# Southeast Utah: Needles, Valley of the Gods and Moki Dugway

> 4-day road trip of about 464 km (288 mi) with 9 stops, from Moab to Hanksville. About 5 h 09 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b18-trail-of-the-ancients/

**At a glance:** 4-day road trip of about 464 km (288 mi) with 9 stops, from Moab to Hanksville. About 5 h 09 min of driving in total. Petroglyphs, the Needles District, the San Juan River goosenecks and the switchbacks of Moki Dugway on a loop through Utah’s remote southeast corner.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 464 km (288 mi) |
| Driving | 5 h 09 min |
| Suggested days | 4 |
| Stops | 9 |
| Route | Moab → Hanksville |
| States | UT |
| Updated | May 22, 2026 |

## Route description

Drive south from Moab on US-191 for about 65 km and turn west on Utah 211. The road runs down Indian Creek, where you pass Newspaper Rock, a free roadside panel covered in petroglyphs. It then continues to the Needles District of Canyonlands, about 55 km from the junction. Stay at the Needles Campground, which takes reservations in spring and autumn, and hike to Chesler Park or drive the short paved spur to Big Spring Canyon Overlook.

Return to US-191 and continue south through Monticello and Blanding to Bluff, a small pioneer town on the San Juan River with Bears Ears National Monument country all around. From Bluff, US-163 heads west. Turn onto the Valley of the Gods road for 27 km of graded dirt among sandstone towers, fine for cars when dry, but skip it after rain or in a long motorhome.

The valley road ends on Utah 261. Take a short detour south to Goosenecks State Park for a view of the San Juan meanders, and Mexican Hat is just beyond. Then drive north up Moki Dugway, a gravel section cut into the cliff with 10 percent grades and tight bends. Signs advise against vehicles over 28 ft or towing, so larger RVs should go round via US-191 and Utah 95 instead.

At the top of Cedar Mesa, Utah 261 runs straight north to Utah 95 and Natural Bridges National Monument, where a one-way loop road reaches viewpoints and trails for three large bridges. Its small campground takes vehicles up to 26 ft. From there, Utah 95 crosses Lake Powell country via the Hite overlook for about 150 km of empty road to Hanksville. Fill your tank before leaving Blanding or Bluff.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Moab** (UT)
2. **Newspaper Rock** (Monticello, UT): A sandstone panel packed with hundreds of petroglyphs carved over some 2,000 years, right beside Utah 211 on the way to the Needles District. Parking and viewing platform are free and take ten minutes.
3. **Canyonlands – The Needles District** (Monticello, UT): The quieter southern district of Canyonlands, known for banded red-and-white sandstone spires and long day hikes like Chesler Park. The paved scenic drive ends at Big Spring Canyon Overlook; the campground is reservable in season.
4. **Bluff** (UT)
5. **Valley of the Gods** (Mexican Hat, UT): A 27 km graded dirt road loops among isolated sandstone buttes and pinnacles, like a smaller Monument Valley without fees. Passable for cars in dry weather; skip it after rain, when the washes flood.
6. **Goosenecks State Park** (Mexican Hat, UT): An overlook above a series of tight meanders where the San Juan River has cut 300 m into the rock. It is a short paved drive off Utah 261; a small day fee is paid at a self-service kiosk.
7. **Moki Dugway** (Mexican Hat, UT): A graded gravel section of Utah 261 that climbs 340 m up the face of Cedar Mesa in tight switchbacks. Signs advise against vehicles over 10,000 lb or 28 ft; the pullouts at the top overlook Valley of the Gods.
8. **Natural Bridges National Monument** (Blanding, UT): Three large natural bridges carved by streams, seen from a 14 km one-way loop drive with short trails down to each. Utah’s first national monument is also a certified dark-sky park with a small first-come campground.
9. **Hanksville** (UT)

## FAQs

**How long is Southeast Utah: Needles, Valley of the Gods and Moki Dugway?**
4-day road trip of about 464 km (288 mi) with 9 stops, from Moab to Hanksville. About 5 h 09 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Southeast Utah: Needles, Valley of the Gods and Moki Dugway?**
We suggest 4 days: about 5 h 09 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Southeast Utah: Needles, Valley of the Gods and Moki Dugway start and end?**
It starts in Moab and ends in Hanksville.

**Which states does Southeast Utah: Needles, Valley of the Gods and Moki Dugway pass through?**
Utah.