Monument Valley

Sunrise is around 7:10, but it is an hour fast forward here, so it is still the usual 6:10.

Those who had cameras were waiting there early, and the old driver came over busily with a bag of black grapes.

At this moment, it feels like being on an alien planet. The scene of changing light and shadow is like a dream. The morning sun slowly rises from the quiet valley, and the sun and the moon shine together in the sky.

Monument Valley isn't a national park, but rather a Navajo reservation. Therefore, national park admission isn't accepted; you'll need to pay a separate fee. However, after hours, the staff are free to enter and exit the park. We arrived around 5:00 PM, and the staff had already gone off duty, so no entrance fee was charged. I was impressed by how much money these indigenous people have.



The best time to visit Monument Valley is at sunset. When the setting sun shines on the towers, the entire Monument Valley becomes a warm red.



Many people who go to the western United States do not go to Monument Valley. Most of them go from Page to Bryce Canyon and then go straight to Salt Lake City.

Even those who go there mostly just look around from the outside or go to the Forrest Gump running spot.

Monument Valley is still worth recommending. Putting aside the halo of the LP cover, Monument Valley is the place with the most American Western temperament.

Desolate, primitive, and lonely.

Driving in Monument Valley, you will feel like you are on another planet. You will rarely find such a place.

There are large areas of red soil, with huge rocks scattered here and there.

Scarlet mesas, strange sandstone towers, and unique rust-red rock monuments stand tall in this sandy desert. Here, a monument shaped like an elephant is a place where your imagination can be fully utilized.

All of them are built with local trees and covered with local red soil on the outside, keeping the inside warm in winter and cool in summer.

The large holes created by wind and water erosion once again make us marvel at the magical power of nature. Compared with nature, humans are always too small.

There are 27 kilometers of dirt roads in the scenic area. The reason for not repairing the roads is that the Indians here want to preserve the original feeling. It is best not to drive in depth to explore.

After entering the valley, follow the signs and you can drive around the valley in about an hour. I strongly recommend everyone to come to the United States during the Christmas holiday. I found that as long as it is not a Chinese holiday, it is the off-season everywhere. We wandered around the valley and encountered few cars. When we saw the scenery, we could pull over if we wanted to stop, and it would not affect the passage of others. In fact, there were basically no other people around, haha!

Monument Valley is an Indian territory and does not belong to the national park. Therefore, the national park annual pass cannot be used. Tickets need to be purchased at the entrance for $20 per car (1-4 people).

After purchasing your ticket, you'll be provided with a map. The route, which is about 12 to 13 miles counterclockwise, takes 2 to 4 hours to complete. Remember that the park's roads are mostly unpaved dirt roads, so a 4WD is definitely required.

Recommended attractions:

John Ford's Point Overlook, marked as attraction number 4 on the map, has horses on the cliff edge for photo opportunities. It's $5 per person, and you can take as many as you want. Compared to the inexplicable photo-taking fees at other attractions in China, this price is quite reasonable.

"Artists' point of view" and "North window overlook": As you can see from the map, these two views are roughly the same range and are the most classic views in the entire Monument Valley. The shadows of the clouds slowly move across the land, as if you are on another planet in the afterlife.

The annual pass is not valid here, you need to pay an additional ticket, I forgot how much it is, after paying, they will remind you to drive slowly, slowly, slowly. As you can imagine, the road conditions inside are really not good.

The Monument Valley National Park, which is managed by Indians, has only bumpy dirt roads winding through various boulders.

It's truly magnificent and vast! Humans seem so small in the midst of nature.

The three sisters of Monument Valley stand majestically in the red soil. The road conditions in Monument Valley are relatively primitive.

Monument Valley (Navajo: Tsé Bii Ndzisgaii, meaning Rock Canyon) is part of the Grand Circle of Canyons in the United States. Monument Valley is not a national park, so the same national park entrance fee cannot be used.

The circle encompasses the Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Natural Bridges National Monument, Hovenweep National Monument, Arches National Park, and many other attractions. Monument Valley is not a valley itself, but a landscape built on a vast flat plain: red buttes and spires rise hundreds of feet. This is the last remnant of sedimentary rock layers that once covered the entire area. Monument Valley is an enduring symbol of the American West. The vibrant red mesas rise from the desert, featuring striking sandstone formations, the Indian Neva and Tribal Territory, and the Four State Junction Monument.

Traveling here allows you to explore the history of the American West and learn about the history of American Indians.

It has appeared in "The Lone Ranger" (2013), "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968), "Forrest Gump" (1994), "Mission: Impossible II" (2000), and "Transformers: Age of Extinction" (2014). The famous Forrest Gump Trail is located outside Monument Valley.

