LAST UPDATED: 6/18/26 – How to Visit the Valley of the Gods

This Valley of the Gods guide post contains my Hotels.com, Expedia, and Vrbo affiliate links. I may receive a commission when you book a hotel from this article, though at no additional cost to you. I hand-pick and recommend only the hotels that I have thoroughly researched and feel comfortable recommending.

In my opinion, few areas in the continental United States are as jam-packed with incredible landscapes and adventure opportunities as the American Southwest. The area is chock-full of incredible slot canyons, mesa-filled valleys, amazing rock formations, and some of the most beautiful vistas your eyes will ever see.

One of my favorite spots in the Southwest United States is the breathtaking Valley of the Gods in Southern Utah. With this Valley of the Gods guide in hand, you can be certain your trip to this enchanting place will be one you will never forget.

As you drive through this spectacular desert valley, you will be mesmerized by the gigantic rock mesas that rise above the valley floor. The valley is infamous for being one of the most remote and beautiful spots in all of the United States, with thousands of hikers, campers, and outdoor adventurers flocking to its remote trails and rough roads each year to get away from the hustle-and-bustle of everyday life and get in touch with the most beautiful scenery that nature has to offer.

An All-You-Need Valley of the Gods Guide

In my Valley of the Gods guide, I will provide all the information you will need to plan a fun and memorable trip to visit this incredible place. I explain the best way for travelers to get to the valley from outside the state or outside the country, outline the best times to visit, highlight the top things to see and do while you are there, and give you my suggestions on the best things to see and do outside of the valley while on your trip. With this information in hand, it will be easy to plan a trip to see the Valley of the Gods that you will remember for a lifetime.

Valley of the Gods Guide Navigation Menu

How to Get to the Valley of the Gods

The Valley of the Gods is located in the southern part of the state of Utah in the American Southwest. If you are planning on traveling to the area from elsewhere in the United States or from outside of the country, several cities in the region have large international airports. The region’s closest international airports are the Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) in Albuquerque, NM, and the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) in Phoenix, AZ.

However, depending on what else you plan to see on your trip, other airports in the area are within a day’s drive of the Valley of the Gods. For more information on airport options, I have included a regional map for you to review in my Valley of the Gods guide below.

For travelers who will be in the southern Utah, northern Arizona, or Nevada area and would like to add a visit to the Valley of the Gods to the travel itinerary, I have included a map and table in my Valley of the Gods guide below that outlines some of the key cities in the area to assist in making your travel plans.

City	Distance	Drive Time	Notes
Goosenecks State Park	8 miles	0hrs 15min	Overlooks deep meanders of the San Juan River.
Bears Ears National Monument	10 miles	0hrs 20min	Vast cultural landscape with cliff dwellings and mesas.
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park	24 miles	0hrs 30min	Iconic buttes and mesas on Navajo Nation land.
Natural Bridges National Monument	35 miles	0hrs 45min	Home to three massive natural bridges.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area	70 miles	1hr 30min	Lake Powell, slot canyons, and desert scenery.
Cortez, CO	73 miles	1hr 20min	Closest airport; small regional airport with limited service.
Canyonlands National Park – Needles District	80 miles	1hr 40min	Red‑rock canyons, spires, and rugged backcountry.
Mesa Verde National Park	95 miles	1hr 50min	Cliff dwellings and archaeological sites.
Dead Horse Point State Park	105 miles	2hrs	Famous canyon overlook near Moab.
Arches National Park	110 miles	2hrs 10min	World‑renowned sandstone arches and fins.
Canyonlands National Park – Island in the Sky	120 miles	2hrs 20min	High mesa with sweeping canyon views.
Capitol Reef National Park	160 miles	3hrs	Waterpocket Fold and scenic drives.
Grand Junction, CO	200 miles	3hrs 40min	Regional airport serving western Colorado.
Salt Lake City, UT	330 miles	5hrs 30min	Nearest major international airport; best flight availability.

Top Things to Do in the Valley of the Gods

One thing that the Valley of the Gods is definitely not in short supply of is incredible things to see and do. In addition to its many amazing views, the park is also a great place to do some hiking, climbing, mountain biking, and camping.

Whether you like to get out and be active in your travel explorations or just enjoy seeing the beautiful views from the comforts of your car, there is plenty to do for all types of travelers.

If you are starting to plan your trip and would like to know which sights and activities in the Valley of the Gods to add to your itinerary, I have included my picks for the top things to see and do in my Valley of the Gods guide below.

Drive the Valley of the Gods Loop

Driving the Valley of the Gods loop road is the area’s most popular activity, offering nonstop views of towering buttes and wide‑open desert scenery. The 17‑mile route is gravel and clay, so it’s important to check conditions before you start. In dry weather, most vehicles can handle it; after heavy rain, the road can become rough and may require a high‑clearance 4×4.

You can enter the loop from US‑163 near Mexican Hat or UT‑261 near the Moki Dugway. Plan on 1–2 hours depending on how often you stop to admire the buttes. A detailed map is included in my Valley of the Gods guide.

