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It’s about 16 miles from Bluff to the eastern entrance, on the right, of Valley of the Gods, a highly recommended side trip. Just past Comb Ridge, you climb out of the ravine and begin to see the outline of the Monument Valley’s dramatic formations way off in the distance. After driving through the gap in this striking formation, it is definitely worth stopping to look back and study the impressive natural barrier more carefully. This eroded monocline begins just south of the Abajo Mountains (west of Blanding) and runs 80 miles south to Kayenta, Arizona. The highway crosses Comb Wash, revealing the dramatic cliffs of Comb Ridge, a huge redrock escarpment running north–south.

191 makes a sharp left turn and heads south to Mexican Water, Arizona. The small, basic (no drinking water) campground here fills up quickly.Ībout 3 miles west of Bluff, U.S. Watch carefully for the Sand Island Road, on the left, just before the major turnoff for Mexican Water.

The tour brochure is usually available there.Īt nearby Sand Island Recreation Area, 2 miles past Bluff, an excellent Anasazi petroglyph panel features five representations of Kokopelli, the humpbacked flute-player. Don’t miss the Twin Rocks Cafe, incredibly situated just underneath a couple of rock spires. The Bluff City Historical Preservation Association publishes an excellent tour brochure describing historical houses and other sites in Bluff with a guide to nearby rock art sites. Note especially the Bluff library, a fine old stone building. The town has a nice little historic loop on the right just as you enter town. Otherwise, no real seasonal distinctions can be made, and driving poses no impediments for any sort of vehicle.īluff is a peaceful place whose biggest attraction is San Juan River excursions. It is hot at the height of summer in this corner of the state. 163 traverses land that is broad, open, and windswept. Rather than narrow canyons and steep, confining barrier reefs, U.S. While the landscapes to the north and east are characterized by dramatic ancient bucklings of the earth and by intricate, mazelike canyons carved by the persistent action of rushing waters, the country encountered on the drive between the town of Bluff and Monument Valley drive is more spacious and more serene in its magnificence.

The forests here are mainly coniferous, so they still look green.Beauty on a Grand Scale: Scenic Driving Bluff to Monument Valley The fog can completely obstruct views, so if you drive the route in the summer, pick a clear day or time of day.įall brings warm temperatures, perfect for enjoying time at the beach and time by the ocean. Summer is the time of year when you will likely experience the California coastal marine layer all along the northern and central coast, with Pebble Beach being no exception. Winter and spring are also times to look for migrating California gray whales in the ocean. In the winters, you will likely enjoy clear days and spectacular sunsets. Our most recent trip was in early June and the route looked spectacular, with golden wildflowers all along the drive. We love doing the 17-Mile Drive in the spring, when California is lush green and there are wildflowers everywhere. What is the best time of year to do the 17-Mile Drive?Īs long as you pick a clear day, there really isn’t any bad time of year to enjoy the super scenic 17-Mile Drive. In the early 1900s, the first automobiles traversed the route, and carriage rides were discontinued. In contrast, today’s route lies wholly within the Del Monte Forest.