Bears Ears Rock Art & Canyon Country
Newspaper Rock, one of the densest petroglyph panels in the Southwest. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Bears Ears National Monument protects one of the densest concentrations of Ancestral Puebloan rock art and archaeological sites in the country, and this loop hits the highlights without requiring a single hiking permit — everything here is roadside or a short walk.
Quick Facts
| Trip Length | 3 days |
| Rig Suitability | Most rigs, including RVs and trailers, except on the Moki Dugway |
| Overnight Stops | 3 |
| Regions Covered | Bears Ears & Monument Valley |
| Best Season | Spring and fall |
| Road Conditions | Paved to Newspaper Rock; graded dirt at Comb Wash and Valley of the Gods; steep gravel switchbacks (Moki Dugway, 11% grade) if approaching Muley Point from the south |
Map
Map points are approximate waypoints meant to show the shape of the route. Use the individual spot write-ups linked below for precise access directions.
The route
Daytime stop — Newspaper Rock An easy 30-minute drive on paved roads from Monticello via SR-211, Newspaper Rock is one of the densest, most accessible petroglyph panels in the Southwest — paved parking with pull-through spaces for RVs, toilets, and paved sidewalks right to the viewing area. A genuinely easy stop for any rig.
Night 1 — Comb Wash
Comb Ridge rising above Comb Wash. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
About 25 minutes from Blanding, running along the western side of Comb Ridge. Front sites near County Road 235 suit standard vehicles; sites further back cross a wash and need 4WD. Vault toilets on site, no water. A good base for exploring Cedar Mesa's canyons and ancestral sites.
Night 2 — Valley of the Gods
Valley of the Gods, sometimes called "mini Monument Valley." Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Sometimes called "mini Monument Valley," a 17-mile dirt loop through towering sandstone buttes with open camping spots scattered along most of its length. Well maintained and suitable for most Class C RVs and trailers entering from the east side.
Daytime stop — Muley Point
The Moki Dugway switchbacks. Big rigs should skip this and approach Muley Point from the north instead. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Roughly 2,400 feet above the San Juan River, looking out over Monument Valley in the distance — arguably the best view on this entire site. RVs, fifth wheels, and trailers: approach from the north via Blanding, not up the Moki Dugway. Smaller vehicles can take the Dugway from Mexican Hat if comfortable with a steep, narrow gravel switchback.
Night 3 — Muley Point Camp right along the rim if you found a spot during the day. Wind can hit hard here with nothing to block it — secure anything loose.
Good to know
- The Moki Dugway is the one hard stop for big rigs on this loop. Don't attempt it in anything long or towed — go around via Blanding instead.
- Bears Ears protects an extraordinary density of archaeological sites. Stay on designated routes, don't camp inside or near visible ruins or rock art, and respect posted closures.
- Cell service is unreliable across this entire loop. Download offline maps before you go.
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