 | | Cathedral Gorge State Park 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.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 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.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.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. |
| |  | | | Facilities: Cathedral Gorge State Park provides camping, picnicking, and group use facilities.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.Picnicking The C.C.C. Day Use Picnic Area offers a large shade ramada with three picnic tables.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. Reservations: Reservations are not needed or accepted to visit Cathedral Gorge State Park. Best Time To Visit: Cathedral Gorge State Park is open year round. This 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. Fees: Fees are charged for entrance and camping. Accessibility: Unknown Rules: Operating unlicensed vehicles is not permitted. All vehicle operators must be licensed. Drive only on designated roadways. Camping is allowed only in designated areas. Saving or reserving campsites is prohibited, even if pre-paid.Fires are permitted only in the fire rings and grills provided. Collection of fire wood within the park is prohibited.All plants, animals, rocks, minerals and historic artifacts within the park boundaries are protected by state law. Please do not remove, destroy or disturb these features.Pets must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet.Use garbage dumpsters provided. Do not burn or bury garbage.Quiet hours in the park are from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am.Directions: To reach Cathedral Gorge State Park from Ely, take Hwy 93 south for 118.7 miles. Cathedral Gorge is located 1 mile north of the intersection of US Highway 93 and State Route 319. To reach Cathedral Gorge State Park from Cedar City, take Hwy 56 west for 61.4 miles to Hwy 319. Follow 319 west for 20.8 miles to Hwy 93. Cathedral Gorge is located 1 mile north of the intersection of US Highway 93 and State Route 319. | | |
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| | | | Address | | Cathedral Gorge State Park | | P.O. Box 176 | | Panaca, Nevada 89042 |
| | | Phone | | General: (775) 728-4460 | |
| | | | | Website | | Email |
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