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When we lived in California, we often took road trips from Los Angeles to Las Vegas on Interstate 15. The Interstate cuts through a vast desert landscape that’s both bleak and gorgeous. And did you know that there is a surprise hidden along the Interstate just outside of Las Vegas? It’s something special you don’t want to miss! So, let’s talk about Seven Magic Mountains!
What is Seven Magic Mountains?
Seven Magic Mountains, near Las Vegas, Nevada, is an amazing art installation that literally pops out of the desert landscape. This colorful arrangement of rock sculpture beautifully adorns the harsh desert surrounding it and creates a surreal image.
Nestled in the Mojave desert, 7 Magic Mountains is a fascinating synthesis of Land Art and Pop Art. It powerfully critiques the artificial simulacra of modern spaces like Las Vegas. The installation was created by a Swiss artist named Ugo Rondinone.
Rondinone describes the exhibition’s location as midway physically and symbolically between the artificial and the natural. The gorgeous sweeping desert mountains and plains are natural symbols, contrasted with the artificial symbolism of Las Vegas, the Interstate, and the traffic.
Seven Magic Mountains is one of the largest land-based art installations completed in the United States over the last 40 years.
Seven Magic Mountains Installation Design
The artwork includes 33 locally sourced boulders stacked on top of one another, creating seven asymmetrical rock towers. These rock towers are painted with Day-Glo in bright, vibrant, fluorescent colors like pink, yellow, purple, orange, green, and blue.
The sculptures are between 30 and 35 feet tall and are comprised of groups of 3-6 boulders. Each massive boulder weighs between 10 and 25 short tons.
History of Seven Magic Mountains
The Art Production Fund, New York, and the Nevada Museum of Art, Reno, produced the installation. The project cost $3.5 million and was sponsored by the Aria Resort and Casino and International Game Technology. The federal Bureau of Land Management took three years to permit the artwork.
Construction of the installation began in 2015 with the cutting and stacking of the boulders. The boulders were painted in 2016. The site opened to the public on May 11th, 2016. Initially, it was planned to be open until the end of 2018.
However, due to the popularity of the installation, the timeline has been extended twice, and 7 Magic Mountains is now scheduled to be open until May 31st, 2027!
Where is 7 Magic Mountains?
Seven Magic Mountains is located in the Ivanpah Valley along the southern end of Las Vegas Boulevard. It sits near Jean Lake, with the McCullough Range of mountains as a backdrop in the distance.
It’s about 21 miles south of the center of the Las Vegas Strip or about a 28-minute drive. From Downtown Los Angeles, it’s 244 miles and will take between 3.5 and 4 hours to drive, depending on traffic.
From Las Vegas: Follow I-15 S to Sloan Rd (exit 25). Turn left (east) to Las Vegas Boulevard. Drive approximately 7 miles south on Las Vegas Blvd. The artwork will appear on your left (east).
From Los Angeles: Drive north on I-15 to Jean, NV (exit 12). Turn right (east) on NV-161 toward Las Vegas Blvd. Drive approximately 5 miles north on Las Vegas Blvd. The artwork will appear on your right (east).
Tips For Your Visit To 7 Magic Mountains
Visiting Seven Magic Mountains is free, and you don’t need tickets. There is informative signage at the location.
A Guide-By-Cell phone number (702-381-5182) with more information is available in English and Spanish. By calling the number, you can learn more about the artist, the artwork, and land art in general.
No restrooms are available. The desert is extremely hot, averaging 104° F in the summer! Be sure to bring water and wear sunscreen. You might even want protective clothing like long sleeves. The parking lot is paved, but the path to the installation is unpaved. It is against the law to climb on the towers.
Also, this is a very popular Interstate 15 road trip stop, so expect to see crowds, especially mid-day!
Is Seven Magic Mountains Worth It?
I recommend visiting Seven Magic Mountains as part of your trip to Las Vegas. It’s a perfect side trip before heading to the Vegas Strip. The bright stones against the muted desert backdrop create dramatic and surreal pictures.
When you’re in Las Vegas, it’s easy to forget you’re in a literal desert, one of the largest in the United States. Visiting Seven Magic Mountains is a great way to re-orient yourself to the natural world’s beauty while expanding your artistic horizons.
PIN: How To Visit 7 Magic Mountains
