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Overview
Valley of the Gods is a remote, undeveloped stretch of high desert in southeastern Utah, located within Bears Ears National Monument and administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The valley sits roughly between the towns of Mexican Hat and Bluff, in San Juan County, and is sometimes described as a quieter, less-visited alternative to the more famous Monument Valley just to the south.
The landscape is defined by isolated sandstone towers, buttes, and mesas that rise abruptly from the valley floor, the product of millions of years of erosion acting on the Colorado Plateau's sedimentary rock layers. The formations carry evocative names — Sitting Hen Butte, Setting Hen Butte, and Seven Sailors among them — though signage in the valley itself is minimal.
The area holds deep cultural significance for the Navajo Nation and other Indigenous peoples of the region. Bears Ears National Monument, which encompasses this area, was established in part to protect archaeological sites, sacred landscapes, and artifacts associated with ancestral and contemporary Native peoples. Visitors should approach the landscape with respect for that heritage.
Because there is no entrance station, no paved road, and no infrastructure beyond a primitive campsite, the Valley of the Gods rewards self-sufficient travelers who come prepared. It is a place defined by silence, scale, and geological drama rather than facilities or interpretive programs.
Before You Go
No passport or visa is required for US citizens. International visitors should consult TravelerPulse's Visas section and the official US Customs and Border Protection website for current entry requirements.
The valley has no entrance fee as of the time of writing, but verify current BLM regulations before your visit, as policies within Bears Ears National Monument have been subject to change. Check the BLM's official website (blm.gov) or the Bears Ears National Monument page for the latest information on access, camping permits, and fire restrictions.
What to bring
- Water: Carry significantly more than you think you need. There is no potable water anywhere in the valley. A common recommendation is at least one gallon per person per day, more in summer.
- Food and snacks: The nearest towns (Bluff, Mexican Hat) are small; stock up in a larger town such as Moab or Cortez, Colorado before arriving.
- Fuel: Fill your tank before entering. There are very limited fuel options in Mexican Hat; verify availability locally.
- Navigation: Cell service is unreliable to nonexistent. Download offline maps (e.g., Gaia GPS, onX) before you leave and carry a paper map as backup.
- Spare tire and recovery gear: The unpaved road can be rough and remote; a flat tire with no cell service is a genuine possibility.
- Sun protection: Shade is essentially absent. Sunscreen, a hat, and UV-protective clothing are important year-round.
Getting There
Valley of the Gods is reached via a roughly 17-mile unpaved loop road (Valley of the Gods Road) that connects US Highway 163 near Mexican Hat in the south and US Highway 261 (near the base of the Moki Dugway) in the north. Most visitors access the valley from Mexican Hat, which sits on US-163.
The nearest commercial airports are in Moab (Canyonlands Regional Airport, with limited service), Grand Junction, Colorado, and Farmington, New Mexico. Most visitors drive, as a personal or rental vehicle is effectively required. Distances are substantial: Moab is roughly 100 miles to the north, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is about 25 miles to the south.
The valley road is unpaved and in places rocky or washboarded. It is passable by most high-clearance vehicles under dry conditions; a 4WD vehicle is advisable. After rain, the clay-rich soil can become extremely slick and impassable even for 4WD. Passenger cars with low clearance risk damage. Check road conditions with the BLM or San Juan County before arriving, especially in winter or after storms.
There is no public transportation to or through the valley. No bus, shuttle, or tour operator service is guaranteed; verify any tour options locally or through reputable outfitters in Bluff or Moab.
Getting Around
The primary way to experience the valley is by driving the unpaved loop road, stopping at pullouts to photograph or walk among the formations. The road itself offers continuous views of the buttes and mesas.
Hiking is permitted on BLM land throughout the valley, and there are no marked or maintained trails. Visitors can walk from any pullout directly toward formations, but route-finding is entirely self-directed. The terrain is open desert with sparse vegetation — primarily desert shrubs, grasses, and occasional cacti — and the ground can be uneven and rocky. Sturdy, closed-toe footwear is recommended.
Stay on rock or previously disturbed ground where possible to avoid damaging biological soil crust (cryptobiotic soil), the dark, lumpy crust that plays a critical role in desert ecosystems. Look for it before you step.
Where to Stay
There are no hotels, motels, lodges, or developed campgrounds within Valley of the Gods itself. Primitive camping on BLM land is the only in-valley option; verify current permit requirements with the BLM before planning an overnight.
