What is the Best Time of Day to Tour Monument Valley?: Landscape and Travel Photography Forum: Digital Photography Review (2024)

My wife and I are planning a trip to the USA Southwest and will spend a couple of days in Monument Valley. We plan to hire a Native American guide to take us off road to do some photography and are trying to decide whether it is best to do this in the early morning or late afternoon. I can speculate that either might be a good time for photography, but would appreciate any suggestions about when the "best" time might be. As the guides are quite expensive, we don't want to go twice. Then we'll stay on the roads for the rest of the time to get whatever images are possible from there.

And we'd appreciate any recommendations for Native American guides anyone might have. Thanks.

Early morning or sunset, always. If you are into night/stars photography, you can do that too if you stay at the campground or the hotel that is there.

For some images from that area, see www.nicodebarmore.com/gallery/arizona

CameraCarl wrote:

And we'd appreciate any recommendations for Native American guides anyone might have. Thanks.

I was looking for the same thing and found some interesting posts on TripAdvisor. There are a couple whose names kept cropping up, and descriptions of the vehicles led me to believe they might be a bit above the rest in terms of comfort, etc. Don't know for sure but it's a resource, anyway.

Well what timing...I was just there for the first time two days ago (Feb.3rd). We arrived late afternoon Feb. 2nd in heavy dark grey cloud cover and snow. However it dawned clear/partly cloudy on the 3rd with occasional snow showers and gusty wind and, very cold!

We stayed at the Gouldings resort and would recommend this establishment. They booked a half day tour for me with an indian guide named Larry who had a comfortable chevy van. (Cost was $65., plus tip, and the tour was from 9 am to 12:30 pm) There was just myself and one other person so it was very enjoyable. Our guide also took us to Ear of the Wind and Eye to the Sun arches. I was able to take pano photos of MV from the veranda of our ground floor room.

My wife and I were on a very tight schedule and had to leave for Moab/Arches NP right after the tour. BTW, MV Park hours were 8 til 5 this time of year so golden hours were not available. Also, there were very few visitors so no crowding and I understand it is a madhouse from mid April to October.

I would have liked to do the full day tour (cost $95.) which includes the tour of Mystery Valley. Also, would recommend getting there before the busy season.

I certainly enjoyed my time there and hope you do as well.

Contact Leroy at Monument Valley. Make tour reservation in advance.

We did a early sunrise, and an afternoon-sunset jeep tour with Ben. The jeep has no windows.

Stayed at Goulding's hotel in Monument Velly. Highly recommended. You can shoot great views from hotel early morning and at night.

If you can have, bring at least two cameras with say, a wide angle and telephoto primes or zooms of your choosing to minimize lens swapping in the field. Bring all your lenses if you can. The views are varied, and good way to utilize you lens f.l.

Consider sealing camera in a rainsleeve. Bring several sets for changing as needed. The fine Southwest sand gets into every thing.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/469774-REG/OP_TECH_USA_9001132_18_Rainsleeve_Set_of.html

Also a Rocket blow j*b and sensor cleaning kit. You'll need to clean your camera sensor daily.

I took tripod. Used condoms and works well to protect leg from sand.

Enjoy trip.

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