Home → Blog → Camp Under Desert Buttes in Valley of the Gods

IF YOU LOVE MONUMENT VALLEY THEN YOU WILL LOVE VALLEY OF THE GODS

Will and I recently took a three week road trip through the southwest that spanned 7 states and 3,000 miles. Out of everywhere we visited, Valley of the Gods was our favorite. While overshadowed by nearby Monument Valley, in our opinion, Valley of the Gods has more to offer.

Formerly part of Bears Ears National Monument (thanks for that Trump), Valley of the Gods, located in southeastern Utah, is a hidden backcountry gem. It offers similar landscape to nearby Monument Valley, but without all the restrictions and crowds. It it located on BLM land, where the camping is dispersed and free. It is also open to climbing, hiking, camping, biking, and backpacking.

Whether you decide to spend the day, night, or week in southeast Utah, be sure to take a trip to Valley of the Gods. It is a must see if you are going to nearby Monument Valley. I guarantee it will take your breath away.

Spending at least one night under the stars in Valley of the Gods is highly recommended. That way you can catch the sunset and the sunrise. Both of which are stunning. However, if you only have an afternoon to spare, it is still worth the journey. There is nothing like gazing up at giant red sandstone formations. It truly makes you feel small compared to mother nature.

Dawn in Valley of the Gods.                                                    …

GETTING THERE

What makes Valley of the Gods so serene is its isolation. Located about an hour northeast of the famous Monument Valley, it is truly in the middle of the Utah desert.

Driving from the south, on highway 163, the last town you will go through is called Mexican Hat (population of 31). Load up on supplies here. From the south, there are two entrances into the valley; the east entrance off of Highway 163 (8 miles from Mexican Hat) and the west entrance off Highway 261 (10 miles from Mexican Hat). Both entrances connect by the 17 mile long winding dirt road.

Side Note: If you are driving from Monument Valley, don't forget to stop at Forrest Gump Point, located on a paved pull-off on the side of Highway 163 between mile marker 13 and 14!

Coming from the north on Highway 163, the east entrance is going to be the closest. If you need food or supplies, load up in Bluff. There is not much between there and the entrance to Valley of the Gods.

No matter what entrance into Valley of the Gods you take, be sure to drive the full 17 mile connecting dirt road to get the full experience. You won't regret it. It is a truly magical place.

If you can time it right, try to arrive just before sunset so on your drive in, the desert sandstone towers glow red.

The winding dirt road through Valley of the Gods.                                                &n…

COME PREPARED

Valley of the Gods is located on BLM Land. There are no designated campsites, only primitive ones off the side of the road. There are also no stores, no toilets, no running water, and no trash service. That means you will have to pack everything in and everything out. Plan accordingly and use the 7 Leave No Trace principles.

While a 4WD car is not necessary to drive through Valley of the Gods, a car with some clearance certainly helps. The road is well maintained and graded so a regular car will do just fine. However, there are points along the road where it can wash out and flood. If you are in a low clearance car, be sure to check the weather for any heavy rains.

Since there is no running water in Valley of the Gods, be sure to bring more water than you think you will need. The average person needs to drink at least 64oz of water a day to stay hydrated. However, if you plan on sending, biking, or hiking, be sure to bring enough water so you can stay hydrated and feeling fresh during your activities. Summer months can be very very hot here (you are in the desert after all), so staying hydrated is even more important. Know the signs of dehydration and heat related illness. Also, during the winter, temperatures can drop below freezing at night. If you can, try to keep your water containers in the car or wherever you sleep so they don't freeze.

There are no campfires allowed in Valley of the Gods. A reliable camp stove and plenty of fuel is necessary, especially if you go in the winter because you will burn through it faster. While we are on the subject of winter, it can drop very cold at night in Valley of the Gods during the months of December, January, and February. Take your best winter gear to stay warm.

Valley of the Gods is in the middle of the wild west, so a medical kit may be necessary in case of an emergency. A few simple items go a long way. If you travel with your puppers, bring em a medical kit along too. There are mountain lions and rattle snakes here!

Stevie Ray The Dog loves Valley of the Gods                                                 &n…

CHOOSING A CAMPSITE

When choosing a place to camp for the night, pick one that has been previously impacted and is away from streams and ponds. There are no bad campsites here. Every one of them offers a unique view of towering pinnacles, mesas, and buttes. We chose to make camp under Eagle Plum Tower (shown below). It was spectacular. We watched the sunset over Monument Valley in the distance to the southwest and watched the sunrise over the glowing red desert towers surrounding us. Since you are far away from civilization (that's the goal, right?), the skies are dark at night and perfect for star gazing and nighttime photography.

Our campsite under Eagle Plum Tower. Note Honey Badger (the Tundra) for scale.                                          &nbs…

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT

Valley of the Gods is open year round. However, check with the local BLM office (contact information below) for current road conditions or closures. The best months to visit are March, April, May, September, October, and early November.

Summer months can be brutally hot in Valley of the Gods. Temperatures can get well into the 90s and even 100s . Summer is also monsoon season, which means it can be very wet and subject to flash flooding and road washouts.

Winter in Valley of the Gods is not for the faint of heart. Be prepared to sleep in freezing cold conditions without a campfire to keep you warm. That being said, winter can be a magical time to visit. Will and I camped here in December and it was extremely cold but worth it to wake up to those stunning views. We were also very prepared. If you are traveling as a couple and car or truck camp, like us, we recommend investing in a Teton Sports Mammoth Queen Size Sleeping Bag. This baby will keep you nice and warm all winter long.