Seven Magic Mountains Quick Guide:
- Location: Jean, NV
- Time Needed: 1-2 Hours
- Cost: Free
- Kid-Friendly: Yes
- Bathrooms: No
- Best Paired with: Goodsprings, NV
Seven Magic Mountains is an eccentric and inspiring place that you don’t want to miss. It is just outside of the crowded Strip, about 25 mins South. It is an easy drive towards Jean, NV on 1-15 South. If you’re looking for quick 1-2 hours activity, and something off the beaten path, this is a good one! The juxtaposition of the boulders and the sky will leave you pondering the meaning for hours.
Seven Magic Mountains is an art installation by Ugo Rondinone that opened in 2016. You drive out to the site and then get out and walk around under the massive “colorful mountains” against the beautiful desert backdrop. It’s worth seeing at least one time, though I’ve been there 3 times touring family around. There is plenty of room to explore. You can let the kids run free. It’s not an all-day commitment. You can see the installation, let the kids explore, and move on thereafter. I’ve read that the installation may be moving soon, so check it out while it’s still in Las Vegas!
There is not a bathroom at this site. There is, however, sometimes a food truck with food/treat items.
Also, if you visit this beautiful art display, then you must pair it with visiting Goodsprings, right down the road.
Goodsprings, NV
Goodsprings, NV is an old mining town that operated between 1856-1957. Zinc and lead were primarily mined in this town. The town is named for the cattleman Joseph Good. The peak mining years were around 1911.
Pioneer Saloon, which still operates today as a bar and restaurant was built in 1913. My suggestion is to go and have lunch at the Saloon and then have a look around at the remains of the past. If you’ve visited Seven Magic Mountains before this, in the same trip, then it will feel like a total transition into another place in time. The contrast between the two is a good pair. If you go on the weekend there is usually a live band! When we went visited, there was a great classic rock type band. It was fun. The food was good. There was plenty of seating on the patio and it was kid friendly as well. I got the Ghost Burger. It was good, but a little too spicy for me. My husband loved it. They had a kid’s menu (ask for it) and an activity with crayons, which was nice. They kids played corn hole outside, which was off to the side where they weren’t bothering anyone. I was so glad they had that there.
There is a walking tour of the area that you can take, and that information can be found here. We visited in the summer, so we drove around instead, since it was pretty hot.
Also, if you’re a Fallout enthusiast, this site will be of major interest as it was the inspiration for the video game, where developers modeled the game’s geography and buildings after this little town. It was truly a snapshot in time, and I can see why this might have inspired the setting in that storyline.
Seven Magic Mountains and Goodsprings are a perfect pair to break up the day. One minute you’re looking at beautiful art in the desert and the next you’re stepping back in time to imagine and wonder what life might have been like in an old Nevada mining town. Goodsprings has that rugged feeling that allows you to step outside of yourself for a moment and slow down to something you might otherwise miss. That is just my opinion but go try it for yourself! Happy Trails!
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