Valley of the Gods has never been the focal point of one of my road trips.
It has never been the place I spent months planning around or the destination that determined my route. Somehow, though, I have visited about three times. Whenever my cross country travels bring me through southeastern Utah, I find myself wanting to experience it again.
That is what makes Valley of the Gods special to me. It is one of my favorite stops along the way, and it proves that the final destination is not the only fun part of a road trip.
The Southwest I Always Imagine
When I picture the American Southwest, I envision massive red rock mesas rising above an open desert.
Valley of the Gods looks almost exactly like that image.
The landscape is filled with isolated mesas, towering buttes and enormous sandstone formations. There are no busy visitor centers or crowds directing you toward a specific viewpoint. It feels open, rugged and mostly untouched.
We love finding a place to pull over along the dirt road, stepping outside and simply observing the formations around us. Each section of the loop offers a different perspective. Sometimes the best part is doing absolutely nothing besides standing there and taking in how small the landscape makes you feel.
These are the moments that remind me why I enjoy road trips so much.
Where Is Valley of the Gods?
Valley of the Gods is located in southeastern Utah near the small communities of Mexican Hat and Bluff. It is especially convenient if you are traveling through the region on U.S. Highway 163, the famous road leading toward Monument Valley.
The scenic road can be entered from Utah Highway 261 or U.S. Highway 163. The western entrance is about 10 miles northeast of Mexican Hat, while the eastern entrance is approximately seven miles east of Mexican Hat and 15 miles west of Bluff.
The complete loop is approximately 17 miles long. The Bureau of Land Management estimates that driving it takes between one and two hours, but I recommend allowing extra time. This is not the kind of place you should rush through. You will probably want to pull over, take photographs and spend time observing the landscape. There is currently no entrance fee. Bureau of Land Management
The Road Requires Some Confidence
The Valley of the Gods loop follows a gravel and clay road that crosses several washes and includes sharp turns.
Officially, the road can be driven in a passenger vehicle when conditions are completely dry. Still, my personal recommendation is more cautious. I would not consider this a dirt road for beginner drivers, and I would avoid attempting the complete loop without a larger vehicle, such as a truck, SUV or four wheel drive vehicle.
Weather can change the road quickly. Rain may leave portions muddy, washed out or difficult to cross, and a four wheel drive vehicle may become necessary during or after storms. Always check the weather and current road conditions before entering. There are also no services inside the valley, so bring water and make sure you have enough fuel. Visit Utah
A Landscape That Energizes Me
Some places are exciting because of what you can do there. Valley of the Gods inspires me because of how it makes me feel.
The scale of the red rock formations, the emptiness of the desert and the long views across the valley energize me. As a photographer, it is the kind of landscape that immediately gets my mind working. Every formation, shadow and curve in the road creates another possible composition.
The sunsets are especially beautiful. As the light drops, the sandstone becomes deeper and richer in color. The rocks seem to glow while the surrounding desert slowly falls into shadow. It is one of those places where the landscape can look completely different within a matter of minutes.
That inspiration is one of the biggest reasons I continue returning.
More Than a Stop Along the Way
Valley of the Gods may never be the main destination of one of my cross country road trips, but that does not make it forgettable.
In some ways, its unexpected place in the journey is exactly what makes it memorable. It is a reminder to leave room for detours, dirt roads and places that were not originally at the top of the itinerary.
The final destination may be what starts the trip, but the places discovered along the way often become some of its best stories.
If you are ever traveling through southeastern Utah, I strongly suggest making time for Valley of the Gods. Drive slowly, pull over when it is safe, watch the mesas change beneath the desert light and allow yourself to enjoy a place that was never supposed to be the main event.