The closest towns with accommodation options are:
- Mexican Hat, Utah — a very small community on US-163 with limited lodging; verify availability and current operating status locally, as options are sparse.
- Bluff, Utah — approximately 20–25 miles northeast on US-163, Bluff has a small but established tourism infrastructure with several guesthouses, inns, and a limited number of other lodging options. It is the most practical base for most visitors.
- Monument Valley area — the Navajo Nation operates and hosts lodging near Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, roughly 25 miles to the south; options include both tribal-operated and private properties.
Visitors seeking more services should consider staying in Moab and making Valley of the Gods a long day trip, though the distance makes this tiring.
Things to See & Do
Photography and landscape observation
The valley is most celebrated for photography. The warm sandstone formations photograph well in the golden light of early morning and late afternoon. The south-facing orientation of many buttes means morning light often illuminates them well. The road itself frames compositions naturally as it winds among the rock towers.
Primitive camping
Overnight camping is permitted on BLM land in the valley. There is at least one designated primitive campsite (verify current availability and any reservation requirements on blm.gov). Camping here offers the rare experience of sleeping beneath a sky largely free of light pollution; the Milky Way is visible on clear, moonless nights. Bring everything you need — there are no facilities, fire rings may or may not be present, and open fires may be restricted depending on conditions. Pack out all waste.
Scenic driving
Even without leaving your vehicle, the loop road delivers outstanding views. Allow at least 90 minutes to drive it without rushing; longer if you stop frequently.
Connections to nearby landscapes
Many visitors combine the valley with the nearby Moki Dugway (a dramatic series of unpaved switchbacks on US-261 climbing Cedar Mesa), Goosenecks State Park (a short detour from US-163), and Monument Valley. These can be linked into a logical day or multi-day loop through the Four Corners region.
Food & Drink
There are no food or drink services within the valley. This is not a minor inconvenience — it is a practical planning requirement. Pack all food, water, and snacks before entering.
Bluff, Utah has a small number of cafés and restaurants that serve travelers; selection is limited and hours vary seasonally, so verify locally before depending on a specific establishment. Mexican Hat has very limited dining options; confirm what is operating at the time of your visit.
Alcohol regulations vary in this part of Utah and on Navajo Nation land to the south. Be aware that alcohol is prohibited on the Navajo Nation. Utah's alcohol laws are also distinct from those of other states; for current regulations, check the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services.
Practical Information
Cell service and connectivity
Expect no reliable cell service within the valley. Download maps, emergency contacts, and any needed information before leaving a town with connectivity.
Weather
Temperatures vary dramatically by season. Summer (June–August) brings intense heat, often exceeding 95°F (35°C) on the valley floor, with afternoon thunderstorms that can cause flash flooding and make the road impassable. Winter can bring snow and freezing temperatures; the road may become dangerous or inaccessible. Spring and fall are the most reliable seasons for comfortable conditions, though weather can still change quickly.
Flash flooding
Despite appearing dry, the desert is vulnerable to flash flooding, particularly during monsoon season (roughly July–September). A storm miles away can send water rushing through washes and across roads. Monitor weather forecasts and do not enter dry washes if rain is in the area.
Leave No Trace
The BLM and Bears Ears National Monument management emphasize Leave No Trace principles. Pack out all trash, do not disturb rocks or vegetation, avoid creating new fire rings, and leave archaeological features — if encountered — completely untouched. Disturbing or removing artifacts on federal land is a federal offense.
Emergency services
San Juan County is one of the largest and most sparsely populated counties in the contiguous United States. Emergency response times in the valley can be very long. Carry a satellite communicator (such as a SPOT or Garmin inReach device) if you plan to hike, camp, or travel off the main road.
Safety
The primary safety considerations in Valley of the Gods are heat, dehydration, vehicle breakdown, and flash flooding — all amplified by the extreme remoteness and absence of cell service.
Tell someone your itinerary before entering — your planned route, expected return time, and vehicle description. This is a genuinely important step, not a formality. A satellite communicator is the single most useful safety item you can carry in this landscape.
If your vehicle becomes disabled, stay with it rather than attempting to walk out. The distances to the nearest roads and services are significant in desert heat. A disabled vehicle is also easier for searchers to find than a person on foot.
Snakes, including rattlesnakes, are present in the desert. Watch where you place your hands and feet, especially around rocks and in crevices. Scorpions may also be present; shake out footwear if left outside overnight.
