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07-24-2014, 10:05 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 226
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Monument Valley - Worthwhile Visit?
We are leaving for our western trip the day after Labor Day and will be seeing Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Bryce Canyon, Zion and the Grand Canyon. Wehave made our reservations and plan to return to NC via I 40 seeing some of old Rt 66 as well as Sante Fe NM
I really liked the scenery in the old John Ford westerns and would like to see Monument Valley but it is a little out of the way. If we went we would stay at Gouldings, dry camp one day and take full svc the second day in order to leave the dog in a/c and take a day trip into the valley. Is the day trip offered thru Gouldings worth while? I have no idea of its cost but if the scenery is breath taking it will be worth it.
Has anyone done a day trip like this?
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07-24-2014, 10:19 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Maple Ridge,B.C.
Posts: 488
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I did the drive yourself tour years ago. On reflection I would take the tour. And take cash to buy the interesting things available from the locals. Its like a trip back in history.
__________________
2020 Thor Palazzo 36.3
Me and the DW, Django and the new kitten Ebony.
2003 Holiday Rambler Endeavor - sold
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07-24-2014, 10:38 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Jayco Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Weatherford, TX
Posts: 975
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We did the drive yourself tour many years ago. The locals had a steep hill at the entrance/exit point that was fine dirt, and the car ahead of us couldn't get up it to get out. He didn't have the nerve to get a good running start. The locals charged him $60- to tow him to the top. (This was 25 years ago, so $60- was pretty steep. That sells more Jeep tours for them.) He moved out of the way while waiting for the tow, and we got to the top in our minivan, but not easily. That aside, it is truly beautiful, and worth the trouble and the price. But at the time, all people that were not part of the tribe had to stay on the road, and no hiking was permitted. However, knowing graffiti mongers... I don't really blame them. This does allow you to see a lot of the valley, but a good hiking trail or two would make it so much better. Maybe they have those, now... Please report back if you visit. We're interested in going back... and will in a couple of years when I retire.
__________________
Jack and Dee Dee Weatherford, Texas
2014 Ram 2500 Crew Cab 4X4 w/CTD 6.7
2016 Jayco White Hawk 28DSBH Travel Trailer
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07-24-2014, 10:53 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Posts: 1,392
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I have done the Tour and driven the self tour a couple of times. Always had the Jeep so getting up the dirt hills was not an issue.
Definitely worth the side trip. Stay at Gouldings RV park and get the tour through them and they will pick you up at the RV park. I would call now to see if they will be doing tours at that time of year.
__________________
2012 Monaco Knight 36 PFT
Towing either a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland or a car in a 20' enclosed car trailer.
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07-24-2014, 08:58 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 141
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Visited Monument Valley three years ago. It was one of the highlights of our trip thru the South West. We did the self drive in a Mercedes SUV. No problem at all. Even saw some people doing the self drive in a compact car.
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Jim, Lisa and Sailor, the Australian Terrier
Thor Palazzo 33.1
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07-25-2014, 09:06 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,163
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Don't forget to get a picture of the sign where Forest Gump turned around:
__________________
2014 Phaeton 36gh
2008 Jeep Rubicon or 2012 Ford F150 4x4 Lariat towds
or a couple of different trailers
Retired in Apple Valley, California
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07-25-2014, 11:31 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 689
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Nearby off US160 you can find Navajo National Monument. They have two campgrounds; one water/elec and one overflow. We thought the first one was kind of cramped so we explored the overflow dry camp. The site we selected backed right up to open pinon pine mesa country. It was breathtaking. We took a ranger guided hike to the nearest cliff dwelling which was well worth our time. This was about 30 years ago.
We would love to take the Monument Valley tour someday and also the tour in the valley of Canyon de Chelly.
If you would add a description of your rv to your signature it would help others to give the most appropriate travel and service or maintenance suggestions.
Safe travels.
__________________
Fred & Mary RVM135
2012 Dutch Star 3735 ISL 400
2012 GMC Sierra Ext Cab 4x4
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07-25-2014, 01:23 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,083
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if you stay in monument valley be sure to visit valley of the gods just down the road and just as impressive.
time permitting bluff,ut mulkey dugway,gooseneck park and mexican hat are all close by and worth the time
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07-25-2014, 01:33 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Conifer, Colorado
Posts: 1,033
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Quote:
Originally Posted by beaverfever
if you stay in monument valley be sure to visit valley of the gods just down the road and just as impressive.
time permitting bluff,ut mulkey dugway,gooseneck park and mexican hat are all close by and worth the time
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Hi I was just going to suggest the Valley of the Gods.. It's just out of Mexican Hat a bit and a spectacular drive.. It's a state monument I believe.. 2nds on Canyon de Chelly as well.. It's desolate country but starkly beautiful.. We stayed 2 days at Goulding's and it was OK and secure.. Lots of Indian dog strays around so fence is a good idea..
Enjoy the area.. It is a gift to us all..
Ron
__________________
Ron Husak
Conifer, CO
Living at 9200 Feet and looking down at ya!
04 Travel Supreme 40DS04 400 Cummins ISL
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07-25-2014, 04:40 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 4,191
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Don't laugh...but...I'd recommend a stop at the Burger King in Kayenta.
They've got a great display about the Navajo Code Talkers.
Take care,
Stu
__________________
"I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned."
2018 Anthem 42DEQ
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07-25-2014, 05:04 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Posts: 1,702
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This is from the hotel...it gets better down in the valley. You decide...
__________________
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4328 K2
2017 Grand Cherokee Summit 5.7
2008 Beaver Contessa 40' Pacifica 425 Cat
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07-25-2014, 06:05 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,163
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OH, and at Gouldings they have John Wayne movies at night.
__________________
2014 Phaeton 36gh
2008 Jeep Rubicon or 2012 Ford F150 4x4 Lariat towds
or a couple of different trailers
Retired in Apple Valley, California
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07-25-2014, 06:13 PM
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#13
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Community Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 53,378
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I also stayed at Gouldings and throughly enjoyed Monument Valley. We took their jeep tour , it was great. One caution that I would advise is to have an EMS ( electrical management system ). It was 100 degrees when I was there and frequently was shut down by my EMS as the amps dropped below 104. Also , there was a wind storm and I never got the red sand completely out of the window tracks. Still I wouldn't have traded the experience for anything.
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Cliff,Tallulah and Buddy ( 1999-2012 )
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07-26-2014, 07:25 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 75
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We stayed at Gouldings last year and really liked it. I did the "self-tour" in a GMC 2500 with very stiff suspension and would not do that again. My suggestion is that using their tour service is well worth the money. Also, there is a VERY COOL and quite large natural stone arch located about 75 yards right behind the RV park. Most people don't know about it but ask on check in about how to get there. Also went to Goosneck State Park which was well worth the trip also. Happy travels!
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