Planning a Grand Canyon/Monument Valley trip

[RodeoTex]

Used to - and I'm not sure about now- most all the rooms, tours and services were booked months if not years in advance.
My point is that you probably shouldn't just show up and end up sleeping in your car or driving back to Flagstaff to stay.

 

[kuch]

+1 on the Senior Lifetime National Park Pass-they were $10 when I got mine, don't know what it costs now.
+1 on get to Canyon de Chelly, great place

The last time we went there, the wife and I took her mom, who lived almost all of her life in Tucson, had never been to the GC. We stayed in the hotel just outside the park. Made it really easy to drive in and out for sightseeing for a couple of days.

Take your time and don't push your mom to squeeze in all of the sights.

Have a great trip.

 

[P Thought]

Go in late September/October.

Or April. Smaller crowds, less heat.

Also, you don't need nearly as many pictures as you'll feel like taking. It's sad to come home and realize that a) pictures don't capture the splendor; and worse b) you spent the whole trip squinting through your phone camera

Those are both magnificent places


P.S. You're a good man, blowtorch, doing this with and for your mom

 

[tery]

Bon Voyage.

 

[Dave Hicks]

The Grand Canyon is the only place I've ever seen a sunset get an ovation - must not have been all that good, as it didn't get a stander.

Canyon de Chelly and Petrified Forest are pretty interesting, too.

D.H.

 

[BluesMann]

Go in late September/October.

Exactly. The best time is after Labor Day. Kids back in school, less crowded. Good weather. Good time to go.

 

[loudboy]

If you're not going to hike down in, an afternoon/sunset at the GC is fine. It's so huge, the view doesn't really change from the rim. That said, it's something you really need to see - any description/photos you've seen of it will not prepare you.

I'd skip the train, unless you like corny stuff. The canyon starts out of nowhere - so the ride in is just wide expanses of nothing. It's also $125/ea., takes 2:15 to get there, you get 3 hours at the canyon, and then another 2:15 out. I think there's a fake robbery on the way out.

Altho I'm biased, if you're out here you shouldn't miss Sedona. Sort of on the way between GC and Monument Valley. I'd be happy to show you around - can give you a real showstopper of a day tour.

Second Canyon De Chelly. I haven't been yet, but pics are spectacular. Also, any of the slot canyons up there are cool.

I'd fly into Phoenix, and rent a car - the drive up the hill is cool, and being able to explore on your own terms will give you a better experience.

Senior (62+) Park Pass is now $85, still worth it.

 

[DFB1]

If either of you have a National Park Pass you can roll right in.

Monument Valley is not a national park. It's Navajo land and costs $8.00 a person.
If you can, go to Antelope Canyon. You do need a reservation though.

 

[BluesMann]

When I went back in 2017, we flew into NM. Went up to Red River to visit friends. I got altitude sickness. It felt to me like flu. The shops there sell cans/bottles of pressurized O2!
Specifically to combat this. You take a hit or two from the can/bottle to feel better. Works great. I would not be anywhere on the high desert plateau where you will be without it. Even after you acclimate, physical exertion at altitude will tire you out faster, this extra O2 really helps with that. And have a great trip. Stay safe.

 

[telleutelleme]

North side is a better view and less populated. Monument Valley is beautiful. Took a truck ride around and it was bumpy, dusty but worth it. Lots of great photo opportunities. Agree that September/October is better.

 

[imwjl]

@blowtorch If you cannot swing going in outside of peak tourism and heat times, consider some homework on other national plus state parks and monuments. Especially so if crowds are not agreeable or you treasure independence.

Still, there are some places on the planet worth seeing regardless.

 

[blowtorch]

If you cannot swing going in outside of peak tourism and heat times,

we are planning for an october, as mentioned earlier

 

[jman72]

Monument Valley is not a national park. It's Navajo land and costs $8.00 a person.
If you can, go to Antelope Canyon. You do need a reservation though.

That whole area is amazing, and I am wearing my Antelope Canyon cap right now! I would definitely recommend taking a tour in Monument Valley and NOT driving your own vehicle. My wife and I took our three boys on an epic road trip through the mountain west a few years ago and we made the mistake of trying to drive our rental minivan there (the guy at the entrance took our money when we went through and didn't say anything about it NOT being paved like most other tourist loops out there). Well, less than a quarter mile in we realized that nothing less than a 4x4 jeep could make it through and we turned around (and just BARELY made it out!). Beautiful area, though and great stories that my kids will remember long after I am gone.

 

[Ted Keane]

You can take everyones advice on where to go if you just move there for a few months.Bring lots of water,in case you get stuck somewhere.And no booze on the Indian Reservation property.I've been to both a few times.I got both of the backs of my hands sunburned from having them on the steering wheel.Wonderful thing to do with Mom.A horseback tour through Monument Valley is so cool.Have fun.Stay hydrated.