Monument Valley State Park Travel Answers

Hi - we did a similar trip in July 2003. Las Vegas, South Rim, Lake Powell, Moument Valley, Mesa Verde (closed due to forest fire), Moab (for Canyonlands and Arches), Bryce, Zion, Death Valley, Mammoth Moutains, Yosemite and then on to San Jose and SF and flying out to Hawaii. We had either 1 or 2 nights in each place but that meant we only really scratched the surface in each place. The best places for me were Grand Canyon, Monument Valley (try to include the Moki Dugway too), Arches and Bryce. To do it justice you really need at least two nights in each place. Of course in July the weather was perfect, if not too hot; in December I would expect that the weather will affect your trip. The high road from the east into Yosemite has snow warnings and is liable to closure - locals will be able to tell you more.

thanks so much for your help -- i didnt expect anything so quickly!

I'll send more later but yes, weather could very well be a complication at any place with a high altitude (Bryce, Yosemite, maybe even the Grand Canyon South Rim.) I believe you will be required to have chains at Yosemite, and maybe even Bryce but I'll look into that. But my other comment would be that you have far too many place on your list to do in a week. The Grand Canyon fits well into Zion and Bryce during summer when you can go the NORTH versus the South rim but that one virtually closes down in late fall. 5 places in one week is just too many. Do remember that daylight is going to be VERY short this time of year. Monument Valley will be your farthest drive to the east of the other sites. It would be a good time of the year to do Death Valley, though - not hot! :)

thanks so much for your help -- yeah as i was writing this all down it did seem like a lot ! I guess i will have to try and sort it out -- maybe miss some of it to really enjoy the bits we do see. Do you know if the different areas are similar -- would we just be seeing pretty much the same thing at any or all of the places so we could actually miss a couple and not lose too much of the experience ? thanks

I wish I could say that any of them were similar but they're not! Bryce is completely different from Zion. Monument Valley is different again, as is Death Valley. And the Grand Canyon is unlike anything else we have in the U.S other than maybe Canyonlands National Park - which is sort of like a Grand Canyon in the making. Here are the chain requirements for Yosemite (November through March): nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/t... And here is some good information about visiting Utah's National Parks in winter: traveltips.usatoday.com/utah... The lodge at Bryce closes during the winter, and tire chains are not mandatory but highly recommended. Here's an article about seeing Bryce during winter: lvrj.com/living/bryce-canyon...

We have had two winter holidays ( both times January, one with children, one without) through the region you describe and had an absolutely wonderful time. Winter road closures do place some restrictions an what you can do and where you can go, but this is more than compensated for by the lack of crowds and the absolutely beautiful effect of snow on that landscape - something you will really appreciate coming from Australia (as we do). We stayed at Bright Angel at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (the North Rim closes as early as October), the lodge in Zion Canyon, Kayenta (near Monument Valley), Thunderbird Lodge at the Canyon de Chelly (probably a bit further east than you are planning to go, but well worth the extra distance) and Furnace Creek in Death Valley on these trips as well as places in various towns along the way. The only places we couldn't access were the houses at Mesa Verde (where we could only look at the canyon side across from the Visitors Centre) and the canyon floor at Canyon de Chelly. I'm not sure about Bryce Canyon, we went there one late October when both Bryce and the higher Cedar Breaks were open. Bryce will probably be open, Cedar Breaks probably closed, in December. You almost certainly won't be able to access Yosemite from the east, that entrance was closed both times we were there in winter. You could come across to the west through somewhere like Lake Tahoe and make your way to Yosemite or you could travel down the eastern side of the mountains and maybe consider going on to San Diego - that's a great city - instead of San Francisco. We never used chains anywhere on these trips. The only place we had to turn back on a road was getting from Durango (Colorado) to Mesa Verde by a mountain road, but we were really in the mountains there and a long way east from where you're heading. A week from Las Vegas back to San Francisco will give you time to hit the main sights. Don't be too ambitious when planning daily distances - remember winter brings later sunrise and early sunset as well as the possiblity of poor road conditions.

Right - it's possible that you won't have to USE chains but your are required to have them with you at Yosemite.

