Thunder Mountain Monument, Nevada

Monday November 10, 2025

If you are driving on I-80 near Imlay, Nevada (about 130 miles east of Reno) you may see Thunder Mountain Monument along the south side of the highway. It was built by World War II veteran Frank Van Zant, aka Chief Rolling Mountain Thunder. The buildings are made of artifacts and other items found in the nearby desert held together with concrete. There's lots of glass from broken bottles used in the buildings.

The main house is the largest structure. The white wood looks like bones from a distance, making it look like it was built in a skeleton of a large creature. It has a fence around it to protect it, but you can get close enough to it get a good look at everything.

Front of Main House

The Front and Side of the Main House

Back of the Main House

Besides the main house, there were some other artwork you can walk around.

Bug Statue

Native American Statues

Also on the site there were other small buildings and the ruins of a hostel that was a hippie hangout. This is the largest of the remaining buildings. It was closed, but I could go up to it and look in the windows.

Round Building

Thunder Mountain Monument is a Nevada State Historic Site. There is no admission fee or guided tours, but they take donations for the preservation of the site. If you are traveling through Nevada on I-80, you should take a break and stop here. It is one mile east of I-80 Exit 145 and has a dirt parking lot across from the entrance.

Roadside America has more details about the history of this site.