- Cathedral Gorge Slot Canyons
- Cathedral Gorge State Park Slot Canyon
- Cathedral Gorge State Park Slot Canyons
The extremely narrow slot canyons, spires and bluffs in the Cathedral Gorge State Park were formed over tens of millions of years. The crazy thing is that these incredible structures were formed as a result of a supervolcano located just south of the Cathedral Gorge State Park at the Caliente Caldera Complex. In reality, it was a slot canyon. A very narrow slot canyon and surely not the place to be during a heavy rain. The cliffs at Cathedral Gorge are not very high compared to Zion or the other parks, but the structures are intricate. Plus, you can get up close and personal. The entrance to one of the slot canyons in hidden in the shadows. Cathedral Gorge State Park is one of the most unique, and often overlooked jewels of the state of Nevada. Sitting in the mountainous desert along the eastern edge of the state, the area was once the bottom of a freshwater lake.
The slot canyons and cathedral-like formations of this ssmall gorge formed by erosion of a drying lake provides a nice detour. There's really not much in Southern Nevada, so I may as well check out the rare points of interest while on the ridiculously remote trek on the United States' 'Loneliest Road'. Experience the majesty that is Cathedral Gorge! Located in a long, narrow valley where erosion has carved dramatic and unique patterns in the soft bentonite clay, it is a photographers' dream. A number of walking trails provide great views of the Park. Children and adults alike love exploring the slot canyons. Moderate temperatures through the year make the Park at great place to camp.
INDEX
MAPS
INTRODUCTION
PARKS
WEATHER
PHOTOS
HOTELS
All Sections
Arizona
California
Colorado
Idaho
Nevada
New Mexico
Oregon
Texas
Utah
Wyoming
Slot Canyons
Weather Forecast
The formations have been protected since 1935 when the gorge became a state park, one of the first four such places in Nevada. The park is 165 miles north of Las Vegas and 83 miles west of Cedar City in Utah.
Map of Cathedral Gorge State Park and Panaca
Cathedral Gorge
'Gorge' is a slightly inappropriate term as nowhere do the branched ravines formed by the creek exceed a depth of much more than 50 feet - the uniqueness of this place is a result of the many narrow water-created passageways and caves at the edges of the valley, which is half a mile wide at the entrance but tapers towards the north end, and has several side canyons which become quite narrow and enclosed. Besides rainwater, erosion is accelerated by climatic extremes; freeze-thawing cycles occur in winter when temperatures are often below zero, while the baking heat of summer, sometimes over 100°F, dries and cracks the rocks.
Formations
The scenic drive passes a self-pay fee station, information boards and a 22-site campground, and ends at a parking/picnic area near some of the main formations. A short side road leads to another picnic area, closer to the edge of the gorge; brightly-colored cliffs and spires rise quite steeply ahead, with many narrow crevices at the edge; these are often only 2 or 3 feet wide but extend inwards for up to 100 yards, usually quite winding and with many side-branches. The walls tower high overhead and the effect is very much like being underground. Most passages end abruptly, a characteristic feature of the rock, in a circular shaft with daylight visible far above; these mini canyons are formed when rainwater runs off the nearby land and is channeled down the shaft, and the 'caves' gradually erode further back into the cliffs.
Overlooks and Trails
Several parts of the cliffs in Cathedral Gorge State Park have particularly fine formations but the north end is even more unusual. This area is reached by an easy one mile trail which links with an alternative northern entrance road to the park at Miller Point, an overlook with a fine view southwards over the valley. Here the main streamway branches and several forks wind through deep, narrow ravines, very much like slot canyons except that the softness of the rock often results in the flood waters eroding several passageways on different levels, forming short caves, abrupt elevation changes and strange surface textures. There is no official trail this far up the ravines, and some climbing is necessary to progress. A torch would be useful as some of the caves are sufficiently long and deep as to be completely dark. Near Miller Point, a 0.8 mile path heads southwest to Eagle Point, a similar though more secluded overlook. The only other extended trail in the park is the 3 mile (loop) Juniper Draw Trail
Cliffs and badlands
Enclosed drainage
Bullionville Cemetery
Extraterrestrial Highway (62 miles) - lonely road through UFO territory
Kershaw-Ryan State Park (19 miles) - spring-fed ravine, first cultivated in the 1870s
Spring Valley State Park (27 miles) - reservoir and historic buildings, in a remote valley
The slot canyons and cathedral-like formations of this ssmall gorge formed by erosion of a drying lake provides a nice detour. There's really not much in Southern Nevada, so I may as well check out the rare points of interest while on the ridiculously remote trek on the United States' 'Loneliest Road'. Experience the majesty that is Cathedral Gorge! Located in a long, narrow valley where erosion has carved dramatic and unique patterns in the soft bentonite clay, it is a photographers' dream. A number of walking trails provide great views of the Park. Children and adults alike love exploring the slot canyons. Moderate temperatures through the year make the Park at great place to camp.
INDEX
MAPS
INTRODUCTION
PARKS
WEATHER
PHOTOS
HOTELS
All Sections
Arizona
California
Colorado
Idaho
Nevada
New Mexico
Oregon
Texas
Utah
Wyoming
Slot Canyons
Weather Forecast
The formations have been protected since 1935 when the gorge became a state park, one of the first four such places in Nevada. The park is 165 miles north of Las Vegas and 83 miles west of Cedar City in Utah.
