“We’ll travel to find grounds and rooftops and tiny hidden parks, where we’ll sit and dismiss the passing time…I need to feel a place while I’m in it.” – Victoria Erickson
I have to admit. I’m not the easiest person to travel with because like the quote above by Victoria Alexander states “I need to feel a place while I’m in it.” Valley of the Gods is exactly the kind of place that makes me forget my inescapable reality. This hidden gem is located in Mexican Hat, Utah. Yes, we did pass by briefly the famous Mexican Hat rock formation. It looks likes an inverted Mexican Hat.
There is not much to see here but the rock formation pictured above. I recommend visiting the Mexican Hat rock formation ONLY if it’s on the way.
When you reach Valley of the Gods, feast your eyes on scenic views of Buttes, Pinnacles, and wide open spaces. It offers similar scenery found in Monument Valley but without permits or fees required to enter, hike, backpack, or camp in the park. There are no restrictions and you won’t find designated hiking routes but miles and miles of terrain to explore. No signs of civilization anywhere.
The area is isolated. You need to have sufficient supplies if you’re planning to camp there. There are no nearby facilities, stores, and gas stations. The 17-mile road is unpaved and quite bumpy.
My tips for this trip:
1. Bring lots of water.
2. Make sure you have sufficient gas in your car.
3. Bring a spare tire. (Trust me, you might need it)
4. Bring a camera.
5. Bring food and a lighter.
6. Below are a few other things you’ll need if you don’t already have it.
Disclosure: Please be aware I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no additional cost to you. Please read Amazon Affiliate Disclosure and Target Affiliate Disclosure
Outdoor Camping Lantern
Vont Bright 2 Pack Portable Outdoor LED Camping Lantern, Black, Collapsible
Outdoor Survival Tools
ECHI Outdoor Survival Tools, 10 in 1 Multi-Purpose Outdoor Emergency Survival Security Defense Gear, Kits for Boy Scout and Scoutcamp
Backpack – Good for beginners or for 2 days backpacking
TETON Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame(ALUMINUM) Backpack; Great Backpacking Gear or Pack for Camping or Hiking; Hunter Green
Please check my post Sealed with a “Monument Valley” Experience if your interested in other camping gears not found in this post.
If you’re ready for the next adventure…Valley of the Gods might be what you’re looking for….♥
Awesome read bel! Love it 🙂 i got my amazon affiliate up and running 🙂 just need to master pasting the links. If you get a chance, have a look at my Teton writing!! Maybe we could promote each others blog?! Haha, you would way get the better deal!! You on facebook?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh wow! That’s awesome. You’ll get the hang of it I’m sure. I’ll take a look at your Teton adventure. I don’t have facebook yet – I should get one. I do have Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn…lol! Btw, check out Brandcycle too – they’re awesome. There’s also an affiliate summit that teaches you everything one in Vegas and the other in NY. Check it out!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks pal! Will do 🙂 yeah i need to get on twitter, just seems so intimidating
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol! I just started so I have like 8 followers…but we have to get ourselves out there. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome! It’s amazing to see such blogs❤
If I may ask, since when sre you travelling?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Happy you liked it! I travel when my schedule allows it. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ohh perfect!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on From 1 Blogger 2 Another.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the reblog. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome – great posts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Beyond Words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the reblog ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love Utah! The sky is so big out there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s truly a work of art ❤️ Utah is unforgettable 😊
LikeLike
Lol I guess you never think about the spare tire until you need it. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol! Yes, you never know and in the middle of nowhere…😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
HAHAHA! This is True! lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks stunning. A great place to feel a good kind of solitude outdoors?
LikeLike
Yes, definitely a great place if you want solitude and experience outdoors in it’s most rugged form. Thank you!
