Valley of the Gods

The main road heading north from Monument Valley crosses the San Juan River at the tiny town of Mexican Hat (so named for a particular rock formation, what else), and then heads uphill toward the Valley of the Gods, a BLM-managed tract of public land that is similar in character to Monument Valley. It's got a number of formations sticking out of the desert floor, and a (free) 17-mile dirt road to assist in your viewing pleasure.

Before and after the Valley of the Gods, there are stopping points that provide views of the San Juan River. The first is Goosenecks State Park, so named because of the neat gooseneck-shaped river bends. I shot a short movie (63MB download, please be nice).

The second is a place called Muley Point, which is higher up on the mesa. The road leading from the Valley of the Gods up to Muley Point (and further points north) rises about 1000 feet over the course of about 2 miles.