If driving a narrow, dirt road up a cliffside without any sort of guard-rails in place sounds fun, then do I have just the place for you! The Moki Dugway takes travelers from the bottom of Cedar Mesa to the top (or vice versa), where ancient ruins, massive stone arches, and vast, spectacular views await: seems like it might be worth the drive, right?*
When to Visit
​
The Moki Dugway is simply a road, so as long as you're not driving in poor weather (rain or snow here) and you take it at a reasonable speed, you should be fine. It's far more well-maintained that a lot of other dirt roads in the area, but still expect a bump or two along the way. Longer vehicles or those with trailers might want to take it just a bit slower than the rest though.
It's a long way to the top. Actually, it's only three miles.
How to Get There
​
The Moki Dugway is located in San Juan County, Utah, near the town of Mexican Hat. The road up it starts just after the western entrance into the Valley of the Gods, where Utah State Route 261 goes from being paved to dirt--and very uphill.
The Moki Dugway
​
Time: 20 minutes.
Distance: 3 miles.
Constructed in 1958 by a mining company to make transporting uranium ore easier, the Dugway is now a part of Route 261, taking drivers up to the top of Cedar Mesa, and back down. The road quickly goes from paved to dirt, but proceed slowly and you won't have any issue. If you thought this area of desert looked beautiful, wait until you see it from higher up--there's a handful of pull offs along the way for drivers to stop and admire the views.
Valley of the Gods and Mexican Hat looking awfully small from up here.
Moki is another name for the ancient pueblo people who inhabited the region, whose ruins dot the vast area known as Bears Ears National Monument at the top of the Dugway. And speaking of Dugway, it's just a term for a road carved into a cliffside; though I doubt the Moki people ever had the opportunity to drive their Winnebagos up and down this road.
The Dugway meanders through the cliffside.
The sign at the top: can you spot the Dan Treks sticker?
About Me
Hi there, I'm Dan: videographer, travel-addict, and beer-lover. I left corporate life behind to start my own video business and travel the world. Want to know more about me and Dan Treks?
Top Posts
Yosemite's most popular and perilous hike: Half Dome
​
​
​
Boost your creativity through travel
​
​
​
​
National Park Guides
Videos
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
It takes 15-20 minutes at the most to drive the three miles of the Dugway, which while not long, is still certainly another experience unique to this area, with some pretty amazing views along the way. The Moki Dugway is, in a sense, a gateway to the amazing things waiting for the adventure-seekers at the top (or bottom). First up, is the dirt road directly at the top of the Dugway, which leads to what just might be one of Utah's best kept secrets, and best views in the entire state.
Find this view after reaching the top of the Moki Dugway.
*Don't feel like driving the Dugway but still want all of the great hikes and sights? No worries, if you have the extra time: take US Route 163 north past Mexican Hat, until you reach the town of Bluff, where 163 turns into US Highway 191. Take 191 heading north for about 22 miles, just before the town of Blanding, where there will be a left turn onto Route 95, which will take you to the top of Cedar Mesa, the Dugway, and the number of other amazing things to see here.