Destination information
It's not technically a valley, more of a broad, flat, moody landscape scattered with incredible 'buttes' and 'mesas', sometimes rising hundreds of feet into the air, carved from the sandstone layers which once covered the region. The most famous protrusions are a pair known as The Mittens - the tallest rises 1,000ft from the ground, and is surrounded by sand dunes.
The earth is deep red even without the help of the spectacular sunsets this region enjoys, and the contrasts between the clear-blue skies make for photo opportunities galore! Monument Pass - where the highway passes close to several of the most incredible rock formations - is a great spot for snapping away. To get even more into the heart of things, take a horseback or jeep tour with the Navajo people. This entire area falls within their Indian Reservation, and in the small town of Goulding, established in 1923 as a trading post, you can buy Navajo arts and crafts including rugs, jewellery, baskets and sand paintings.