How can you not be intrigued to visit a place with a name that sounds like it belongs in the fertile lands of Ancient Kingdoms? The Valley of the Gods is not a land of pointed pyramids and sun worshippers, but a sandstone valley in the desert in Utah.
To explore the Valley of the Gods, you can enjoy a 17-mile loop scenic drive along graded gravel road surrounded by isolated cedar mesa sandstone buttes and towering pinnacles amidst the wide open spaces.
You can then reach the Natural Bridges National Monument via a 3-mile unsealed road called Moki Dugway, which then connects to the state highway which you drive for about an hour.
It’s the most adventurous way to admire the geological features and unspoiled landscapes of this area and connect these two outstanding monuments.
In this guide, we share what you need to know about driving the Valley of the Gods scenic loop, what there is to see, and how you can connect it to Natural Bridges National Monument via the Monki Dugway road.
But first…
Is Valley of the Gods worth visiting?
The Valley of the Gods is worth a look if you are traveling slowly in Utah. It does offer a much quieter and more remote experience than Monument Valley.
Plus, it’s free to visit, and you can find some isolated camping spots for true serenity under starry skies.
It was one of the more off-the-beaten-path locations on our American southwest road trip, but it’s only an hour north of the spectacular Monument Valley, where Natural Bridges National Monument is located.
It’s also quite similar to Monument Valley, although not as dramatic, and doesn’t have the same spiritual magnetism. But to be fair, that’s on a whole other level in Monument Valley.
In the Valley of the Gods, we LOVED the expansive views we had all the way back to Monument Valley where we had just come from. The rocky cliffs surrounding us made the perfect playground for the kids.
If you have loads of time and just want a peaceful experience in a stunning location, I’d recommend camping here for several days and just enjoy the views. This is the kind of place it is. Gazing out at those views made it something special.
Where is the Valley of the Gods located?
If you are traveling between Moab and Monument Valley, the Valley of the Gods is easy to get to. It’s only about 32 miles from Monument Valley on the Utah/Arizona…
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