Last Updated July 21, 2026
Goulding’s Lodge & RV Park is at 1000 Gouldings Trading Post Rd, Oljato-Monument Valley, UT 84536; (866) 313-9769; full hookups, museum, restaurant, tours, gas station, and grocery; gouldings.com. Valley of the Gods is managed by the BLM Monticello Field Office; (435) 587-1500; free admission; accessible via UT-261 approximately 10 miles northeast of Mexican Hat or US-163 approximately 15 miles west of Bluff; 17-mile gravel loop on San Juan County Road 242; blm.gov/visit/valley-gods. Coral Sands RV Park is at US Route 191, Bluff, UT 84512; (435) 672-2232; office hours Mon–Sat 9–11am & 3–7pm, Sun 3–7pm; check-in 3pm, check-out 11am; full hookups, free WiFi; coralsandsrv.com.
Gouldings is a favorite stop when passing through the area. This is our third visit. The Navajo Nation still had Monument Valley closed because of COVID.
Gouldings Trading Post
Gouldings was established in 1921 when Harry and Mike Goulding purchased 640 acres next to Monument Valley. They traded with the Navajo, and eventually convinced the movie director John Ford and actor John Wayne to film a western movie. Many movies followed and the Gouldings prospered, eventually building a hotel, museum, grocery store, gas station, air strip, restaurant and RV park.
It was Halloween during our stay, but no trick or treaters at the Gouldings RV Park.
Gouldings Monument Valley and RV Park
They had full service and good internet. Maybe the internet was so good because we were only one of four others staying here.
The motorhome faced some stunning rock formations, including an arch.
Jake enjoyed being off leash each day to explore the hiking trails amongst the rocks.
He likes to stop and look.
Jake relishing a nap after all the exercise.
The area is scenic and peaceful.
Monument Valley
The drive from Bluff, Utah offers distant views of Monument Valley. This spot was in the Forrest Gump movie.
A raven having lunch with a view.
Even though Monument Valley was closed, many of the rock formations could be seen from a distance.
Valley of the Gods, Utah
Valley of the Gods is just as scenic as Monument Valley, but hardly anyone is ever here. It’s on BLM land, so maybe because it’s not a National Park or Monument it gets overlooked. Great for us!
There were so many rock formations. Some look like a hand.
Others are spires.
Most were just stunning.
We stayed at Coral Sands RV Park in Bluff, Utah. They had full service and good internet. The owners were very nice. It wasn’t a far drive from Arches and Canyonlands.
Practical Tips
Road conditions matter at Valley of the Gods. The 17-mile gravel loop on San Juan County Road 242 is passable for most vehicles in dry weather, but the clay surface becomes dangerously slick after rain. Check conditions before heading out and allow one to two hours for the full loop.
Gouldings RV Park offers something most campgrounds don’t: panoramic views of red sandstone formations right from your site. The hiking trails immediately adjacent to the park are uncrowded and Jake had free run of the rocks each morning.
The Forrest Gump Hill is easy to miss. On US-163 between Mexican Hat and Monument Valley, there’s a pull-off where Forrest ran across the screen with the iconic buttes behind him. Easy to stop for photos and it adds maybe ten minutes to the drive.
Monument Valley tours from Gouldings are worth booking even if you’ve driven the self-guided route before. The guided Navajo tours access restricted backcountry areas and the storytelling adds a lot of context to what you’re seeing.
Coral Sands in Bluff is a great base for the whole region. From there you can reach Valley of the Gods, Natural Bridges National Monument, and the drive toward Monument Valley all within an hour — and it’s considerably cheaper than staying at Gouldings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Valley of the Gods worth visiting?
Absolutely. Valley of the Gods rivals Monument Valley in scenic beauty but draws a tiny fraction of the visitors. The free 17-mile gravel loop passes dozens of sandstone monoliths, spires, and mesas with no entrance fee, no crowds, and no tour buses. If you’re in the Monument Valley area and skip it, you’re missing one of the Southwest’s best-kept secrets.
What is Gouldings Trading Post known for?
Gouldings has been a hub for Monument Valley exploration since 1921. Harry and Mike Goulding convinced director John Ford to film here in the 1930s, launching decades of western filmmaking. Today the facility includes a lodge, museum, full-service RV park, restaurant, grocery store, and guided Navajo tours into Monument Valley. The on-site museum tells the full story of the Gouldings’ role in bringing Hollywood to the Southwest.
Can you drive through Monument Valley on your own?
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park has a 17-mile self-guided scenic drive through the valley floor (entrance fee required), but most of the backcountry is restricted to Navajo-guided tours only. During our fall 2020 visit, the park was entirely closed due to COVID restrictions — so we explored from a distance along the highway and at Valley of the Gods instead.
