Route Natural Bridges to Monument Valley?
 

Two questions on a route from Natural Bridges to Monument Valley.
1) Which is the more scenic in your (most valued) opinion: Hwy 261 or Hwy 95 to Blanding and the Hwy 163?
2) Is Hwy 261 partially unpaved (and therefore a potential problem with car rental)?

Hwy 163 through Bluff is scenic but it can't compare to the views you can see of Monument Valley in the distance as you come down from Natural Bridges on Hwy 261.

Yes, there is one section of Hwy 261 called the Moki Dugway, that is not paved. I wouldn't do it if it's raining, has rained a lot lately or looks like a storm is coming, other wise you shouldn't have a problem in a rental car.

Here is what the road looks like:

http://www.so-utah.com/souteast/powe.../homepage.html

Utahtea

Wow!

ttt

Utahtea, I couldn't access your phots, but did find some that Burch's motel in Mexican Hat posted. Moki Dugway looks awesome, does it have guard rails?

With all the favorable postings about Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley, we decided to take a detour off I-40 on our way to San Diego next September and make them part of the trip west. The return trip east includes GC, N&S rims, Zion, Bryce etc. up to Moab and onto I-70 back to VA.

Hi Ronkala,

There weren't any guard rails when we did this route years ago and from the pictures, it hasn't changed. Try these pictures:

http://marina.fortunecity.com/highwater/419/moki.html

This part of the drive is steep at an 11% grade.

Sounds like you have a great vacation planned next September!

Utahtea