Is this the most Scenic drive in Utah?

Monument Valley, Valley of the Gods & More - One of My Favorite Drives
Hey, this is one of my favorite drives. Why? Just watch the video. I'll put the route here:
Take the 163 north out of Kayenta. This takes you through Monument Valley on the way to Mexican Hat. You really can't miss the turn off for Hat Rock just outside of Mexican Hat. I'll leave the San Juan River overlook out of it since it was a 4WD/high clearance road and I ended up in the wrong spot. A few miles outside Mexican Hat, turn onto Valley of the Gods Road. (This is PAST the 261 turn off toward Gooseneck State Park - which is also a cool stop off, by the way.) Follow that well graded dirt road through Valley of the Gods until it intersects with the 261. Take the 261 north toward the seemingly impassable rock wall. This is where the Moki Dugway is. Note that just about any vehicle can make it through these dirt roads and up the Dugway....but you don't want that long of a vehicle (like a bus or with a trailer) to get up the Dugway itself.
And that's about it. There is more up there once you get to the top of the Moki Dugway, but I ran out of daylight and was sick of filming. But it's an amazing area and worth checking out. If you continue on to Hanksville, you'll be in one of the most amazing areas I've found.
Enjoy!
Music by Epidemic Sound:
We Are Giants - Silver Maple
Utopia - Veaceslav Draganov
Through the Night - Evert Z
Drops From Nature - Jonathan Guerstein
Cello Suite No 1 in G Major BMW 1007 - VI Gigue
Yearning - ANBR
A Long Awaited Celebration - Stephen Keech
Citadel - Ardie Son

[@WRIGHTWAY5280]

Monument Valley has a special place in my heart. Everyone should see it at least once.

[@heathday7360]

There is something about that drive by Monument Valley. Its so special!! Makes your mind race with one question after another. We went to the Moki Dugway 2 years ago. My wife was driving and goes- "the road just disappears". I said no, keep going. Gooseneck is underrated.Glad you're making videos again Jerry!!

[@JerryArizona]

Totally spaced it on Goosenecks. But we ran out of time before I could film the stretch to Hanksville, so it wouldn't have mattered.

[@rafaelrieck6655]

A cruising highlight. I´ve done exactly that drive, but 30 years ago! Now with 80 I´m glad to have a "review" on my sofa.

[@martinforrester8249]

I did the same drive(first time) in 1992. Been several times since. Used to camp at MV overlooking the mittens. My last trip was in 2012. Cannot camp where I used to, there is a hotel in the way ! ( in 1994, we hired a guide and horses from Black's Outfitters to spend two days on horseback and camping overnight). I'm now 80 so memories are cherished.

[@rafaelrieck6655]

@@martinforrester8249 Good luck and greetings from old Germany. We golden surfers can work it out.

[@kellybauer1731]

Those are some of the best shots i have seen of the Moki. Enjoy watching your videos.

[@janetturner6745]

Incredible scenery!! Those blue sky and cloud shots were mind-blowing. Nothing can compare to the American Southwest. Thank you for another fantastic video!

[@miked5728]

At 8:35 .... I feel your pain!!! We were heading up the road to the south end of Canyonlands park a few years ago... I had my Mavic 2 Pro up in the air, auto-tracking our Jeep... About a mile down the road, a car passed us, going the other way... And the Mavic locked onto THAT car and started following it! Then it would not respond to the controller, so we had to quick turn around, and chase it... Fortunately, it responded to a RTH command after awhile, so I got it back. My wife was laughing the whole time, saying "You men and your toys!!" Yeah... funny. 😆

[@JerryArizona]

Tina MAY have been laughing at me too.....

[@dennymontgomery9716]

I have often wondered what would happen to a shot tracking a car down a road when a car came from the opposite direction. Now I know…thanks!

[@Don-md6wn]

I spent a couple of days in Monument Valley and Valley of the Gods/Moki Dugway last fall. Fantastic. Another great drive I'd recommend if you haven't done it is the Cathedral Valley Loop in Capitol Reef. Instead of doing the whole loop, I drove it in and out from UT 24 to the campground and back so I could photograph the best part of the loop in late afternoon light. The entire drive is great, including the multicolored bentonite hills off of 24 before you enter the national park.

