The Vortex

A journey of awakening through the American southwest.

by theworldinaframe

22 Places

Chimayo, New Mexico

El Santuario de Chimayo

This popular pilgrimage site offers a hole filled with holy healing dirt.

thirdthreshold

Added by thirdthreshold

Jemez Springs, New Mexico

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

A unique geological area spiked with wind-carved rocks that resemble teepees.

avery

Abiquiu, New Mexico

Echo Amphitheater

Natural sonic phenomenon comes with a grisly legend of murder and blood.

Added by owenkatherine7216

El Prado, New Mexico

Earthships

These aggressively sustainable art homes look like something out of 1970's science fiction.

Rob Tallia

Added by Rob Tallia

Carlsbad, New Mexico

Carlsbad Caverns

The second-largest cave chamber in the world was discovered in 1898 by a 16-year-old and a friend known as "Pothead."

Santa Fe, New Mexico

House of Eternal Return

An immersive environment that is part haunted house, part choose-your-own-adventure, and part jungle gym.

caitlinrinn

Added by caitlinrinn

Alamogordo, New Mexico

White Sands National Park

Explore the largest pure gypsum deposit in the world, and go dune sledding while you're at it.

Seth Teicher

Added by Seth Teicher

The Wahweap Hoodoos

Giant pinnacles in the sun-scorched lands of Southern Utah have been nicknamed "white ghosts."

lewblank

Added by lewblank

Springdale, Utah

The Narrows

The hike through a narrow river flanked by the 2,000-foot-tall walls of Zion Canyon is one of the best in the world.

lewblank

Added by lewblank

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

This rugged area of red rocks and arches is often considered one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Added by ekoptev

Tucson, Arizona

Gallery in the Sun

This southwestern historic site was designed and built by an artist who wanted his work to "feel at home."

Added by rparkerstevenson

Chloride, Arizona

Chloride Ghost Town

All of the 20 occupied houses in this mostly abandoned town feature some curious display of junk art.

lewblank

Added by lewblank

Phoenix, Arizona

'Her Secret Is Patience'

This striking public art installation is suspended above a public park, designed to gently move in the breeze.

tesisedeno

Added by tesisedeno

Havasupai Falls

This secluded aqua waterfall in the Grand Canyon is the perfect swimming hole, and the Havasupai tribe's fiercely protected natural wonder.

lewblank

Added by lewblank

Tucson, Arizona

Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures

Miniature art that tells an enormous story.

Casa Grande, Arizona

The Domes

An abandoned facility that has become a place of ritualistic satanic worship, or so rumor has it.

Added by chlico

Flagstaff, Arizona

Coconino Lava River Cave

Eons ago, a rushing lava river formed this pristine passage through solid rock.

Mark Casey

Added by Mark Casey

Apache Junction, Arizona

The Superstition Mountain Museum

This collection of Wild West movie memorabilia also claims to hold some secrets of the Lost Dutchman's mine.

Added by allisonbeckert23

Sedona, Arizona

Chapel of the Holy Cross

A spiritual vortex among the red rocks in Sedona.

JBHewlett

Added by JBHewlett

Jerome, Arizona

Gold King Mine Ghost Town

Once the product of an inexplicable gold strike, this ghost town is now home to one man and his love of classic machines.

Welby

Joshua Tree, California

The Noah Purifoy Desert Art Museum

Explore 10 acres of environmental sculptures.

anhie

Calipatria, California

Slab City

This abandoned Navy base was transformed into an off-grid alternative living community for thousands of people.

anhie