The main road through Mexican Hat 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 huge isolated red sandstone rocks standing above the level valley floor, remnants of some ancient landscape. The area has a 17 mile dirt road (FR 242) that winds amongst the eerie formations; it is very bumpy and steep in parts but should be passable by normal vehicles in good weather. The western end joins UT 261 shortly before the ascent up Cedar Mesa, while the eastern end starts 9 miles from town 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.
There are various places to stop, and nothing to indicate that free camping is not allowed. Since hardly anyone seems to pass by, this area provides a more relaxing and isolated experience than the famous Valley further south. There are various small canyons cut into the cliffs that form the northern boundary of the valley which can be reached after a couple of miles of hiking, and the whole region is excellent for photography.
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