Our beautifully macabre tour of Coffinwood, Nevada

Tucked away like a little secret, Coffinwood in Pahrump, Nevada feels less like a tour and more like wandering into a beautifully haunted fever dream built by an artist who loves his craft. 

From the moment of arrival, we could see that very inch of the property was covered in macabre masterpieces. Coffinwood is a gothic roadside attraction that is made up of many parts including a museum of the strange and unusual (mostly coffin-related of course!), a working studio, a wildlife sanctuary.

Our tour was led by the appropriately nicknamed “Coffin” who told us of the background, history and love story that shaped Coffinwood into what  it has become. It’s no wonder that the site has been featured in newspapers from nearly every continent, highlighted in books from around the world, and showcased in a variety of TV shows and films. 

The two-hour experience takes visitors deep into the inner workings of Coffinwood, and it never once feels scripted or commercial. It is clear that “Coffin” loves and cares for the site and has great plans for the further development of the property.

We learned about “The Boys,” which are the incredible collection of hearses at Coffinwood, as well as general hearse factoids that you never realized that you’d be so darkly delighted to know. 

We wandered through the Coffinwood Cemetery and Wildlife Habitat where rusted relics, wildlife, and artistry coexist in a way that somehow feels peaceful instead of morbid. Even in the high temperatures of the day in which we attended.

The Coffin Gardens and cemetery were one of my favorite parts of the tour. It was a beautiful juxtaposition of decay and preservation. Each plot had been lovingly decorated with artificial flowers in which the brutal desert climate had begun to wear and fade them over time. In response to this, Coffin is now crafting coffin-shaped stone flowers to withstand the harsh elements while preserving the beauty and care placed into every memorial space. It’s a strangely touching detail that perfectly captures the spirit of Coffinwood: dark, unconventional, and deeply heartfelt beneath the surface.

Before leaving, there is a stop at Coffin It Up, the property’s wonderfully bizarre gift shop housed within a tour bus. Visitors can pick up all kinds of coffin-themed souvenirs, from quirky coffin knick-knacks and hand-made coffin-shaped jewelry to an assortment of Coffinwood t-shirts perfect for commemorating your descent into this strange little paradise.

One part of Coffinwood that we unfortunately could not experience was Sector 13. As if the regular tours were not unique enough, Coffinwood also hosts an apocalyptic speakeasy every Friday the 13th. Guests can sip themed cocktails and mocktails while watching live aluminum casting and coffin art demonstrations surrounded by the property’s eerie industrial atmosphere. Naturally, post-apocalyptic attire is strongly encouraged, and the result feels like stepping into a scene from Fallout or Madmax.

Coffinwood tours are held on Saturdays and Sundays only, with start times at 8am, 10am, and 2pm. At $30 per person, it feels like an absolute steal for such a one-of-a-kind experience. 

Whether you’re drawn to gothic culture, outsider art, strange Americana, craftsmanship, or simply places that refuse to be ordinary, Coffinwood is unforgettable. It’s eerie, creative, and strangely beautiful.