📷 Photo by Love Photoroom on UnsplashValley 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.
Valley of the Gods is a valley of sandstone buttes and pinnacles in southern Utah near Mexican Hat. It is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and lies away from the big national parks. Locals call it "Mini Monument Valley". Named formations include the Seven Sailors, Lady in a Tub and Rooster Butte.
A dirt road about 27 kilometres (17 miles) long, County Road 242, runs through the valley and forms a loop between Highways 261 and 163. Allow about an hour of driving. The terrain is remote and uninhabited, and the night sky is considered impressive.
Lonely Planet advises a high-clearance vehicle: a rental car may get through in very dry weather, but after rain you need four-wheel drive. Dispersed camping is allowed and free; there is no shade. The nearest supplies are in Mexican Hat, about 11 kilometres southwest of the turn-off from Highway 163.
- Nearest town
- Mexican Hat, UT
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 37.2600, -109.8600
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Hot in July. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
© The Greater Southwestern Exploration Company from Claremont, California, United States · CC BY 2.0Moki Dugway
© Outdoor Craziness · CC BY-SA 3.0Goosenecks State Park
© Gfox228 · CC BY 3.0Monument Valley
© Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0Natural Bridges National Monument
Campsites nearby
- Goosenecks State Park CampgroundMotorhome stopover7 mi from Valley of the GodsTentsMotorhomesToilets
- Coral Sands RV ParkMotorhome stopover16 mi from Valley of the GodsMotorhomesWi-Fi
- Cottonwood RV ParkMotorhome stopover16 mi from Valley of the Gods · 22 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityWi-Fi
- Monument Valley KOAMotorhome stopover23 mi from Valley of the GodsMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- The view campgroundCampsite24 mi from Valley of the Gods
- Monument Valley CampgroundMotorhome stopover24 mi from Valley of the GodsMotorhomes
All campsites in Utah · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Valley of the Gods?
Valley of the Gods is in Mexican Hat, UT, at GPS 37.2600, -109.8600. It is about 17 mi from Bluff.
Can you camp near Valley of the Gods?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Goosenecks State Park Campground, about 7 mi away; within 25 mi there are 19 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Valley of the Gods?
Valley of the Gods is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Southeast Utah: Needles, Valley of the Gods and Moki Dugway and Mesas, bridges and buttes: by camper through Bears Ears and Monument Valley.
What is there to see near Valley of the Gods?
Places worth a stop nearby: Moki Dugway (5 mi), Goosenecks State Park (7 mi), Monument Valley (22 mi) and Natural Bridges National Monument (25 mi).
When is the best time to visit Valley of the Gods?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)