Explore The International Car Forest of the Last Church in Goldfield

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Located right off U.S 95 in Goldfield, a small Nevada town frozen in time, stands a unique roadside attraction showcasing a perfect fusion of art and car - The International Car Forest of the Last Church.

The car forest is a cluster of a few dozen or so vehicles that have been planted into the ground, hood first, causing them to stand vertically, mimicking trees (hence - car forest).

To make it even more unique, artists and taggers from around the world have left their mark here with varying designs, statements, quotes and more.

While I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a destination all its own, the car forest is definitely worthy of a stop if you happen to be on a road trip along this stretch of highway.

Find out below how to get there, how much it costs, where to park and more. Let’s get into it!

Quick Stats

  • Location: Goldfield, NV

  • Fee: None, but donations are accepted

  • Open: All year

  • For: Anyone

  • Cell Service: Decent

  • Restroom: Port-O-Potty at the entrance

  • Parking: No designated lot, but plenty of pull outs

  • EV Stations: None

  • Popularity: Low to moderate

  • Time: An hour or so

  • Pets: Allowed on leash

  • Drones: No signs stating you can’t fly

  • Hazards: Rattlesnakes, rusty metal, other debris and not much shade

  • My Visit(s): August 2023

 

Getting There & Parking

The road to the car forest in Goldfield.

The car forest is easy to get to as it’s just a few minutes off highway 95 down a dirt road. If you’re not already traveling through, though, it’s way out of the way.

The nearest towns to Goldfield are Tonopah to the north and Beatty to the south. The nearest major city is Las Vegas, roughly 185 miles away.

From the highway, you’ll turn onto Crystal Ave and travel along a dirt road, past a few homes, for about a quarter mile before arriving to the car forest’s entrance on the right.

The entrance to the car forest in Goldfield.

You’ll first arrive to a booth and a welcome sign. Entry to the car forest is free but here is where you can leave a donation if you like.

Ahead of you the road will split. Going in either direction will take you to the same spot so don’t spend a lot of time deciding. The road on the left was better maintained, though.

There’s no official parking lot, but there are many pull outs. You can choose to park on the hilltop and walk in or drive into the car forest. I opted to walk in.

 

The Cars of the International Car Forest

A car at the car forest in Goldfield.

There are a few vehicles on the hilltop to look at, but the bulk of the car forest is down the hill. They’re mostly clustered together, with a few others spread further out.

A car at the car forest in Goldfield.

There’s no official path to follow, nor are the cars in any particular order. You also won’t find any informational signage detailing the art or the artists themselves.

A car at the car forest in Goldfield.

There are about three dozen vehicles that make up the car forest. Each have a blend of artistic renderings, quotes, political statements and encouraging words. As the sign at the entrance states, “artists are welcomed, taggers are tolerated”.

A car the car forest in Goldfield.
A collection of cars at the car forest in Goldfield.

That same sign indicates you yourself can partake in leaving your own artistic expression on any of the vehicles if you so choose. All they ask is you don’t resort to vandalism.

A bus at the car forest in Goldfield.

While most of the vehicles here are of the sedan variety, there are a couple buses and vans added to the mix. Most of which you can climb into and explore.

A mural of a woman at the car forest in Goldfield.

The car forest is one of those places where how long it takes to see it all depends entirely on your level of interest. Worst case, it’s a great way to stretch your legs for an hour or so.

Even if you only have a mild interest in cars, art or both, the car forest is a must-see attraction. It’s one of those unique, “Nevada things”, that cannot be missed.

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Thank you for reading.

Kevin

One day I threw on a backpack, grabbed a camera, hit the trail, and never looked back. After all, great things never come from comfort zones.

https://www.inkedwithwanderlust.com
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