LikeLike
Great tips and views we are heading there in June
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh wow! So excited for you – hopefully it’s not too hot. It will be fun for sure 😊👍
LikeLike
This is very close to my home! It’s a beautiful desert 😍.. and YES very secluded. It’s a great place for those occasions when you crave solitude, for sure… great post! 🤗
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh wow! Lucky you…to be so close to such an amazing place. Thank you.😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely! Next time you’re passing through Utah, try out Sky Line Drive. (If you havnt already) it’ll take you across a very long stretch of mountain tops. Make sure you do it in the fall when the leaves are changing 😍 it’s beautiful, come down one of the canyons that will take you to Joe’s Valley to fish for Tiger Muskey 👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh wow! Okay will definitely do that if I’m ever in the area again. Thanks so much, Didi! It’s always nice to get tips from the locals – you know so much 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Wanderlust” is not an appropriate word here! I want to be beamed there NOW! Lovely post!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lol! If only we could just be beamed to any place right? Thank you 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear friend,
I have nominated you for the “VERSATILE blogger AWARD” 🙂
See: https://didisvgp.wordpress.com/2017/06/02/thanks-to-manuela-for-nominating-me-for-the-versatile-blogger-award/
All the best
Didi
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re too kind. Thank you for the nomination. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome, dear friend 🙂
Have a nice day
Didi
LikeLiked by 1 person
You too ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Bel, thanks for stopping by my site! We visited Garden of the gods near Colorado Springs, and it looks a lot like your photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Somebody mentioned the exact same thing about the similarities to Garden of the Gods. I should check that out as well! Thank you for stopping by as well.😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gotta love solitude!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Agreed. Nothing beats that…😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing landscapes..I’ve always wanted to travel around the world..hey you should see the rift valley in Kenya..its stunning..another piece of Heaven in the valley of Gods
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh wow! I would love to see The Rift Valley and will add it to my list. Thank you for the nice comment and the recommendation 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are making me want to take a roadtrip in the US, thanks for the tips! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
You are welcome! 😊
LikeLike
Travel is captivating and breathtaking, it makes us feel at peace but at times to get that peace we forget the instinct of survival and forget to plan.
Here you presented your travel along with precautions to be taken, now that’s travelling…with peace
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, thanks! I try to make sure to take precautions when going on trips especially when it’s the outdoors. So many things could go wrong and it’s better to be safe than sorry. I appreciate your comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Captivating pictures!! Reminds me of Spiti Valley🤘🤘
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! 😊
LikeLike
The title itself sets the urge to get going at once…. 😍😍😍
One day, perhaps 🙈💖
It’s beautiful 😘💖
LikeLiked by 2 people
It truly is a special place. Thanks for the comment. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are such a lucky girl! wow this looks insane! I travelled Australia, new Zealand and Bali for three years….th!ere is so much more I want to see! you are inspiring me
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow! You’re well travelled! Those are beautiful places – so little time so many places to visit ❤️
LikeLike
Really a wonderful Blog ❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most welcome Bel
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have travelled quite well for yourself Miss Bel and I admire your adventurous spirit even if you are, at times, edgy. It shows a level of independence and a heathy capacity for aloneness. Your photography captures the expanse of our great western states. We will be enjoying your same journey in June.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! I’m pretty sure you’ll enjoy it as much as I did when you visit in June. It’s going to be a lot hotter on those months but the view will be equally amazing for sure! 😊
LikeLike
Shades of John Ford movies and myself, hitchhiking through Northern Utah as a teenager (1974). Lovely pictures, a desolate and magnificent loneliness.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is a lovely and lonely place at the same time. What an awesome description! 😊👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely blog! following you.. glad that I bumped in here.. Love the way you write!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi, Raj! Thank you. I’m glad you like my blog. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful trip! Although it did make me thirsty…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Welcome back 😊 Thirsty for the outdoors? It will never be quenched – we live for the fresh air, night stars and the serenity that nature brings.⛺️🏔🏜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for this virtual trip, the stunning pictures. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hi, Suzanne! Thank you 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
The photography is wonderful. Valley of the Gods looks so desolate and grand.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I was really lucky to be able to photograph such a ruggedly beautiful terrain. Thank you for your kind words. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d like to point out that you did the hard work of packing wisely and going there with a camera. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lol! True 😊👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s also a Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs, Co. If you’re in the area, it’s worth a visit. Awesome rock formations.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for the tip. I’m adding it to my list 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful pictures!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you 😊
LikeLike
very interesting write…
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you.
LikeLike
Wow! I really love the photos! Great tips, too. Just wanted to stop by and let you know I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award 😊 Keep up the incredible work!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks! I’m glad you loved the photos and the tips. ❤ I appreciate the nomination as well. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
My job has me traveling to Washington state mid may. I plan on hiking into the back country and sleeping in my hammock 🤗
LikeLiked by 3 people
Sounds like fun! 😊👍
LikeLike
Great post! I went to the Garden of the Gods when i was a teenager, beautiful. I was also stationed in 29 Palms vs and did some rock climbing there. I so need to get back to this level of serenity this summer!
LikeLiked by 3 people
You should definitely go this summer! Rock climbing is a lot of fun 😊👍
LikeLike
Lovely pics! Great post. Reminds me of Arizona. Love places like that, they sure are serene as they are thought-provoking. Well done!
LikeLiked by 3 people
So many beautiful places to see. The words you used serene and thought-provoking definitely hits the spot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve traveled through there all the time on our way to small Blanding, Ut! You got some great shots! I wondered if Stephenie Meyer’s Host was filmed near there?
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks! I just checked they filmed Host somewhere in New Mexico but they have similarities! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmmm. They do have similarities. Thanks for looking into it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
😊👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
So beautiful would love to visit there some day!
