- Locale: Mexican Hat
- Time: 2 Hours
- Fee: None
Known as the “Miniature Monument Valley,” this 17-mile road through the sculpted Cedar Mesa sandstone buttes of Valley of the Gods offers an easy drive or a mellow mountain biking route, on a well-maintained but unsurfaced road. Follow the Valley of the Gods road which connects Hwy 163 and UT-261 to view all the towering buttes. Can you spot Lady in the Bathtub, Rooster Butte and Sitting Hen Butte? This is a high-adventure, remote climbing area. The rock is notoriously loose and the area is deserted, so this area is best left for experienced desert climbers in only ideal conditions. You can camp in Valley of the Gods but campfires are not allowed. (No facilities)
Special Considerations
The Valley of the Gods road is a graded dirt road with sharp turns and wash crossings. There may be times of the year when a 4WD vehicle is required to cross the washes. Please stay on designated roads to help protect fragile soils. There are no facilities along the road so be prepared to pack in water and pack out your trash. Campfires are not allowed in Valley of the Gods.
- Tips For Visiting Here with Respect
Stay On Designated Roads
Use existing roads that are approved for use by land managers. Driving off-road can damage fragile archaeology and ecosystems.
Use a Fire Pan
Remember to check when and where fires are allowed. Ground fires leave scars on the landscape and a mess for the next visitor. Bring a fire pan or, at the very least, use existing fire rings. Wait until your ashes are cool to the touch and pack them out.
Stay on Established Trails
Stay on existing trails and routes to protect the living biocrust. Once stepped on, this fragile crust takes years to regrow.
- Maps and Directions
- Coordinates: 37.312233, -109.845785
- Directions:
From Bluff: Drive south on Hwy 191 and continue straight onto Hwy 163W for a total of 16.7 miles. Turn right on the Valley of the Gods road and begin the loop. To access the Valley of the Gods road from UT-261, continue on Hwy 163W and turn right on UT-261N. After 6.4 miles, the Valley of the Gods road will be on your right.
From Blanding: Drive south on Hwy 191 through Bluff and continue straight onto Hwy 163W for a total of 42.5 miles. Turn right on the Valley of the Gods road and begin the loop. To access the Valley of the Gods road from UT-261, continue on Hwy 163W and turn right on UT-261N. After 6.4 miles, the Valley of the Gods road will be on your right.