Southern Utah absolutely blew our minds on this trip. 🏜️ From rough desert roads and dust storms to hidden rock formations and Navajo legends, this route had it all. In this episode of Rolling with the Curves, we take our Alliance Paradigm 310RL fifth wheel through some of the most iconic and surprising places in the American Southwest.
On this desert road trip, we explore:
- Mexican Hat Rock – the famous sombrero-shaped rock perched on a narrow base
- Moki Dugway – steep, winding switchbacks carved into the side of Cedar Mesa
- Valley of the Gods – often called a “mini Monument Valley” with towering sandstone formations
- Monument Valley – sacred Navajo land and one of the most recognizable landscapes in the world
- Goulding’s RV Park – a historic trading post turned RV park and movie location
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Rolling Into Mexican Hat Rock 🎩⛰️
We started this leg of our journey rolling into the tiny town of Mexican Hat, not realizing that one of our favorite rock formations of the trip was waiting for us. Mexican Hat Rock is named for its distinctive sombrero shape, balanced on a narrow base.
The rock is made of Entrada sandstone and is estimated to be hundreds of millions of years old, carved and sculpted by erosion over time. We had no idea this was even there when we left Moab — it became one of those hidden gems we love stumbling across while RV traveling.
Climbing the Legendary Moki Dugway 🛣️
From Mexican Hat, we headed toward the legendary Moki Dugway. Built in the late 1950s by a mining company to haul uranium ore, this road climbs roughly 1,200 feet in just 3 miles, with steep grades, tight switchbacks, and no guardrails.
The road is carved directly into the side of Cedar Mesa, and while it looks terrifying, it’s well-maintained gravel and can be driven safely if you take your time. Still, it’s one of those roads that makes your palms sweat the first time you look over the edge.
Some locals say the road is haunted by old uranium miners, and others talk about strange lights moving across the mesa at night. Whether you believe the legends or not, it’s an unforgettable drive.
Discovering Valley of the Gods 🚙🪨
At the bottom of Moki Dugway, we got another surprise: Valley of the Gods. We didn’t realize this scenic drive was right there at the end of the road, and it quickly became one of our favorite parts of the trip.
Valley of the Gods is often described as a “mini Monument Valley”, with giant sandstone towers and buttes rising from the desert floor. A roughly 17-mile scenic dirt road loops through the valley, passing formations with names like Seven Sailors, Lady in a Bathtub, and Battleship Rock.
This area is BLM land, which means dispersed camping is allowed in certain spots. However, the road can be bumpy, steep in places, and rough on larger rigs. We agreed we probably would not take our Alliance Paradigm 310RL through there, but a smaller rig or truck camper might love it.
The valley has a cinematic feel and has been used in films, ads, and car commercials. In Navajo tradition, some say the valley is watched over by ancient spirits, shaped into stone and standing guard over the land. It truly feels like you’re driving through a natural sandstone cathedral.
Dust Storms and Iconic Views in Monument Valley 🌅
From Valley of the Gods, we rolled into Monument Valley — and the desert decided to put on a show. We arrived in the middle of a dust storm, with winds gusting and visibility dropping. It made for an adventurous and slightly nerve-wracking drive, but the views were worth every mile once the dust began to clear.
Monument Valley is sacred Navajo land and part of the Navajo Nation Tribal Park. Iconic formations like the Left Mitten, Right Mitten, and Merrick Butte rise about 1,000 feet above the valley floor.
Twice a year, something magical happens here: the Mitten Shadow event. Around late March and again in mid-September, as the sun sets, the shadow of the West Mitten falls perfectly onto the East Mitten for just a few evenings. It’s one of those bucket list sights that’s over in minutes but remembered forever.
These formations were carved by millions of years of erosion from ancient sandstone deposits that were once part of a massive plateau. Monument Valley also gained worldwide fame thanks to classic Westerns directed by John Ford and countless films, commercials, and TV shows since.
Staying at Goulding’s RV Park 🏕️
During our time in Monument Valley, we stayed at Goulding’s RV Park, which has a rich history of its own. Originally a 1920s trading post between the Navajo people and the Goulding family, it later became a base for film crews and actors shooting Westerns in Monument Valley.
Today, Goulding’s offers RV sites, a lodge, a museum, and incredible views of the vall
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