Possible to do Monument Valley and Arches NP in one day.
 

We are staying in Mesquite for 6 days. I just hate to go back to the hotel and back track on the northern route the next day just to see Arches.

I visited both on the same trip a couple of years ago. I don't think you can do both in a single day. Not without doing them any justice, anyway. You might could drive from one to the other and "see" them, but not really.

When we did those two we spent time in Arches, then we went to Mexican Hat, UT to spend the night. That is right outside of the Indian reservations and Monument Valley. I don't think you would want to try both in one day. The drive from Arches to Mexican hat is very different.

You drive along a very nice straight highway and there are signs that no vehicle with a trailer or motor-homes are allowed. Then you come to the end of the world. There is a very tight twisty gravel road that goes down a huge amount. It ends at a nice road into Mexican Hat.

It was great but if you want to stay in Mexican hat, get a reservation first. There is one motel, one restaurant and two gas stations and not much else.

EDIT: I had to look it up. There is a 900 foot drop off the ledge on highway 261. I was in my 911 and the speed is 15 MPH or so and not much room to pass an oncoming car. It is a neat area of the country if you have good AC. Not so much if your AC is non working.

About 15 years ago, on vacation in the month of May, I did 7 National Parks in Utah and Colo in 4 days....It can be done, but not recommended.

I have done them, but with kids it can and will be difficult. Looking like Mexican Hat overnight then press on. I have never been to Mexican Hat.

Mexican hat is cool. The hotel is right next to a river. It is easy to walk down to the river and and it was nice and cool there. The walk back up to the hotel was hot. Google Earth for a memory refresh. We stayed at the San Juan Inn and that was the only motel in town then. Now it looks like there is competition.

Mesquite NV? There is a lot to see in UT between Monument and Arches (I presume you have done Bryce and Zion)... have you ever visited Mesa Verde in Colorado? I'm guessing Lake Powell is looking bad from lack of rain at this point.

In my yoot I spent at least a month in Arches all added up, and I've seen maybe 2% of it.

Monument valley can be appreciated from a drive-by but not arches IMO

The "end of the world" place you are talking about. The "moki dugway" (google it).
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1478653777.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1478653868.jpg

Only gravel for 3 miles, but you don't have to take this route from Arches to Mexican Hat. Can go by Monticello/Blanding/Bluff. On the other hand, Natural Bridges Park (1 hr NW of Mexican hat) is really nice too, especially this time of year. Unlike Arches, very lightly visited. Intimate and peaceful place.

Photos from last months Javelina 100 with Az Outlaws. Monument valley by 356, and Mexican Hat (in parking lot of 1 of the 2 hotels)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1478653930.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1478654006.jpg
Great part of the world. Long ways between gas stations.

Yep, that was the place. The road is great and in my 911 it was no big deal to go down the road. Very cool view.

Way too much driving to do justice to either one. I've done them both several times.
http://www.fototime.com/F7F8B7303B656AF/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/A56ED0A45705A4F/standard.jpg

You can make some good time getting from place to place in that part of the country...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1478661563.jpg


I thought that Arches was one of the most spectacular parks in the 4-corners area.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1478661765.jpg

I can not comment about doing both in a day, however I will say not to rush through Arches NP. Not only is Arches beautiful, but there is quite a lot outside the park worth your time. I would recommend a Jeep rental for a day and take the Shafer Trail from Moab to Canyonlands, spectacular scenery.

Enjoy your trip and take your time if you can, it is worth it IMHO.

It depends how much you want to see and or hike. Nothing is close to the road/parking in Arches. You have to hike a good distance to see the main Arches. I was there a few months ago and spend a full day there and didn't get to see everything.

Thanks. I have only driven through there a couple times years ago. The Jeep, especially the horse back riding maybe the way to go. Perfect for my kids now that they are a little older.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1478698564.jpg

It is a steep gravel road. I had no issues driving my 911 down it on a sunny day. I would not want to try it at night, in the rain going up. But it was sunny and perfect when I was going down.

It is one of those spots I always think about the Indians and the early scouts. When they came up to that and said "how are we going to get up or down that?"

I gotta drive this this time around. The view must be spectacular

For those looking to stay in the area and amenable to camping, just before you get to the top of the Moki Dugway there is a turnoff for a dirt road that leads you to a spot called Muley Point Overlook. It is rustic, free and by far the best view I've ever had camping. I found it sort of by accident because it was getting late and I needed a place to stop for the night and I did not want to descend the Moki Dugway in the dark.