Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend

Posted byrkrontheroadPosted inArizona, desert, North America, Photography, river, Travel, United StatesTags:, , , , , ,

Along the way on my southwestern road trip, there were a few short but memorable stops. The iconic Monument Valley, a configuration of towering rocks rising in an otherwise mostly flat desert setting, was the site of many Western movies. Listen for the clopping of hooves as John Wayne and his cohorts gallop through on horseback! I would have needed to sign up for a tour to get closer to the rocks. The sandy, rutted road would be difficult to navigate without an appropriate off-road vehicle.

Monument Valley

The only place in the United States where four states converge in one point is designated Four Corners. Colorado (my state), Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. (I am visiting them on this trip in that order.) On the outskirts of the plaza are booths where Native Americans and local artists sell their crafts. Many people who visit can’t resist laying their body down so that it touches all four states. I asked this family for permission to take the photo below, which they gave with smiles.

Four corners survey marker

Continuing on from Utah into the northeastern corner of Arizona, my drive included a swing by Horseshoe Bend, part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The site has sometimes been called the east rim of the Grand Canyon. The Colorado River takes a dramatic turn, making an almost complete circle around a sandstone monolith.

There’s a trail down to the rim overlook, flat with a mild descent through desert landscape. As one approaches, the chasm becomes more evident, but it’s quite a surprise to reach the railing at the edge and see what awaits. It’s an estimated 1,000 foot drop from the viewpoint to the river below. One can imagine the river rushing vigorously through that curve, sculpting and eroding the red rock as it surges by, in the younger days of the waterway that is now suffering from drought, over ages so long ago.

Horseshoe Bend trail
Horseshoe Bend

Southwest road trip: Road trip, Arches, Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Chaco Canyon, Old Town Albuquerque, Petroglyph National Monument

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Published by rkrontheroad

Writer, photographer, traveler

34 thoughts on “Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend”

  1. Pingback: Road trip, Arches – Ruth Rosenfeld

  2. Mickey and I traveled this route a few years ago. The scenery is spectacular. We purchased a Christmas ornament from one of the vendors at the 4 corners. We remember the trip fondly each time I place it on the tree. Your photos are beautiful, as always. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Gorgeous! I’ve not been to Monument Valley, but that landscape looks so distinctive and beautiful! Although gimmicky, I’d also love to visit the Four Corners some time, just to say I was in four states at once! I visited Horseshoe Bend back in 2021, and despite the crowds, it was still a lovely sight to see. Looks like I might need to swing by the US Southwest some time soon– thanks for sharing, Ruth!

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  10. Wow, just look at those iconic, breathtaking, and immense sandstone masterpieces that define the American West.  I just love how towering sandstone masterpieces create a dramatic, spellbinding desert landscape. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Happy Easter to you and yours 🙂 Aiva xx

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  13. We did a tour at Monument Valley – it was awesome but I’d like to go back and get better photos as I was disappointed with those I took on that occasion. Horseshoe Bend looks equally awesome 😮 We stopped somewhere called Dead Horse Point which was similar but I don’t recall seeing that particular spot. Yes, we really should go back!

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    1. It was pretty crowded. It took a minute to find a place along the fence to look over. What surprised me was how many people climbed up on the rocks around it to take photos, where there was no fence. Apparently there are a few deaths every year from people falling over the edge.

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