Imlay

Travel Guide

The?Thunder Mountain Monument?is a series ofoutsider art?sculptures and architectural forms which were assembled by Frank Van Zant starting in 1969 upon his arrival in?Imlay, Nevada; it is located on a shoulder of?I-80. A WWII veteran from Oklahoma, Frank Van Zant had served with the?7th Armoured Division,[1]?fighting in several campaigns, and been badly burned in a tank battle outside ofLeipzig, Germany.[2]?A self-identified?Creek Indian,[3]he took the?Native American?name Rolling Mountain Thunder after experiencing an?epiphany, and took on the twin but related tasks of both building shelters from the presumed coming apocalypse, and making a?de facto?spiritual haven for spiritual seekers of the?hippie?era. (There is no Thunder Mountain in the vicinity.)The site contains three stone and cement buildings and over 200 cement sculptures variously depicting Native Americans and their protective spirits, massacres, and purported injustices. Thunder Mountain Monument (or Park) is replete with found objects (such as, but not limited to, car hoods, dolls' heads, typewriters, and gas pumps), many of which are incorporated into the buildings themselves; one framework forms a large handle so the Great Spirit could take the building away after Thunder's death.He was long subjected to harassment by the local townspeople, and his site was partially destroyed by arson in 1983, the same year he was named Nevada's Artist of the Year; a heavy cigarette smoker, Rolling Mountain Thunder committed suicide by shooting himself in the head in 1989. His uniquely wrought environment was neglected and subject to vandalism until it was declared a Nevada State Historic Site in the 1990s; it is now under the care of his grown children under the aegis of a State of Nevada Historic Site Restoration Project, and is partially open to the public for self-guided tours.[4]Frank Van Zant has been the subject of two short documentaries.[5] Wikipedia
The?Thunder Mountain Monument?is a series ofoutsider art?sculptures and architectural forms which were assembled by Frank Van Zant starting in 1969 upon his arrival in?Imlay, Nevada; it is located on a shoulder of?I-80. A WWII veteran from Oklahoma, Frank Van Zant had served with the?7th Armoured Division,[1]?fighting in several campaigns, and been badly burned in a tank battle outside ofLeipzig, Germany.[2]?A self-identified?Creek Indian,[3]he took the?Native American?name Rolling Mountain Thunder after experiencing an?epiphany, and took on the twin but related tasks of both building shelters from the presumed coming apocalypse, and making a?de facto?spiritual haven for spiritual seekers of the?hippie?era. (There is no Thunder Mountain in the vicinity.)The site contains three stone and cement buildings and over 200 cement sculptures variously depicting Native Americans and their protective spirits, massacres, and purported injustices. Thunder Mountain Monument (or Park) is replete with found objects (such as, but not limited to, car hoods, dolls' heads, typewriters, and gas pumps), many of which are incorporated into the buildings themselves; one framework forms a large handle so the Great Spirit could take the building away after Thunder's death.He was long subjected to harassment by the local townspeople, and his site was partially destroyed by arson in 1983, the same year he was named Nevada's Artist of the Year; a heavy cigarette smoker, Rolling Mountain Thunder committed suicide by shooting himself in the head in 1989. His uniquely wrought environment was neglected and subject to vandalism until it was declared a Nevada State Historic Site in the 1990s; it is now under the care of his grown children under the aegis of a State of Nevada Historic Site Restoration Project, and is partially open to the public for self-guided tours.[4]Frank Van Zant has been the subject of two short documentaries.[5] Wikipedia
The?Thunder Mountain Monument?is a series ofoutsider art?sculptures and architectural forms which were assembled by Frank Van Zant starting in 1969 upon his arrival in?Imlay, Nevada; it is located on a shoulder of?I-80. A WWII veteran from Oklahoma, Frank Van Zant had served with the?7th Armoured Division,[1]?fighting in several campaigns, and been badly burned in a tank battle outside ofLeipzig, Germany.[2]?A self-identified?Creek Indian,[3]he took the?Native American?name Rolling Mountain Thunder after experiencing an?epiphany, and took on the twin but related tasks of both building shelters from the presumed coming apocalypse, and making a?de facto?spiritual haven for spiritual seekers of the?hippie?era. (There is no Thunder Mountain in the vicinity.)The site contains three stone and cement buildings and over 200 cement sculptures variously depicting Native Americans and their protective spirits, massacres, and purported injustices. Thunder Mountain Monument (or Park) is replete with found objects (such as, but not limited to, car hoods, dolls' heads, typewriters, and gas pumps), many of which are incorporated into the buildings themselves; one framework forms a large handle so the Great Spirit could take the building away after Thunder's death.He was long subjected to harassment by the local townspeople, and his site was partially destroyed by arson in 1983, the same year he was named Nevada's Artist of the Year; a heavy cigarette smoker, Rolling Mountain Thunder committed suicide by shooting himself in the head in 1989. His uniquely wrought environment was neglected and subject to vandalism until it was declared a Nevada State Historic Site in the 1990s; it is now under the care of his grown children under the aegis of a State of Nevada Historic Site Restoration Project, and is partially open to the public for self-guided tours.[4]Frank Van Zant has been the subject of two short documentaries.[5]
Located about 35 miles west of Winnemucca and visible from I80, the Thunder Mountain Monument was built by Frank Van Zant aka 'Chief Rolling Mountain Thunder' (1921-1989). He moved here in 1968 with his wife and three small children. He started building his unique environment using only discarded items he found within a 50 mile radius of the property. In fact, the only thing he purchased was cement. In 1983 he was named Nevada’s Artist of the Year. Sadly, he committed suicide in 1989. His oldest son now owns the property. The grounds are open to the public. More info Is available here: http://www.thundermountainmonument.com/index.htm
Located about 35 miles west of Winnemucca and visible from I80, the Thunder Mountain Monument was built by Frank Van Zant aka 'Chief Rolling Mountain Thunder' (1921-1989). He moved here in 1968 with his wife and three small children. He started building his unique environment using only discarded items he found within a 50 mile radius of the property. In fact, the only thing he purchased was cement. In 1983 he was named Nevada’s Artist of the Year. Sadly, he committed suicide in 1989. His oldest son now owns the property. The grounds are open to the public. More info Is available here: http://www.thundermountainmonument.com/index.htm
Excalibur Hotel & Casino

