🚐🌄 Monument Valley – The Iconic Stopover Between National Parks

#transportation If you’re cruising between Grand Canyon, Canyonlands, Arches, or Mesa Verde, there’s one detour you can’t miss: Monument Valley—a sacred landscape of towering sandstone buttes that feels like a dream carved in red rock. 🛣️ A National Park Road Trip Essential 📍 Perfectly Positioned Located on the Arizona–Utah border, Monument Valley sits right between: • Grand Canyon (3 hrs) • Arches & Canyonlands (2.5–3.5 hrs) • Mesa Verde (3.5 hrs) • Page & Antelope Canyon (2.5 hrs) 🚌 Scenic Drive Heaven US-163 is one of the most beautiful highways in the US—Forrest Gump Point, anyone? It’s more than a connection; it’s a highlight. 🚐 RV & Road Trip Friendly Spacious campgrounds, roadside viewpoints, and cozy Navajo-run lodges make it a seamless overnight or scenic rest stop. 📸 Must-Experience Moments 🪨 Valley Drive – A 17-mile dirt road through the heart of the buttes (requires high-clearance vehicle or guided tour). 🌅 Sunrise or Sunset Views – Watch the monuments glow gold and crimson. 🎬 Movie Moment – Snap a photo at Forrest Gump Hill, where the road stretches endlessly through the desert. 🧭 Travel Tips for Park-Hoppers Guided tours by Navajo locals offer cultural insight and access to restricted areas. Book stays early—limited lodging, but views from The View Hotel are unforgettable. Bring extra water and fuel; this is open desert country. Allow time to slow down—Monument Valley isn’t just a stop, it’s a place to reflect between adventures.