Do you remember "I'm pretty tired, now I go home." Sounds familiar? Forrest Gump ran to the place where he stopped. We drove for 5 hours round trip. There was no signal and no group tourists. The movie shooting location was not in Monument Valley Park. We drove for another half an hour to get there. This should be the most impressive attraction in this trip to the United States. We had fun here for a long time.

Monument Valley is located in an Indian reservation, not a national park (annual passes for national parks are not valid). The scenery is unique, with isolated, large rocks standing abruptly in the Gobi Desert, resembling monuments. Because of the Gobi Desert, the temperature difference between day and night is quite significant. It was quite cold to watch the sunrise.

There is a 17-mile scenic road and a 4-mile trail in the scenic area for visitors to explore on their own. Other routes require joining a guided tour.

The scenic road and trail are only accessible from 8am to 3pm. However, 8am was not very punctual. When we went there, we had to wait until 8:20 before we were allowed to pass.

The scenic road is a dirt road. Some sections are muddy and the dirt is very thick. Fortunately, ordinary cars can pass through if they drive carefully.



Regarding accommodations in Monument Valley, there's only one hotel within the area, and room prices vary depending on floor level and aspect. We booked a top-floor view room, which I personally felt was a bit of a loss, as the best views are either behind the hotel lobby or outside the visitor center next door. We'd still be heading to the public observation deck after checking in anyway, so the view wouldn't be worth the money. The hotel's restaurant doesn't have high online reviews, and the breakfast included in the room was certainly subpar. Rooms do have microwaves and coffee makers.

Finally, the iconic peaks of Monument Valley appeared on both sides of the road. We arrived at the Monument Valley boundary. Our hotel, Goulding's Lodge, was advertised by a large sign. Monument Valley is located on the Navajo Nation (Navajo Reservation), which is located in Utah, but near the Arizona border. The main Monument Valley scenic area is located on the Arizona side.



The Grand Circle tour route passed through here, but instead of continuing on to New Mexico and Colorado, we headed straight back to Zion National Park because we were traveling during spring break. That was our original plan, with only four days to explore and two days to return to Philadelphia to continue studying.



Monument Valley is also managed by the Navajo Nation. Due to COVID-19, all Tribal Parks are closed. For details, please see the official website (accessed on February 22, 2021): ***

It's a nice place, but there's a fee. The scenery is a bit monotonous, and you can enjoy it without entering the scenic area. Of course, staying in the scenic area is also a close-up experience. If the weather is good, you can see the Milky Way, which is also nice.

The west is dry and empty, and the boulders have been eroded by wind to form their present shape.

It's just that you can't see the essence of Monument Valley along Highway 163. Early morning and late evening are the best times to take photos. It's also good to stay overnight to take pictures of the starry sky.

The sun is shining brightly at noon, and it’s great for taking photos!

Sunset was around 5:30. As the sun approached, I returned to a hotel parking lot not far from the entrance. Standing high above, I photographed Monument Valley as it gradually darkened from its jeweled hue. After sunset, Monument Valley quickly turned murky.

Due to time constraints, we did not go into Monument Valley. If you want to cross Monument Valley, you need to set aside 3 hours. You need an SUV because the road in the park is all red soil.

When we opened the tent curtain and Monument Valley with the rising sun jumped into our eyes, I finally experienced the meaning of breathtaking beauty.

This was our second camping stop, originally a last resort after failing to book a hotel. However, the brilliant starry sky and sunrise at night made this the perfect camping spot for our trip. Although it was on sand, it wasn't cold or dirty at all, and it felt incredibly soft to lie on. Of course, the hotel's view was also fantastic, but camping here was like sleeping in a painting at night. I highly recommend it. The campground has restrooms and showers, each with a fan heater, and the temperature was like a sauna in China, making the showers incredibly comfortable.

Monument Valley National Park is located in the local Navajo reservation, and national park tickets cannot be used here.

We arrived at Monument Valley Park at 5:30 PM, and the staff had already gone off duty, so we didn't buy tickets. We had booked camping in advance, but you can't choose your spot online; it's first-come, first-served. We recommend choosing the first few spots in the first row, as they offer the best views without any obstructions. By the time we finished eating and set up our tent, it was almost dark, and the stars were already starting to show. They finally appeared in full view around 8 PM, bringing joy to both of us, even though we live in a heavily polluted city in central Taiwan.

The campgrounds in Monument Valley offer free Wi-Fi and outlets for charging. The location of the campgrounds in Monument Valley is fantastic. Watching meteors from your tent at night and sipping hot coffee at sunrise in the morning is a fantastic experience.

You need to set up and dismantle the tent yourself, but the tour guide will give you guidance, so it is almost not difficult.

The sunrise in Monument Valley is truly stunning.

