Located off Highway 95 south of Tonopah and near the former boom town of Goldfield, this incredible rural Nevada car forest is an outside art exhibit that was the brain child of longtime area resident Mark Ripple who conceptualized an outdoor space where artists could express themselves on abandoned cars, trucks, and buses with whatever creative medium they desired. Thus, in 2002, the International Car Forest of the Last Church was born. Soon after Ripple started his project, Reno resident Chad Sorg saw a lone car buried in the dirt near Goldfield and became inspired. After learning it was part of Ripple's brainchild, Sorg moved to Goldfield where he continuously creates art at this fascinating Nevada attraction.
The name is a combination of the idea that the forest is a public space where visitors could explore along with Ripple's own website, Last Church.
Believed to be the largest car "forest" in the world covering 80 acres, this unique Nevada attraction is comprised of more than 40 vehicles, each buried nose-down in the dirt, carefully stacked atop each other, or set on wooden bases or over tunnels below.
The artists were inspired by such outdoor art exhibits as Thunder Mountain Monument as well as California's Salvation Mountain and Watts Towers of Simon Rodia State Historical Park.
The vehicles are decorated with graffiti of varying styles, and the forest has become a popular site for photographers.
Here, a well-balanced vehicle atop an old ice cream truck.
This outdoor automobile "graveyard" of sorts continues to attract artists wishing to leave their mark.
Because of the dirt roads surrounding the vehicles, the terrain can be rugged, particularly when wet and muddy.
Visitors can fully explore the exhibit.
This automotive spectacle is truly something not to be missed.
The International Car Forest of the Last Church is equally as interesting at night. Sorg once said, "Nothin' a bus stickin' out of the ground can't fix." He appears to have been correct.
Sadly, Ripple and Sorg had a falling out, and Ripple—who owned the land—is not there anymore. The car forest remains and will likely outlast those who planted it as well as contributing artists.
Have you been to this truly unique Nevada car forest? Please share your comments below.
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