Best USA Road Trip | Part 2 Grand Canyon to Monument Valley

<h1>Best US Road Trip | Part 2 - Grand Canyon to Monument Valley </h1> <h5>Bryce Canyon and Zion NP are close to both Nevada and Arizona, so when planning the second part of our trip we had a hit list of Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and Monument Valley - the question was how to fit this in to 5 days.</h5>

<h3>Las Vegas - best avoided </h3> The first stop was Las Vegas, which we can sum up in two words - best avoided. Removing any rose-tinted glasses exposes countless people whose lives have been ruined by the addiction that is gambling, made all the easier by allowing smoking indoors and having gambling machines with phone charging points. Further, Las Vegas is over-crowded, hot, serves average food, and is largely fake - what is the point of going to a pretend Venice? Even the famous Las Vegas signpost was disappointing. Or maybe it is just me that doesn't get it? Anyway enough of my rant. On a more positive note - we liked the atomic museum, the Stratosphere, and the road out!

<h3>Area 51 - the unknown </h3> Area 51, a US Air Force military base just north of Las Vegas, has spawned more conspiracy theories than any other military facility. The common association is aliens with many people reporting seeing unidentified flying objects. In 1989 Robert Lazar claimed the US government used the facility to examine recovered alien spacecraft. You can't access Area 51 but there are a number of interesting shops scattered around the area; and one particular activity that is unlikely to appear on Tripadvisor!

<h3>On the road to the Grand Canyon - The Hoover Dam</h3> While the Grand Canyon can be viewed from the North and West Rims, the South Rim is considered the best. The South Rim has two dozen viewpoints down into the heart of the Grand Canyon and over the Colorado River. The drive from Las Vegas to the South Rim is 280 miles (540 km); if you want to arrive for sunset give yourself ample time, especially if you plan to stop at Hoover Dam. Parking at the dam enables you to walk across the dam for impressive views. If you have more time take the tour of the power plant. Standing at 726 feet (221 metres), Hoover Dam was built between 1931-1936; there were 96 construction-related deaths. Back on the road we made the mistake of stopping at ‘Last Stop’ services. The food and fuel are expensive, and this definitely isn't the last stop before the Grand Canyon.

<h3>The Grand Canyon - the South Rim </h3> There is limited accommodation at the South Rim, but plenty south of the park in Tusayan. In case of poor weather aim to see both sunrise and sunset over the canyon; we arrived on an overcast late afternoon but were treated to a beautiful sunrise. At 1 mile deep and 10 miles wide, the 1904 square miles of the canyon is one big, amazing view. Simply sit down and take it all in from viewpoints such as Mather Point, Yavapai Point, and Yaki Point, all located near Grand Canyon Village. There are plenty of hikes around the South Rim. The best short walk is the 1.8 mile roundtrip to Ooh Aah Point. The South Rim trail is a flat, mostly paved 13 miles (21 km) long trail, stretching from Hermit’s Rest to the South Kaibab trailhead. Longer hikes down into the Canyon need proper planning and are best suited for the cooler months. You can take mule rides, but I seriously question the welfare of donkeys used in this way.  Scenic drives (or even better, cycle rides) include the 7 mile Hermit Road and the 25 mile Desert View drive.

<h3>Horseshoe Bend and/or Antelope Canyon </h3> Next up was Monument Valley; 178 miles from the South Rim. If you want to add on a 100 miles detour you can visit Horseshoe Bend and/or Antelope canyon, the two of which are close together. Given that we don't travel to Arizona often (I am averaging once every 26 years!) we added on Horseshoe Bend. Horseshoe Bend was formed when the Colorado River looped around an impassable sandstone escarpment. The hike from the parking lot to the Colorado River overlook, 1000 feet below, is an easy 0.6 miles each way.  We didn't have time to visit Antelope Canyon, which can only be accessed as a paid tour, booked in advance. Images of the canyon look fantastic; however, its amazing colours are only visible at certain times of the day.

<h3>Monument Valley </h3> Monument Valley is well known for its towering sandstone buttes, a frequent filming location for Western movies. It is not a national park - Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii, which roughly translates to the valley of rocks, is owned, and operated by the Navajo Nation.  I suggest an overnight stay for both sunrise and sunset - the best views are from the Visitors centre. For a small fee there is a 17-mile drive through Monument Valley on a dirt road - this takes 2-3 hours; check in advance for vehicle restrictions. It is illegal to stray off the roads and viewpoints, access to other areas can only be done by booking tours through the Navajo Nation.  The Indigenous nations have lost nearly 99% of their historical US land base since the Europeans arrived. Please support such communities through booking tours, staying at the View Hotel, and purchasing goods from either the visitor’s centre or small roadside stalls outside of the park.

<h3>Forrest Gump</h3> I can’t leave Monument Valley behind without mentioning one of the most photographed spots, Forrest Gump Point; located on Highway 163 Scenic Drive just outside Monument Valley.  It is worth mentioning a shorter version of our road trip. Upon leaving Zion National Park (US Road Trip Part 1), miss out Las Vegas and the South Rim, heading instead to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and then onto Page where you have more time for Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. Next stop; <a href="{entry:162260@1:url||https://www.aworldonthebrink.com/blog/us-road-trip-part-3-canyonlands-and-arches-national-parl}">Moab, Utah</a>.

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