I had always assumed Monument Valley was just a simple attraction off the main road, something I could simply turn into as I passed (since Google Maps indicated it was not far from the main road and lacked a dedicated park). So, I hoped to arrive just before sunset, capturing the last rays of sunlight on the monument. Sadly, I didn't get to see it. After speeding to the vicinity of Monument Valley, heavy clouds drifted in the western sky, completely obscuring the sunset's brilliance long before it even set. The navigation system indicated we'd have to walk down a long dirt road off the main road, and by then, it was already dark. After much hesitation, I finally gave up. In the end, we couldn't even find the official Monument Valley viewing point. Desperate, we pulled over along the main road and snapped a few photos. Taillights painted the earth crimson, stars lit the sky, and the monument stones transformed into the deepest silhouettes, watching us set off again into the night.

As the filming location of the movie Forrest Gump, this road and this scene are now considered a must-see for tourists from all over the world. At first, I felt embarrassed to take photos in the middle of the road, but when I saw them flocking there, I decided to join in the fun!

The valley floor is mostly composed of siltstone layers or sand deposits formed by rivers cutting through the canyon. Monument Valley's vibrant red color comes from iron oxides exposed in the weathered sandstone. Due to time constraints, we didn't enter Monument Valley Park, but we were able to get a basic feel for the scenery from outside.

The most important thing about visiting Monument Valley is finding the iconic scenes from "Forrest Gump." Monument Valley actually has a national park within it, managed by the local Indians. A per-car fee allows you to drive in and experience the thrill of driving right below the mountains. You can also choose to stay near Monument Valley to witness the sunrise and sunset.

We drove slowly and took in the sights along the way. Ultimately, due to time constraints, we didn't drive into the park itself. We mainly just enjoyed the grandeur of Monument Valley from the road. The road from Page to Monument Valley is also easy to find. First, take Highway 98, then turn east onto Highway 160, then north onto Highway 163.

If you want to get to the movie scene of "Forrest Gump", you need to drive straight ahead from Highway 163, pass the entrance of Monument Valley Park and continue driving forward for about 13 miles. After driving through several winding mountain roads, you will see a straight upward road. If you stop the camera on this road and look back, you can see the movie scene of Forrest Gump.

When we arrived here, the setting sun had already cast a golden and reddish hue on the surface facing us.

Monument Valley isn't a US national park, so annual passes aren't accepted. As part of the Navajo reservation, it charges a $20 entrance fee, which is reusable within 48 hours. Millions of years of wind erosion have shaped the sedimentary sandstone into this spectacular landscape. It's a symbol of the American West, and many famous Western films have been filmed here.

The light-facing side and the backlit side have completely different light and shadow contrasts. There are dirt roads in the park where you can drive between the peaks.

As the sun sets, the red light gradually spreads from the foot of the mountain to the top, until it is submerged in the twilight...

At this time, the sun sets and the moon rises. The bright moon in the sky is beautiful.

The sunset has completely fallen below the horizon, but we are still reluctant to leave and linger...

In the movie "Forrest Gump," the final stop of Forrest Gump's run is in Monument Valley. The best time to view and photograph this attraction is early in the morning, just after sunrise, when the mountains are illuminated by the rising sun.

The mountains in Monument Valley look completely different during the day and at dusk.

The mountains that were illuminated by the sunset last night looked a bit dull during the day.

However, the landscape here still left a deep impression on us.

The drive from Monument Valley to the end of Forrest Gump was a long uphill one. I didn't think the scenery was anything special. But when I reached the parking lot, I looked back and realized the scenery was on the road we had come from!

There is only one road in Monument Valley. Just follow the map given at the entrance. My favorite spot is Artist Point, as shown below. It is the only angle where you can take pictures of the rocks. It is beautiful whether you want to take pictures of people or the scenery.

As a Lonely Planet fan, Monument Valley, which has graced the cover of numerous publications, was a must-see. Before my trip, I even bought a copy of the American West with Monument Valley on the cover. Forrest Gump Point in Monument Valley is backlit in the afternoon, and getting there and back in the morning would take up the better part of a day. P.S. The Three Sisters in Monument Valley are directly lit in the afternoon, so if you're staying for a short time, you'll have to make some choices. The sunset at Monument Valley is truly a breathtaking 360-degree spectacle. As the sun sets, the sky becomes a palette of vibrant colors.

Monument Valley is even more fantastical than the pictures, like being on an imaginary alien planet. The evening sun no longer hurts us, which makes us have a lot of fun. We just didn't roll around in the desert.

The famous filming location for "Forrest Gump" is located on US 163. Just look back and you'll see that iconic scene! If you're interested in experiencing this, be sure to check the directions beforehand, or you might miss it!

