Nearly a dozen structures and remnants of buildings, in various states of disrepair, remain in Rhyolite, including a house made from thousands of glass bottles, remnants of a 3-story bank, a schoolhouse, jail, a railway station, and a train caboose. Also nearby are a number of more recently installed art sculptures, part of the Goldwell Open Air Museum.
It’s easy to visit Rhyolite independently. A popular way to visit is on a guided sightseeing tour from Las Vegas, which usually combines a visit to Rhyolite with nearby Death Valley National Park and the town of Beatty.
Rhyolite is located near the border of Death Valley National Park, around 120 miles (193 kilometers) northwest of Las Vegas, and around 4 miles (6 kilometers) from Beatty. From Death Valley, take Highway 190 onto Daylight Pass Road, then follow the signs for Rhyolite. From Beatty, take State Route 374 West.
Rhyolite can be visited at any time, but summers can be extremely hot and dry. Winters are generally mild, making it a good time to visit. Spring and fall offer the most pleasant weather. Visit during the day to best see the ruins. The site is also a good location for night and astro photography on a clear night.
Located just south of Rhyolite, the Goldwell Open Air Museum comprises seven large art installations. Highlights include Albert Szukalski’s The Last Supper and Ghost Rider, Dre Peters’ Icarus, and Hugo Heyrman’s Lady Desert: The Venus of Nevada. The museum offers free admission year-round, and is the site of the Albert’s Tarantella art festival every October.