https://www.theamericansouthwest.com/monument-valley-monument-valley-navajo-tribal-park The quintessential Southwestern United States Scene would have to be Monument Valley. The red Colorado Plateau colors, the distant mountains, the desert buttes, the movies filmed there… it’s the logo for my website! To me, there are so many other representations of “the Southwest” but Monument Valley just wins out every time in the public consciousness. The only thing it’s missing is a saguaro cactus. I hope to expand people’s idea of the southwest with this very website and the podcast but for now, even I will stick with Monument Valley as the token American Southwest Scene. Technically, you enter into the park in Utah but the entire thing is in Arizona. The drive into the park and around the buttes is an absolutely amazing and worthwhile drive that took my wife, my brother, his wife, and I about 3 hours. But that’s partially because I love to get out of the truck at every single opportunity to take breathtaking photos… which there are so many of those opportunities. I think the drive could be done in a two wheel drive vehicle, but it should definitely be a high clearance one. There are no hikes on the drive but there are plenty of spots to get out and stretch your legs and click your lenses. After passing the three famous West Mitten, East Mitten, and Merrick Buttes, you’ll come up to Elephant Butte. Then you come to the amazing photo op that is John Ford’s Point. It is absolutely worth it to get out and have someone take your picture. I believe you can pay for a picture on a horse at the point which… next time i’m definitely doing. Around the stop are also some Navajo fry breads and other foods and souvenirs and jewelry. From here on out, the road is one way. You then have the massive Rain God Mesa with a few nice stops that let you see Thunderbird Mesa, the Sand Dunes, and the amazing Totem Poles which I fell in love with. You can also pay for a Back Country tour and go around Thunderbird Mesa, Suns Eye, Submarine Rock, Ear of the Wind, Sleeping Dragon, and you’ll get up close to the Totem Poles… I’ll be doing that one day for sure. You then drive alongside Spearhead Mesa towards Artist Point that lets you see into Utah. You’ll see the Abajo Mountains in the distance, the Mitten buttes, and behind you, the Totem Pole, more mesas, and more mountains. It’s a beautiful scene. You’ll then come to the North Window Overlook which is another fantastic spot to see the surrounding beautiful landscape. You’re then back at John Ford’s Point and the end of the One Way Road. You now start back towards the Visitor Center where you can see the sunset from the diner. They serve some pretty decent food there, especially if you’re starving. It won’t win any awards but it’ll fill your bellies. What will win awards is the extremely good service. I had a hostess track down some quarters for me so I could get a flattened penny since they don’t use cash and they don’t have a change machine. I was so happy! But the pictures from the Photographer’s Point were incredible at sunset. There is actually a 3.3 mile loop trail around the West Mitten Butte that starts at the campground and is called the Wildcat Trail. I haven’t done it yet but it looks like it offers great views from the valley floor. Wether you do the drive through the Tribal Park or not, the area is pure magic. In winter, spring, and summer, the place is absolutely gorgeous, red, and picturesque Colorado Plateau. The best time to see the northern half of the buttes is during sunrise and the best time to see the southern half is sunset on account of the way they face. But really, no matter when you’re there, it’s going to be a pretty freakin’ special place. No matter what time of year you visit, the best time to be there is for that sunset or sunrise red magic light. My wife and I stayed at Goulding’s Lodge twice now and they have an incredible view of both. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUHydcTS8IU