Looking back, the road extends downward, forming a large arc, which is very beautiful.

In the distance, the valleys are rolling, the colors are like purple and gray. On this lonely road, Forrest Gump keeps running, giving people endless imagination.

Indian Territory. Those who appreciate this rugged, weathered aesthetic will surely love the Three Sisters, captured in varying light, standing tall amidst the desolation. The fluttering state flag indicates the junction of Arizona and Utah.

The "Three Holy Stones" were illuminated red by the setting sun, which was very beautiful. I had seen many great photos taken by bee lovers before and I quickly became interested in it. After taking the photo this time, I finally got the idea.

When I woke up and opened the curtains, I was pleasantly surprised. The cloudless sky yesterday was now filled with vast expanses of fiery clouds, smearing the entire Monument Valley in crimson. It was truly spectacular! Many tourists were already waiting on the viewing platform.

A towering solitary peak appeared in the field of vision, and further away, there was a "small" stone peak.

The two stand asymmetrically on both sides of the road

No handsome demeanor

Only one

Makes you want to run

The monument is world-famous through several Western blockbusters. However, I am a film illiterate and know very little about the various filming locations.

I once couldn't forget the fleeting scene

Now I can finally see you up close

It's like gazing into another civilization

I don't know what they are guarding.

Maybe just

Commemorate the distant place with a standing posture

Strictly speaking, Monument Canyon is not a valley, but a series of red hand-shaped buttes and tower-shaped sedimentary rock hills standing on a broad plain. This is the homeland of the Navajo Indians.

Monument Valley's vibrant red color comes from iron oxides exposed in weathered sandstone, while the valley's darker blue-gray rocks come from manganese oxide.

The sun is about to set, and the unique hand-shaped hills (Glove Mountains) composed of sedimentary rock layers in Monument Valley stand tall on the red soil of the western desert, presenting a unique western landscape charm.

Monument Valley isn't a national park, so annual passes aren't accepted. You need to purchase a separate ticket, $15 per car. It's not expensive, but seeing similar geological formations in different areas can lead to aesthetic fatigue. Plus, some people weren't very interested, so we didn't bother entering. We simply turned around and continued on our way. While we didn't explore the interior, we could see the many sandstone carvings from outside. They're very similar to our Yadan Devil City.

Monument Valley closes around 6 or 7, so there's still time to get there. Since it's an Indian reservation, not a national park, the entrance fee is $20 per car. A drive-through loop takes one or two hours, with parking available for photos. However, the roads are poor, with a mix of dirt, cobblestone, and sandy roads. Small cars should be careful, but off-roaders can handle it with ease. I was initially worried, as many people mentioned backlight in the afternoon. I think those who mentioned backlight in the afternoon probably didn't drive deep enough. While some areas are backlit, the lighting is still good for most of the scenery, especially further in. There are 11 points, and some require driving further in. However, you should be aware of the road conditions and avoid driving too hard. Even so, we managed to get through despite our low-rider stance. The scenery inside is truly "Westworld" and very cool.

An off-road vehicle is essential for visiting Monument Valley, as a dirt road runs directly from the parking lot into the plains, allowing visitors to explore the mysterious Monument Valley from a closer distance. This dirt road is designed to give visitors a true sense of the American West. If you arrive here on a bus tour, you've only just been there.

To capture this pristine starry sky, we drove deep into Monument Valley late at night. Turning off the headlights, we were deeply struck by the Milky Way arch before us. In that moment, I was mesmerized by the shifting of the sun, moon, and stars, marveled at the transition from dawn to dusk, and awestruck by the shifting of the constellations. Our tireless efforts, day and night, allowed us to capture this unforgettable feast of the stars.

Monument Valley did not disappoint us. The $20 ticket covers a car of four people. After entering, you can choose to park your car in the parking lot and take an open-top truck tour of the scenic area. Of course, you can also drive yourself, but it says that RVs and buses are not accepted.

The road conditions in Monument Valley are quite primitive, essentially a single dirt road, two-way in the first section and one-way in the latter. Some sections have gradients reaching 10 degrees and are riddled with potholes, making them quite challenging for lower-slung cars. I'm sure those willing to ride in open-top trucks in the sun are simply worried about their cars.

As soon as we entered the dirt road, we were greeted by the sight of Monument Valley's three stone monuments. I was thrilled, but unfortunately, there wasn't a vantage point or parking area for photos. The wind blew red dirt all over our faces, bodies, and mouths as we exited the car. This is a place of rock above and desert below. Apart from the main road, everything we stepped on was red sand, leaving us with nothing but sand. We walked past the three monuments and arrived at the "Three Sisters" monument. There's a prominent cliff here, and you can pay to ride horses and take photos. After that, we circled the largest monument in the park before driving slowly out. Monument Valley is probably the only scenic area where driving is very slow due to the limited road conditions.

