Double Negative
- Admission
- Free
- Hours
- Open 24/7 (Daylight hours recommended)
- Duration
- 1-2 hours
- Parking
- Unimproved dirt parking near the mesa edge; high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle highly recommended
- Access
- Not wheelchair accessible; rugged, uneven natural dirt terrain with steep drop-offs
Created by artist Michael Heizer in 1969, Double Negative is a monumental piece of land art consisting of two massive trenches blasted into the edges of Mormon Mesa. This colossal 1,500-foot-long artwork invites visitors to contemplate the beauty of empty space and displaced earth. It remains one of the earliest and most influential Earthworks ever made.
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Created in 1969 by artist Michael Heizer, Double Negative is a monumental land art piece carved into the cliffs of the Mormon Mesa. To construct it, workers displaced 240,000 tons of desert sandstone to form two massive, aligned trenches spanning a natural canyon.
Today, visitors find themselves standing inside a vast, open-air sculpture that represents a physical manifestation of 'nothingness.' The scale is awe-inspiring, as the trenches stretch 1,500 feet long, 50 feet deep, and 30 feet wide across the rim of the mesa.
It is one of the earliest and most influential examples of the Earthworks movement, highlighting the interplay between human intervention and natural erosion. Over the decades, the elements have slowly reclaimed the edges, making the artwork a living testament to the passage of time.
Ratings
attractionVisitor Tips
- ◆ A high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle is strongly recommended to navigate the rough gravel and dirt roads leading to the mesa.
- ◆ Download offline maps and GPS coordinates beforehand, as cell service is highly unreliable in this remote area.
- ◆ Visit during the early morning or late afternoon to experience the dramatic play of shadows inside the trenches.
- ◆ Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good grip, as the terrain inside and around the trenches is uneven and rocky.
Heads Up
- ◆ There are no facilities, water, or shade at the site, so visitors must pack in all necessary supplies, especially water.
- ◆ Watch your step near the edges of the trenches, as the sandstone can be unstable and crumble unexpectedly.
- ◆ Extreme desert heat during the summer months can be highly dangerous; plan your trip for cooler seasons.
Common questions
Do you need a four-wheel-drive vehicle to get to Double Negative?
Yes, a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle is strongly recommended to navigate the rough, unpaved gravel roads up Mormon Mesa. Standard cars risk getting stuck or damaged on the rocky terrain.
Are there any restrooms or visitor facilities at Double Negative?
No, there are no facilities, restrooms, trash cans, or water sources at the site. It is located in a remote desert area, so visitors must bring all necessary supplies and pack out all trash.
Can you walk inside the trenches of Double Negative?
Yes, you can walk down into the trenches, but there are no designated trails or safety railings. Visitors must exercise caution as the slopes are steep and the sandstone can be loose and crumbling.