Grand Canyon to Monument Valley

This route links Grand Canyon South Rim, the Navajo Bridge at Marble Canyon, Horseshoe Bend near Page and Monument Valley on the Utah border. Distances are long and the desert is empty, so stops need planning. It suits first-time Southwest travellers and photographers.

The stops

1. Start

   Williams

2. Viewpoint

   Mather Point, Grand Canyon

   First rim view from the visitor centre

3. Viewpoint

   Desert View Watchtower

   1932 stone tower at the eastern edge

4. Food

   Cameron Trading Post

   Historic trading post with a restaurant

5. Viewpoint

   Navajo Bridge, Marble Canyon

   Walk the old bridge over the Colorado River

6. Viewpoint

   Horseshoe Bend

   Short walk to a view of the river loop; car park fee

7. Viewpoint

   Glen Canyon Dam overlook

   Visitor centre above the dam

8. Town · Overnight

   Page

   Base for Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell

9. Town

   Kayenta

   Navajo town on the road to Monument Valley

10. Park

    Monument Valley Tribal Park

    Self-drive loop through the buttes (dirt road)

11. Finish

    Monument Valley

Where to stay

• Night 1

  Grand Canyon

  Mather Campground (NPS)

• Night 2

  Page

  Page Lake Powell Campground

• Night 3

  Monument Valley

  Goulding's Campground · The View Campground

When to go

Mar-May and Sep-Nov; summer is hot, winter has snow on the rim

On the road

Antelope Canyon visits require a Navajo-guided tour booked ahead. Monument Valley Tribal Park has an entry fee. Check the Navajo Nation site for rules.