View Larger Map

Backcountry Hiking

While there are no marked trails within the Valley of the Gods, it is an absolutely beautiful place for backcountry hiking if you have the knowledge and experience with pathfinding and navigation. From the road, there are several incredible buttes within the valley that you can hike to and explore.

The valley is located on BLM land, so backcountry hiking is permitted. However, you should always be respectful when hiking and practice leaving no trace measures to ensure this beautiful landscape stays beautiful for future hikers.

Go Camping

Because the Valley of the Gods is so remote, the area offers some of the absolute best stargazing in the continental United States. For this reason, I would strongly recommend camping out near the valley if you like to camp and are able.

At night, the desert comes to life with the sounds of wildlife and the nighttime skies are typically breathtaking. However, you should be aware that you are at altitude, so the nighttime temps can get quite chilly, even during the summer months when the daytime temperatures are hot.

Try Mountain Biking

If you like to mountain bike, then I can think of very few places more beautiful to set off on your bike than the incredible Valley of the Gods. The 17-mile loop road may not be challenging from an elevation gain standpoint, but the views you will encounter are unparalleled. For those who have their bikes and are looking for a fun early morning or evening activity, biking the loop road within the Valley of the Gods is a great adventure.

Drive the Moki Dugway

For those who have the nerve to drive it, one of the most incredible segments of road that you will ever encounter is located adjacent to the Valley of the Gods. The Moki Dugway is a 3-mile-long, unpaved road that was dug directly out of the gigantic Cedar Mesa. The road is very steep, with a 11% grade in certain segments, and is white-knuckle-inducing during even the best weather.

However, for those brave enough to navigate the dugway, some of the most incredible views of the Valley of the Gods can be seen from the viewpoint on top. This is also the quickest way to get from the Valley of the Gods to Natural Bridges National Monument and Bears Ears National Monument and vice versa. Believe me, if you take your time and drive carefully, the views are absolutely worth it!

Best Times to Visit the Valley of the Gods

Average Temperature (°F)

Southern Utah sits on a high desert plateau, and Valley of the Gods is no exception. While not as high as places like Cedar Breaks, its 4,300‑foot elevation still brings big temperature swings. Summers can reach the 100s°F, and winters often drop below freezing, especially at night.

Because of these extremes, it’s helpful to review the temperature chart in my guide so you know what conditions to expect when you visit.

Average Precipitation (Inches)

Understanding precipitation patterns is just as important as knowing the temperatures when planning a visit to Valley of the Gods. In regions with slot canyons and washes, timing your trip to avoid the rainiest months is critical.

Heavy rain can trigger flash floods and turn local gravel roads into muddy, impassable routes. To minimize weather‑related issues, it’s best to avoid July through October, when late‑summer and early‑fall storms are most common. For the driest, most reliable conditions, target April and May instead.

Where to Stay Near the Valley of the Gods

Campgrounds

When visiting the national parks, monuments, and other areas of interest in the United States, it is a really neat experience to camp out during your visit.  Some of the best campgrounds in America can be found inside the country’s national parks, monuments, recreation areas, and surrounding areas. 

This is especially true in Southern Utah. The extra dark skies in the area make it a great place to stargaze. If you are interested in camping out during your visit, I have included a map and list of some recommended campgrounds for you to review in my Valley of the Gods Guide below.

Hotels

If camping is not your speed, you need not worry, as there are a variety of good hotels for you to choose from in the area as well.  In fact, nearby cities like Kayenta, Blanding, and others have a wealth of reasonably priced hotel options for you to choose from.

If you are in the process of planning your trip to Southern Utah to see the Valley of the Gods, then you are in luck. I have included a map and list of recommended hotels at different price points for you to review in my Valley of the Gods Guide below.

View Larger Image

Other Things to See in the Area

Few areas in North America are as beautiful as the canyon-filled deserts of the American Southwest. Not only is there a seemingly endless supply of incredible landscapes to marvel at, but there is no shortage of amazing activities in the area to keep you busy as well.

If you are planning an extended trip to Southern Utah and are looking for some additional stops to add to your itinerary after you have visited the Valley of the Gods, I have included links to some guides that you might find interesting in my Valley of the Gods guide below.

Valley of the Gods Photo Gallery

The Valley of the Gods is a very beautiful and picturesque place. If you are interested in seeing more of this beautiful place, I have included some of my favorite photographs that I took during my visit to a gallery for you to review in my Valley of the Gods guide below.

If you’re interested in exploring more of my travel photography, I’d love for you to join me on Instagram! Creating this blog to share my free guides, itineraries, and travel photography tips takes a lot of effort, and a follow on Instagram would truly mean the world to me. Your support makes it all worthwhile!

FOLLOW ME!

• Instagram

Don’t Forget to Subscribe to My Adventures!

Let Me Help You Save On Your Next Adventure!

‘Start Exploring Today’ Merchandise Available Now!