Lonesome Highway — Comb Ridge to Cedar Mesa via Moki Dugway Backdoor and Valley of the Gods Loop
No guardrails. No tour buses. No apologies.
The Moki Dugway is a three-mile unpaved switchback carved into the face of Cedar Mesa’s escarpment in 1958 to haul uranium ore out of the valley — 1,100 feet of elevation drop on a shelf road with no guardrails and a 5% grade that’ll make even experienced drivers grip the wheel. Coming down from the Cedar Mesa plateau toward Mexican Hat, you drop into Valley of the Gods, a BLM-managed basin of towering sandstone buttes and deep desert silence. The 17-mile dirt loop through the valley — named for formations like Battleship Rock, Setting Hen Butte, and Lady in the Bathtub — is one of the Southwest’s best-kept overland circuits. Connect it south to US-163 and east via Comb Wash and you’ve got a legitimately full day of canyon country backcountry driving.
The Moki Dugway itself is manageable for most high-clearance rigs but requires caution: the exposure is extreme, passing is nearly impossible in sections, and a fully loaded trailer is asking for trouble. Valley of the Gods is sandy two-track — mostly passable for 4WD high-clearance rigs, but soft sand sections will bury an unprepared rig. Best season is March through May and September through October. No permits. No water on route — Mexican Hat has fuel and water. Cell service is dead in the valley. Dispersed camping is permitted throughout Valley of the Gods and along Comb Wash on BLM ground.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 35 mi / 56.3 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6400 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Mexican Hat, UT |
| Land manager | BLM Monticello Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Valley of the Gods BLM Moki Dugway |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle this trail, or do I need a built rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD with decent all-terrain tires can complete this route, but the Moki Dugway backdoor section throws loose rock, off-camber shelf road, and no margin for error at you. Lifted rigs with lockers have more confidence here — a stock truck can do it, but the driver needs to be competent, not just the vehicle.
When is this trail passable and what closes it?
March–May and September–October are the sweet spots. Summer monsoons (July–August) turn the sand and dirt sections into axle-deep muck, and the clay soils on Cedar Mesa become impassable when wet — even light rain can strand you. Winter brings snow and ice on the mesa with no services anywhere close.
Do I need a permit to run this route or camp in Valley of the Gods?
No permit required for vehicle travel or dispersed camping in Valley of the Gods or along the BLM corridor — it's free and open. Cedar Mesa proper is a different story; if you're hiking into cultural sites off the main route, you'll need a permit from the Bears Ears National Monument office in Monticello.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The Moki Dugway backdoor descent is the crux — it's an unmaintained, narrow shelf road carved into the face of Cedar Mesa with loose gravel, tight switchbacks, and a long drop with zero guardrails. It's not a trail-ender for a capable rig, but one bad line or a moment of panic on the descent can ruin your day fast. Take it slow, check your line before committing.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and should I worry about fuel?
Mexican Hat has a small gas station and it's your last reliable fuel stop before heading into this route — fill up there, no exceptions. The nearest alternatives are Blanding (~40 miles north) or Monument Valley (~25 miles south), and neither is close enough to bail to if you're already mid-route and running low.
Trail track
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