It’s the stuff movies are made of. Monument Valley. The classic western hero riding his horse along the horizon, the magnificent sandstone buttes that must be seen to be believed and Yes! There he his, John Wayne, on a 5-year quest; The Searchers. Yep, it’s the stuff movies are made of.
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
I’m talking about Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. It has been the classic film setting that gave movie-goers the painted image of the American West. The Searchers, was filmed in Monument Valley in 1956, a particularly favorite year of mine. Although it didn’t win any major accolades, it’s become a cult classic. I don’t think the same movie could be made today. It’s about as nonpolitically correct as it could be by today’s standards. Nonetheless head over to YouTube and you’ll find all kinds of clips and interviews about the movie.
Kayenta, Utah
It was a long day of driving, leaving Tucson, AZ and driving north through Flagstaff, AZ. We crossed the vast desert of southern UT, until we found ourselves in Kayenta, UT, about 30 minutes away from Monument Valley. To say Kayenta is remote, is an understatement at best. There isn’t much there, about 5,000 people. There are a couple of hotels, a couple of eateries, a bit of shopping. The school district did not come into existence until the 1950’s. I think it’s more than just a town though, it’s a way of life for those who make the desert their home.
“Kayenta Township is the only municipal-style government within the Navajo Nation. It is regarded as a political sub-division of the Navajo Nation. It is managed by a five-member elected town board, which hires the township manager.” Wikipedia
Monument Valley Safari
So there we were in Kayenta, knowing we wanted to spend the next day exploring Monument Valley but it seemed like a herculean task and we had no idea of how to go about it. It was then we found, Duffy of Monument Valley Safari. Duffy, who gave us a private tour of Monument Valley, who played his flute for us, who educated us on the valley and the Navajo people, who took us off-roading in a big old suburban that was just too much fun, and Duffy who gave us exactly what we were looking for without us even knowing what that was.
Book a Tour
You can actually drive your car down onto the valley floor, but I wouldn’t advise it as the road is not maintained and your car may never forgive you. There are several tour companies in the area and albeit a bit pricey, it’s really the best way to view the valley because the tours can take you beyond where the public is allowed to drive.
I suspect during the busy spring and summer months there would be quite a few cars and getting off the pubic roads gives you a completely different perspective of the valley, away from the throngs of people. We came across a couple who were riding their bikes and kudos to them because that was quite the ride!
The bicyclists took this photo for us. Note: predating selfies!
Living Off the Grid
It was cold – of course it was cold it was January – the day we were there but the sun was out and it was just about perfect. It’s hard to put into words the glory of the valley, it’s just one of those places you have to see to believe. No wonder the film makers of an era gone by were so fond of it. Today, in order to protect the area, it’s much more difficult to get permission to film in the valley, if at all.
As you travel through some of the more remote areas of the valley you’ll see hogans – family homes – which have been continuously lived in for generations. These home sites have been grandfathered in; no new families can move into the valley. It’s fascinating in that the families maintain a lifestyle of generations past. No running water, no electricity, just living a quiet life off the grid.
Navajo Hogan
The Spirit of John Wayne
As I said, Monument Valley is a place to be seen, rather than talked about. Venturing out to the more remote areas, where there isn’t another car or human being, you can stand perfectly still and take in the stunning silence of this captivating place. And if you look off in the distance, you just might see the spirit of John Wayne.
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Embrace the Serenity
It takes a fair bit of driving to reach Kayenta, and then on to Monument Valley. It is well-worth the effort. Our best advice is to book a stay for a night or two in Kayenta, or at the edge of the park. Give yourself time to embrace the incredible peace and serenity of the desert. Also, think about the lives of those who choose to keep traditions alive. It really is very special.
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Man, that’s such a gorgeous area. People all over the world recognize those rock formations from the movies. I’ve been there a few times. When I was a kid, I’m pretty sure we drove along the valley floor – my dad was a big one for taking roads less traveled. I think it would be a super bike ride.
Cathy Sweeney recently posted…3 Days on Oahu: 5 Honolulu Highlights
It is really just spectacular, but I don’t think I’d want to ride a bike through it. Give me a guide and an off-road vehicle and let someone else do the driving so I can do the staring out of the window! 😉
I’m as green with envy of you, as your vistas are red Patti!!
As a huge fan of landscape, this SW area of the States is so on my bucket list 🙂
And I’ve 100% taken on board, getting a guide is the way to go so thanks for the heads up there.
Linda ~ Journey Jottings recently posted…Exploring Kings Canyon from Down Under – The Kings Creek Walk
I hope you make it to the USA so you can visit this amazing area! Stay tuned, today’s post is about another National Park.
Your photos are breathtakingly beautiful!!
Thank you Marilyn!
We’ve traveled the Monument Valley many times since we live in Salt Lake City. Next time we definitely will add the tour guide to our trip. The flute must have been hauntingly beautiful in that setting. When you stop in Moab, do you eat at Eddie McStiff’s?
