Basin and Range National Monument

Basin and Range National Monument is a protected area covering 704,000 acres with mountain chains, deep valleys, and desert landscapes. The terrain features alternating ridges and valleys that define the geological character of the Great Basin region.

The area gained protected status in 2015 through a Presidential Proclamation aimed at preserving geological and ecological features. Native peoples inhabited this region for generations before formal protection, leaving evidence of their occupation in rock art and settlement sites.

Native American communities maintained a long presence in this landscape, with petroglyphs and sacred sites marking their connection to the land. The rock art scattered across the territory shows how these groups used and understood their surroundings.

Visitors need high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles to navigate unpaved roads throughout the area. The remote desert setting requires bringing adequate water and supplies before entering.

Garden Valley contains an extensive land art installation called City that spans one and a half miles in length. This work by artist Michael Heizer integrates the desert landscape itself as part of the artistic composition.

Location: Nye County

Operator: BLM

GPS coordinates: 37.97372,-115.39680

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:57