Cathedral Gorge State Park, NV

Introduction:

What? :

Cathedral Gorge State Park is a beautiful and often overlooked gem tucked away in the vast desert landscape of eastern Nevada. This relatively small park offers a short walking experience through narrow slot canyons with towering, cathedral-like spires and narrow passages.

The short narrow canyons are carved out by the rain cutting through the soft bentonite clay.

It's a unique small playground, perfect for families, photographers, hikers, and anyone seeking a truly unique desert visit.

Nearby related Blogs:

• Great Basin National Park - Visit Planning
• Great Basin National Park - Lehman Caves Tour
• Great Basin National Park - Wheeler Peak Hike
• Pioche, Nevada
• Ely, Nevada

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Where? : 

Cathedral Gorge State Park is situated in Eastern Nevada, right off highway 93 (the Great Basin Highway).

It is approximately 2.5 to 3 hours drive north of Las Vegas and about 1.5 hours south of Ely, NV.

The park is easily accessible just a couple of miles northwest of the small town of Panaca. Its location makes it an ideal stop on a road trip through the remote area of Nevada, going to visit Great Basin National Park.

Google Map Link

When? :

The park is open year-round.

The park's high-desert location (around 4,800 feet above sea level) results in a climate with extreme temperatures:

The most recommended seasons for a visit are spring (March – May) and fall (September – November) when the weather is generally mild and comfortable.

Summer (June–August): Daytime temperatures often climb above 95f.

Winter (December–February): Winter temperatures frequently drop below freezing. After rain the soft clay turns into heavy mud, making the canyons inaccessible.

Tips and inputs:

Due note 1: 

There is a small entrance fee ($5.00 per vehicle, Non-NV Vehicles $10.00 per vehicle), and the park is open 24/7, 365 days a year. You need to pay at the self paying stand in the park entrance.

Due note 2: 

Although you are always near your car when exploring the short canyons, bring plenty of water and sun protection. There is little natural shade outside of the "caves" and the picnic area.

Due note 3: 

After any rain or snow, the soft clay turns into a thick, sticky, and heavy mud that can make hiking miserable and is difficult to remove. Check the forecast before visiting and avoid the valley floor immediately after precipitation.

Due note 4: 

The park has a small campground with 22 sites. It's a great spot to stay and enjoy the extremely dark night skies of rural Nevada.

Due note 5: 

There is a Nevada State Park Regional Visitor's Center just before the park entrance, you can get here information about the region and other nature parks as well as see a picture gallery.

Due note 6: 

At the end of the park main road you can find the Day-Use Picnic Area (with large shade ramada and tables) and Vault toilet. Other than that and the campground there are no other services in the park.

Due note 7: 

There are gas stations and other tourist services in the town of Pioche to the north or at the nearby city Panaca to the west.

Due note 8: 

Accommodation: there are few options to choose from in Pioche or Panaca.

Due note 9:

Pets are welcome, but they must be kept on a leash.

Due note 10:

The use of drones or any remote controlled aircraft is not allowed.

My thoughts:

I really enjoy my visit here, a short stop on my east Nevada road trip.

The exploration of the slot canyons, what next do discover, where it will end is a fun experience.

I will not drive only to this remote location just for this park but if you are traveling in this area do not miss this park, even just for a short visit.

The visit:

The park's unique feature is the Panaca Formation, the eroded remnants of an ancient freshwater lakebed dating back a million years. The bentonite clay and siltstone flats have been sculpted by rain and water into incredible forms.

The "sculptured" surfaces colored reddish brown look like chocolate waterfalls and in between you can find narrow canyons entrances.

The main attraction is the network of short, narrow passages carved into the clay cliff, showcasing the vast expanse of the eroded bentonite clay formations.

Despite being called "caves," they are actually tight slot canyons (shoulder wide) perfect for exploration. You can get into a canyon and the cliff sides tower above you on both sides. Walk until you reach its end where the view resembles the cathedral tower.

All areas are located right off the main park road so no need to hike, park your car and go exploring.

The three main areas are:

Moon Caves: this is the first area of the narrow passages, lighter in color and shallower, offering a different texture to the slot experience.

Cathedral Caves: Easily accessible and featuring some of the most intricate and deepest passages. Here I found a small side crawling tunnel that leads to another short slot canyon and at its end you can climb the wall using a rope.

Canyon Caves: A fun, twisting labyrinth of slots that invite exploration.

Near the road you can see the renovated stone structure Civilian Conservation Corps Water Tower that was constructed in the 1930.

Miller Point Overlook: Easily reached by car (entrance from  highway 93), this provides a panoramic view of the entire valley floor. The road leading to this view point was closed when I visited here.

Final Thoughts:

Cathedral Gorge State Park is a small hidden gem in eastern Nevada. The short walks into the clay canyons are fun and exciting activities for families.

Additional Pictures: