international car forest in goldfield nevada

Get A Little Out There With Alex Honnold

From untouched climbing and turquoise mining to burro-filled towns and motels covered in clowns, follow Alex Honnold as he explores what the Silver State has in store for him—and you.

Watch the Series

Alongside tailing piles from the “Last Great Gold Camp,” get to know this desert forest one rusted, perfectly teetering, partially buried vehicle at a time. Take the detour off US 95—also known as the Free-Range Art Highway—throw it in park, and explore this landscape of junk cars at one of the largest (and free) open-air art galleries in Nevada.

Stacked precariously high or driven into the ground, more than 40 vehicles sport always-changing artwork at the International Car Forest.

car forest at night
international car forest in goldfield nevada

Part of the Goldfield scene for years, the International Car Forest was created by longtime resident Mark Rippie, whose vision was to break the Guinness World Record for the world’s biggest car forest. Joined by artists Chad Sort and Zak Sargent, the three set to work bringing in more than 40 cars, vans, trucks, and buses. Outdoor car exhibits are found in other states (like Texas’ Cadillac Ranch or Nebraska’s Carhenge, for example), but Goldfield’s International Car Forest of the Last Church is, in fact, the largest in the country.

Travel Nevada Pro Tip

Swap the spray-paint for your camera! While past Car Forest owners encouraged anyone inspired to leave their mark, current artistic minds behind this Nevada great are working to recruit specific artists, transforming the Car Forest into more of a curated experience. Resist the urge to smash windows or tag the cars, and leave the artistic renderings to the pros.

Today, visitors and Nevadans alike can explore this free, one-of-a-kind gallery with constantly changing artwork commissioned by artists near and far. Some cars are forcefully driven into the ground or clawing toward the sky, while others are carefully balanced atop each other. Sign the visitor log at the Car Forest’s entrance, where you can hit the portable restroom and stock up on resources about things to see and do in the region.

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international car forest of the last church restroom
Several old, upright cars are partially buried in a desert, covered in colorful graffiti, with dry, rocky ground and sparse vegetation under a blue sky.

Looking to keep the weird and wild vibes rolling? Head back into Goldfield to discover more artwork like Rocket Bob’s Art Cars, an array of local art of sold at shops across town, and check out another Weird Nevada must-see, right in the heart of this historic gold mining town.

Hours:

The International Car Forest of the Last Church is open and accessible 24/7, though best enjoyed from sunrise to sunset.

Admission:

There is no admission fee for the International Car Forest, but donations are appreciated.

This Location:

Central, Nevada

City

Goldfield

Region

Central