Official home of the Lincoln County Authority of Tourism (LCAT)
Official home of the Lincoln County Authority of Tourism (LCAT)
Learn about art attractions in Lincoln County.
RyanHenge is both a roadside attraction and an awe-inspiring monument to the stars, inspired by the ancient wonder of the world.
Astronomers, roadtrippers and anyone looking for a bit of intrigue will enjoy exploring Nevada’s own Stonehenge, located 30 minutes south of Alamo on U.S. Highway 93 next to the Western Elite Landfill. RyanHenge is both a roadside attraction and an awe-inspiring monument to the stars, inspired by the ancient wonder of the world. But this henge stands out from other replicas around the world — starting with the aliens lurking on the property.
Created by Ryan Williams, CEO of the Western Elite Landfill, RyanHenge is a solar calendar and sundial, designed to withstand the elements for over 1,000 years. Williams is a Las Vegas native who found himself drawn to the clear night skies over the landfill. After years of observing the stars, Williams began to chart their movement with stakes in the ground. He mapped the celestial movements on the 21st of each month, marking the seasonal solstices and equinoxes, as well as his own birthday, December 21.
The circular structure, made of concrete and reinforced with steel, took 10 years to complete. Visitors today will find a world map painted on the ground, and in the middle, a flagpole. At high noon, light flashes through the flagpole, converting it to a sundial. At night, standing on Antarctica transforms the flagpole into a marker for the North Star. Adding to the mystery are phrases in English, Latin and Greek that also decorate the site. Williams suggests visitors experience the henge and interpret their own meaning in the phrases.
The property also features a chessboard, labyrinth and vintage train cars to explore.
Visit RyanHenge by taking U.S. Highway 93 south from Alamo (or North from Las Vegas). Exit at the Western Elite Landfill and follow the signs to RyanHenge. Admission is free.
Experience the sublime at Michael Heizer’s City, located just 60 miles north of Alamo. City is a landscape sculpture made of clay, sand and concrete that sprawls over 704,000 acres in the remote Nevada desert.
Experience the sublime at Michael Heizer’s City, located just 60 miles north of Alamo. City is a landscape sculpture made of clay, sand and concrete that sprawls over 704,000 acres in the remote Nevada desert. Inspired by the pre-Columbian cities of Central and South America and Native American mound-building traditions, this massive work of art is made up of towering, angular structures that feel at once ancient and ultra-modern. Like Heizer’s other works, City is a meditation on space, form, scale and time.
“I’m building this work for later. I’m interested in making a work of art that will represent all the civilization to this point,” Heizer said of City, according to the Lannan Foundation, which helped fund the project.
Over 50 years in the making, City is now open to the public by reservation only. Day trips begin in Alamo and are limited to six visitors (ages 16 and over) per day. Visiting without permission is strictly prohibited to maintain safety and artistic intent.
Reservations are available through the Triple Aught Foundation.
Tickets are $150/adult and $100/student. Admission is free for all residents of Lincoln, Nye, White Pine and Nevada counties. For more information contact info@tripleaughtfoundation.org.
Photo: 45°, 90°, 180°, City © Michael Heizer. Courtesy of Triple Aught Foundation. Photo Ben Blackwell
