Moki Dugway, Mountain switchback road in San Juan County, US.
Description
Moki Dugway is an unpaved mountain road in San Juan County featuring multiple hairpin turns that descend steeply across Cedar Mesa. The route runs along Utah State Route 261 and drops significantly from the higher plateau to the desert floor below.
History
Texas Zinc Mining Company built this route in 1958 to transport uranium ore from the Happy Jack Mine to a processing facility near Mexican Hat. The road served as a critical supply line for mining operations in the region.
Culture
The name reflects both indigenous heritage and the terrain, combining Moki from Spanish references to Pueblo peoples with Dugway, meaning a road cut into a hillside. Visitors see this layered history in every switchback and turn along the route.
Practical
The unpaved road requires careful driving through sharp turns, with restrictions on larger vehicles that cannot navigate the narrow passages safely. Travelers should drive slowly and stay alert, as the exposed route offers little protection from the desert conditions.
Did you know?
Pullouts along the upper section reveal views of Valley of the Gods, Monument Valley, and the San Juan River canyons spread below. These overlooks showcase the scale and layered landscape that makes the descent so dramatic.
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