jsimp3 Loc: Tennessee

I'm terrible at uploading pics... I will do so upon return.

Thanks again to all

patrick43 Loc: Los Lunas,NM

Excellent choice. They close the gates in the evening and reopen in the morning. Gouldings is across the highway, so you are somewhat limited as to when you can enter the park. The view is actually inside the park. patrick

LarryFitz Loc: Beacon NY

Check out Powell lake and the area around the dam, while visiting antelope canyon. Schedule antelope canyon your in advance.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Ditto that. You stay overnight in Chinle and arrange either a half-day or full-day trip with a Navajo guide and an open jeep (at least that's how you did it when I was there decades ago!). Also beautiful photos in the morning from the south rim across from the White House Ruins. It is an awesome little-known spot.

SonyBug

Horseshoe canyon is a don't miss.

martin211275

The View Hotel is a must! The name says it all. Canyon de Chelly will be too far away. Take the tour with Native Americans. It goes where you can’t go on your own. If you have time take the full day tour

jsimp3 Loc: Tennessee

Interesting... if I returned late to the hotel would that mean I’m locked out till morning, or is there a gatekeeper on duty???

jsimp3 Loc: Tennessee

I’v Seen the images from most of the areas mentioned but had no idea they were all within a reasonable driving distance.

Much appreciated

Gerylee Loc: Ontario, Canada

You can book a photography tour at Antelope Canyon. They will help you by stopping the people walking through the scene for 2minutes so you can get the shot with out people in it. They will take you to special areas in the canyon, help you set up for the shot if you need suggestions on settings and then hold the traffic flow. You can take a lot of shots in 2 minutes. Also Horseshoe Bend Canyon is very close to Page and worth checking out.

jsimp3 Loc: Tennessee

Great... I’m charging my batteries

brucebc Loc: Tooele, Utah

If you go to Page, Az area check out Horseshoe Bend just south of Page toward Flagstaff. It is only 1 or 2 miles from Page. You need a 24mm on a full fame to get good coverage of it. Goosenecks State Park is about an hour north of Monument Valley as is Valley of the Gods and Moki Point. Natural Bridges NM is about half an hour past Moki Point. There are a number of pretty arches on the Navajo Reservation. Hope arch is close to Canyon de Chelly and is very beautiful.
There are arches in Monument Valley but you have to hire a guided tour to see them. The tour makes an extra wide loop and passes close to the Totem Poles too. It is kind of pricey but in January you might strike a deal.

linelink

Horseshoe Bend is a great photo op, not far from Antelope Canyon. Take the lower Antelope Canyon guided photo tour. A tripod is required. The Navajo guides will hold back the crowds so you are guaranteed the best photos, with no other tourists stepping into your shot. You will be in groups of 5-10 depending on how busy they are. They are always busy even in winter. The sun is not overhead as long in winter months. Try to book 10am or noon tour, for best photos. It will be cold 30's, 40's. Don't be shy, the guides know every camera, that hundreds of thousands of visitors bring into the Canyons. They are happy to help , even the season pros , with the best settings for optimum photos. Tip them generously, they work hard to get you the money shots. The tour prices have climbed. Expect to pay about 95.00 to 115. For about 3 hrs. Make a reservation about a month ahead. Monument valley is a different animal. You can drive through on your own, and get the same photos as with a tour. The tours are loaded with cell phone shooters. You can spend as much time as you like at each monument when in your own vehicle. Again cool temps in the am and late afternoon, and windy. If it's warming during the day and cold at night, you may encounter morning fog in January. Check the weather and plan to be there when fog lifts. Sedona is a 200 mile drive from Antelope Canyon. Well worth it. Sedona sits at an elevation of about 5000 ft., there may be a dusting of snow in Jan. which may enhance your photos. From Sedona you are about 185 miles from the Grand Canyon. Enjoy.

jtwind

Antelope canyons upper and lower are amazingly crowded. You can pay more for photo tour which helps but still not great. Try Horsehoe Bend Slot canyon, smaller but very, very nice and a much more pleasing photography experience.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

dcma2005 Loc: Waterbury, Connecticut

Good morning.

I’ve been to Monument Valley twice. It is a truly amazing place to visit. IMHO, words and even photos cannot do full justice to the majesty of Monument Valley.

Both times I visited, I stayed at Gouldings Lodge (the View was not open at the time). I had no issues with my stays at Gouldings. I was able to arrange a tour of the valley with Native American guides through Gouldings which was the way to go for me.

I highly recommend staying as close to the valley as possible. Traveling fro Medicine Hat or other nearby areas adds needless time that can be used to tour the valley.

Enjoy your visit to Monument Valley. It is truly a special place.

I have attached two photos to my response. The first is a photo of Gouldings Lodge. The second is of John Ford’s Point which is a must see location in the Valley.