Valley of the Gods, Mexican Hat: Address, Phone Number, Valley of the Gods Reviews: 4.5/5
Valley of the Gods
Valley of the Gods
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
607 reviews
Excellent
469
Very good
112
Average
21
Poor
4
Terrible
1
Sally Thoe Downs
Albuquerque, NM5,094 contributions
Driving through Valley Of The Gods was unplanned. We chose to drive to Blanding using a different route and Moki Dugway was another choice. So just north of Mexican Hat is this rugged and beautiful landscape of southeastern Utah and with a name like Valley Of Gods it sounded pretty spectacular. So we took the opportunity of driving through and the scenery was beautiful. A number of tall, red, isolated mesas, buttes, and cliffs tower above the valley floor and can be seen along the 17-mile gravel road on which it sits. Carved over the course of 250 million years from the Cedar Mesa sandstone, the variety of formations shows the power of time, water, wind, and ice at play in this desert landscape. A worthwhile half an hour's drive!
Written July 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Terry W
Jordan, MN109 contributions
We loved this road and the scenery along it. Crossover SUV's have no trouble on this road, but a sedan or mini-van are not ideal vehicles here. The road is 17 miles long and worth the time to get off the beaten path for a while. Plenty of places for free camping too, as this is BLM land, first come, first served. There are NO facilities here, so you have to pack out everything you bring in, and that means EVERYTHING. Flash floods are a real threat here, so you do have to be careful if the weather turns rough. The road is impassable when it is wet, so if a sudden squall comes through, be prepared to stick around for a while, you might have no other choice.
Written September 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mark L
Indianapolis, IN33 contributions
While the mesas, buttes, and rock formations may not be as spectacular as those at nearby Monument Valley, they are still amazing. The valley is public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and there is no entrance fee. We drove west to east from U.S. Route 163, nine miles north of the town of Mexican Hat, to Utah State Route 261. The 17-mile winding gravel road is quite steep and bumpy (so glad we had a rental). There were a few other cars and some people camping, but at times it seemed we had Valley of the Gods all to ourselves, on the same day we had visited a very busy Monument Valley.
Highly recommended if you have the time.
Highly recommended if you have the time.
Written June 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mabel K
New York City, NY36 contributions
Went in Nov and encountered just a few friendly people. Would recommend checking the weather and road conditions if going in a sedan. We didn't but saw one trying to maneuver through a wash. The place itself is raw beauty. I've read reviews comparing it to monument valley saying this would be a disappointment coming from there. I think not.It has it's own contained character. Think of it as a more intimate setting of landscape and rock formations. If Monument Valley is a stadium concert, Valley of the Gods is a concert at the park.
Written December 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kirk E
Santa Fe, NM998 contributions
Less storied (and less visited) than neighboring Monument Valley, Valley of the God is much more extensive in scope and arguably even more spectacular. A well-graded 16-mile roller coaster of a road winds from one stunning formation to the next and provides access to innumerable camping sites. Sunrise and sunset are the best times to appreciate the park's full splendor, and stargazing here is unsurpassed, with zero light pollution. Fans of Edward Abbey's "Monkey Wrench gang" will recognize the location as the site of an epic showdown between eco-warrior George Hayduke and his vigilante pursuers.
Written September 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RockyTops
11 contributions
Valley of the Gods is in southern Utah near Mexican Hat off Hwy 163. The area is a small version of nearby Monument Valley. There are no amenities this is a primitive camping area. Pack it in and pack it out, leave it better than you found it!
We camped there the end of Oct 2019 for two days in a 38 ft 5th wheel trailer. The closest neighbor was about one mile away.
Dispersed campsites are located along the 17mile loop road. Big rigs advised to stay in the first two or three sites due to washes in the road. On dry days the road can be traveled by most any car.
We drove the loop Hwy 163 to Hwy 261 and took many pictures of the rock monuments, and then drove up to the top of Moki Dugway. Spectacular view of the valley floor below and over into Monument Valley. We also drove to Gooseneck State Park. The day trip around the area was great, something new to look at and photograph around every turn.
I would recommend this area as a stopover for any one, spend a few days looking at the creation around you and the dark starry nights. Truly amazing!
We camped there the end of Oct 2019 for two days in a 38 ft 5th wheel trailer. The closest neighbor was about one mile away.
Dispersed campsites are located along the 17mile loop road. Big rigs advised to stay in the first two or three sites due to washes in the road. On dry days the road can be traveled by most any car.
We drove the loop Hwy 163 to Hwy 261 and took many pictures of the rock monuments, and then drove up to the top of Moki Dugway. Spectacular view of the valley floor below and over into Monument Valley. We also drove to Gooseneck State Park. The day trip around the area was great, something new to look at and photograph around every turn.
I would recommend this area as a stopover for any one, spend a few days looking at the creation around you and the dark starry nights. Truly amazing!
Written May 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
seescokid
Grand Rapids, MI1,477 contributions
Couples
Had a rental Sienna front drive van and had no problem. Yea some washboard, rocks, bumps , blind spots but that keeps the hordes away. The Navajo tribe John Wayne filming area is all closed for the COVID but I don’t see how this can be beat.
We stopped several times for photos/ video and just couldn’t believe how gorgeous it is. Yea it may take a couple hours for 17 miles but was well worth it.
Did Colorado National Monument, Black Canyon of Gunnison, Owl creek pass Ridgway, Mesa Verde and this was my favorite in 3 days.
We stopped several times for photos/ video and just couldn’t believe how gorgeous it is. Yea it may take a couple hours for 17 miles but was well worth it.
Did Colorado National Monument, Black Canyon of Gunnison, Owl creek pass Ridgway, Mesa Verde and this was my favorite in 3 days.