[@arunphillips6977]

Now this is more like it, truly one of my fav places on earth. Monument Valley never gets old, that iconic view from the North side looking down (straight off the Eagles album cover) is so amazing. It could be dawn, sunset, winter (especially scenic in the snow), cloud covered mittens, oh man, just mind blowing. I've been back here 3 times in the last two years, and hoping to be back again in Oct on my way up into UT and CO. Wonderful, wonderful place that I have loved since first visiting some 30 years ago. No El Patio here guys, maybe some nice Navajo Tacos or Fry Bread!

[@dixielambrecht7009]

Just amazing filming of an amazing place. And perfect music pairing as usual. I am so glad your drone was ok.

[@MaureenStuartAull]

Fab shots of the Moki and your whole experience was a walk down memory lane. Thanks you!

[@CindyT.-yy1ik]

Thanks for the beautiful road trip. And great to see you guys smile again!

[@walkingwithawookie1097]

Stunning scenery😳👍

[@jonathankuhn483]

Man, that is freaking beautiful. I'm having a hard time describing it just from watching a video, i can't imagine how amazing it is in real life. We'll be out in Arizona in a month but won't make it that far east

[@JerryArizona]

It's worth a drive if you have time.

[@rd.gerdes]

Best Moki Dugway footage ever!! And great music too. Great channel!

[@TheRealTomWendel]

A fantastic look at the great American southwest on that drive. It never disappoints!

[@mikegrier2829]

So cool! What a beautiful drive.

[@greghodgkinson101]

We were in that area last October. Planned on doing the Moki, but skipped it because the lack of road & guard rails had me “quaking in my boots”!🤣🤣🤣 I VERY much enjoy this way, via creators content!

[@petergomez6991]

So glad i finally got to see what i missed years ago. We got stuck in kayenta for a week waiting for a car part to come in the mail

[@JerryArizona]

Hopefully you can get back out there and see it firsthand.

[@qtrails9038]

Ripercorrere le stesse strade nel 2011 è stato un tuffo nei ricordi! Grazie per aver condiviso, Jerry!

[@rayrasmussen4936]

Nice mix of drone shots, road shots and vistas and plain driving at times. The dugway was quite beautiful as you showed it albeit it's a great drive on the dugway and through Valley of the Gods. Thx. Ray Rasmussen

[@djl9999]

Beautiful aerial footage! For those that haven't done it, the Moki Dugway is a wonderful drive, and not near as intimidating as it appears in the drone footage. We took a Dodge minivan, and had no problems. We headed north to south, which is much easier, as it's downhill, but you have to plan your trip accordingly. It's a dirt but relatively smooth road. Take it slow and pay attention to the road; go during daylight hours, and make sure you have good brakes, and you should be fine. Also, take advantage of the turnouts to admire the view. Highly recommend!

[@JerryArizona]

Yeah, it's not that bad of a drive at all. I remember first time we came up to it from the bottom though. We were both like "Where does the road go?"

[@KurtfromLaQuinta]

Shift to lower gears and save the brakes.

[@bigmike4962]

Downhill easier in a car, harder on a motorcycle because of chance of slipping on gravel and momentum causing the bike to come out from under you.

[@sharonruffner4031]

So the bloopers at the end are always hilarious! Enjoying your videos, we're from AZ also!

[@lynnnorthrup8914]

Nice video! I can relate to the drone episode. You were lucky, mine is RIP along the Oregon coast in an inaccessible place. Having Tina drive while you take video is the way to go. Last week I had my wife drive up the Burr Trail switchbacks so I could film. Plus it kept her occupied so she couldn’t get nervous about the height and tight turns. Finding the camels was awesome. Hope you’re doing well with your recovery! 😀😀😀😀😀👍

[@JerryArizona]

Thanks! The Burr switchbacks are fun too. Love that area as well.

[@JSees]

Forest Gump hill, allrighty then. Looks fantastic. I have been close but had to be on my way to another destination. Thanks for turning me on to this.

[@paulas_lens]

Definitely go, not during monsoon though. Clay roads when wet...

[@CapricornGirl9]

I was out there in October, it’s amazingly beautiful and I would love to go back. Thank you for sharing and reminding me of a great trip.

[@AlanDayley]

I have things to do, time to get of KZbin! Wait, Jerry uploaded something? Time to stay on KZbin! Thanks for the show.

[@dianateran2249]

Very Nice so beautiful! Thank you for me to see that I may never see in my life time. I appreciate all you videos.❤

[@mattfroeming640]

Cool drone footage of the dugway. You should have made a quick side trip to Muley Point. Great views! The 1st time I was at Forest Gump Hill a group of harley's were making a u-turn when one of them leaned to far & fell. As he tipped, he goosed the throttle & the bike did a 180 degree burnout around him on it's side, right in the middle of the road! He was ok! The crazy things you see while traveling!

