Goulding's Resort RV & Campground — Hotel in Oljato-Monument Valley

We stayed at Goulding's campground for 2 nights last week and took one of their tours through Monument Valley. To start off, the location and views absolutely can't be beat--we arrived in the dark so what a surprise to wake up surrounded by the most beautiful mountain scenery. Schedule wise, the amenities (showers, laundry) of the campground really didn't work out for us as they are only available from 8-4 and we has to be ready for our tour for 830, and didn't return till after 4. The bathrooms required a keycard which was finicky, and didn't work at all the day that we left which was inconvenient, but not the end of the world as we were traveling in an RV. The campground itself was beautiful and suited our needs for 2 nights. It was quiet and the people staying around us were friendly enough. The highlight of this trip was our all day tour hosted by Johnathan, a Goulding's employee, who was knowledgeable, entertaining, and provided an amazing tour for us. I learned more about Native Americans and their culture in one afternoon than my entire childhood school experience. We toured Mystery Valley and went on to Monument Valley, seeing lots of beautiful scenery, Native American ruins and other artifacts. We were totally spoiled as we were the only 2 people on the tour---not sure if we would have seen as much with a full tour group, but the way our guide spaced everything out was perfect and kept us engaged. The all day tour includes lunch, which is basically a sandwich, fruit, chips, cookie, and a soda. Nothing memorable but it made life easy to not have to worry about it for ourselves. The one snag with the tour was when we called to check in the night before, we were told that they didn't offer all day tours during this season. We informed them that we paid for all day tours and they said they would accommodate. Obviously not a big deal as we were accommodated but it seems like there's a bit of disconnect between departments/systems. We booked these tours quite awhile ago and there was no follow up saying "hey we can't do that". We didn't get to try the restaurant or utilize the grocery but it's nice that they have both of those amenities for guests and travelers. If you're traveling through Monument Valley I'd say give Goulding's a try for their tours and their campground. Can't give an honest opinion of the other options they offer. I'd love to see this place make some updates to their facilities, mainly the keycard access, and also either extending hours for showers/laundry, or providing a separate...

So the best part of this resort is the view 😍. You are in a canyon surrounded by beautiful red rock. To me it was more like a basic campground. We stayed here with our travel trailer. You do get full amentities which is a huge bonus. The sites are fairly close to eachother. Not every site has a fire pit. It seemed as if it alternates gas grill/fire pit. We didn’t need the gas grill and would have preferred the fire pit. However as I took my dog out the first night in the dark, with my flashlight I noticed a lot of small little bugs that resembled roaches crawling all over the ground 😵. It grossed me out. Thankfully we haven’t seen any in our camper but I would bring bug spray if you stay here. Maybe they aren’t roaches, and are some sort of desert bug as they weren’t large like the few cockroaches I have seen in my lifetime. Also be aware they you cannot pick your spot. They put us in one almost at the end, which we were excited to be able to see the view from the valley. However, 30 minutes later a big class an arrived, and they were put in that spot blocking our view from that angle. I feel like if we were there first we should have gotten that. Still had a pretty view to the left and right though. The grocery store and gas station are down further from the rv resort. We walked and it was a little sketchy as there are no sidewalks and people drive fast (at least until they get to the speed bumps close to the campground). It was a basic grocery but had what we needed. We have Verizon and we had full bars of 3G, which I didn’t think existed anymore. It was enough to zoom our faith service, and to make a phone call or text but hard to stream. They have wifi but you have to be close to the building and I don’t think it’s very high. The view is what saves this place, I probably would have rated it lower if not for that. Editing to add that there are stray dogs that roam the park. There were two puppies that we adored, they were super friendly and we gave them a couple treats. Our dog didn’t love them though-so if walking your dog keep any eye out incase you have a reactive dog. They tell you not to leave your shoes out due to said dogs which made me laugh. I would never leave my shoes out there due to the...

Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Navajo Nation, Goulding's Resort RV & Campground is a captivating destination that seamlessly blends rich colors and a fascinating historical picturesque background of Monument Valley. We stayed at this RV resort from February 26 – March 26, 2023.

We were in site # 48, a comfortable and well-maintained gravel pull through site with full hook-ups and plenty of space for our 4 slides, truck, and extra car. We had a picnic table, a grill, and a garbage barrel conveniently placed in front of our spot. In my opinion it was the best spot in the park for a big rig. The park is pet friendly and we had visits from friendly local dogs around the campgrounds. They do ask that you do not feed them. The amenities include a gift shop, clean restrooms, shower facilities, laundry facilities, Wi-Fi, and tour guides that pick you up at the office.

The surroundings of Goulding's Resort are a visual feast for the senses. The vivid colors of the desert landscape, with its striking red rocks and vibrant sunsets, create an enchanting backdrop for every moment spent here. The short nearby trails are a great way to explore the area and see the beautiful surroundings.

Beyond its natural beauty, what sets Goulding's apart is its profound historical significance. The campground was founded by Harry and Leone Goulding, who played a pivotal role in introducing this remarkable region to the world through their friendship with the Navajo Nation and their efforts in the film industry. We watched several John Wayne movies that were filmed here to keep in theme during our stay. We also watched Forrest Gump and National Lampoon’s Vacation.

Immersing ourselves in the local Navajo culture was a highlight of our stay. Goulding's Resort offers guided tours of Monument Valley, led by knowledgeable Navajo guides who share their traditions and stories. It's a cultural enrichment that adds a deeper layer of appreciation to the already stunning vistas. We enjoyed our tour and would highly recommend this as an option to learn about the area and take in the views and culture.

This was one of my top 5 places that we have stayed, and I would highly recommend this place as a...