You’ve more than likely seen the pictures of the crazy-looking Sun Tunnels on Instagram and Pinterest. You’ve wondered what they are and why they’re even…there.
And you’re not alone.
Although the Sun Tunnels are located in northern Utah, most Utahns haven’t seen them before in person.
I was definitely one of them.
That is, until an adventurous friend wanted to go check them out. And they were incredible.
Fast-forward a few years later, I decided to return to the Sun Tunnels on my own to catch the sunset and record it with my new cameras.
In this crazy time of uncertainty and social distancing (thank you, 2020), most people are on the hunt for a safe adventure.
Where can you go that will ensure you will still be able to have an adventure, see something new, and be only one of a handful of people at that location?
Enter: the Sun Tunnels.
What are the Sun Tunnels?
The Sun Tunnels are four 18-foot cement tunnels, placed in an open “X” pattern just outside of Lucin, Utah, in one of the most remote valleys in the Great Basin Desert.
During solstice, the openings of the tunnels align with the rising and setting sun…any photographer’s dream.
But even if you’re not visiting the Sun Tunnels during a solstice, the tunnels create awesome frames for the sky, barren landscape, and the Great Basin Desert.
Each tunnel has a variety of hole cut into the cement, creating a dancing light pattern at different times of the day. The holes represent the constellations of Draco, Perseus, Columba, and Capricorn.
Who Created the Sun Tunnels?
The Sun Tunnels are an art exhibit by Nancy Holt, an American artist known for her environmental and land art pieces.
Nancy was associated with the land art movement, which emerged in the American Southwest during the 1960s. The movement coincided with a shift in the American psyche where people became more concerned with the negative impact they had on the natural environment.
Most of Nancy’s pieces of art deal with issues of how people perceive space and time.
It’s an inversion of the sky/ground relationship-bringing the sky down to the earth.
Nancy Holt, “Touching the Sky: Artworks Using Natural Phenomena, Earth, Sky and Connections to Astronomy” Leonardo 21, no. 2 (1988): 123.
What is Land Art?
Land art is exactly what is sounds like: art that has been taken out of the gallery and into the natural landscapes of remote, uninhabited areas of the American Southwest.
One of the unique aspects of land art is the fact that the pieces and exhibitions aren’t bought or sold on the art market. The art truly belongs to the land and the people.
Believe it or not, most people with social media accounts are familiar with land art already. The Seven Magic Mountains, located just outside of Las Vegas, are a colorful example.
How to Get to the Sun Tunnels
The Sun Tunnels are located just outside of Lucin, an abandoned railroad community in Box Elder County, Utah.
Getting out to the tunnels is going to be a little more tedious than simply plugging “Sun Tunnels” into your GPS. Most cell phones don’t have reception in the area, so written directions are going to be your best bet in navigation.
Fear not, fellow adventurer – the Sun Tunnels are fully accessible. They just take a little time to get to and a sense of adventure.
Directions from Salt Lake City
- Take I-80 West to Oasis, Nevada
- At Oasis, take NV Highway 233 (passing through Montello, Nevada, with minimal services sometimes available)
- NV Highway 233 will lead you back into Utah, where it becomes UT Highway 30
- About 10 miles past the Utah state line, you’ll see a sign for Lucin
- Take the 1st gravel road on the right
- Cross the railroad tracks and keep going for another 2ish miles
- Turn left and go another 2ish miles
- Turn right and you’ll run into the Sun Tunnels
Travel Tips
The total travel time from Salt Lake City to the Sun Tunnels takes anywhere from 3 1/2 to 4 hours, depending on traffic and construction (the never-ending headache to all Utahns).
Consider grouping your visit to the Sun Tunnels with the Bonneville Salt Flats to offset the time you spend in the car.
The round trip time can easily exceed 8 hours. While I do love a good road trip, I have limits. Maybe staying overnight in Wendover or camping at the Sun Tunnels is the break-up option you need.
While I was visiting this last time, there was a couple in a van getting ready to camp out overnight. And as I was leaving another family arrived and was setting up their tents. It’s a great way to experience both the sunset and sunrise in one of the most remote places in Utah.
You’ll be driving through open ranges, where the cattle still roam and smaller animals might run in front of you. Take care while driving and watch out for cow pies at the tunnels!
Check out our ULTIMATE ROAD TRIPS GUIDE!
Things to Remember
*During the rainy/wet months, you might need to have a high-clearance vehicle. Once you reach Lucin, you’re turn on a dirt road and continue driving on it for a good amount of time. I visited during the summer each time and didn’t have any issues with my Honda Civic.
*The Sun Tunnels are in an extremely remote and there are no nearby services. Top off your gas tank in Wendover and bring plenty of water. You’d also want to consider packing emergency supplies for you and your vehicle.
*There’s a good chance you won’t have cell service during your visit, so make sure someone knows where you are and have hand-written directions or a map to guide you.
*The Sun Tunnels are located in a desert. The summer months will be blazingly hot. The winter days might be mild, but the nights will turn bitterly cold. Pack accordingly.
*Bring a good camera with you. The Sun Tunnels are begging to be photographed and don’t disappoint.
*As with any desert, the weather can vary, be unpredictable, and extreme. Bring sunscreen, layers, blankets, and shoes. You laugh. Rocks hurt.
Why You Should Visit the Sun Tunnels
Especially now during this uncertain time, people are looking for a safe escape. National Parks are limiting their attendance and, quite frankly, being around crowds right now leaves people on-edge.
The Sun Tunnels are literally located in the middle of nowhere…meaning you’ll most likely have the entire place to yourself.
Being out in the middle of nowhere to appreciate a cool piece of artwork that you can camp next to, climb on, take pictures of, and see nothing for miles around does something special to your soul.
Have you ever heard the sound of silence? Visit the Sun Tunnels and you’ll be able to hear it for yourself.
Have you ever visited the Sun Tunnels? Would you want to?
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