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Nearby Parks:
Kershaw-Ryan State Park
Spring Valley State Park
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| State Park Overview: |
 | Cathedral Gorge is located in a long, narrow valley where erosion has carved dramatic and unique patterns in the soft bentonite clay. Trails abound for exploring the cave-like formations and cathedral-like spires. Miller Point, a scenic overlook just north of the park entrance on U.S. 93, offers excellent views of the scenic canyon. Shaded picnic areas and a tree-shaded campground area are open all year. Hiking, picnicking, camping, nature study, photography and ranger programs are the most common activities at the park.
cathedral-like spires A Regional Visitor Center is located at the entrance to Cathedral Gorge, offering interpretive displays and information about all of eastern Nevada and seven state parks. The park and visitor center is located just west of U.S. 93, two miles north of Panaca.
The area is typically arid with hot summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures range from 95F at mid-day to 55F at night. Rainfall is variable and thunderstorms are common. |
| Nature of the Area: |
| Geology
The buff-colored cliffs and canyons of Cathedral Gorge, called the Panaca Formation, are remnants of a Pliocene-era lakebed. About one million years ago, much of Meadow Valley (the area along US 93 from Caliente to Panaca) was covered by a freshwater lake. Sediments and gravel settled on the lake floor. As the climate changed over centuries, the lake gradually drained, and erosion started working on the exposed sediments. Rainwater and melting snow carved rivulets in the siltstone and clay shale, working their way down and widening the cracks into gullies and canyons. The "caves" area designated on the east side of the Gorge are not true caves but the canyon walls narrow down so much that explorers feel like they are in caves.
Erosion is a constant process and also occurs through the actions of freezing and thawing, heat expansion and contraction, and evaporation of moisture from deep within the rock. Visitors hasten erosion by driving off the roads; tire tracks compact soil and create new places for water to run. Once compacted, soils cannot recover, and gullying takes place. This is why off-road driving is prohibited in the park.
Remnants of the Panaca Formation may also be seen south of Panaca, on the east side of Meadow Valley.
Vegetation
The park's different soil types permit various plant associations to grow. The "badland" clay below the eroded escarpment does not permit many plants to take root since the clay is constantly eroding away. Small sand dunes are held in place by many kinds of wildflowers and grasses, like dune primroses and Indian rice grass. In the middle of the valley, clay, sand, and gravel have mixed to a loamy soil that is conducive to narrowleaf yucca, juniper trees, barberry sagebrush, greasewood, "white sage," shadscale, and four-winged salt-bush. Rabbitbrush grows in disturbed areas such as roadsides and walkways.
Several non-native species of trees have been planted at the campground and group use area to provide shade. Few cactus species grow in areas of climate extremes such as Cathedral Gorge, where temperatures may fall below freezing in the winter or rise above 100F in the summer.
Wildlife
Small mammals predominate in the park: black-tailed jack-rabbits and cottontail rabbits, coyote, kit foxes, skunks, packrats, kangaroo rats, mice and even gophers. Deer browse in the area around Miller Point and many venture into the Gorge during the late fall and winter.
Several species of nonpoisonous lizards and snakes are abundant, and in the summer, the Great Basin rattlesnake may be found.
Birds are common, around the campgrounds and in shrubby areas. Park residents include ravens, kestrels and small hawks, roadrunners, sapsuckers, robins, black-throated sparrows, finches, blackbirds, and starlings. Migratory birds include tanagers, cedar waxwings, warblers, bluebirds, and hummingbirds. An updated list of wildlife is available at the Regional Information Center. |
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| Camping: |
| Camping: All camping is on a first-come, first-served basis. Fees are charged per vehicle and are payable in the campground. The campground has 22 developed sites, each with table, grill and shade ramada. Water and a flush restroom with showers are available.
Group Use: Accommodations for day and overnight groups are available by reservation. Facilities are located adjacent to the campground. The group areas offer large overhead ramadas, grills, picnic tables and water. Please contact the Regional Office(adjacent to the Regional Information Center) for reservation information. |
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| Related Links: |
| Nevada Places To Go - DesertUSA - Lots of links to Nevada's's Desert National Parks, State Parks, Recreation & Wilderness Areas ... Dam State Park Berlin-Icthyosaur State Park Cathedral Gorge State Park Cave Lake State Park Dayton ... | | Nevada Division of State Parks - Cathedral Gorge State Park - Nevada Division of State Parks plans, develops and maintains a system of parks and recreation areas ... Cathedral Gorge State Park P.O. Box 176 Panaca, NV 89042 (775) 728-4460 cathedralgorge_vc ... | | Nevada Division of State Parks - Photo Gallery - ... Photo Gallery Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Park Cathedral Gorge State Park Floyd Lamb State Park Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort ... About the Park ) Cathedral Gorge State Park: The Park is located ... | | Nevada National Parks and Tourist Guide - Cathedral Gorge State Park - Cathedral Gorge State Park, Nevada - visitors guide, hiking trails and photographs ... | Las Vegas Scenic Drives | Whitney Pockets Cathedral Gorge State Park Over 500 miles of US 93 are ... | | Nevada Guide - Photographs of Cathedral Gorge State Park - Photographs of Cathedral Gorge State Park, Nevada | | Ettractions.com - Cathedral Gorge State Park - Home. Travel Agents. About Us. Contact Us. Resources. Search for: All Categories. Arts Culture. Arts. Casinos. Historic Sites. Museums. Theater. Family Fun. Amusement Parks. Aquariums. ... | | Cathedral Gorge State Park, Nevada-Southern Utah - Cathedral Gorge State Park With the art of mother nature and a few million years, the spires of Cathedral Gorge were formed ... There- Las Vegas to Cathedral Gorge State Park Take I-15 north to ... | | Photograph - Cathedral Gorge State Park, Nevada - by Jules Cowan - Cathedral Gorge State Park, Nevada" Color Photography by Jules Cowan Represented by The Stock Solution Price and Order information |
| Directions: |
| Cathedral Gorge is located 1 mile north of the intersection of US Highway 93 and State Route 319. The park sits at an elevation of 4,800 feet and is open year-round. |
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