[@paulas_lens]

My first time, there was someone literally sitting on the dashed lines to take a photo.

[@Cause4Alarm]

Just did this whole area during New Year's 2025, so much to do and so much missed. I can't wait to go back!

[@piotr-lt4zz]

Another incredible viewpoint is the road to Muley Point from top of Moki Dugway, also some obscure drivable, or walkable tracks lead to spectacular cliff edge views of Valley of the Gods! The Cedar Mesa area is amazing!

[@Oldguy-k3t]

I got stuck up on top muley point road. A semi truck/trailer tried to drive up and got stuck. Idiot!!!

[@dj_meta]

Been there a couple of times in the last few years. The sheer size of the monoliths and the buttes never fails to boggle the mind. Just a place of epic proportions - the whole Northern Arizona / Utah landscape.

[@krigsgaldr5619]

Hi Jerry, it's good to see you and Tina out for a beautiful drive. Hope the shoulder is coming along, and you're getting back to normal. Thanks for sharing the fantastic scenery. Cheers...

[@petem6846]

Great video Jerry! Love Moki Dugway--drove it from bottom to top once--certainly an experience! Love your drone footage of it.

[@Aramisw]

Looks like you guys wre checking out the abandoned meander on the San Juan just outside of Bluff. Really love that area and glad you're feeling well enough to get some videos up again. Cheers to a full recovery!!!

[@garlandcampbell7994]

Took that Valley of the Gods dirt road (with the camels) last Oct. That is a awesome. We were camped out at the top of that pass. Took it down with our 23 foot trailer, had zero problems. Easily one of the most fun roads in the entire Southwest. Have taken it a few times over the years. There is a super great camp site to the west right at the very top, maybe two miles on dirt road with a huge beautiful overlook of the river. It is on BLM land. Free camping. Great vid as always.

[@JerryArizona]

I'll keep that campsite in mind for the next time I'm up there. Thanks!

[@adventureoverland1960]

These areas are great to explore with epic scenery all around. Thanks for sharing.

[@bernardcrane750]

Beautiful , we will have to visit on our trip out west in September. Only thing to top it off would be Mexican dinner.

[@TreDeuce-qw3kv]

The Moki looks scarier from a drone's perspective than it is to drive it; Lucky that you found the errant critter. I will take that kind of luck any day. I tried to visit Monument Valley again in 2020 but it was closed due to covid. Some great video snap shots.

[@vilmafavorito]

THANK YOU SHOWING MONUMENT VALLEY KEEP GOING GOD BLESS YOU

[@joyfullone3968]

I would stop to see the friendly camels too, beautiful drive! The road was too scary, guardrails?💕💕

[@JerryArizona]

The guy was so nice to let us check them out. There are guardrails in spots, but not everywhere. It's pretty wide though, so not too bad to drive.

[@Hemifan4266]

Jerry, I would watch your videos for the music alone....your choices are excellent. I rode my motorcycle up Moki several years back...it was a breath-taking ride. Both my wife and I really enjoy the vids, your editing.....the whole experience.. Hello to Tina....hope all is well......

[@michelle_ajema]

Incredible landscapes. 🔥🔥

[@FD_Boss]

Literally just did monument valley and valley of the gods last Thursday. Epic.

[@oldboater]

Great video. My wife and I did that same drive last April, this was my 2nd time at Valley of the Gods. Absolutely loved it. I live in Ohio and if you ask anyone from here, they’ve never heard of VoG.

[@paulas_lens]

Shhhh :)

[@bigmike4962]

Did Moki downhill on a 700 lb Harley about 6-7 years ago. Needless to say, I went verrrrry slow. And I came down from Hanksville and yeah you're right, that stretch between there and Moki is amazing.

[@JerryArizona]

Love that drive. I've had a lot of fun in that canyon just before the bridge (coming from Hanksville.) The North Wash. Lots of technical canyons right off the road.

[@moretoliving2236]

I spent a week in the area. Tons of things to do and places to see. There is also a rafting expedition thing through san juan. I was flying my drones out the wazoo. Destroyed 1 in sand storm but was flying skydio 2, dji fpv drone, mavic air 1. Must have flown like 300 miles worth of flying there. I was barely keeping up charging 30 batteries having so much fun. I still would like to do Honaker trail. Had a broken foot last time. Pained me to no end to be right there and not able to hike.

