Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > CAMPING, TRAVEL and TRIP PLANNING > Camping Locations, Plans & Trip Reports
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 07-24-2014, 10:05 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
seb1899's Avatar
 
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 226
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?
seb1899 is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 07-24-2014, 10:19 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
NorthernDriv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Maple Ridge,B.C.
Posts: 488
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
NorthernDriv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2014, 10:38 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
schrederman's Avatar
 
Jayco Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Weatherford, TX
Posts: 975
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
schrederman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2014, 10:53 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Dennis_K's Avatar
 
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Posts: 1,392
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.
Dennis_K is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2014, 08:58 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 141
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.
__________________
Jim, Lisa and Sailor, the Australian Terrier
Thor Palazzo 33.1
Freedom65 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2014, 09:06 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Rich and Cork's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,163
Don't forget to get a picture of the sign where Forest Gump turned around:
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_5437.jpg
Views:	157
Size:	511.1 KB
ID:	69003   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_5435.jpg
Views:	121
Size:	423.4 KB
ID:	69004  

__________________
2014 Phaeton 36gh
2008 Jeep Rubicon or 2012 Ford F150 4x4 Lariat towds
or a couple of different trailers
Retired in Apple Valley, California
Rich and Cork is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2014, 11:31 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
EZDZIT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 689
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
EZDZIT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2014, 01:23 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
beaverfever's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,083
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
beaverfever is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2014, 01:33 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
rhusak's Avatar


 
Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Conifer, Colorado
Posts: 1,033
Quote:
Originally Posted by beaverfever View Post
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
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
rhusak is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2014, 04:40 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
777 Driver's Avatar


 
Entegra Owners Club
Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 4,191
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
777 Driver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2014, 05:04 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
tankcj's Avatar
 
Newmar Owners Club
Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Posts: 1,702
This is from the hotel...it gets better down in the valley. You decide...
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0048.JPG
Views:	140
Size:	346.4 KB
ID:	69048  
__________________
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4328 K2
2017 Grand Cherokee Summit 5.7
2008 Beaver Contessa 40' Pacifica 425 Cat
tankcj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2014, 06:05 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Rich and Cork's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,163
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
Rich and Cork is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2014, 06:13 PM   #13
Community Administrator
 
CLIFFTALL's Avatar


 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 53,378
Blog Entries: 1
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.
__________________


Cliff,Tallulah and Buddy ( 1999-2012 )
CLIFFTALL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2014, 07:25 PM   #14
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 75
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!
troutslayer is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
hwh



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Where Was My Entegra This Week DSL417 Entegra Owner's Forum 3411 02-19-2024 06:02 AM
Spartan visit TXBart Entegra Owner's Forum 25 05-23-2014 03:26 PM
Spots between Bishop and Valley of Fire? RussOnTheRoad Boondocking 7 04-04-2014 06:50 AM
The Pastors Visit SonnyB RV'ing Humor & Crazy but True Stories 0 02-18-2014 08:41 PM
Recommendations for Middlebury plant visit hogdriver Entegra Owner's Forum 3 12-03-2013 11:36 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:23 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.