Personally I'd go to Las Vegas, fly or drive to the Grand Canyon and spend a day or so there. Then if the weather is OK, go to Bryce and then go back to Vegas and do Death Valley and come up the central valley to Sequoia and Yosemite and then end up in San Francisco

you are all so helpful -- ive never used a sight like this before -- it is fantastic.all of your help is invaluable! thanks for sharing your time and knowledge...

You're very welcome! And keep the questions coming. :) Just IMHO? I'd cut Monument Valley out of this trip as it's the furthest distance east from Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, etc. And you shouldn't have an trouble with heavy snow at Zion. Their lodge also stays open all winter, as do the lodges at Grand Canyon South Rim.

We live out here and it's fine to say weather may not be a problem. However, it very well may be a problem. We've had road closures (main Interstate highways, not back country roads) as early as September and this year even had a couple in June. Between late September and mid-May, realize you may have to change your plans at the last minute due to road closures. Always check the weather and the road conditions on the local television station. If your accomodation doesn't have television, go to the nearest restaurant or truck stop that has one. The truck stops run the weather channel all day. Check the National Park web site (given to you above) for dates that certain roads will be scheduled to be closed. Be sure you have chains with your rental vehicle. If they are required and you don't have them, you will not be allowed to continue. You can buy them on the spot (usually) but they cost a fortune because they're sold by scalpers. If you can't get them with your rental vehicle, go to a nearby Walmart or Target and buy a set. If you don't use them, return them to the store. If you use Walmart or Target, you can return them to any Walmart or Target so you don't have to go back to the original store. (Keep your receipt!) If you don't know how to put them on, don't worry. Someone will help you if it's snowing. You might have to pay the first time but after that, you'll discover it's not hard to put them on. You do need to cut something from your agenda and it depends on your time and your tastes. If I had to cut anything, I'd cut Monument Valley first and probably Death Valley second although if you want to see Death Valley, winter is the time to do it. It's torture in the summer but a sere beauty in the winter. We've even seen people kayaking on a winter lake in Death Valley. This does not happen often! You're from Australia so used to long driving distances. You might do it all in a week but I'm not sure how much you'll enjoy any one sight at that speed. The American west is beautiful but everything is quite a distance apart. Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks and Zion National Parks are all in a general area together. Then the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Death Valley would take you west. At that point you have to go over the Sierra Nevada to San Francisco and you may run into road closures. If that happens, you might want to leave your rental vehicle in Las Vegas and fly west. It's too bad no one can predict the weather and certainly no reason to make major changes in your plans. The winter weather is usually gorgeous and we all love it. You just have to keep your planning flexible and be alert to the weather when you are here. Personally, I prefer winter weather. It is beautiful and traffic isn't nearly as bad as summer. I think people in the parks are friendlier too just because there is less stress with fewer people, and you have hardy folks out there. Enjoy and come back in the Spring some time. Incredible wildflowers then!

thank you for your help --- it all goes to help the planning-- some good tips in there!

Just a quick note here: do see my note concerning hotel challenges for a family of 6 in your Las Vegas post. As mentioned there, just wanted you to be aware that unless you find a very rare exception, you're going to be booking TWO rooms to accommodate the number of people you have.

once again very helpful -- it is a pain travelling with this many -- and there is usually 7 of us -- now thats a challenge- even alot of holiday homes are not for us !-- thanks

Yup, I know - it's not easy!!! Americans have the same problem in Europe as family rooms for 4 are not as common as they are here. The GOOD news is that you're going to some really beautiful parts of the U.S. - even if it's winter. And you will be going outside of the the summer tourism season, and rates should be better. Weather may be an issue but if all goes well, you'll get some gorgeous photos!!!!!

thanks for your info borisborough-- just wondering a few things please-- how long did you spend in las vegas? what was your itinerary through the canyons etc -- we do want to go to grand canyon,bryce,monument,moab if we can do them . we want to drive through death valley up to yosemite (we are in winter) then onto sfo.(not sure how to work itinerary) Is it too much to ask how you managed it how long did you take and which places did you spend a couple of nights rather then just one.thanks happy from help from anyone obviously !

Note to other members here: The OP has also posted their larger itinerary/route question in the Death Valley National Park forum - I have a suggested route there that begs the input of some of you locals. And I'm dead in water after Death Valley. :)