Where to camp for Monument Valley?

Gooseneck state park is 31 miles away. The "campground" at Goulding's is really expensive, even for a tent.

I know MV had (has?) a CG but are there any other choices in the area and is the MV one even open?

Last I heard the campground was closed in MV for "construction" (was there a few months ago). There is a place just before the tribal park that has campsites, however it is right off the road and there isn't much there, but it's as close as you will get to be camping there.

Thanks Peter. I had read that too, but it seems like it has been under construction for a long time, was hoping it was done by now.

You can always try contacting the park to see if they just never updated the info online, I thought it was going on until May or so.

Thanks I just saw on the site, closed until Dec 2013. Why it is going to take so long is beyond me. Perhaps they are putting in hookups.

Just over the pass into Utah is the Douglas Mesa Road to the west. In a few miles is a campground. I do not know if it is currently open. I saw no one there when I drove past. It looked rather unused.

When will you be at MV, Rodney?
The Mitten Shadow event is tomorrow (Saturday) near sunset, y'know.

John, we will have a chance to shoot Weds or Next Sat. Is tomorrow the only day?

Yeah, although you will get a partial shadow a few days before and after.

Partial shadow? When I've shot a day or so off the "perfect" day, the shadow is full, but just a couple degrees off center. If you want a little different shot from the campground rim, Joe's Tree, down the Wildcat trail is good -- the tree frames East Mitten. It's where the road intersects the trail, maybe 25 minutes walk if you go counter-clockwise.

"Partial shadow? When I've shot a day or so off the "perfect" day, the shadow is full, but just a couple degrees off center"

Of course you're correct, Monika.
And your excellent image only underscores that fact. How many days from 'the 'perfect day' was this captured?

John, sorry if I was a little abrupt. That shot is 1 day off. And, Rodney, the Joe's Tree location may not be the best for the 3 of you (I think it's 3?) as you'll be right on top of each other to get the Mitten alignment within the tree.

Rodney,
I just returned from MV. There is a place along the 4 mile road to MV that says 'Camping'. It's a carved out piece of desert with a couple of shaded picnic tables is all, and it looked empty on my way in. On the way out, two RVs were parked there, so it must be OK. Not sure if anyone oversees the place.

Monika,
The San Juan River Kitchen in Bluff has closed up shop.
In it's place is the Bluff City Café. It had a sign advertising Navajo Tacos. Enough said. How sad...

Thanks for the replies. After a few days camping in White Pocket, my buddy was over it, so we got a motel in Blanding, and now in Mexican Hat for MV.