The location where we filmed Forrest Gump is on the northeast side of Monument Valley, right in the direction we were heading. We walked around the circle of stone monuments, then experienced a long downhill slope and then an uphill slope. However, the wind must have been too strong that day. When we looked back, the sandstorm had caused Monument Valley to be shrouded in a huge haze. The blurred outlines in the photos had to be retouched in post-production to be clear. So even in the haze-free United States, you can't always take great photos.

The strong wind and dust in Monument Valley left us with a lot of regrets, but the personal experience of visiting here cannot be replaced by just looking at other people's photos. Under the huge shadow of Monument Valley, I seemed to see the wildness of Native Americans and the tenacity of modern pioneers. Maybe it is because it is located in an Indian reservation, but I think Monument Valley is the attraction that should be listed as a national park in the United States.

If not seeing the stars is a shame, then the early morning in Monument Valley definitely makes up for it. We were west of Monument Valley, so we were just in time to watch the sun slowly rise. As the sun pierced through the clouds, casting layers of light, everything was relieved.

Shooting with a mobile phone gives you the feeling of taking a blockbuster movie.

It takes two hours to drive from Page to Monument Valley. There is basically no signal in the surrounding area, so it is recommended to download Google offline maps in advance.

The most beautiful photo spots in Forrest Gump, including those circulating on the Internet, are free. Just follow the main road. You may deviate from Monument Valley, but don't doubt it, just keep driving forward.

Instead of a crimson sunset, a golden twilight mingled with a hazy whiteness, scattering across the wilderness. The majestic and resolute Monument Valleys now seemed especially gentle. The vastness of the American West was so breathtaking that we often wondered if we were just seeing a mirage, if we were still on Earth. After so many sunrises and sunsets, Monument Valley will always be unforgettable.

We waited until the sunset before reluctantly leaving. No wonder so many people come here to take wedding photos. It is worth visiting Monument Valley to watch the sunrise and sunset once in a lifetime.

Seeing Monument Valley from afar already felt very spectacular and shocking, but it is difficult to express the feeling through photos.

The dirt road starts from the visitor center viewing platform and goes down to the valley floor. It takes about two hours to go there and back. It is very dusty all the way. It is recommended not to follow other vehicles closely. The experience will be much better. On the way, I saw tourists from tour groups taking part in open-top trailer tours. Whenever a car passed by them, the tourists would fall all over themselves with dirt. It was very miserable.

Along the way, the landscape gradually shifted from green to red, and the Yadan landforms gradually revealed their splendor. It's crucial to choose a good car and an experienced and courageous driver. An SUV will give you more confidence on Monument Valley's bumpy dirt roads and 35-degree slopes. Our car truly tested my driving abilities. The undercarriage was prone to scratches, so I had to avoid bumps and pedal hard uphill. At first, we couldn't find the park entrance, but we headed towards the small hill beneath the erosion and found the entrance. To enter Monument Valley, you need to purchase an entrance fee, which seems to be $20 per car. The locals collect this fee, and you have to pay it. Annual passes are not accepted.

Monument Valley, located within an Indian reservation and not part of a national park, is not a valley, but a landscape built on a vast flat land: red buttes and spires rise hundreds of feet. Sedimentary rock layers once covered the entire area, and this is the last remnant.

Monument Valley is an enduring symbol of the American West. Its vibrant red mesas rise from the desert, highlighting the area's unique sandstone formations, the Nevado and Tribal Territory, and the Four Corners Monument. A visit here offers a glimpse into the history of the American West and Native Americans. A scene from the movie "Transformers 4" where the Autobots welcome back Optimus Prime was filmed here.

Opening hours: The park is open all year round; the viewing road is open from 6:00 to 20:00 from May to September, and from 8:00 to 16:30 from October to April of the following year;

The visitor center is open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM from May to September and from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM from October to April; 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Thanksgiving Day and closed on New Year's Day and Christmas Day.

Ticket price: $20 per car (limited to 1-4 people). If there are more than 4 people, the fee will be increased by $6 per person on top of the $20.

website:***

We did not visit the Monument Valley scenic area, but drove along the highway to enjoy the scenery of Monument Valley from a distance.



Each of the towering platforms and rock formations in Monument Valley has its own name. They include Mitchell Butte, Sentinel Mesa, Big Indianchief, Castle Butte, Bear & Rabbit, Stagecoach (named after the film that made this area famous), King on the Throne, and Brigham's Tomb.

In my opinion, there are three major tourist attractions in Monument Valley: the Forrest Gump-style background on Highway 163 entering the valley, the view hotel, and the off-road vehicle tour of the indigenous Indians deep into Monument Valley.

