Desert Monuments: Pete Karns' Sand Sculptures in Mesquite, Nevada

When you're driving along Lower Flat Top Road near Mesquite, Nevada, you might do a double take. Rising from the sandy hillside are familiar shapes: the Statue of Liberty, the Great Sphinx, and moai (giant heads) similar to the mysterious stone idols found on Easter Island. In the middle of the Nevada desert, these world-famous monuments seem completely out of place.

One Man's Desert Hobby

Anex-Olympian named Pete Karns is behind these roadside sculptures. Armed with just a shovel, an ice pick, and a nail puller, Karns has spent his retirement transforming the desert landscape into an outdoor art show. Starting with renditions of Peanuts comic strip characters, his collection now includes presidential tributes resembling a miniature Mount Rushmore, and Lady Liberty's head poking through the sand.

Karns insists he has no formal training as an artist, saying his work is a hobby. Maybe he thinks the impermanence of his creations separates them from the dusty paintings you'd find hanging on gallery walls? It's true that his sculptures shift every day. Rain and wind are gradually melting the former presidents' features, while Lady Sandy Liberty is eroding a lot faster than her Big Apple twin. Still, on fine-weather days, Karns is out there for up to 2 or 3 hours with his basic tools, adding new creations to the barren desert scenery.

Protecting the Sculptures

Increased popularity has, unfortunately, brought with it some unwelcome consequences. As more people discovered the sculptures, some visitors couldn't resist adding their own artistic touches to Karns' work. Names, initials, and random doodles began appearing on the monuments. The problem escalated as more people decided to leave their mark, until protective measures became necessary.

"No trespassing" signs now surround the area to prevent further defacement. Visitors must stay on the road to view the sculptures from a distance. It's a bummer that a few thoughtless visitors have ruined the up-close experience for everyone else, but while you can't walk right up to the carvings anymore, you can still take pictures of them and appreciate the scope of what Karns has created from your car or the roadside.

Nature's Inevitable Victory

Day by day, the harsh desert climate is slowly reclaiming Karns' work. Each gust of wind carries away tiny grains that once formed a president's chin or the Sphinx's paws. What Karns carved with care is gradually melting back into the landscape.

Visit sooner rather than later if you want to see Karns' desert monuments. The inevitable consequences of time and weather mean these roadside curiosities won't last forever, making them a truly fleeting attraction in the Nevada landscape.