Excalibur Hotel & Casino

3.5 out of 5
3850 Las Vegas Blvd S Las Vegas NV
The price is P731 per night from Feb 16 to Feb 17
P731
P3,790 total
Feb 16 - Feb 17
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly resort in Las Vegas. Enjoy an outdoor pool, 16 restaurants, and a casino. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
8/10 Very Good! (40,883 reviews)
El cuarto excelente todo muy limpio y todos los dias asean tu habitacion

Reviewed on Feb 14, 2026

Excalibur Hotel & Casino
Treasure Island - TI Las Vegas Hotel & Casino

Treasure Island - TI Las Vegas Hotel & Casino

4 out of 5
3300 Las Vegas Blvd S Las Vegas NV
The price is P2,029 per night from Feb 23 to Feb 24
P2,029
P5,587 total
Feb 23 - Feb 24
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa resort in Las Vegas. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor pool, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (32,424 reviews)
Close to everything!

Reviewed on Feb 14, 2026

Treasure Island - TI Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
Paris Las Vegas Resort & Casino

Paris Las Vegas Resort & Casino

4 out of 5
3655 Las Vegas Blvd S Las Vegas NV
The price is P1,741 per night from Feb 16 to Feb 17
P1,741
P5,589 total
Feb 16 - Feb 17
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa resort in Las Vegas. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the restaurant and the clean rooms in ...
8/10 Very Good! (27,409 reviews)
Had a good stay

Reviewed on Feb 14, 2026

Paris Las Vegas Resort & Casino
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Grandview at Las Vegas

Grandview at Las Vegas

3 out of 5
9940 Las Vegas Blvd S Las Vegas NV
Book a stay at this family-friendly aparthotel in Las Vegas. Enjoy free WiFi, 5 outdoor pools, and 5 hot tubs. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (8,229 reviews)
I love the grandview its always my place to stay, ill be back very soon

Reviewed on Feb 14, 2026

Grandview at Las Vegas
Tahiti Village Resort & Spa

Tahiti Village Resort & Spa

3.5 out of 5
7200 Las Vegas Blvd S Las Vegas NV
Book a stay at this spa aparthotel in Las Vegas. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (8,617 reviews)
Hotel was off the strip. Enjoyed the quietness.. bed was a little rough but decent.. the whole property is very clean. Enjoy the Cats that hang around. our room had a nice view and was spacious.

Reviewed on Feb 9, 2026

Tahiti Village Resort & Spa
Palms Place

Palms Place

4.5 out of 5
4381 W Flamingo Rd Las Vegas NV
Book a stay at this luxury aparthotel in Las Vegas. Enjoy an outdoor pool, a full-service spa, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the restaurant ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (12,406 reviews)
great, clean and comfortable.

Reviewed on Feb 9, 2026

Palms Place
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Thunder Mountain Indian Monument

You can find out about the history of Imlay with a visit to Thunder Mountain Indian Monument. Discover the area's desert landscape and sunsets.

Thunder Mountain Indian Monument