Near Miller Point Caves Loop
A view of some of the formations that make up Cathedral Gorge.
Near Miller Point Caves Loop
A view of the old abandoned water tower and some of the surrounding clay formations in Cathedral Gorge.
Near Miller Point Caves Loop
A rope that leads up and under a natural bridge in the back of one of the slot canyons in the Moon Caves section of the park (to access this, you need to crawl through a small underground passage that then opens up into this canyon)
Near Miller Point Caves Loop
A view from inside one of the slot canyons into the sky above
Near Miller Point Caves Loop
One of the dry waterfalls at the end of the slot canyon

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Driving Directions
Hike Route

Miller Point Caves Loop

3.3 (3 Ratings)
A desert trail through amazing eroded clay formations with access to gorgeous slot canyons.
1
mi
Distance
145
ft
Gain
easy
Difficulty
CaveViewsWaterfall

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
0.99mi
Distance
145ft
Elevation Gain
145ft
Elevation Loss
25%
Max Grade
4,993ft
High Point
4,838ft
Low Point
Path Type
There and Back
Description
From the trailhead at Miller Point, pass the gazebo and descend the trail down through the amazing formations that make this state park one of the most beautiful places in Nevada. Starting from above gives you the opportunity to see these spectacular formations in a very neat way, and as you descend the trail you get the opportunity to see them up close as well. The trail drops down some stairs, crosses a couple of bridges, and then eventually drops into a dry wash that carries the sediment that is being eroded from the formations out into the valley below. As you follow the wash, you emerge from a more narrow canyon into the wide valley and before long, the trail reaches the picnic area and parking area where there is access to a lot of other trails within the park.Once you have reached this picnic area, you are close to three sets of "caves" - the Cathedral Caves, the Canyon Caves, and the Moon Caves. The best part of this hike is going into these "caves" (slot canyons, really) and exploring them to their ends, where they usually end in really amazing dry waterfalls. If you are lucky, you'll find hidden treasures, like underground passages eroded by the flood waters that lead to even more spectacular slot canyons (there is at least one in the Moon Caves). All of these sets of slot canyons have fun places to explore, and they are a great break from the desert heat on a summer day. Once you've explored the caves, finishing at the Moon Caves, you can return back the way you came along the dirt road that leads back to the picnic area, and eventually back to Miller Point. Make sure to take a look at the abandoned water tower that sits between the Cathedral and Canyon Caves, it is another famous landmark in the area and is a beautiful addition to the landscape. Unfortunately, returning the way you came means you need to go up on the last quarter mile, but the ascent is pretty gradual and only lasts for about 150 vertical feet, so it's not so bad, especially if it's not too hot outside.

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Contributors
Stephanie Reed