Written October 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Cynthia K
Westville, IN2,978 contributions
We were planning on driving this road anyway, but the guy checking us in at the campground said this was better than Monument Valley. We really can't compare, since Monument Valley was closed. This turned out to be my husband's favorite thing we saw in the area. Lots of rock formations that you could hike to if you wanted. This is BLM land, so just walk around as you will.
A 2 way gravel road between Hwy 163 & Hwy 261.
17 miles & as others have said - very rough road. Lots of blind curves & for a 2 way road, very narrow. There's lots of pulloffs, & we took our lawn chairs out & ate lunch by some majestic rocks. We also commented about the speed people were driving at. Can't believe they weren't bottoming out in places. Our top speed was 20MPH. We slowed down to about 5MPH in places.
We started at the Hwy 261 side. The scenery really doesn't start getting interesting until about halfway through. Once we got closer to 163, we started seeing people camping (boondocking). Some of the trailers they pulled in were pretty big for how rough the road is. Great campsites though.
A 2 way gravel road between Hwy 163 & Hwy 261.
17 miles & as others have said - very rough road. Lots of blind curves & for a 2 way road, very narrow. There's lots of pulloffs, & we took our lawn chairs out & ate lunch by some majestic rocks. We also commented about the speed people were driving at. Can't believe they weren't bottoming out in places. Our top speed was 20MPH. We slowed down to about 5MPH in places.
We started at the Hwy 261 side. The scenery really doesn't start getting interesting until about halfway through. Once we got closer to 163, we started seeing people camping (boondocking). Some of the trailers they pulled in were pretty big for how rough the road is. Great campsites though.
Written October 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Timothy G
Westerly, Rhode Island, United States209 contributions
Incredible place to visit! If you are short on time take a drive through; if you have more time stop for lots of photos and walks. I recommend a vehicle with decent clearance since some spots are probably not healthy for a low ground clearance car. I did see mini vans while here doing just fine on the road.
Written February 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Happys Trails
Prescott, AZ10 contributions
Friends
Highly recommend that you go during the months of September to April. Also pay attention to the sun so that you can possibly park in the shade. Also recommend that you find an elevated campsite or a parking spot so that you can have beautiful views.
Written September 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Magdalena P
Krakow, Poland160 contributions
Is it save to camp in Valley of Gods? I don't have RV, just a simple tent.
Traveller20175
Arizona276 contributions
Yes, take plenty of water and clear up after you to keep the area pristine.
FlavyDo
Italy91 contributions
Salve!!
Il semplice giro in macchina all'interno quanto dura?
Grazie!!
henryonatrip
Daly City175 contributions
The length of the road through Valley of the Gods is 26 kilometer. It would take about one hour to drive as the road is all dirt with some soft sandy spots. We took two hours because we stopped often to take photos and enjoy the scenery. If you just want to drive through the valley without stopping, you might be able to do it in as little as 40 to 50 minutes but you will be missing some spectacular scenery.
I do not recommend driving it during or after a rain if you do not have a four wheel drive vehicle.
Foxelle
Huntsville, Canada13 contributions
Would you recommend driving a Class C Motorhome through the Valley of the Gods as long as there has been no rain?
akayephoto
Richardson, TX83 contributions
Not my first choice. Very rough terrain. Unpaved roads, rocky ride.Great drive for motor cycles or all terrain vehicles.
Carol O
New Minas, Canada103 contributions
What kind of weather and temperatures can be expected in November? Wondering what to pack for clothes and also what driving conditions may be like. Thanks!
Birg
Hoi An, Vietnam47 contributions
Can i drive through in a mustang ?
nightingale1972
Terre Haute, Indiana, USA343 contributions
I would guess that you could. The road is not paved; it has gravel with occasional rocks or holes. I have seen other sporty cars drive it. We mostly see off-road vehicles. Don't try it in rainy/snowy weather.
John D
Charlotte130 contributions
How are the roads from Monument Valley to Valley of the Gods and Mexican Hat Rock Formation? Are they winding, drop offs, or have switch backs? Thank you.
RandV V
United States151 contributions
There's a section of Hwy 261 north of Mexican Hat that is very steep with switchbacks - overlooking Valley of the Gods. This is a spectacular drive with great views. I don't recall any other portions of the main highways in that area with major switchbacks.
brod53
Loveland, CO
HI....were you just there? I'm planning a trip at the end of the week and I'm concerned about all the smoke ruining the experience.
Any input you could add would be most appreciated. Thanks
BrendaNaples
Naples, FL172 contributions
I was there the last week in May and the first two weeks of June and it was absolutely gorgeous, unfortunately I have been reading about the fires... so sad!
vanessa031
Southampton, UK46 contributions
Hi we are going to be here for one day on Sept 17 2017, we don't have a 4x4 are we going to be ok??
Thanks
Brian S
Peebles, OH119 contributions
If your vehicle had good ground clearance (not a sedan), you will be good. A Ford Focus, Honda Accord, etc... Would have problems in some spots. You wouldn't get stuck, but you certainly would drag.
JimCFEC
Hawthorne, NV1 contribution
Is the road through Valley of the Gods still one way, from west to southeast? Are there good places to just pull off and camp for larger groups of about 20 people in 4 or 5 trucks?
Thanks
HowardOnHwy66
102 contributions
Sorry for slow response. Two way. Assume you can. There is lots of space. Do not know about permissions needed.
Pino P
Svizzera19 contributions
Hello, we would like to know how to find this road. Is it simple to find it?
We are travelling from Cortez to Monument Valley the 6th July. What do you think, is it possible to do this road in this journey?
Thank you for your reply
HJF64
Zurich, Switzerland110 contributions
Watch for a small brown sign shortly before you turn into the Valley.