Monument Valley After Ridgway?

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

Next month, I will be heading up to Ridgway, Colorado to help with the John Wayne Cancer Foundation marathon. 

Since will be "out and about", I am considering extending the trip to include Monument Valley Tribal Park. 

I was last in Monument Valley in October 2022. I enjoyed the visit, which included a sunrise tour of the tribal park. If I go to Monument Valley, I will likely take that tour again. I stayed at Goulding's Lodge Campground. 

The weather in September will still be warm. It averages 82° highs and lows averaging 58°. 

Above, Ridgway, Colorado to Monument Valley. 

The drive from Ridgway, Colorado will entail some mountain road driving. But The Beast can handle it. It is a route that is basically west and then south. The driving time is around four hours. 

Since the route will take me on U.S. 163, there is a new KOA Kampground (Monument Valley KOA Journey) on that road I can try out. I read that the campground is five miles from Monument Valley and has great views.

I have a few weeks to decide.