It's very beautiful, especially suitable for watching sunrise and sunset.

On our way to Page, we'll pass through Monument Valley. Located on the northern border of Arizona and the southern border of Utah, Monument Valley is an enduring symbol of the American West. Its vibrant red mesas rise from the desert, creating a vibrant scene dominated by unique sandstone formations. This is the territory of the Nevado and Tribal Indians, and a visit here offers a glimpse into the history of the American West and the history of American Indians. Near Monument Valley, the sandstone formations of the West begin to appear. Can you imagine the freedom of soaring over a deserted highway?

When we entered the park, we showed our annual pass for the national park, but the staff replied: It is not a national park. Then we had to pay $25 to enter the park, so we just turned around and left. Hahaha, because this park is full of big rocks, and the view is even more spectacular, there is really no need to enter the park and waste time and dollars.

One of the must-see places! Not far from Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.

We left Page around 3:00 PM, and the sun was already setting by the time we arrived at Monument Valley. The good thing was that the ticket office was empty. It's interesting how the American gatekeepers don't block access even when they're off duty. We took photos as the sun set, but didn't venture too far. We continued driving towards Moab, and after a while, we looked back and saw the monuments were incredibly impressive against the backdrop of the sunset.

Monument Valley is one of the most stunning sights on our trip to the western United States.

Sand clung to the wind, and fires burned on the mountaintops. I'd always heard the beauty of this place was majestic and tranquil, but only after experiencing the sun here did I understand the cruelty beneath that tranquility. Perhaps the Creator didn't intend this Western world for humans, yet the Indians driven here always wore radiant smiles. Perhaps it's because people unite to challenge nature, harmony grows stronger. Or perhaps it's the mundane nature of birth, aging, illness, and death in the desert that allows us to see things through. I feel like I simply can't live here long-term. What I miss in the desert isn't just the water and air conditioning, but the variety of life—in the desert, time and space appear as an endless monotony.

There are many movie scenes, which are great.

Monument Valley is an enduring symbol of the American West. Its vibrant red mesas rise from the desert, creating a vibrant scene. Monument Valley features unique sandstone formations, Indian Nevado, and tribal lands. A visit here offers a chance to explore the history of the American West and learn about the history of American Indians. National Park passes are not accepted here.

Tickets:

$5 for adults, free for children under 6.

Opening Hours:

Peak season: May to September 6:00-20:30;

Off-season: October to April 8:00-16:30;

It is closed on holidays such as Christmas and New Year's Day.

The running scene in "Forrest Gump" was filmed in Monument Valley, not far from us. However, we thought that the Indians in Antelope Canyon would be off work at around 4 pm, so we definitely wouldn't have enough time to go there. So we decided to go straight to Antelope Canyon! The things we didn't go to are the best.

This is the place where Forrest Gump ran for three years and stopped to say he wanted to go home in the movie "Forrest Gump".

The Navajo Reservation, a symbol of the American West and the filming location for such famous films and TV series as "Windtalkers," "Forrest Gump," "Transformers 4," and "Westworld," feels like being transported to Mars. Its desolate, majestic, and inspiring atmosphere is a truly unique experience. Tickets are $20 for 1-4 people, with an additional $6 per person. Many people skip the entrance and simply look from a distance, but I think it's worth buying the ticket to get a closer look. Driving along the bumpy dirt road, flanked by massive, diverse red rock mountains, it feels like stepping back into the cowboy era.

We took a jeep to the site, and the $50 fare was a mandatory part of the tour. We stopped at three locations, each lasting about 20 minutes. The driver explained the monuments along the way, and the locals imagined different stories and names for each shape. And remember to tip the driver $2 afterward!

Monument Valley is really worth a visit. Try to come at dusk when the light shines on the stones.

Monument Valley is an iconic scenic spot in the American West, featuring in numerous Hollywood blockbusters. To reach Monument Valley from Page, take Highway 98, then Highway 160, then Highway 163. Entry to Monument Valley's iconic three rock formations requires a $20 per vehicle ticket. For the best views of Monument Valley, if you're heading toward Moab, pass through Monument Valley and then look back. When you see a roadside pullout, you're in the perfect spot.

