Valley of the Gods was an unplanned and, kind of, unintended discovery that occurred just a few years in the past throughout one among my earlier journeys to the southwest. I used to be conscious of the realm and even flagged it on the map, however I used to be completely sure that I’d not have time to swing by the valley.
That 12 months I had two large targets to perform in jap Arizona: to swing by the elusive Canyon de Chelly and to go to the Monument Valley in Utah for the primary time.
After I arrived on the Canyon de Chelly early within the morning, my plan was to dedicate a whole day to photographing the lesser-known Nationwide Monument. After sundown, the plan was to drive to the motel in Bluff to arrange for the subsequent day’s journey to Monument Valley.
After mountaineering half the day in Canyon de Chelly and having fun with the proper summer time climate, the Canyon was hit by a sudden and really robust storm within the early night. The wind was so highly effective that I used to be afraid of flipping my rental SUV. I had no selection however to depart the realm early and begin driving towards Bluff.
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As I approached Bluff, I spotted that the change in plans left me with none concepts for a sundown location. I wanted to decide quick. It simply so occurred that the Valley of the Gods was the closest flagged location on my customized Google Map. So, with out anticipating a lot, I drove to the valley.
A lot to my shock, the Valley of the Gods grew to become essentially the most attention-grabbing discovery of my total journey.
What’s the Valley of the Gods?
The Valley of the Gods is a backcountry scenic space in southeast Utah. It’s positioned south of the Bears Ears Nationwide Monument and east of Monument Valley.
It’s well-known for its scenic rock formations, that are just like Monument Valley and are unfold round a comparatively small space of public land. It’s managed by the Bureau of Land Administration and, consequently, provides some benefits in comparison with different locations positioned on Indian reservations.
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For instance, each Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly are positioned on the Navajo Nation land and visiting each parks comes with many tribal restrictions. Essentially the most important restriction for adventurous vacationers is that you just can not discover the realm by yourself; you have to be accompanied by a Navajo information.
The Valley of the Gods doesn’t have such restrictions. Entrance into the valley is free. You do not want a allow to go to the Valley and you’ll discover the realm by yourself, any method you need.
Since solely a tiny portion of vacationers who come to Monument Valley is conscious of the Valley of the Gods, it provides a way of remoteness and solitude.
Valley of the Gods (Utah) Grime Highway
The one approach to discover the Valley of the Gods is to take the dust highway that connects Freeway 163 and Freeway 261. It’s a 17-mile clay and graded gravel highway that’s comparatively flat and huge. It doesn’t require a excessive clearance or 4×4 car. You possibly can drive it with any rental automotive.
However, like most clay roads in Utah, it turns into impassable when it’s moist. It’s prudent to cease at any Bureau of Land Administration workplace to inquire about highway situations and the climate forecast.
You possibly can enter the Valley of the Gods from both Freeway 163 or Freeway 261 and drive it clockwise or counterclockwise. I’ve pushed each instructions and don’t see any benefits to at least one over the opposite.
Valley of the Gods Tenting
You might be allowed to camp within the Valley of the Gods; you do not want a allow. Tenting is just permitted in beforehand impacted areas. Don’t forget that it’s dispersed tenting with out water or services, which suggests you have to be ready and absolutely self-sufficient.
Canines are allowed however campfires aren’t.
Valley of the Gods Mountaineering
Mountaineering is permitted wherever within the Valley of the Gods. The problem with this freedom is that the valley doesn’t have any established trails. You have to create your individual itinerary.
In my case, it was a sequence of brief walks from the facet of the highway towards attention-grabbing mesas and buttes. Generally, I walked across the formations looking for the very best perspective for my pictures.
Valley of the Gods Map
After I drove alongside the Valley of the Gods dust highway for the primary time, I had no thought what to anticipate so I merely tried to get pleasure from the brand new expertise. Solely later did I uncover that nearly each mesa, butte, and cliff within the Valley of the Gods has its personal title, resembling Setting Hen Butte, Rooster Butte, Seven Sailors Butte, De Gaulle and His Troops, and Woman within the Bathtub.
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I returned to the valley as soon as extra to make sure I captured essentially the most attention-grabbing landmarks. Later, I mapped them into Google Maps, which I’ve shared right here that can assist you plan your journey to the valley.
Here’s a map with essentially the most attention-grabbing rock formations within the Valley of the Gods.
Should you plan to make the Valley of the Gods a part of your subsequent journey itinerary, you also needs to make time to go to two different attention-grabbing spots close by.
Moki Dugway
Moki Dugway is positioned a mile from the western entrance to the Valley of the Gods. It’s three miles of 11% gravel switchbacks that climb the Cedar Mesa. It was initially a part of an ore mining operation however now serves as a public mountain crossing.
From the highest of the Moki Dugway, you’ll get pleasure from a wide ranging view of the Valley of the Gods and Monument Valley within the distance.
You possibly can spot all of the named mesas and buttes within the valley and see the winding dust highway you simply traversed.
Goosenecks State Park
Goosenecks State Park is positioned 9 miles from the western entrance to the Valley of the Gods. It’s most likely the smallest state park I ever visited.
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The principle attraction of the park is the overlook on two large bends of the San Juan River. The dimensions of the view is wonderful and unprecedented.
The go to to Goosenecks State Park will take an hour, at most, however it’s a must-see vacation spot.
