Monument Valley
July 12, 2020Monument Valley is an iconic landmark located in the Navajo Nation. The unique formations crafted by wind and weather have been used as settings for many films and documentaries, and its beauty reflects the spirit of the Navajo people who call it home. The sandstone arches and examples of eroded, sedimentary rock evoke a feeling of harmony, surrounded by the pink, red, and yellow hues of the desert landscape. The Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park offers visitors the chance to explore and learn about the rich cultural heritage of the Navajo Nation.
The Navajo Nation is the largest safe, sovereign tribal area in the United States, encompassing more than 27,621 square miles across three states: Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. The area is home to more than 27,000 people, making it the second-largest tribe in the U.S. Its people have a deep connection to the land, and Monument Valley is a powerful symbol of the nation’s vibrant culture and history.
When we decided to visit the desert southwest, it was right at the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic, we’d been locked up at home for several months and Saydie who had just finished high school wanted to take a trip, but Covid-19 was definitely impacting that, but since social distancing was being pushed we decided that we could safely visit places where we could put distance between us and others. Monument Valley was one of the places we chose, however we should not the KOA we booked is on the Utah side of the board where most of the Navajo Nation sits on the Arizona side, so we were able to book, but none of the Navajo Nation parks were available to tourists. In fact, the two days we were there the Navajo Nation had implemented their weekend 56-hour lock downs so Navajo Nation peoples were not allowed to even leave their homes.
The Navajo Nation, which is the largest Native American reservation in the United States, has been disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. As of June 2020, the Navajo Nation had a per-capita infection rate that was five times the rate of the US as a whole. The main factors in this high infection rate are the Nation’s limited access to health care and resources, inadequate infrastructure, and overcrowded living conditions.
In response to the crisis, the Navajo Nation declared a public health emergency on March 13th and enacted a 56-hour weekend curfew that prohibited travel on tribal lands except for essential needs. The Navajo Nation also implemented a mandatory face-covering ordinance, limiting in-person services, suspending certain tribal-related events, and closing schools, non-essential businesses, and tourist sites. In addition, the President of the Navajo Nation declared a weekend-long lockdown, and tribal leaders called for a national day of prayer to stimulate support for the Navajo Nation.
We decided that we could safely visit the area and not impact the Navajo Nation by social distancing ourselves from the residents of the Navajo Nation. We visited Forest Gump view point (movie Forest Gump) and pretty much kept to the KOA property.
When we arrived, it was simply too hot to setup our tent, so we quickly setup our Kelty sunshade, they were nice enough to put us next to the brand-new bathrooms they had built out, and we discovered they had added water & electricity to the camp sites.
Later in the day when we did decide to setup our tent, before it got dark we got hit with a sudden desert rain storm that had some wind with it and it became interesting setup the tent as everything was blowing around, luckily our campsite neighbors who were from Houston decided to give us a quick hand, they too were just trying to get out of being locked inside so they were car camping in their BMW, while we were setting up our tent another couple in a truck also from Houston, arrived they were headed back to Texas after having visited Yellowstone National Park.
The Monument Valley KOA is located in San Juan County, Utah, in the heart of the breathtaking and world-renowned Monument Valley. This campground is the perfect getaway for any adventure-seeker, offering breathtaking views, a wide range of outdoor activities, and easy access to the iconic area.
The Monument Valley KOA offers a wide range of camping opportunities. Campers can set up their tents, bring their own camping equipment, making it easy for anyone to enjoy the outdoors. During the summer months, visitors can also enjoy a number of organized activities, including volleyball, campfires, nightly stargazing, and trail hikes. Additionally, the park offers services such as hot showers, flush toilets, and a small store.
The Monument Valley KOA is conveniently located near many iconic attractions and destinations, including Antelope Canyon and the Four Corners National Monument.
