat, Utah, and several in Kayenta, AZ. All are listed in the AAA book. But don't rush it -- come back and take your time. It's too big, too grand, too scenic just to drive through. Combine a visit to Monument Valley with a trip to Canyonlands National Park and Arches (Moab, UT). Or go on over to Cortez, CO and see Mesa Verde. The list goes on and on and onl Who knows! You may never go back home.

I second the advice not to try to see Monument Valley as a detour between the Bryce and the Grand Canyon. I went to all three on a trip, and MV is WAY out of the way between the two. There is NO way you could see it in a day. My suggestion: spend a day in Zion, even if it costs you some time in Bryce. BOTH are beautiful, but Zion just has more area for beauty. BTW, the place you are going Grand Canyon and southern Utah) is, IMHO, one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to!

Monument Valley is interesting as people say.
I agree that a detour like you describe is biting off a long, long day.

When you have a chance, see the parks in the eastern section of Utah -- Arches, Canyonlands and Natural Bridges National Monument.

From the monument drive south on a state road.
You will come to the edge of the mesa that drops suddenly to Monument Valley. At the edge, there is a view point that overlooks the whole of the area.
I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the landscape.

The road turns to dirt as you descend the mesa to the valley itself. But it is quite safe unless it has rained recently.

PLEASE DON'T RUSH THRU THE PARKS YOU ARE VISITING. TAKE THE TIME TO ENJOY EACH ONE AS THEY ARE ALL BEAUTIFUL AND BREATH-TAKING. A LOT OF PEOPLE GO TO BRYCE AND JUST DRIVE THE RIM - IF YOU ARE PHYSCIALLY ABLE PLEASE HIKE DOWN INTO THE CANYON. IF GOING IN SUMMER I RECOMMEND TO GO EARLY AM OR LATE IN EVENING THE TRAIL TO THE GARDEN IS NOT LONG BUT OH SO WORTH IT. I FEEL MV IS OUT OF THE WAY ALSO, SAVE IT FOR A TRIP THRU UTAH AND INCLUDE THE OTHER UTAH PARKS ON THAT TRIP.

Having lived and explored in Utah for many years, I can give you some wonderful, off the beaten track options if you want to travel from Bryce and/or Zion to the NORTH Rim of Grand Canyon. Monument Valley is wonderful, but if you are going in the summer, beware! IT'S HOT and a long, long drive! Feel free to e mail me if you would like suggestions for southeastern Utah, especially if you are renting a 4 wheel drive! <BR>