Exploring the Ruins of Cathedral Canyon in Nevada

Located just a few miles outside of Pahrump and about an hour from Las Vegas lies the ruins of what was once Cathedral Canyon, a once awe-inspiring site in the Nevada desert. What was once a dream inspired by a near-death experience however, now lies in ruins.

Cathedral Canyon was created by a man named Roland Wiley, who built the large religious monument on his Hidden Hills Ranch outside of Pahrump. Wiley had once been the District Attorney for Clark County, and even had unsuccessfully run for governor of Nevada. It was after being hospitalized with rabbit fever in the 1960s that he was inspired to build Cathedral Canyon, a cathedral in the desert. The cathedral walls were built by mother nature and the roof was the sky above.

Opening in 1972, at one point Cathedral Canyon had electric lights, plumbing, a sound system for music, and even a 30 foot waterfall. It also featured over a hundred different religious items, from neon painted Virgin Mary statues to quotes by Abraham Lincoln and Albert Einstein.

After Wiley died in 1994, unfortunately the canyon wasn't well looked after, and was repeatedly vandalized. Now some 30 years later, little is left of what was once said to bring in over 4,000 visitors a year.

Also located at Cathedral Canyon is the grave of Queho. An early 1900s outlaw that terrorized residents near the Colorado River.

[Mag_Aoidh]

It never fails to amaze me how creative and destructive humans can be.

[TnTMyers]

I had the honor of seeing Cathedral Canyon in all it's glory. Either day or night it was beautiful, soft music playing, gentle lights to help along the way and to light up all the statues/stained glass windows that he had in the out coves. He also had benches for people to sit and reflect from. The view from the bridge was pure amazement. I lived in Pahrump from the late 70's to the early 90's. The desert holds many such places. It's a real shame that people feel the need to destruct. I am glad that I got to enjoy it when it was in full glory.

[davidmacnab]

Another great story with so many sad elements. Terrific, natural narration.

[drmichaelshea]

It’s been decades since I passed Pahrump, and I never knew of this place. Thank you for the tour. Despite the ruins I feel a sense of reverence for the creator and the experiences he had that lead to his construction of this devotional monument. It’s sad that so many people are so destructive and disrespectful.

[bethkoch]

I moved to Las Vegas in 1972, and we visited Cathedral Canyon several times in the '70's and '80's. It was a really neat place; you could go there at night, and turn the lights on yourself and spend as long as you wanted just enjoying the beauty and the quiet. We had a telescope and we would bring it out there because the dark sky was really nice - now there's a glow all around, so that's pretty much gone too. Thanks for this nice memory.

[jclements]

I found cathedral canyon 15 years ago when I had a forced landing due to catastrophic engine failure, The airfield is just south of the canyon, we stumbled upon the canyon while waiting to get help. It was untouched, everything was beautiful. There was a natural spring in the canyon, The Christ of the Andies Statue looked great, Sad to see what people have done.

[atribecalledcookies]

I remember one night back in the 90's around midnight some friends and I decided we'd drive out to Cathedral Canyon, we drove down the road to place at night and it's desolate, nobody out there, we get out of the car and walk over to a power pole that was set up out there and had a breaker box you tripped and boom, the whole canyon lit up, and at night it was truly something awe inspiring and I was amazed. The suspension bridge lit up, all of the relics and spiritual statues which lined the bottom of the canyon were illuminated. It was so interesting. I'm glad I got to see it when it was pristine.

[karinrobinson]

Mr. Wiley gave me & my husband a tour through the canyon in the early ‘80s. It was so interesting & Mr. Wiley was such a gentleman.
Such a shame…😢

[davidtaylor]

Beautifully narrated video of a tiny location in Pahrump developed at great cost as a tribute to the owners’s Creator.
I especially enjoyed the before pics demonstrating the terrible change for the worse. Thanks Steve

[paradoxpara]

As a displaced native of the US deserts, I can still return to my homeland because of your travels that you share with us. Bless you and your family.

[gerhardwuhrer]

Steve, thanks for the story and impressions of Cathredal Canyon!

[PhillyB]

Excellent as always Steve. Thank you sir.

[PreciousCandle]

One man builds a dream for the enjoyment of all. In time he is gone and eventually his dream must surrender to the same fate! Very Nicely Done! Thank You!!!

[bobrocco]

Thanks for another great video. I've lived in Pahrump for 24 years and Cathedral Canyon has always been an interesting place for me.

[Srennoc]

So many gems to be found in the desert👍👍

[tothesummit]

I first visited Cathedral Canyon sometime in the early to mid 90s. It was a pretty magical place in those years. Even after his death someone kept the power on for a while and through most of the 90s you could still go out there and flip the switch at night and the place lit up beautifully. But as with everything abandoned nature and vandals take their toll. It's still a cool story and a neat place to visit but unless you saw it in person during its heyday it's hard to grasp just how special it was. Thanks for another great adventure to an old memory of mine.

[nationalparksprincess]

The canyon is beautiful!! Fascinating history here. Thanks for showing us around.

[matthewcamp]

Used to camp out there in the 90s when it was nice and working, very special place in my mind . You would flip the switch and lights waterfalls and music would turn on .

[Lefty-tvgx]

Thank you for the awesome reminder of this place, I spent a lot of time in this canyon when I was a younger man, the peace it brought everyone was worth it. Respect

[sandyfields]

very enjoyable video. having moved from CA to FL four years ago, I miss the desert more than I thought possible