LikeLiked by 3 people
I hope you get to visit Valley of the Gods too! Just an awesome place. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful blue skies and red rocks. An amazing place.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yeah the monuments are gorgeous. You could just spend an entire day looking at the view and not get tired of it. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I lived in Utah, briefly, and there is some absolutely amazing landscapes there.
Great pictures and you make it sound like a lot of fun for sure – almost makes me want to go back! 😛
LikeLiked by 3 people
It is super fun! There are still a couple of places there I plan to visit. You should definitely come back even just to see those amazing landscapes again! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most of what I saw was between Green River and Vernal. A lot of canyons and a lot of petroglyphs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Utah rocks! I love the Green River…brings back awesome memories of the time I was there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s really strange how no civilization seems so enchanting and friggtening at the same time. Your travels make me want to grow up faster, finish my education and travel as much as I can.
– fellow nomad
LikeLiked by 4 people
Who said you need to grow up faster? 😊 Do it during all the breaks – the weekends – whenever you can. I can’t hike 8 miles without my back hurting – I wouldn’t have that issue in my early 20s…😊Can’t wait to read/hear your adventures fellow nomad❤
LikeLike
I do because travel needs money. But I am willing to sacrifice that for the present. I hope to write stuff you like.
LikeLiked by 2 people
😊👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Creating space during any journey is so important. Connection inside is a deep heart connection outside to Earth as a friend. Your writing, soul and photos speak to that profound connection
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you for your lovely words. Yes, I really need to connect deeply with a place and people I’m with when I travel. 😊
LikeLike
Great pictures! And the title is awesome!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you! 😊 I’m glad you liked it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You welcome
LikeLiked by 2 people
Your pictures are stunning! Love the tips too.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you 😊 It was easy to take pictures because of the awesome landscape 👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow great pics! I nearly haven’t traveled our national parks enough – haven’t been to Utah other than to hike in Bryce! Really need to explore our own backyard more!
LikeLiked by 5 people
Oh yes…Bryce is awesome but Valley of the Gods is really different and equally amazing. I’m sure you’ll love it. 👍
LikeLike
Amazing places and great photos! Thank you for sharing!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you. Valley of the Gods is one of the most ruggedly beautiful places I’ve seen jb my life. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
It seems to be place that is a must to be seen. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 3 people
You are welcome 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊👍
LikeLike
I’m not sure if I’ve said this before, but you totally make me feel like I didn’t make much in terms of exploration while living in the southwest. These photos are surreal!!! Need to go on more adventures one day when I return home.
Also, really random, but do you think the Mexican hat actually looks like a Mexican hat or not really? hahaha.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Thanks! I’m glad my pictures brought it to life. Truly so many amazing places there. About the Mexican Hat – the funny thing was it really didn’t look like one! I guess it should be called the inverted Mexican Hat😂 Which part of the Southwest did you use to live in?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah your pictures made it look so majestic! And yeah I totally agree with you. When I saw the name of it I tried to see a sombrero, but was just not seeing it! And I’m from Vegas. What about you?
Next time I’m in town if I can get someone to drive me I really wanna go to Antelope Canyon. One of those places that seems like there’s nothing like it elsewhere.
LikeLiked by 3 people
You must be talking about the slot canyons in the lower and upper Antelope Canyon. Yeah, I thought about visiting that as well. You should totally go! I’m from sunny Southern California – LA. There are so many places here I need to write about but I find myself always going somewhere else..☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believe so? Haha. Where it looks like these extremely reddish dark caverns underground? Not sure how to describe it lol.
Omg I miss LA so much! I lived in Ktown for a year in the end of 2015 beginning of 2016 and loved it. Best city in America. As long as you’re always going on adventures and having fun thats all that matters 🙂
Hope you have an awesome weekend!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Omg korean bbq in ktown is my super fave! And yes, Antelope Canyon is super awesome and you described it (kinda) 😂. LA is great but I feel like I belong anywhere but here. 😊 Hope you have a great weekend as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Omg give me some Oo Kook or Kan Hu Do like right Naooo!! hhahahaha
And thank you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I live for the beautiful desertscapes of Nevada, Utah, Arizona and Idaho. These journeys also cleanse ones soul.
I think you are a lot more of a hiker than I am. I tour in a nice AMG G wagon. Arguably the finest SUV available. If you find yourself traveling thru Las Vegas drop me a line. I would enjoy a nice cup of coffee and to listen to a few of your interesting tales. In any event enjoy your journeys Bel
LikeLiked by 5 people
Yes they truly are beautiful. Thank you! 😊
LikeLike
Great views! 👍
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Felicia. No daring adventures for this one. I was mostly looking up in awe and not heading to steep cliffs or edges 😜
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊😊😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Just stunning landscapes. Great photos too!
LikeLiked by 5 people
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person