What do you do with your dear friend when she comes back for a quick visit from her Peace Corps service in Moldova? Why, you drive out into the middle of nowhere are take pictures with large cement tunnels! Sounds fun, right? Believe it or not, that’s what we did and I loved every minute of it! I know it sounds weird, but the Sun Tunnels are pretty cool. And so are these cool cats!
My friend Nikki was serving in the Peace Corps, with her service located in Moldova. She came home for a week during September for her brother’s wedding and made some time to hang out with friends. I drove out to meet up with Nikki, her twin sisters, and their friend for a day of frivolity and randomness. We first went to the Bonneville Salt Flats and almost didn’t go to the Sun Tunnels after. Since I’m not a native Utahn, I wasn’t really sure where they were located, nor did I fully comprehend how long it was going to take us to get out there.
Even though we were super far west already, it was going to take us another 2.5 hours to get to the Sun Tunnels from the Salt Flats. Woof. You have to drive along The 80 into Nevada, then cut up a dirt road and head north, back into Utah in order to get to Lucin. Even though we’d been warned that our GPS wasn’t going to be very accurate, it helped us find our turnoff and get us onto the dirt road.
(I didn’t get any pictures of them, but someone was thoughtful and made some makeshift signs along the dirt roads)
When we pulled up to the Sun Tunnels (after going a titch stir-crazy), I was surprised to find that we weren’t the only ones around! Fortunately, the other group was getting ready to leave, so we were able to enjoy the Sun Tunnels alone, which is really the best way.
We brought a picnic lunch (seriously, every time I say picnic, I’m really thinking “pick-a-nic” the way Yogi Bear says it) and ate in the tunnels to get out of the sun. While we were sitting in there, we noticed that there were random holes cut into the tunnels. Apparently, the artist, Nancy Holt, cut the constellations of Draco, Perseus, Columba, and Capricorn into the tunnels. Cool. You can see some of them in the picture above in the tunnel on the right.
They made great climbing holes.
There really is no bad view of the Sun Tunnels. At the solstice, imagine the sun rising and setting in the middle of the openings. It would be simply stunning.
You can see the constellations pretty clearly here.
We walked around the Sun Tunnels and took pictures to our little hearts’ desires. The location is quite picturesque and there really is no bad angle, since there’s nothing else around.
This next picture isn’t an accident. There has been no editing done, no highlights or manipulation of any kind. I was so struck with how blue the sky was…I just had to take a picture of it! I currently live in a valley that has a terrible inversion layer (Utahn for smog). And for a native Southern Californian to say it’s bad…you should just take my word for it.
After taking as many selfies, wide-angles, and jumping shots that we could fathom, we started the long trek back home. We made it back to the Utah border sign (for some pictures, of course), when it was my turn to drive. Excellent. I love driving. And…I saw an awesomely decorated tree (art?) on the way out that I wanted to stop and get a better look at on our way back.
If you look closely at the WELCOME sign, you can see where people have used it for target practice.
Some of the bottles had liquid in them. I’ll let you think about that.
About the Sun Tunnels
Nancy Holt is an artist interested in light, perspective, time, and space. The Sun Tunnels exhibit is her most widely-known piece of art. Located in Lucin, Utah, the Sun Tunnels are four 18-foot cement tunnels arranged in an open X pattern. During solstice, the openings align with the rising and setting sun. Even if you’re not visiting during a solstice, the tunnels create awesome frames for the sky, barren landscape, and Great Basin Desert.
Getting to the Sun Tunnels
Drive time from Salt Lake City is 4 hours. Plan accordingly. Fill your tank with gas. Bring food and water. You’re going to a desert. Cell reception is pretty patchy, so make sure someone knows where you’re going to be!
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
Yes, these directions are real. No, there won’t be a lot of traffic. Yes, someone made signs for the Sun Tunnels once you get off the paved road. Believe me. They’re the only things around for miles.
Things to remember when visiting the Sun Tunnels
Although the Sun Tunnels are accessed on a dirt road, smaller cars can easily drive to them, weather permitting. Just don’t be dumb.
*Consider the time of day and the weather. Fill your tank. Make sure your car is in working order and you’re carrying spare parts if needed.
*Bring food and water, as there aren’t any McDonald’s around.
*As with any desert, the weather can vary, be unpredictable, and extreme. Bring sunscreen, layers, blankets, and shoes. You laugh. Rocks hurt.
*Don’t forget a camera or sketch book!
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