Cathedral Gorge State Park

We Las Vegans tend to think there’s nothing noteworthy in Nature nearby besides Mt. Charleston and Red Rock. Well, head up US-93 through Caliente just past Panaca and get an eyeful of the some truly amazing geological formations. The park has been open since 1935 and it is virtually a secret. Go figure. Better still… go visit!

Fun to sit at the top and watch the sun go down. Listen to the bats flying out of the crevices and caves. ^__

Cathedral Gorge used to be a freshwater lake, millions of years ago. The sediment formed into soft bentonite clay as the lake drained and dried up, and wind and water have worked their magic here. Tap on the spires and it sounds exactly like a terracotta flowerpot.

There is a fee area at the southern end of the park with shaded picnic tables and restrooms. At the north end of the park is an overlook with a trail that allows you to hike all the way down to the floor of the gorge. Well worth stopping at both, as you make your way on US 93.