Located just north of the little town called Panaca, Cathedral Gorge State Park seems to come as a surprise to out-of-staters. This place just doesn’t get the attention it deserves compared to places such as Valley of Fire or Red Rock Canyon. If you’re a longtime Nevadan and you have yet to see this underrated natural wonder with your own eyes then you need to get on it! This place is by far one of the most unique landscapes that Nevada has to offer and pictures just don’t do it justice. It needs to be seen in-person. Here’s why.

Cathedral Gorge State Park is home to one of Nevada's wackiest landscapes. Featuring more than 1,600 acres of mind-boggling clay formations, this is one of those sights that every Nevadan should see at least once in their lifetime.
James Marvin Phelps/Flickr
Walking around the park, you can't help but feel like you've been transported to some sort of alien planet. Walking trails are available to take you all around the park and make it easy to observe the spiraling towers, caves, and canyons.
Fred Moore/Flickr
The park is an excellent example of the bizarre things that nature is capable of. This wacky landscape is the result of a million years of erosion working away at what was once a freshwater lake. As the lake drained, erosion began taking place on the exposed portions of sediment and gravel.
Jasperdo/Flickr
It's hard to picture what this landscape may have looked like a million years ago without the cathedral-like spires and cave-like formations. The interesting vistas make for a photographer's dreamscape, so be sure to bring a camera.
Jasperdo/Flickr

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The park is comprised of dozens upon dozens of what appear to be slot canyons, though they are referred to as caves. Many visitors can't resist seeing how far back the slots go. You could spend hours exploring the winding paths and getting lost in the beauty of the caves.
Tim Berger/Flickr
This extraordinary natural wonder has been of interest to us for a long time. People started exploring it even before the 19th century. In 1935, it became one of Nevada's four original state parks and you can still see artifacts from the park's early days.
Roadside Pictures/Flickr
Both a stone water tower and stone restroom are still standing, although they are obviously no longer in operation. These facilities were built by the Civilian Conservation Corp nearly a century ago and today they act as a fascinating reminder of the past.
Jasperdo/Flickr
It's easy to see why this area was picked to become one of Nevada's original state parks. The unique and breathtaking backdrops are seriously one-of-a-kind. The park is open every day of the year, so make this destination a top priority on your next adventure.
John Fowler/Flickr
You'll find Cathedral Gorge State Park at 111, Cathedral Gorge State Park Road, Panaca, NV 89042.

Have you visited this underrated natural wonder? There is certainly no shortage of unique natural attractions here in Nevada. Just check out these 12 Natural Wonders In Nevada that should be added to your bucket list immediately! Be sure to also explore some of the short and unique trails in Nevada. What are your favorite places in Nevada? Let us know in the comments.

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More to Explore

Nevada's Hidden Gems

William Suphan | October 19, 2022

What are Nevada's Natural Wonders?

Nevada is replete with natural beauty and these natural wonders are beyond spectacular. Fly Geyser near Gerlach is an otherworldly sight like something one might find on another planet. The formation continues to grow bigger as time passes. It is coated with multicolored algae which gives it such an interesting look. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is the state's first conservation area and the vibrant red rocks bring visitors from all around to marvel at their ethereal beauty.

What are Nevada's natural hidden gems?

The Lunar Crater National Natural Landmark near Tonopah looks like the remains of a meteor impact, however, it was actually formed by volcanic implosions, causing the earth to sink into a crater shape. Astronauts for the original Apollo moon landing mission trained here. The deepest cave in Nevada is Lehman Caves which resides in Great Basin National Park and it is magnificent to behold. Its biggest room is 21,511 square feet and the ceiling is 113 feet high! It is filled with mesmerizing formations which are constantly changing and have been for millions of years.

What are the best hiking trails in Nevada?

There is no shortage of unique trails in Nevada. The Gold Strike Canyon Hot Springs Trail near Nevada City is one of the lesser-known hikes in Nevada and contains some wonderful hot springs. It's an excellent place for rock climbing and cliff jumping and the views are nothing short of spectacular. Charleston Peak National Scenic Trail near Las Vegas has some of the most colorful and beautiful mountain and valley views you will ever see. With 57 peaks, you'll never run out of places to explore.

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Featured Addresses
Cathedral Gorge State Park, 111 Cathedral Gorge State Park Road, Panaca, NV 89042, USA