[@CactusAtlas]

Oh, dang. The drone emergency landing. Almost had one of those but thankfully never did. Unfortunately, I never experienced camels out there though. That's awesome!

[@bigbranch1]

Super thanks for a drive through heaven ........the dug way...still not paved.....

[@delterraadornments5960]

I hope it’s never paved

[@kenlodge3399]

I gotta tell ya I was impressed with a lot of the views of the monuments, especially early on. You have a good eye. You know I hear they won't let you walk around there, but I think you can get a group and rent equines or so I heard. BTW, you can count on it being pretty windy there. Now here's the deal; They must've put in a whole lot of roads up in and around the valley since I was last out there, a loooong, long time ago. Was first introduced to the Valley by a Friend who flew choppers and we flew all over that place and I sure the heck don't recall that many, if any, roads - but like said that was a loooong, long time ago.

[@RusselynConnor]

Love that drive! Never gets old. What were camels doing out there? Awesome shots of the Dugway and glad you saved your drone.

[@JerryArizona]

Some guy was just out there taking them places and riding them. Really cool dude, actually. Just not something I'm used to seeing.

[@zeldathewelder]

Your videos - I almost throw some supplies in the 4Runner and start driving..... Loved the Moki Dugway last summer when I drove it.

[@SueMayotte-bp7zr]

My husband and I will be camping in VoG in 3 weeks. It’ll be our second time there, first time camping. We are looking forward to it and the drive up and down the Moki Dugway. Sorry we missed crossing paths with you and Tina. I’d love to meet you both.

[@Mark-gx1ee]

I was up there the weekend of April 6th and it was super windy! It’s a magical area and we camped at Gouldings which was fun.

[@janet1646]

If you want more camels in AZ, head to Quartzsite in January for the Hi Jolly parade. 😊

[@fredfleming8905]

Beautiful video/scenery....my wife would come unglued on that narrow gravel cliff road. I had battery failure on a drone and it went into automatic landing mode. Fortunately in the low tress, brush and Blackberry vines I was able to retrieve it. I was sure I just flushed down $1300.00.

[@JerryArizona]

Glad you were able to save the drone. Nothing like watching $1,500 just fly away....

[@MajorAddiction]

Whew glad the drone was good

[@JerryArizona]

Me too.

[@pixelpeter3883]

Always enjoy driving down to the Moki Dugway and looking out over the Valley of the Gods. Always a sight to behold! Did you get to see Muley Point (side road at the top where the Moki Dugway starts its decent)?

[@JerryArizona]

We didn't stop at Muley on this trip, but it's a great overlook.

[@darshanprakash]

you really made her happy, you got lucky!

[@Ranchorita]

Mokee Dugway was one of the most spectacular drives of my life. Also: mildly terrifying.

[@JerryArizona]

Definitely mildly terrifying.

[@joepingue2120]

Surely is, especially if a RV is coming up as you’re going down. Butt clenching.

[@respighi3]

Spectacular! Thnx so much!

[@tommyphillips6584]

I was curious how long that drone was going to last while you were riding. Can’t wait to go through there next month.

[@JerryArizona]

Almost not long enough!

[@Expressionistix]

Valley of the Gods is where it’s at - can camp, fly drone, hike, campfires… it’s BLM. Just right over the border in Arizona is the Navajo reservation and Monument Valley - heavy restrictions. Same landscape, different laws.

[@JerryArizona]

I call BLM ground the Wild West. Love those places.

[@Moondoggy1941]

The Double Hump Camels are rare and endangered, what a treat to see.

[@JerryArizona]

They were both amazing, but the double hump one was especially beautiful. Long haired too, which I didn't know existed.

[@Moondoggy1941]

@@JerryArizona The other one the single hump was a very sweet camel, it must get lots of scratches and snacks from people.

[@tangenttrails]

Epic.✌️

[@CompactFlesh]

Nice drone shots. Hope you enjoyed some mexican food at the end of the day. It is only four hours ago that I wanted to fly my drone around mexican hat when I noticed a strange sound coming out of my front tire… and that after the other front tire got replaced in Page this morning 🤦‍♂️ kinda ruined my plans 💁‍♂️

[@JerryArizona]

Ah, that sucks. Hate getting flat tires. Even worse are the jacks they give you with your vehicle. Glad you got it figured out though.

[@KurtfromLaQuinta]

Real nice.

