Everyone loves a good legend, especially if the tale is of epic proportions! So how about this one: Some giant skeletons found in Nevada hold a deep dark secret. The story starts with a lone cave on a mountain in the middle of the desert, and in this cave once lived, well, giants! While some may disagree and call this legend hogwash, others are deeply invested and believe that giants once roamed the state. Today, archeologists and scientists from around the world continue to struggle with this mystery. Read on to decide if the giants of Lovelock Cave in Nevada were real for yourself.

The history of Nevada is deep and rich.
google/Frank Engel
The indigenous people of Nevada have called the Humboldt Sink and surrounding land their home for more than 4,000 years!
According to stories passed down generations of the Paiute tribe, during the early 1900s...
google/Julie T
...guano miners were the first to discover the remains of a giant human race in and near Lovelock Cave, Nevada. The Paiute tribe has a name for the people who once lived in and around the Lovelock Cave – They called them Si-Te-Cah, or, "tule-eaters".
Among skeletons and mummified remains, the guano miners also found ancient artifacts. Unfortunately, many were destroyed or disappeared as they were sold.
"Harrington, Mark R.?", CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
However, Lovelock Cave and its surroundings held so many artifacts of the ancient lost tribe that archeologists were still able to locate more than 10,000 priceless pieces throughout the years!
The legend speaks of finding red hair! Not only was the color of the Si-Te-Cah hair unusual given their race and location, but the skeletons themselves added fuel to the mystery.
flickr/BLM Nevada
Skeletons well over eight feet tall were discovered, much taller than the average person of the Paiute tribe! A visit to Lovelock Cave will show soot and smoke markings along the ceiling, an incredible indication of the many fires lit inside by the ancient giants.

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So, what happened to the red-haired giants of Lovelock Cave?
flickr/BLM Nevada
While theories collide between archeologists and locals, Paiute lore tells us that the Si-Te-Cah were a vicious race of giants.
It is theorized that they were cannibals...
google/Sheldon Fatt
...and would set traps to capture and eat local indigenous tribes. The Si-Te-Cah giants perished after being trapped inside the cave and killed.
Incredibly, you can see the famed Lovelock Cave in Nevada for yourself!
flickr/BLM Nevada
Simply head out towards the town of Lovelock and travel on the Lovelock Cave Backcountry Byway. It’ll be about a 40-minute drive to the cave. Find a parking area and guided tours! There are well-maintained trails, picnic areas, and restrooms as well.
A great option to learn more about the Lovelock Cave’s fascinating history is by visiting the Humboldt Museum.
facebook/ Humboldt Museum
The Humboldt Museum is located in Winnemucca, Nevada. While many skeletal remains and artifacts have been given back to the tribes of the area out of respect, there is still plenty to see and discover, including many Si-Te-Cah replica displays, at the museum.
The cave is located about 103 miles northeast of Reno.
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You can customize your route by using Google Maps.

Today, the debate continues on whether the ancient people who once lived in Lovelock Cave were actually giants. See it for yourself! Visit Lovelock Cave to step into the legend and the mystery of it all and see if you think these giant bones found in Nevada are authentic.

What do you believe? Do you think giants once roamed the area? Tell us your theories below, as well as if you know of any other interesting destinations in Nevada in the comments section below!

There are countless reasons why Nevada is a special place. If you’re interested in exploring more, here are 14 locations that help make Nevada so unique.

For more Nevada adventures, check out this video about the Valley of Fire Drive:

 

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More to Explore

Adventures in Nevada

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | March 16, 2023

Where can we find hiking trails in Nevada?

  • Black Mountain Trail in Henderson is only accessible from September through May and makes you feel as if you’ve landed on the moon, as the surface is really bumpy.
  • The Mount Rose Trail in Incline Village is a 10-mile-long loop meandering past a waterfall and through beautiful meadows.
  • The Mary Jane Falls Trail in Mount Charleston is a roughly three-mile out-and-back trail that offers picturesque views and suitable for various level hikers and.
  • The Marlette Lake Trail in Carson City, which is only accessible from June through November, is over five miles out-and-back and is popular with hikers as well as cyclists.

Learn more about the other wonderful hiking trails in Nevada.

Where can we find museums in Nevada?

  • The Neon Museum in Las Vegas is an outdoor museum, the home of so many of the old casino signs, and best visited at night when they are illuminated as docents take you through and explain the history of each one.
  • The Goldwell Open Air Museum in Rhyolite features seven, massive outdoor sculptures set against the backdrop of Death Valley.
  • The Wilbur D. May Center in Reno is named after Reno philanthropist, adventurer, businessman, soldier, rancher, and pilot Wilbur D. May.

Learn more about other wonderful museums in Nevada.

Where can we find small towns in Nevada?

  • Minden, established in 1906, was named after the city by the same name in Germany.
  • Genoa, located one hour south of Reno and 25 miles east of Lake Tahoe is one of the smallest towns in the state.
  • Virginia City, founded in 1859, began as a boomtown with the discovery of the first major silver deposit discovery in the U.S.

Learn more about other charming small towns in Nevada.

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