Monument Valley full moon tours are offered three times a month, and most people sign up in advance. The valley is freezing cold at night, so blankets and hats are essential. Although I couldn't take photos due to equipment limitations, I'm sure I'll remember the massive crimson crimson of the rising moon and the silvery sky overhead for a long time. That sense of ancient desolation, tinged with extreme romance, can only be understood when facing the majestic monuments under the silver moonlight. Awe and awe fill the air, making taking photos seem like a waste of time. Monument Valley admission is essentially for the main viewing platform, and the view is just perfect for the three monuments visible: The Mittens, The Mittens, and Merrick Butte. The poorly maintained loop drive would be a real daunting experience in a rental car, but the trails are excellent and worth considering if you have the time. The entire valley is famous for John Ford's Westerns, such as Stagecoach, which features the iconic Mittens, The Mittens, and Merrick Butte. In honor of this great director, the park named Fort Point after him. This spot was originally a classic scene from the movie "The Searchers," making it a perfect spot for a photo with Monument Valley. It's a perfect place for nostalgic photos. More recently, "Transformers 4" also filmed there. The entire valley symbolizes the Wild West and, later, the spirit of pioneering (even though it was originally Navajo territory). Even if you don't plan to pay for admission, you can still capture the scene where Forrest Gump stopped running on Highway 163 in "Forrest Gump."

This classic scene is perfect for capturing blockbuster movies both morning and evening. Many people are undoubtedly looking for the filming location from "Forrest Gump." Search for "Forest Gump Point" on Google Maps. It's located just north of Monument Valley on the way to Utah. Remember, photos look better in the morning, as there are more shadows at night.

Monument Valley (Navajo: Tsé Bii Ndzisgaii, meaning "Rock Canyon") is a cluster of massive sandstone buttes on the Colorado Plateau. The largest butte rises approximately 300 meters above the valley floor. The area is located near the Four Corners, between the northern Arizona and southern Utah borders (approximately 36°59′N 110°6′W). Monument Valley is within the Navajo Reservation and can be reached via U.S. Highway 163.

The Navajo (English and Spanish: Navajo or Diné) are an indigenous people of the southwestern United States. They are the largest surviving Native American group in North America, with an estimated population of approximately 300,000. The name "Navajo" was given by the Spanish, while the people themselves refer to themselves as "Diné," which means "people" in the Navajo language.

The Navajo Nation also owns the largest Indian reservation in the United States. Its tribal government, known as the Navajo Nation, spans 70,000 square kilometers across Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. The tribal government has local autonomy, with its capital in Window Rock, Arizona.

This is not a very popular spot, but it is definitely worth a visit! Feel the desolation of the West

The road is very, very, very bad. The scenery is still very unique.

It's a very American Western scene, with a huge rock standing by the road, which is particularly striking and worth a visit. It's more than a two-hour drive from the town of Page. This is an Indian reservation, and a separate entrance fee is required.

I got a bit aesthetically fatigued after seeing all the brick red.

Monument Valley actually encompasses the large area surrounding Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, and the Navajo reservation is equivalent to a national park. For example, Oljato-Monument Valley in Utah is within the designated area of Monument Valley.



Visitors can pay a toll and drive the approximately 27 kilometers of dirt roads (a journey of approximately 2 to 3 hours). Tours are also available, ranging from $40 to $100 per person, depending on the service and route. Some areas, such as Mystery Valley and Hunts Mesa, require a guide.



Visitors can also enjoy horseback riding within Monument Valley Park or throughout the entire area. Prices vary depending on the distance, and rides can range from one hour to overnight camping. Additionally, hot air balloon rides and sometimes small plane rides are available from May 1st to October 31st. We were eager to get to Moab and rest up quickly, so we snapped a few photos and then hurried off.

Tickets are $20. This is a typical landscape of the western United States. It is an inland Indian reservation attraction. It is very cold in winter with temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius. There are very few hotels nearby. There is one hotel in the scenic area that is very expensive, $300 a night. It is recommended that you stay in Page if you drive by car and come here to see the Antelope Canyon.

Monument Valley is a symbol of the American West and often appears in Western movies. The roads in the valley are also very Western, all unpaved. When driving, the yellow earth all over the sky makes it look like a horse galloping in the Western wilderness.

Highway 163 to Monument Valley was the most beautiful stretch of my road trip. It felt like I was driving through a Windows desktop... (Actually, the scenery isn't the most important, but the weather; cloudy weather is truly beautiful.) This stretch was the most beautiful of my 24-day US road trip. I'll have to upload a video of it someday; it's truly stunning. This is exactly what I've wanted for my American West Coast road trip.

Arriving at Monument Valley, it didn't look like the photos. Shouldn't it be three giant rocks? We drove into the park, but they told us it wasn't a national park and the pass wasn't valid. Thinking it would cost more, I decided not to go in. I took some photos from the roadside. Those giant mounds looked pretty, but the guys in the car were speechless. They said it was too sunny and they wouldn't get out. Just take a few photos and send them to me on social media.

This is truly the most beautiful sunset in the world. You won’t be disappointed if you visit here!

