"Five Things You May Not Know About Monument Valley"

Above, the Mittens and Merrick Butte. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last November, I stayed a couple of nights in Monument Valley at the Goulding's Lodge Campground.

I've been through Monument Valley before, but until last year, I never stayed there or took a guided tour.

My visit to Monument Valley was a highlight of my three-week trip across the country (roughly 3/4 of it). Even though it got down into the 20s in temperature at night, it was still an enjoyable visit.

Indian Country Today has an article on "Five Things You May Not Know About Monument Valley".

It begins with:

Thanks to John Ford, the filmmaker behind legendary Westerns like Stagecoach and The Searchers, Monument Valley is among the most recognizable vistas in the world. 

Known for its majestic, free-standing sandstone buttes, this sprawling, 92,000-acre valley attracts more than 250,000 sightseers per year. Visitors come to this isolated area on the Arizona-Utah border to hike, drive, photograph or simply experience its natural and ever-changing beauty. 

But contrary to popular belief, Monument Valley is not on public land. Unlike many nearby national parks in Arizona and Utah, Monument Valley is a tribal park owned and operated by the Navajo Nation. 

“We’re a tribal entity,” said Nelson Parrish, a supervisor at Monument Valley. “Within park boundaries, you’re on Navajo land.”

Above, John Wayne's cabin from She Wore A Yellow Ribbon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whether or not you are a Western movie fan, I recommend a visit to Monument Valley. It is also a photographer's paradise.

To read more and find out what the five things about Monument Valley, go here.