Seven Magic Mountains

Seven Magic Mountains is a large public artwork in the desert south of Las Vegas, and its fluorescent boulders make a striking contrast with the plain, pale landscape around them. Created by the Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, it was commissioned and financed by the Art Production Fund and the Nevada Museum of Art and opened in May 2016.

The work consists of seven towers built from 33 locally sourced boulders, stacked in groups of three to six and covered in two layers of Day-Glo fluorescent paint. Each tower stands around 30 to 35 feet tall, and the forms are inspired by hoodoos, the rock pillars found across the western United States. It sits in the Ivanpah Valley near Jean Dry Lake, with the McCullough Range as a backdrop, at the far southern end of Las Vegas Boulevard and close to Interstate 15. The setting is part of the effect: it has been described as something artificial placed in a natural environment, and around 325,000 people visit each year.

The installation was originally meant to stand for two years, until the end of 2018, but it has been extended more than once, and its producers have described an extension plan to keep it on view for several more years. A proposal in 2024 to move it elsewhere in Nevada was later reported as halted. Because its long-term future has been in question before, it is worth checking the official website before you go.

A visit is simple: you walk out to the towers and spend as long as you like taking photographs. The site is not staffed and has suffered from vandalism, so treat it with care. The official site asks visitors to leave no trace, and many people choose to make a donation to help with its upkeep. There is little or no shade, so in summer go early or late, bring water and wear sturdy shoes. Early morning and late afternoon also give the best light for photographs, when the colours glow against the desert.

It suits photographers, art lovers, families and anyone driving between Las Vegas and Southern California. Allow 30 minutes to an hour on site. The installation is about ten miles south of Las Vegas, so you will need a car or a tour. It pairs well with a stop at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign on the way back towards the Strip.