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Valley Of The Gods

Valley of the Gods is a place I came across a place on a travel through the American Southwest.   I immediately placed Valley of the Gods on my list of Favorite Places.

The area called Valley of the Gods is in Southwestern Utah near the town of Mexican Hat.  Valley of the Gods described in a photographers guide I was using as a miniature Monument Valley.  But that description does downplay the uniqueness of this valley by comparing these two beautiful areas.  Yes it does have buttes and mesas like the famous Monument Valley, but the beauty is so unique it is best to write about it individually and not compare to someplace else.

The Navajo interpret rock formations as places of power where spirits live.  The Navajo interpret these monoliths as warriors frozen in stone that can be called upon for protection.  They are guardians whose power and strength can be called upon for assistance.

In the Valley of the Gods are Cedar Mesa sandstone monoliths and pinnacles.  These sandstone sentinels are eroded from wind and water over eons of time.  Their beauty is unique and powerful to photograph.

The Valley is reached by driving a 17 mile long dirt road that is entered in 2 locations from either Utah Highway 261 or US Highway 163.  The dirt road is usable by any well-maintained car, four-wheel drive is not necessary. Watch for cows as you drive as this is an open range for grazing and in Utah the law says if you hit a cow you just bought it.  As on most dirt roads in the Southwest weather should be planned for and do not do the drive during or after a recent rainstorm as it will be impassable.

You can drive the road in about 1-2 hours but the best way to experience the Valley is to camp overnight in one of the many primitive campgrounds that can be found along the road.  Bring your own water as none is available.

The most scenic and photogenic part of the Valley is about midway on the drive.  You come across rock formations named Castle Butte, Battleship Rock and Rooster Butte.  Both Sunrise and Sunset photography opportunities are available in many locations along the drive, but I found that Sunrise was the most productive and mainly on the route from US Highway 163.

A wide-angle lens allows you to capture the vastness of the rock formations, and a polarizing filter is a must to help you capture the saturation of the Cedar Mesa sandstone.  The wide open valley allows for creative opportunities to practice panorama photography.

The Valley of the Gods is unique and inspiring.  The primitive camping available is something that is now rare and hard to find in the United States.  Value and appreciate the beauty and isolation of this region.  Take scenic pictures, experience the quiet open landscape and especially nurture and leave it for others to appreciate as well.