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The main road through Mexican Hat (US 163) eventually joins US 191 which goes north to Monticello and Moab, but before this it passes close to the Valley of the Gods. This is a smaller scale version of Monument Valley, with tall, red, isolated sandstone mesas and cliffs standing above the level valley floor, remnants of some ancient landscape. The area may be toured via a 17 mile dirt road (FR 242) that winds amongst the eerie formations; this is rather steep and bumpy in parts but should be passable by normal vehicles in good weather. The western end joins UT 261 shortly before its 1,200 foot ascent up Cedar Mesa, while the eastern end starts 9 miles from town along US 163 and heads north, initially crossing flat, open land and following the course of Lime Creek, a seasonal wash, before turning west towards the buttes and pinnacles.
The Valley: There are many places to stop along the scenic drive, and plenty of nice locations for free camping, as the valley lies on BLM land and is completely undeveloped. Since hardly anyone seems to pass by, this area provides a much more relaxing and isolated experience than the famous valley 30 miles southwest, and without any of the restrictions on hiking or camping. Various small canyons cut into the cliffs that form the northern boundary of the valley and can be reached after a couple of miles cross-country hiking (as there are no official trails), and the whole region is excellent for photography, especially at sunset when the rocks take on a particularly deep red color. As with Monument Valley, the most prominent peaks in the Valley of the Gods have received fanciful names, all precisely marked on the topographic map, including Rudolph and Santa Claus, Setting Hen Butte, Rooster Butte, De Gaulle and His Troops, and Lady in the Bathtub.
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