[Transcript]

Valley of the Gods and Belle Butte

Whether or not you chose to drive through the Valley of the Gods, you can still catch some views of it on the left as we pass by. For instance, look up ahead. See that small butte out there, the cone-shaped one? That's Belle Butte. The Belle, along with the other formations in the valley, are made up of Dachet sandstone, the same red stone that comprises Monument Valley.

But what these monuments sort of look like may be more interesting than what they're actually made of. If you drove through Valley of the Gods, you probably saw monoliths, buttes, and spires, all named for the various shapes and figures they bring to mind. Roosters and bathtubs, sailors and battleships.

What shapes we see in the rocks is as boundless as the shapes we see in the clouds.

Navajo Beliefs

And for some of these rock towers, you may have found yourself struck by how eerily human they appear. According to Navajo belief, these human-like geological wonders are not mere rocks, but the spirits of ancient warriors, frozen in time and stone.

These spires are Navajo guardians, protecting their people and the Sacred Valley for centuries. They are the gods of the Valley.

Okay, let's talk about what's coming up in the next leg of our journey. The next stop is just five minutes away, Goosenecks State Park. Now, the first part of the Goosenecks Park Road is paved, so that's where I'm gonna take you.

And that's good news, because that's also where we'll find the actual Gooseneck Canyons, where the park gets its name. This little side trip will probably take about 30 minutes round trip. It's also fairly accessible, with no real walking required. And if you're up for a rough and tumble adventure you can check out Johns Canyon Road.

Even though it's not part of the tour I'll show you where you can hop on that three-hour scenic drive. But you absolutely need an all-wheel drive car for Johns Canyon Road. Make sure you've got enough food, water and supplies for a backcountry adventure like that. Oh, and one more thing. If you don't have a Utah State Park pass, you'll need to pay a small fee to get in.

I think it's well worth it, though. After Gooseneck State Park, we'll head to Mexican Hat, both the town and the rock formation. The rock is just a short five-minute drive off the highway. You can snap some pictures of this funky sandstone sombrero and then head into town.

It's small but there is a gas station, convenience store and a few places to get yourself a hot meal. Then it's on to our star feature, Monument Valley. If we drive straight from here to the valley without stopping, it's just over half an hour.

All right, are you sufficiently goosed to get going? Good, because it's almost time to check out Goosenecks State Park. Good, because it's almost time to check out Goosenecks State Park. Thanks for watching!

Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Road to Monument Valley Tour!

We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.

For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our Road to Monument Valley Know Before You Go article and itinerary.