I first learned about Monument Valley through the movie "Forrest Gump," in which Forrest Gump, after running around America, finally stops in Monument Valley. Because of its unique landscape, it has long been a favorite of Hollywood directors, and Monument Valley scenes appear in numerous films, especially American Westerns. The area was formed when sediments from the Rocky Mountains deposited here transformed into sandstone. The underlying pressure caused the surface to rise, forming a canyon. This, combined with the constant erosion of wind and rain, eroded the area, resulting in its current shape.

There are only two options for overnighting in Monument Valley: The View Hotel or the campground next to it. The campground has fewer than 40 sites, and reservations are required online during peak season. The campground is first-come, first-served. We arrived at 11:00 AM for check-in. The front desk gave us a piece of paper and asked us to find the campsite number we wanted and mark it on it. All the campsites are located on the slope facing Monument Valley. Management has cleared the sandy ground to create a flat area for each campsite. I chose the lowest one, which offered a great view and was just big enough for our six-person tent.



The park is divided into two sections. One section is accessible by private car and includes the three most famous peaks. The other section is accessible only by tour group in local jeeps, including more remote attractions like the Wind Tunnel. I looked through their brochure but found it lacking in particular, so I decided not to join the tour and drive on my own. The map was also very simple, a circular route around the main peak, with numbered attractions marked along the way. The first four attractions are two-lane cement roads, while after attraction number 4, it becomes a sandy, one-way dirt road.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, officially "Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park," is located east of Page, on the Arizona-Utah border, a two-hour drive from Page. It's Navajo territory and not part of the National Park system. Monument Valley is managed and maintained by the Navajo, so National Park passes are not valid. The admission fee is $5 per person.

Monument Valley isn't a valley or canyon, but rather a unique landform formed by millions of years of wind and rain erosion of highland rock. The surface features awe-inspiring formations like stalagmites, buttes, spires, and table-like flatlands. These, combined with the desert, blue sky, and white clouds, create a breathtaking display of nature's uncanny handiwork. It's a must-see for anyone wanting to experience the beauty of the American West and a photography paradise. Many American blockbusters have been filmed here, including "Forrest Gump" and "Transformers 4." For more information, see Dabai's travelogue, "27-Day Western American Tour," at the following link: www.mafengwo.cn/i/5609726.html

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Just take a look at this one and focus on the nearby arches. The arches are more interesting.

Monument Valley is the destination of Forrest Gump's run in Forrest Gump.

Believe me, even without this selling point, this is definitely a great place to shoot road movies.

It's not that there's no traffic on this road, it's just that there's less traffic. Also, Americans drive like crazy, so you have to be careful and have someone look left and right, and only go to the center of the road when there are no cars.

If you are driving from Page to Arches, the best location is on the back side of Monument Valley. That is, you have to drive through the monument and drive straight forward. There is a big slope in front, and the view is best when you reach the top of the slope.

After arriving at Monument Valley, our tour guide divided our group into three groups. We boarded motorcycles driven by local Indian guides (with a $4 tip per person) for a 17-mile loop, admiring eerie buttes against the crimson desert landscape. The motorcycles were clearly modified and old, and the road was bumpy, undulating, and dusty. If it had been converted to a modern paved road, the original cowboy charm would have been lost. Furthermore, our guide seemed relatively new and reluctant to speak. He offered little explanation and simply drove onward. Only at our insistence did he make brief stops at two scenic spots for us to take photos. Later, we learned the names and characteristics of many of the famous sights through research.

Within Monument Valley, wind-sculpted sandstone towers and the surrounding mesas, dunes, shrubs, trees, and blowing sand create breathtaking scenery. Among these, several prominent peaks, often photographed, have become landmarks, postcards, and photo albums of Monument Valley. These include: ① East and West Boxing Gloves Buttes, ② Merrick Buttes, ③ Totem Peak, as well as the Three Sisters, Elephant Peak, and Highway 163.

This is a well-worth-visiting attraction. While it's far away, it has a lot of local flavor. However, please note that this is a government-designated Indigenous reservation, so everything tourist-related is incredibly expensive. It's a rip-off. However, the quality of the goods in the souvenir shop is excellent!

Since I decided to drive in the United States, I wanted to include this place as one of my itineraries, all because of the movie "Forrest Gump"

God has gifted this place with only two colors: red and blue. From any angle, these towering monuments are breathtakingly beautiful even from afar. Monument Valley seems endless, with ever-greater views beckoning you ever further. However, the light of a setting sun is fleeting, so you must carefully consider your angle and route beforehand. Otherwise, by the time you reach your destination, the light will fade, and all your efforts will be wasted, forcing you to wait another day, or perhaps it's cloudy again.

Great value for money. I love the hills here. The hotel is also great. Book early.