Ever since I learned about Cadillac Ranch, sometimes called the Cadillac Graveyard, in my sculpture class, like Seven Magic Mountains, I’ve wanted to go.  The road trip was the perfect opportunity and when I found out it was, sort of, on the route home, I got pretty excited.  I was finally going to see the Cadillacs that were half-buried in the fields of Amarillo, Texas.

I imagined Cadillac Ranch to be out in the middle of nowhere.  Wrong.  I imagined it be big and spread out.  Wrong again.  I expected it to be in a dry desert.  Also wrong.  Although, it is probably a pretty dry place, so that part might not always be right.

After a couple wrong turns and a U-turn, we finally saw it.  Ten small Cadillacs face first in the mud of a Texas field surrounded by people and garbage.

I knew people could paint the cars.  That’s part of the fun, but I assumed people would bring their garbage with them.  Wrong, yet again.  The cars were surrounded by way too many empty and partially used spray paint cans, just soaking in the mud.

I was more bummed that people just left their trash than I thought I would be.  I wanted to get garbage bags and clean it all up but I had nowhere to put it or anything to put it in.  It was sad to see people treat it this way.  But trash aside, it’s a pretty cool roadside stop.

This is a great quick stop to break up a long drive, especially if you like weird, quirky roadside attractions.  While I may not paint it in the best light here, it really is a cool stop for a Great American Road Trip and would highly recommend it at least once.

Thousands of people have left their mark on the cars with initials, cat paintings, and just random shapes or painted parts.  The idea behind this is awesome.  People from all over the world come to see this if they can and add to the cars with a lot more preparation than we had. We found a couple of cans with paint left to leave our own mark.  If only I found a box of garbage bags there too.

Did I love Cadillac Ranch?  Yes and no.  Would I go again?  Maybe.  Am I glad I went?  Definitely.  It was something I’ve wanted to see for years and I finally got to, but If I went back I would probably just want to go to clean it up.  And maybe take more pictures.

They make for a great photo opportunity and are fun to paint.  I wouldn’t say don’t go because it’s a cool thing to see.  Ten cars stuck in the ground, open for people to paint whatever they want on isn’t something you can see everywhere, so if you’re in the area, stop by.

Where is Cadillac Ranch?

Cadillac Ranch is in Amarillo, Texas, just off of I-40/Route 66.  It was pretty easy to get to, though the smaller roads around it were a little confusing.  Some of them are one-way, so keep an eye out for that.

How much is Cadillac Ranch?

Free!  There is no entrance fee and there is plenty of parking available.

Do I need to bring anything?

I would bring water and spray paint for sure.  You may be ablee to find some cans that still have paint left in them on the ground, we did.  But please, if you bring paint with you, take it when you leave!  Maybe even bring a few extras out with you.  Leeave it better than you found it, ya know?

I would also bring water and a hat, especially if you’re visiting in the summer.  We saw it in July and it was hot, but it wasn’t as hot as I would have expected.  I also think we got kind of lucky weather-wise on that trip.

How long do I need to see Cadillac Ranch?

I would say an hour should be plenty of time.  It’s a short walk from the parking are to the buried Cadillacs, but it’s not far.  An hour gives you lots of time to check out all the cars and add your own mark to them.

Have you been to Cadillac Ranch?  What did you think of it?  Do you want to go?

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