Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon

National Treasure Navajo Nation Living History

Natural Wonders in Our Back Yard. Make your day trip from Flagstaff a memorable one by visiting the Grand Canyon, less than an hour and a half from the Super 8 East in Flagstaff, or for a slightly longer excursion, head north towards the spectacular Monument Valley. Enjoy a good night’s sleep at the Super 8 East in Flagstaff Arizona, a clean and comfortable hotel conveniently located near Downtown Flagstaff and start your day with a complimentary breakfast. For additional value, special vacation packages are available from the Super 8 East in Flagstaff, and transportation and tour options departing the area are abundant.

Experience a National Treasure. Part of the Navajo Nation, Monument Valley Tribal Park falls outside of the US National Parks System. Coupled with its remote location, it is a tribute to the intense majesty and beauty of the vivid red plateaus and buttes of this otherwise desolate landscape that it draws so many visitors each year. Certain formations are often found to be familiar imagery to many, such as the “Mittens,” or the “Totem Pole,” and due to their exposure, are considered to have achieved iconic image status.

Spectacular Vistas. Monument Valley runs along the Arizona/Utah border, less than 200 miles from Flagstaff, Arizona. The sandstone formations that rise up to 1000 feet above the desert floor are spectacular, both in size and shape, and can only be truly appreciated from among them. The contrast of towering rock and clouded sky has been photographed endlessly and immortalized in countless motion pictures, particularly Westerns, throughout the decades, and inspires viewers by the tens of thousands each year.  [Top]

Guided Tours of Navajo Nation. Tours of the area are available by private automobile or tour bus, as well as by airplane or helicopter tour. The 17-mile loop that runs through the area is open to the public, and it has been said that viewers should visit around noon for optimum lighting conditions, both for photography and viewing. Guided tours are also available and provide the sightseer with background information on the area and formations, as well as access to private roads not open to the general public. Some larger airborne tours feature stops in or flyovers of Monument Valley as part of a larger tour of the area, including stops in Lake Powell or the Grand Canyon.

Red Rock Recreation. Among the recreational activities available to visitors are hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing. Sightseeing and photography are also popular options, with many ancient cave and cliff dwellings, natural arches and petroglyphs to discover and explore. Guided tours are available near the visitor’s center to help visitors find the highlights of the area. www.navajonationparks.org

One of the Seven Wonders of the World. Truly an awesome spectacle, there is no image or description that can do this Wonder justice. The sheer magnitude of such a large  impression in our planet's surface dwarfs anything that the mind can imagine in comparison. The Grand Canyon stretches 277 miles, encompassing 1,218,375 acres through two states. Carved into the Colorado Plateau by the once mighty Colorado River, the Grand Canyon draws millions of tourists from around the world each year, each drawn to view for themselves one amazing example of the Earth's geological evolution.  [Top]

A Walk Among Living History. Although the size and majesty of the Canyon are indeed impressive, further study and exploration reveal discoveries of major geological and historical significance. The many layers of rock formations contain features, specimen and fossils from numerous and diverse samplings of geological eras, making it an incredible scientific resource. It is also an ecological refuge for many rare and threatened plant and animal species.

Grand Adventures. This National Park offers accommodations for campers as well as lodgers, and adventures that range from sightseeing to white-water rafting. Guided tours of many types are available, such as automobile tours; hiking, bicycle, horseback and mule tours into the Canyon; raft and boat tours down the mighty Colorado; even helicopter and airplane tours for an airborne perspective.  [Top]