Goulding’s Lodge & Campground

Expect to meet people from all over the world here, including families and couples in huge RVs who are touring the majestic West. This place buzzes with activity in high season, as visitors board tour vehicles, explore the museum and gift shop, and dine at the on-site Stage Coach restaurant. The wide-open spaces exude a sense of serenity, and the area gets especially peaceful at night as guests settle in after marveling at the sunset from their balconies and patios. The modest lobby reminds visitors of their stunning surroundings with colorful murals of the iconic stone structures dotting Monument Valley. A few comfortable leather sofas sit in a corner on the reddish clay-colored floors with a Southwestern pattern, but guests here are far less interested in these interiors than they are in the great outdoors.

Goulding’s Lodge is located in the heart of Monument Valley and the Navajo Reservation that surrounds it. It’s an isolated area, but the complex has a gas station and grocery store. Goulding’s Campground is tucked farther into the valley, about a four-minute drive from the lodge. Monument Valley Airport is a 10-minute walk or one-minute drive, and the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Visitors Center is a nine-minute drive. Flagstaff is a little under three hours away by car, and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park are each approximately four hours away. 

There are multiple lodging choices at the complex, all featuring different decor schemes. Standard amenities found across room types include satellite TV, toiletries, and air-conditioning. Rooms in the lodge have King or Double-Queen configurations and include mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and Keurig coffeemakers. Stand-alone cottages feature two bedrooms and fully equipped kitchens with full-sized fridges. Two-bedroom Apartments have even larger kitchens. The 62 rooms in the lodge offer ample space and showcase Western design elements such as Monument Valley-themed artwork and Navajo patterns on bed throws and carpets. Wood- laminate headboards have attached nightstands, and gold walls and bedspreads lighten the space. Bathrooms are on the small side throughout the property and come with shower/tub combos and basic toiletries. Lodge rooms have balconies or patios with sweeping valley views. Note that there are no elevators between the lodge’s two floors, so guests with mobility issues should requests rooms on the lower floor.

This isolated complex provides a good range of facilities for comfortable stays. The Stage Coach Restaurant serves meals all day, and the grocery store sells food and other supplies. Note that due to Navajo regulations, no alcohol is served or sold inside the reservation. The gift shop sells various souvenirs, as well as Navajo arts and crafts. A gas station is on site, and area tours depart from the lodge. 

Recreational facilities include two heated indoor pools at the lodge and campground, plus a modest fitness center has cardio and weight-lifting machines. The property also offers laundry facilities, and there's a small screening room that shows Westerns filmed in Monument Valley. The Trading Post Museum displays Western movie memorabilia, and it has Old West exhibits as well. A computer with internet access and a printer are available for guest use, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the complex. However, Wi-Fi and cell phone service can be spotty due to the remote location. There's plenty of free parking on-site.