Valley of the Gods is a dead-end valley a few miles north of the town of Mexican Hat, Utah, in the southeast corner of the state. Its appearance reminds me of Monument Valley, which is about 30 miles (48 km) away. A nicely-graded dirt road loops through the valley, offering nice views of the scenery. There are several primitive campsites along the loop road. They have no water, no toilets, no picnic tables, no anything except barren places to park and pitch a tent. In 2014 the BLM’s website notes that campfires are prohibited. The dirt road in the valley is San Juan County Route 242.

Two visits are documented: an afternoon drive-through in 2009 (sandstorm) and a hike in 2015 up a canyon at the north end of the valley. During the first visit I drove through the valley on the loop road and made brief stops here and there. When I got there it was sunny, bright, and calm, with puffy clouds in the sky. Within about an hour it changed drastically as a storm passed through from the southwest. It got darker. A breeze developed. The breeze became a strong wind that brought rain sprinkles and lots of airborne sand, turning the air red-orange. The transition was dramatic.

In 2015 I car-camped at the north end of the valley and the following morning hiked up a stream canyon. According to the topographic map I explored the west branch of the East Fork of Lime Creek. A tall pour-off stopped me about three miles up the canyon. Photos from that trip start with that of Castle Butte.

More info on Valley of the Gods.

Newest uploads are at the BOTTOM of the gallery.