Welcome to City-Data.com Forum!
U.S. CitiesCity-Data Forum Index
Go Back   City-Data Forum > U.S. Forums > Arizona > Phoenix area
 [Register]
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
View detailed profile (Advanced) or search
site with Google Custom Search

Search Forums  (Advanced)
Reply Start New Thread
 
Old 06-26-2015, 10:56 PM
 
8 posts, read 7,776 times
Reputation: 15

Advertisements

Hopefully this is still considered on topic, anyway I been wanting to visit since moving to AZ, I already been to the GC etc and want to see something new. Based on mapquest its like a 700 mile round trip, I dont have a issue driving that much in one day, but my concern is if I will have enough time to enjoy the park. I really dont want to spend a night if I dont have to. Maybe visit 4 corners briefly as well just to say I've been there.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message

 
Old 06-26-2015, 11:35 PM
 
Location: Amongst the AZ Cactus
7,068 posts, read 6,494,116 times
Reputation: 7730
If you don't mind driving each way about 4 1/2-5 hours, I think it's easily doable in one day if you just want to see the mittens from the parking lot view point, do a bit of Native American jewelry shopping they have setup near by, etc. We've done this trip in one day several times from the valley and it's more than enough time for us to take in the scenery and move on. Someday we'd like to stay in the overview hotel they have to watch the sunrise.

As for the four corners, mapping says Monument valley to Four corners is about 1 1/2 hours each way. We've been there years ago and to us it's a place you stay for 20 minutes, move on, and don't plan on returning.

In the end if you love driving like I do, enjoy the ride up and back, it's an easy day trip time wise but you have to judge yourself if you like to drive that many hours in one day.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 06-26-2015, 11:50 PM
 
8 posts, read 7,776 times
Reputation: 15
Thank you for the response, much appreciated, just hearing that someone has done it before helps.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 06-27-2015, 12:35 AM
 
Location: Amongst the AZ Cactus
7,068 posts, read 6,494,116 times
Reputation: 7730
Quote:
Originally Posted by Desertdude88 View Post
Thank you for the response, much appreciated, just hearing that someone has done it before helps.
You're very welcome. It is one of our favorite places to visit. Such an iconic place in terms of stark beauty and history. Last time we were there the sun was setting and it was beautiful to watch the shadows/colors of the mittens change. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do if you decide to go.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 06-27-2015, 01:02 AM
 
2,338 posts, read 4,732,415 times
Reputation: 2028
I have great driving stamina but a day trip some 5 to 6 hours each way is a bit much. Stay over at San Juan Inn in Mexican Hat UT which serves alcohol too. Also, although a tourist trap, we enjoyed Swingin' Steak in Mexican Hat. Plus, gooseneck state park and Valley of the Gods right there too.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 06-27-2015, 01:05 AM
 
Location: Tennessee
10,688 posts, read 7,743,281 times
Reputation: 4674
Quote:
Originally Posted by Desertdude88 View Post
Hopefully this is still considered on topic, anyway I been wanting to visit since moving to AZ, I already been to the GC etc and want to see something new. Based on mapquest its like a 700 mile round trip, I dont have a issue driving that much in one day, but my concern is if I will have enough time to enjoy the park. I really dont want to spend a night if I dont have to. Maybe visit 4 corners briefly as well just to say I've been there.
Don't know if it's still there, but at one time there was a nice Indian Motel on the premises (circa 20+ years ago). It was fantastic to stay there and get up just before dawn and go outside to watch the sun coming up. I bought the best pair of moccasins I ever owned from their gift shop and wore them for years before they just plain started unraveling -- after getting holes in the soles.

Be sure to look at all the clips from movies made by John Ford at Monument Valley. It is quite interesting to see the sights live after seeing them in the movie.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 06-27-2015, 01:24 AM
 
Location: Amongst the AZ Cactus
7,068 posts, read 6,494,116 times
Reputation: 7730
Quote:
Originally Posted by magnum0417 View Post
Stay over at San Juan Inn in Mexican Hat UT which serves alcohol too.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wardendresden View Post
Don't know if it's still there, but at one time there was a nice Indian Motel on the premises (circa 20+ years ago). It was fantastic to stay there and get up just before dawn and go outside to watch the sun coming up.
You can watch the sun rise right from your private room balcony with this newer hotel built right on the overlook site that has a direct view to the buttes with nothing obstructing your view:

TheView Hotel | Monument Valley

OP indicated he'd prefer not to stay overnight if he can do the round trip in one day from Phoenix.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 06-27-2015, 04:28 AM
 
113 posts, read 160,585 times
Reputation: 245
We did an overnight trip from Phoenix last year. Visited Antelope Canyon and the Glen Canyon Dam the first day; drove to Monument Valley and then home the second day. I highly recommend adding a second day to your tour and making it a mini-vacation.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 06-27-2015, 02:14 PM
 
4,235 posts, read 14,091,958 times
Reputation: 4255
ugh...I love driving, but driving up to Monument Valley and back to Phx in ONE DAY is really miserable.....so much else to see in the area.....make it a multi-day and add the other stuff mentioned....I think each way would really be 5.5 to 6 hours door-to-door.....
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 06-27-2015, 03:08 PM
 
Location: Amongst the AZ Cactus
7,068 posts, read 6,494,116 times
Reputation: 7730
Quote:
Originally Posted by azdr0710 View Post
ugh...I love driving, but driving up to Monument Valley and back to Phx in ONE DAY is really miserable.....so much else to see in the area.....make it a multi-day and add the other stuff mentioned....I think each way would really be 5.5 to 6 hours door-to-door.....
I don't think you "love" driving as much as you think as nuts like me. You just might need better music and conversation.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.

Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.


Reply
Please update this thread with any new information or opinions. This open thread is still read by thousands of people, so we encourage all additional points of view.

Quick Reply
Message:


Settings
X
Data:
Loading data...
Based on 2000-2022 data
Loading data...

123
Hide US histogram


Over $104,000 in prizes was already given out to active posters on our forum and additional giveaways are planned!

Go Back   City-Data Forum > U.S. Forums > Arizona > Phoenix area
View detailed profiles of:

All times are GMT -6.

© 2005-2024, Advameg, Inc. · Please obey Forum Rules · Terms of Use and Privacy Policy · Bug Bounty

City-Data.com - Contact Us - Archive 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 - Top