You’ve likely heard of Monument Valley, one of the most iconic red rock landscapes in the West—you know, those towering red rock formations that seem to instantly elicit an image of John Wayne on horseback? But did you know there’s another, smaller, yet much more open valley nearby? This is Valley of the Gods, and it comes with a 17-mile scenic drive with monument stops along the way and no permits required.
The underrated neighbor to Monument Valley, about an hour drive up into San Juan County, Utah, The Valley of the Gods scenic byway loop is a bit of an off-grid adventure with open Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land and quiet roads as far as the eye can see. As you go you’ll encounter several towering, red, isolated mesas, buttes and cliffs above the valley that are more than 250 million years old. The vantage while driving on the highway to the west of the park at sunrise is rather breathtaking, as the monolithic sandstone monuments are silhouetted with the rising sun. Take a short detour to nearby Mexican Hat, a tiny desert town named for the unusual rock formation that balances atop a narrow pedestal and resembles, you guessed it, a sombrero. Although not always necessary, a 4x4 is recommended, especially after rains.
Learn more and plan your trip at visitutah.com.