Valley of the Gods
Region: Bears Ears & Monument Valley | Land Manager: BLM | Cost: Free
Valley of the Gods. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Sometimes called "mini Monument Valley," Valley of the Gods delivers the same towering sandstone buttes and mesas as its famous neighbor, but with a fraction of the crowds and none of the fee. A 17-mile dirt loop winds through the valley, with open camping spots scattered along most of its length.
Quick Facts
| Distance from Bluff | About 15 miles west via US-163, then a well-marked turn |
| Road & Clearance | Unpaved but well maintained; crosses several washes and is generally suitable for passenger cars in dry conditions |
| Rig Suitability | Most Class C RVs and trailers can complete the loop; big rigs should enter from the east and stick to the first several sites where the road is smoothest |
| Amenities | None |
| Cell Signal | Unreliable |
| Best Season | Spring and fall |
| Stay Limit | 14 days within 28, standard BLM rule |
Map
Getting There
From Bluff, drive west on US-163 about 15 miles. The turn into Valley of the Gods is a sharp right, slow down before you reach it. Just after entering, the road crosses a wash, so use caution after any rain. The loop connects to UT-261 at the Moki Dugway on its western end.
What to Expect
Wide-open desert camping with dramatic sandstone spires and buttes on every side. Most sites are open, previously-used pull-offs directly off the loop road, so you'll see your options as you drive. It's a great base for a scenic drive that also takes in Goosenecks State Park and the Moki Dugway.
Good to Know
After heavy rain, the road's clay content can turn slick fast, one visitor described losing "some dental pieces" over rough sections at low speed in an RV, so give conditions time to dry out if it's been raining, and take the road slow either way.
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