There Are Large Concrete Tunnels In Utah's Desert, And It's One Of The Quirkiest Places You'll Ever Go
By Courtnie Erickson|Published April 18, 2023
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Courtnie Erickson
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From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
Utah is home to a wide range of landscapes from the red rocks in southern Utah to the incredible mountains up north. There is also the impressive Colorado Plateau and the remarkable Great Salt Lake. However, you can’t forget about the Great Basin Desert, which is actually more than 190,000 square miles and is located in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada. And, tucked away in this desert and within Utah’s state lines is something unusual, unexpected, and quirky — the Sun Tunnels.
The Sun Tunnels are located in the middle of nowhere. You will find them more than 200 miles west of Salt Lake City and near the Utah and Nevada state line. They are nestled in Utah’s Great Basin Desert.
The Sun Tunnels are actually the creation of artist Nancy Holt. This masterpiece was created in 1976 by Holt who was considered one of the most incredible land artists of her time.
Fun fact: Holt was married to artist Robert Smithson. You may know one of his most famous works – the Spiral Jetty on the Great Salt Lake.
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This large art installation features four large concrete cylinders. These cylinders are 18 feet long and 9 feet wide, large enough that you can easily walk inside and through each tunnel.
These tunnels are arranged on the desert floor in a cross pattern. They align perfectly with the sunrise and sunset on both the summer and winter solstices.
Depending on the time of day and the weather conditions, these tunnels can create quite a remarkable sight and a photograph that is certainly a conversation starter.
However, be aware that the drive out to the sun tunnels can be quite difficult during the winter months. You must drive on an unpaved road to reach this massive art installation.
The Sun Tunnels may seem a little unexpected and quite bizarre, but they are the definition of a true hidden gem in the desert.
If you plan to visit the Sun Tunnels, please respect the area around the installation and leave no trace of your visit. Have you been to the Sun Tunnels? What did you think of this art installation? Let us know in the comments.
Did you know the Sun Tunnels aren’t the only unusual artwork in the desert? There’s a massive tree sculpture located along I-80 West toward Wendover and you need to check it out.
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