Valley of the Gods in Southeast Utah Is Always Worth the Detour

Every time we drive Highway 163 south of Bluff, Utah, I can see Karen looking off into the distance toward the Valley of the Gods. “Do you think the road is dry enough to drive?” she asks.

It’s one of our favorite drives in this part of Utah and one leg of what’s become a familiar routine: drive through Valley of the Gods, head up and back down Moki Dugway, and stop at Goosenecks State Park before returning to Highway 163.

Valley of the Gods is like a magnet, pulling us in every time we pass by. Whenever we’re in southeast Utah and have a couple of free hours, this is where you’ll find us.

What out for falling coyotes

The stark landscape feels oddly familiar, like driving through a Roadrunner cartoon. Solitary buttes rise from the desert floor, giving the area a similar feel to its cousin farther south, Monument Valley. The difference is that here you don’t need a permit, and you’re free to get out and wander on your own.

The main attraction is the 17-mile loop road through the red sandstone formations. Plan 1 to 2 hours to drive it at a relaxed pace. When the road is dry, it’s passable in most vehicles, but we never attempt it unless we’re in our medium-clearance SUV. We also avoid it any time the road is wet or has been recently flooded.

Campers love it

We’ve never camped in the valley, but we always see boondockers set up in dispersed camping spots along the road. Travelers say they love the solitude and laid-back vibe.

For us, the thrill of seeing the massive rock formations is reason enough to visit. They’re spread across the valley as if someone planned it that way, letting you take them in one at a time. The spacing makes the drive feel unrushed and open.

Sunrise and sunset are ideal times to capture photos

Sunrise and sunset are the best times to visit, when low light makes the buttes stand out, and the fading sunlight causes them to glow.

There are no entrance fees, permits, or facilities in the valley, and campfires are not allowed. Final note: Be prepared to pack out everything you bring in.