Navajo Welcome Center — Attraction in Oljato-Monument Valley

I visited this welcome center in 5/21/2025. I was expecting to get some general information on the area and maybe some answers to a few questions. I walked in the center and noticed the person behind the service desk look at me and then walked into an administrative area leaving the service desk unattended. I stood at the service desk for a good period of time and the person that Left the service desk could see I was waiting but totally ignored me. Finally, I stuck my head in the administration area and ask her if she could help me and answer a few questions. The look on your face was obvious; she seemed to be more annoyed that I was distracting her from doing nothing. She reluctantly walked over to the service desk and in a very unpleasant demeanor asked me what my question was. I wasn't not familiar with the area at all so I asked her how to access the monument area, how to find out about the tours, and how to get to the monument area. She seemed to put zero effort into really helping me and all her effort was put into not helping me. I asked her if she had a map of the area so I could orientate myself. She said they'll give you a map when you get there. I said how can I get there if I don't have know how to get there? Then I noticed a map that was sitting on the counter for visitors to reference. I don't know why a visitor center like this would have someone like this to greet visitors. I ran into a similar attitude the with one of the older clerks at the monument center gift shop. Overall, it's worth $8 to pay to get in and see the views where the gift shop and restaurant are. If you want to take the driving tour and you have your own vehicle, don't go unless you have a four-wheel drive or at least an all-wheel drive with some ground clearance too. I saw a Camry there that was stuck. Your vehicle will get covered with dust. The dirt is a very very fine consistency and you'll sink right in it if you go even a couple of feet off the main road. If you decide to take a tour jeep in mind that this is going to be a 17 mile dust storm if you're sitting in one of those open-air...

If I could rate it a minus 10, I would. The staff were neither welcoming nor informative. My husband walked up to the so called “Welcome Desk” to ask if there were any maps or information about the area. The lady wouldn’t even acknowledge his presence. He finally just asked anyway and her reply was very curt; “You get a map when you pay the fee.” Not what he asked but at least it was some kind of reply. She still didn’t even look up. We were the only 4 people in there. So I tried to get some information at the office window. The guy staffing the office looked right at me then turned and walked into the inner office. I could see the pamphlets stacked on the desk below the window opening. I guess I should’ve just reached through and grabbed some myself but I’m not as rude as they are. My advice is to stay somewhere other than Gouldings and bypass the Welcome Center altogether. Don’t pay for the ridiculously expensive tours. You’re jammed into an open truck and are forced to wear bandannas (that they will sell you) and driven along most of the same roads you can drive yourself. Wear eye coverings (sunglasses) because you will end up covered in dust. Considering the views are very similar along the valley even though seen from different angles, you probably aren’t going to see anything close to to making the dusty trip worth the price. Sooooo disappointing and entirely due...

I have to admit I didn't feel welcome here at all. The lady practically scoffed at everyone that walked in. One guy came in just to ask about the driving tour and she acted like she didn't know what he meant, and gave him a really hard time for not already knowing everything. Give me a break. He was extremely polite. A little bit later she got a phone call, was rude to the caller, then started talking smack to her coworker as soon as she hung up.

I asked if I could use an outlet to charge my camera and she just looked at me like I was stupid. I was trying to not be presumptuous! Jesus christ lady, if you hate tourists then maybe don't work at the freakin welcome center? It blows my mind that everyone I saw talk to her was SO nice, and her attitude was hateful no...