They are very different, and depending on what else you will be doing I would say it is a tossup if you can only do one. Which is really on the route you plan to take?

One vote for Monument Valley. If you go there, stay at Goulding's Lodge and then get up before dawn, go out on your balcony and watch the sun come up over the monuments. 'Tis a magnficent, unfoegettable experience.

I've been to both and can't pick between the two. Monument Valley is more isolated and thus pretty much requires that you decide to go there; Petrified Forest NP is right off of an interstate.

If you're a fan of John Ford westerns, then MV would be my pick.

The feeling I get when I look at Monument Valley is more pleasing than the feeling I get when I look at Petrified Forest NP.

HTTY

Another vote for Monument Valley, and I'd recommend a night at The View Hotel. All rooms face the buttes and the views are spectacular.

I went to both parks two years ago and just found MV a lot more impressive than the PF. I almost feel a little disloyal saying this b/c I'd been to the PF as a kid and was very impressed. But I guess perspectives change.

If you go to MV and plan to take the scenic drive thru' the buttes, I'd recommend late afternoon just before sunset when the lighting is perfect.

Thank you so much for the feedback. Petrified Forest has been on my mind since my older brother went there when I was a child, but on my first checking, Monument Valley was catching my eye.

Another vote for Monument Valley.

MV is on Navajo land where they still live and to see more than the road through it, which is specacular, you will need to go with a guide. Some guides are much better than others.

Petrified Forest/Painted Desert is a NP, and there are the usual ranger programs there. There are several spots with nice petroglyphs along the main route and also some you can hike to in addition to the petrified trees.

Both have interresting things to see; As has been mentioned, if you only can do one, do the one that fits into the rest of your trip. I wouldn't consider either one enough of a draw to spend an extra day visiting if they weren't fairly close to the other places on my trip.

Both are very worthwhile but for the Wow! factor, I'd choose Monument Valley.We always go out of our way to drive through it.

Definately Monument Valley for my vote. I've been to 30 National Parks. Petrified Forest would rank #29 in my book. It is a worthy stop, I've been to it 4 times. You will need to get a guide in Monument Valley to get the full experience. I would spend the better part of a day there. You can do Petrified Forest in 3-4 hours really. Some people might really get into it and would want longer time.

Another vote for Monument Valley.

I went to Petrified Forest about 30 years ago and have never felt the desire to go back.

Petrified Forest is a very interesting place but I would not travel significantly out of my way to reach it - whereas I certainly would for spectacular Monument Valley. Just west of MV - 20 miles on 160 - is the road to the Navajo National Monument - another 10 miles (north). There you can easily view Cliff Dwellings and they also have a very good/friendly visitor's center.

BTW - which way are you coming from?

Hands down, Monument Valley.

There's a lot more to see and do at MV.

Agree with spirobulldog, it'll be #29 or somewhere way down there.

There are two hikes at

Damn computer!

There are two hikes at MV that you can do on your own without a guide - a very short one right outside The View Hotel, and the Wildcat Trail, which is about 2 mi. long.

Yes, it's like comparing a good cantaloupe to a good grape.

monument valley

you can find pretrified anywhere....very abundant