The American Southwest is a top vacation destination, and for all types of travelers. As there are many exciting things to see and do when visiting the Southwest, travelers who want to further explore all that the desert plains have to offer are encouraged to visit Monument Valley in Utah.

Monument Valley, Utah

Monument Valley is located in the southeast corner of Utah. The dessert plains that exist  here are often visited by travelers who are looking to explore its deep canyons, towering hills, and vast skies. The fact that it takes about an hour to get to Monument Valley is definitely part of the allure, as many travelers are looking to escape the sights and sounds of big city life. They won’t be disappointed, as this desert location is both peaceful and quiet.

An almost 15 mile dirt road allows travelers to see most of the monuments that exist here – The Mittens, Three Sisters, John Ford’s Point, Totem Pole, Yei Bi Chai, Ear of the Wind. Travelers who want to further explore and see more monuments will need to use a Navajo guide. Hiking in Monument Valley is also a popular pastime, taking both novice and experienced hikers through the desert plains, to deep canyons, and into the mountains.

The Navajo Indian Nation

The Navajo Indian Nation is the largest Indian reservation in the United States. The Nation includes 16 million acres of reservation land, all taking place within the borders of their 4 sacred mountains. Navajo Indians believe that as long as they stay within the boundaries of these mountains, they will remain safe. Navajo tribes have been very successful when it comes to keeping their cultural heritage alive, as the majority of Navajo Indians still speak the Navajo language and still participate in their ancient religious and ceremonial ways.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

In 1958, the Navajo Tribal Council created the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, which is located within the Navajo Nation Reservation. The area is known as the sacred heart of the Navajo Nation, and is one of the most beautiful and most photographed places on the planet. The large sandstone rock formations are truly impressive here, and is one of the main reasons why travelers choose to visit this Tribal Park.

These sandstone formations can be seen in many movies, including Stagecoach, The Searchers, Easy Rider, and Forrest Gump.

Jody’s Travel Inc