Monument Valley, Natural Bridges, Northern New Mexico.

[slc_dan]

Hello All!

I need a little help organizing a little trip down to the aforementioned areas in the title.

I have zero experience of most land south of the Needles, and could use some help. This will be a drastically different trip than I'm used to, only short (1-2mile) hikes. We're mostly looking for a nice car adventure, as my tough wife wants to do a little exploring, but is 7 months pregnant. We'll have Thu-Mon off March 24-28.

My idea is starting at Natural Bridges, then off to Monument Valley, then...idk.

I'm aware of a few of the hikes in Natural Bridges, but know almost zero beyond that. I'd like to see the "Mittens" in Monument Valley, but don't know much beyond that.

Help? We'll be car camping out of a Subaru Outback.

Thanks.

 

[Wyatt Carson]

Monument Valley seemed a little too regulated to me being on the Rez and the fact you cannot stray off the designated paths. It is impressive though but sort of "touristy".

Natural Bridges is absolutely amazing with those three humongous bridges, lots of tangential adventures, off trail hiking and prehistoric human history. She will be able to do a lot in there of whatever level she and you choose. I know a very close and super place to car camp near there and will PM you. We have been there several times and years ago went in the "back door" where a now unused set of stone steps are still there to get down in with. That time we camped just south across the road and there are a few good sites there too.

 

[gnwatts]

Dan
I have always enjoyed car camping at the overlook just before you descend the Moki Dugway, on your right, at the end of Cedar Mesa, with a view over the "abyss" to Monument Valley. An easy graded road. There are a few spots with fantastic views. You can access a lot of areas after you descend.There is an easily accessed (I took my Audi there) camp spot at the end of Cigarette Springs road, near Road Canyon, if you want to camp in a more private setting, beautiful spring right there.
g

 

[Noun Sequitur]

If you decide to turn east after monument valley, the Bisti badlands south of Farmington are a little over 3 hours away. I haven't camped there but it's allowed, and all of the hiking is off-trail exploration type. Stay away if the roads are wet though.

http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/blm_special_areas/wilderness_and_wsas/wilderness_areas/bisti.html

Depending on your route to NM, you might be able to pick up Canyon de Chelly if you swing south. It's not really my cup of tea but if you ever wanted to see it you'll be in the area.

Just FYI... if your wife should happen to need medical attention, most of your driving on the reservation will be a long way from anywhere. I've heard there is some cell phone coverage but I'm not sure which provider. I have Verizon and it ranges from very spotty to non-existent. At 7 months though sounds like you still have a ways to go Congratulations by the way.

 

[slc_dan]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm looking into some of this, and may have more questions.

 

[Wyatt Carson]

If you decide to turn east after monument valley, the Bisti badlands south of Farmington are a little over 3 hours away. I haven't camped there but it's allowed,

We have camped in the Bisti and it is stellar. It is not really a car camping area though, the parking lot is, well a parking lot and the rest is fenced off and no vehicles allowed. But you can carry your stuff a short ways in and tent it. Might not be for her unless Dan plays sherpa. We have packed in several times and it is easy to find some very striking wilderness campsites to put you on location for some great light and photography. There are other badlands on BLM lands in northwestern NM and some you might find good for car camping. As said though you are in the middle of some very remote Rez lands when visiting the Bisti and a few others. The Bisti has a few road sign markings but some of the others are hard to find, faint road tracks are hard to see, though it is still very possible to do so.

 

[sierrasummits]

I was in natural bridges for a week last year searching for ruins. The whole cedar mesa area is awesome! lots of places to pull of and camp and tons of remote canyons to explore. I would agree with above post about camping on the rim before going down the mock doughy. its real nice with lots of slick rock to camp on. Also, one other suggestion i would throw in is the goosenecks state park on your way to monument is a cool place to see...you can also camp there. they have bathrooms and fire pits as well as tables. Have a blast!