We spent 2 nights in Moab, but didn’t eat at Eddie McStiffs. Now I know for next time – if there is a next time. That whole area of the country is magnificent, you’re fortunate in that you’ve been able to visit multiple times. And that’s a great descriptive word for the flute music.
I just cannot get enough of these landscapes, so amazing. Gorgeous captures, I hope to visit the US soon again.
Freya recently posted…Appalachian Trail Record Holder Jennifer Pharr Davis
If you do find yourself back in the USA Freya, the whole area of southern Utah and northern Arizona is just an incredible place to visit.
Love, love, love these rock formations. John Wayne, together with mother nature…what a drawing card! 🙂 I’m not sure i have ever seen seen this movie. When I have some time I”ll to check out the clips on Youtube.
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I had seen parts of The Seachers but never the full movie, but as luck would have it it was playing on one of our cable movie channels so I watched it just before we left on our trip. It definitely inspired me to visit the valley!
Yes, the landscape of Arizona and Utah certainly offer some moonscape-like vistas, don’t they? I’ve enjoyed touring this area many many years ago. Love your pic of the petroglyphs!
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That’s good descriptive phrase – moonscape-lie vistas! The petroglyphs were in an area known as the Big Hogan where the Navajo people used to gather, it was very special to see it.
The jeep safari sounds like fun! I’ve always enjoyed them because they do allow you access into places your car probably wouldn’t (or shouldn’t!) go. The photos are beautiful! I’ve really enjoyed places like Sedona, Grand Canyon and the Badlands, and I think I need to put Monument Valley on my list.
Patti Morrow recently posted…Spring Break at the Rosarito Beach Hotel
You should definitely add Monument Valley to your list – it’s incredible! We haven’t yet visited Badlands but we have been Sedona and the Grand Canyon, also incredible places to visit and see Mother Nature at her finest.
I’d love to see some photos of how the old movie companies managed to set up and film in such a remote area — back in the day. That scenery is certainly evocative and your photos show it to good advantage. It reminds a little of the area on the High Road to Taos where they also filmed some Westerns and then the Taos Pueblo where the Pueblo tribe members still live without running water and electricity, but Monument Valley is definitely more remote. Some day, I’d like to do what you did and not fly over “Flyover Country”.
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Suzanne, if you find yourself in the area, just outside of the valley is a place called Goulding’s Lodge and Museum and it is supposed to hold quite the store of memorabilia and stories about the early Hollywood filming in the valley. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to stop and explore. We spent about 3 hours in the valley and then we had to hit the road for Moab, wanting to arrive before dark. If we ever make it back we’ll definitely go to Gouldings as I agree it would be fun to see it all. http://www.gouldings.com/museum/
We’ve driven our car into Monument Valley and it’s not so bad. However going with a guide is a much richer experience. Plus many of them take you where visitors aren’t allowed to go unless they are with a Navajo guide. I’m assuming that was the case with your tour. Looks like you had a wonderful time in one of my favorite areas of the country.
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It really is an amazing part of the country. And that’s one of the main reasons why I love road trips. I’m not sure when you were last there, but the main entrance road down into the valley can only be described as a washboard pothole! Ha! Ha! I think a pick-up or jeep, etc., would have no problem though. Maybe it also depends on the time of year as to how bad the roads are. But yes, we had a Navajo guide and we were glad we made the decision to go with the guide because we learned so much from him and he took us places beyond public access.
How ironic as just the other day I was thinking back on your cross-country trip and all of the movie locations you passed on the way. And bam! You must have received my vibe ha, ha. This is fantastic and right off the top of my head I Back to the Future III, Forrest Gump and Windtalkers spun around in my thoughts. But, “The Searchers” rocks and my uncle being a John Wayne addict owns every one of this movies. Remember Vera Miles and Natalie Wood too. Yikes, talk about memories going now. I love that you got a personal tour though we have a Jeep and I would like to try to go down there ourselves. I heard there is a massive set up pre-dawn by professional photographers all around the world there constantly. Did you notice any, Patti? Great post 🙂
With a jeep you’d have no problems, but the great thing about having a guide is the personal experience of having someone tell you the history and the stories and answer every question I could think of! We started our tour around 10:30 in the morning and we were in the valley for about 3 hours. I did see some photographers with their tripods and super lenses – not predawn because I was sleeping 😉 – but they were there both on the rim and down in the valley. Talk about a photographer’s dream! I can only imagine how incredible the views must be at dawn and sunset.
What stunning country, I would love to visit here one of these days, I love all the colors!
noelmorata recently posted…Venice – evening magic – Travel Photo Mondays #34
It’s like no place you’ve ever seen, Noel, Monument Valley, Arches National Park, Bryce, Zion, they’re all just stunning!