[@Kindle1234]

Great video. I did part of that drive recently and brought back wonderful memories. I must confess, one of the idiots who played in the traffic. you are right, dangerous.

[@JerryArizona]

Everybody does it. I'm not saying I've done it before, but I've done it before too.

[@j.tracekirkwood499]

My wife and I call these "Inspirational Cruises." Most of ours are on the backroads of Kentucky.

[@ronsanderson99]

I was there about 3 weeks ago and also saw those camels...couldn't believe it...way out here! But you didn't make it out to Muley Point? I was just a couple miles away??

[@JerryArizona]

He said he was out there for a while taking them around VotG and even Moab, I believe. We didn't hit Muley Point this trip, but have before. Great views.

[@paulas_lens]

I went up to Valley of the Gods for the Annular Eclipse Oct 2023 - it was *CROWDED* :( This region is one of my favorites. I have yet to drive up the hill, haha...one day.

[@alchristensen8121]

I was going up Moki Dugway in my camper van, when a beer truck came the other way. I was on the drop-off side of the road at the time and there was an overhang on his side, forcing him more toward the center. He didn't slow down and I braced for the worst. Fortunately, missing by the thickness of a molecule is still missing.

[@paulas_lens]

Yikes

[@laurenjensen4222]

What are the red tanks on top of the car? Gas?

[@paulas_lens]

Distances to gas are far, up in the Four Corners area, always good to be prepared. Don't forget water as well. Blankets too. Deserts can get very cold at night.

[@JerryArizona]

Gas. We went to a really wild place on this trip and brought overnight gear and tools/rescue gear for the 4Runner (including extra gas) just in case we got into trouble.

[@jerryphillips7330]

We did the Moki Dugway 3 years ago in our Lincoln SUV and were on the way to Natural Bridges NP and at about the 3/4 mark going up the Moki Dugway we met a semitruck coming down. There was no way for him to pass me or for me to pass him. I had to back down to the switch back and tuck myself as tight to the inside as possible for him to pass. The road from Natural Bridges to Blanding was closed, so the semi took the Moki Dugway.

[@paulas_lens]

😮

[@JerryArizona]

That's crazy. I swear I just saw a picture of a semi stuck on one of the switchbacks up there. No idea what they were thinking.

[@paulbriggs3072]

Slow erosion did not produce Monument Valley. If it did, vast amounts of bedrock debris would still be there. But instead water tore the bedrock away and also carried all of the debris entirely away. So far away that it is today found off the continental shelf. The missing portions far outweigh the remnants.

[@alb5tana]

Try doing the Alpine loop or Guardsman pass rd during Fall season.

[@JerryArizona]

We got off track on Alpine Loop a few years back. It was terrifying. I forget the name of the 'shortcut' we took, but we were lucky to get out of there in one piece.

[@alb5tana]

@@JerryArizona sorry to hear that. Hopefully you guys make it back someday to that area. The trails to the summit of Timpanogos mt have amazing views.

[@michaelboyle4119]

Hay Jerry . Question did you and Tina have to put it in 4wd to make it up the drive or was 2wd good enough. Just wondering. Don't have 4wd yet .

[@JerryArizona]

2WD can make it. Pretty much any car can. Unless it’s really wet or it’s snowed a bit.

[@michaelboyle4119]

@@JerryArizona ok thanks

[@Moondoggy1941]

Thanks for the directions, but maps are helpful as well.

[@robertscranton8293]

Thanks for the ride along..Awesome drone footage..(would you two kiss and makeup already..haha)

[@robertdonadee9860]

It's impressive, but 89a through Sedona is stunning.

[@sierrashere6957]

Tree stumps . . Pre- flood gigantic trees . . . . After the flood remnants. What do your eyes see ? ?

[@roberthenderson4466]

ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST WAS FILMED HERE.......

[@kirabunker]

show the people what they want, the crash landing footage 😂

[@anthonyrenaud5783]

That's called "Mexican Hat" at 2:37

[@Bigfoot-px9gj]

I rode the Moki Dugway on a bicycle... IF there was no traffic, it's a great ride. But an idiot in an RV almost killed me. Typical lack of driving skills after it sits in your driveway for the majority of the year and you've never driven a rig that big before...

[@JerryArizona]

I wouldn't want to ride a bike up that thing!

[@shcaskey]

nope....hwy 12 from Torrey to Panguitch.

[@jens.5676]

I know what it is

[@tonics7121]

Ditch the music.