Map of Cathedral Gorge State Park and Panaca
Cathedral Gorge
'Gorge' is a slightly inappropriate term as nowhere do the branched ravines formed by the creek exceed a depth of much more than 50 feet - the uniqueness of this place is a result of the many narrow water-created passageways and caves at the edges of the valley, which is half a mile wide at the entrance but tapers towards the north end, and has several side canyons which become quite narrow and enclosed. Besides rainwater, erosion is accelerated by climatic extremes; freeze-thawing cycles occur in winter when temperatures are often below zero, while the baking heat of summer, sometimes over 100°F, dries and cracks the rocks.
Formations
The scenic drive passes a self-pay fee station, information boards and a 22-site campground, and ends at a parking/picnic area near some of the main formations. A short side road leads to another picnic area, closer to the edge of the gorge; brightly-colored cliffs and spires rise quite steeply ahead, with many narrow crevices at the edge; these are often only 2 or 3 feet wide but extend inwards for up to 100 yards, usually quite winding and with many side-branches. The walls tower high overhead and the effect is very much like being underground. Most passages end abruptly, a characteristic feature of the rock, in a circular shaft with daylight visible far above; these mini canyons are formed when rainwater runs off the nearby land and is channeled down the shaft, and the 'caves' gradually erode further back into the cliffs.
Overlooks and Trails
Several parts of the cliffs in Cathedral Gorge State Park have particularly fine formations but the north end is even more unusual. This area is reached by an easy one mile trail which links with an alternative northern entrance road to the park at Miller Point, an overlook with a fine view southwards over the valley. Here the main streamway branches and several forks wind through deep, narrow ravines, very much like slot canyons except that the softness of the rock often results in the flood waters eroding several passageways on different levels, forming short caves, abrupt elevation changes and strange surface textures. There is no official trail this far up the ravines, and some climbing is necessary to progress. A torch would be useful as some of the caves are sufficiently long and deep as to be completely dark. Near Miller Point, a 0.8 mile path heads southwest to Eagle Point, a similar though more secluded overlook. The only other extended trail in the park is the 3 mile (loop) Juniper Draw Trail that forks off westwards and leads towards more remote formations along the far edge of the main gorge, which continues another 2 miles to the north. There is also one shorter route (0.2 miles) near the park entrance, to the old Bullionville Cemetery, the main relic from a small settlement established here in the 1870s.
Cliffs and badlands
Enclosed drainage
Bullionville Cemetery
Extraterrestrial Highway (62 miles) - lonely road through UFO territory
Kershaw-Ryan State Park (19 miles) - spring-fed ravine, first cultivated in the 1870s
Spring Valley State Park (27 miles) - reservoir and historic buildings, in a remote valley
Coal Mine Canyon, Arizona - multicolored ravine on the Navajo Reservation
Goblin Valley, Utah - weird erosional rock formations with similar cliff features
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, New Mexico - erosional formations in volcanic tuff
All Contents © Copyright The American Southwest | Comments and Questions | Contribute | Affiliate Marketing Disclosure | Site Map
Cathedral Gorge Slot Canyons
Cathedral Gorge State Park Overview
Cathedral Gorge State Park Campground has 24 campsites (all with electrical hookups) set in a spectacular canyon of geological features in southeastern Nevada. All campsites are first come, first serve and have a table, fire ring, grill, BBQ and shade ramada. Campsite 23 and 24 are ADA. Camping is limited to 14 days.
The campground has drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers, a picnic area, volleyball court and an RV dump station. Firewood is also available for sale at the campground.
Cathedral Gorge State Park – Area Recreation
The park includes 1,600 acres and 5 miles of hiking/walking trails that take you through the unique geological features of the park. This scenic canyon offers fantastic photo opportunities, horse back riding, biking and wildlife viewing. Stargazing is also great!
Stichting slot loevestein. Kershaw-Ryan State Park offers another camping option about 12 miles to the south along U.S. Route 93.
Reservations:First Come, First Served
Cathedral Gorge State Park Slot Canyon
Amenities- Amphitheater
- BBQ Grills
- Campfire Center
- Campground Host
- Campsite Tables
- Drinking Water
- Dump Station
- Electrical Hookup
- Fire Pit
- Fire Rings
- Firewood Available
- Grills
- Pets OK
- Picnic Tables
- Restrooms (Flush Toilets)
- RV Hookups
- Shade Structure
- Showers
- Wood
- Biking
- Hiking
- Historic Sites
- Horseback riding
- Mountain Biking
- Nature Trails
- Photography
- Stargazing
- Volleyball
- Walking Trails
- Wildlife Viewing
Panaca, Nevada 89402
775 728-4460
5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14
RegionsCathedral Gorge State Park Slot Canyons
Campsite Types- Group
- RV
- Tent
- Trailer
4,819
# of RV Campsites:24
Cathedral Gorge State Park Photos & Video
Cathedral Gorge State Park Comments & Reviews
Visited Cathedral Gorge State Park Campground lately? We'd love to hear about your adventure. Did you find us useful? Did we forget something? Anything our community should know before heading out to Cathedral Gorge State Park?
3 Comments on 'Cathedral Gorge State Park'
labor day weekend trip: Aune & Lapitan family
Amazing place to visit, love the coolness of the gorge. The hike was also beautiful. Recommend to all & check out the beautiful scenery of NEVADAHi there,
We travel by tent and car next year in May through Nevada. Is it possible to make a reservation on your campsite Cathedral Gorge State Park Campground for a tent site with two adults? We will arrive in the period from May 22nd till May 25th. We want to stay just for one night , but have no exact date.
Can you tell me if it is necessary and possible to make this reservation?We would be very glad to hear from you.
Gerard and Maria Weisscher
Your Comment / Rating / Review:
