Valley of the Gods Sunset Tour: Moki Dugway Switchbacks

Monolithic sandstone towers and a gravel climb to sunset, minus the tour buses

A sunset tour through Utah's Valley of the Gods with a drive up the Moki Dugway's 1,100-foot switchback climb, guided in English. The route avoids the crowds at Monument Valley by delivering the same light and landscape in a quieter valley, with water and snacks included. The three-hour tour fits between afternoon and dinner.

Step-by-step itinerary

Valley of the Gods and Moki Dugway tour

• Drive through Valley of the Gods
• View sandstone towers and formations
• Climb Moki Dugway switchbacks
• Enjoy panoramic desert views
• Experience sunset over Cedar Mesa

The experience

The Valley of the Gods spreads across southeastern Utah as mesas, buttes and sandstone spires shaped by millions of years of erosion. The landscape includes formations named The Sleeping Indian and The Elephant Butte, each one visible from the road as the light shifts. You'll drive through the valley floor first, seeing the formations up close before the ascent begins.

The Moki Dugway is a gravel switchback road that climbs roughly 1,100 feet over about 3 miles of steep terrain. The drive is thrilling (tight turns and steep grades), but the views expand with every switchback: Monument Valley, Valley of the Gods, and the San Juan River spread across the desert below. Cedar Mesa sits at around 5,000 feet elevation, part of the Colorado Plateau's deep red sandstone country. You'll reach the top as the sun moves lower, and the light on the formations changes minute by minute.

An English-speaking guide drives the air-conditioned vehicle and handles the route. Bottled water and snacks come with the tour. Bring a lightweight jacket for the elevation and a camera. The light at sunset moves fast.

What’s included

• Bottled water and snacks.
• air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide.
• the full drive through Valley of the Gods and up the Moki Dugway switchbacks to Cedar Mesa for sunset.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 15:30 and 16:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Wild Expeditions

Is this one for you?Three hours is long enough to drive the valley floor, climb the switchbacks, and watch the light change at elevation, but short enough to fit between an afternoon elsewhere and dinner. If you want to spend the whole day in the backcountry, this tour leaves time for another stop. If you're moving between towns, it works as a single afternoon activity.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What makes Valley of the Gods different from Monument Valley at sunset?

Valley of the Gods has the same monolithic sandstone formations and sunset light as Monument Valley, but far fewer visitors. The tour avoids the crowds that gather at Monument Valley's famous viewpoints by taking you to a quieter valley with the same landscape and the same quality of light.

How steep is the Moki Dugway, and what's the drive like?

The Moki Dugway climbs 1,100 feet over roughly 3 miles of gravel switchbacks, making it a steep and winding road. The vehicle is air-conditioned and the guide handles the driving, but the road itself is dramatic (tight turns and steep grades) with views that open up as you ascend.

What's included in the tour, and what should I bring?

The tour includes bottled water, snacks, and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with a guide. Bring a lightweight jacket for the elevation, comfortable shoes, a camera, and a reusable water bottle if you prefer.

What is Cedar Mesa, and why does the tour go there?

Cedar Mesa is an elevated plateau at around 5,000 feet that sits above the Valley of the Gods. The Moki Dugway climbs its cliffs, and the top offers panoramic views of the valley, Monument Valley, and the San Juan River. The reason the sunset views are so expansive from up there.