the lightning field

My family and I (4 total) went to the Lightning Field in August. It was a fantastic experience!! Although we were really looking forward to seeing Walter deMaria's piece, we weren't sure what to expect when it came to the actual stay. We were paired up with a great couple who were ideal when it came to sharing the house. While we all went off and explored at our own times, we convened for meals and a little common time. They were super entertaining, relaxed and fun. The foundation leaves a prepared meal for dinner - enchiladas - which was delicious. My kids opted for some simple pasta which I cooked. I was pleasantly surprised by the supplies as well as the quality of the rooms. The homestead has been beautifully configured to three rooms accommodating two each. The bedding was very comfortable and tasteful (Hudson's Bay blankets). There were two bathrooms with showers and sets of towels for each person, loads of snacks and even yoga mats - again more than I was anticipating. The length of the stay was ideal (although I'd have happily stayed longer) and while we never witnessed lightning, I felt like I really had a very unique and intimate experience.P.S. if you bring wine or goodies definitely bring enough for all in the house.

My husband and I loved, loved, loved the Lightning Field. The staff is super, the cabin is cozy and well-appointed, and the visual experience cannot be surpassed. The true beauty of the desert, with all its creatures, stars, vast quietness, is fantastic and equal to the beauty of the installation itself. A magical place.The information supplied after we made our reservation explained everything very well, and the arrangements unfolded just as planned. Our two meals supplied at the cabin were excellent, and the whole experience was A+.

Your presence here indicates that you probably already know something about The Lightning Field as an art installation, so I won’t describe it. Safe to say it is a remarkable experience that does require 24 hours and a lot of walking around to appreciate. The logistics of visiting the Field add to the excitement of seeing it. Our party of six found the instructions from the Dia Foundation to be complete and accurate. Their small office in Quemado was easy to find. As others here have pointed out, the office was vacant but the door was open to a room with six chairs, a table, and a guest book. We brought our lunches and ate in the office while awaiting our pick-up to go to the field. If you have time and are coming from I-25 and Socorro, stop at Pie Town for lunch, which is about 25 miles east of Quemado. The origin of Pie Town is a story in itself. Also, if you take this route, you will pass The Very Large Array, the world’s largest radio telescope, which is worth a visit in its own right.My wife and I consolidated our luggage into one suitcase (we were on an extended trip through New Mexico) because we did not know how large the pickup vehicle might be. You leave your personal vehicle at the office. After six people loaded three or four suitcases, boxes of wine and munchies, and other items, the pickup vehicle's luggage compartment was filled to the brim. Our driver Robert, who is friendly and knowledgeable about the area and the Field (he helped build it and restored the cabin) drove us the 45 minutes to the Field over dirt roads. The cabin sits on a level plain without a tree (or building) in sight but with beautiful mountain ranges all around. The cabin is clean and quite comfortable, suitably outfitted with linens, blankets and towels. A notebook in the cabin answers just about every question one might have about the construction and dimensions of the Field.A Crockpot of beans was cooking in the kitchen when we arrived and our cheese enchilada casserole and homemade flan were in the refrigerator, as were next morning’s breakfast items (eggs, milk, bacon, etc.). The kitchen is well equipped. If you have special dietary needs (or an aversion to green chillies), you can tell the Dia Foundation in advance or bring your own food. Ask Robert to fire up the pellet stove before he leaves; it is a little tricky to get started and the night temps can get cold. I did not take a shower but those who did said the shower was fine. The whole cabin was very clean but it is a cabin in the fields and quite rustic; you may hear small field mice rustling around at night. As the cabin utilizes well water, we also brought a couple of jugs of water for drinking, coffee, etc.Be sure and walk around the Field. Bring a jacket because it can be quite windy. Boots are provided in the cabin. Also, get up at sunrise to observe the way that the light plays over the poles. Bring along a pair of binoculars to observe the occasional pronghorn antelope that wanders by. We did not see any coyotes but one of our party heard one howl during the night. Birds, toads and rabbits were also about. Robert picks you up at about 11 a.m. for the drive back to Quemado and to pick up the next group. When we were there in July, he told us the Field was booked up every day until the end of October. We understand why. Sadly, artist Walter De Maria passed away in Los Angeles just a few weeks after we visited his creation.

It's not about the lodging, it's about the experience. Let yourself go and you will be enchanted. If it rains, then it's muddy, and you may want to walk around for hours, so bring boots that you are comfortable making a mess of. And bring wine. And a curious open mind. Enjoy!

I was a bit leery when i'm wife told me we were going to the middle of no where to see an art installation made from a bunch of poles, but i figured i'm game and i've seen weirder stuff in NYC galleries. I was pleasantly surprised. The accommodations are comfortable lodging/camping. Think working ranch experience, the enchilada's at night and farm fresh eggs in the morning are tasty. We did bring some salad and other healthy treats and advise you bring some to share with the other guest that you will meet. The ride up took about 45 min in a bouncy yukon over dirt ranch roads. It's amazing what the exhibit does at sunset and sunrise. take a yoga mat, flashlight (provided) and go sit out away from the cabin and just listen to nature. I think I could actually hear the earth vibrate. We had some rain and lightening and then it cleared off for an amazing view of the stars. The beds are a step above many lodge type environments and we slept well. Yes you are in the country you will hear rats, see bunnies, hear coyote (and maybe that's their nose prints on the windows in the morning). Be sure to set an alarm so you can go out and watch the sunrise. amazing colors. The care takers pick you up around 11:00a.m., so you have plenty of time to eat breakfast, check out the wild life and maybe get in the last 4 mile hike around the perimeter of the installation. There is plenty of hot water, but be advised that it is well water, so bring a jug of drinking water if that's important to you.

We go places for art, and that's why we visited The Lightning Field. I agree with all of the reviews. We were driven in by Robert, who helped build the installation when he was in high school and is now the permanent caretaker. He is pleasant and interesting to talk to...and he is neither an artist nor a tour guide. The so- called office of the Dia Foundation, which administers the site, is pathetically rundown.The experience of the art was wonderful. At the very least, it is a cure for nature deficit disorder. It is an engineering marvel. As for its artistic value, we loved it, but your opinion may be different.The cabin is a homesteader's place that has been fixed up for visitors. It is rustic. Spartan, even. Bring your own adult beverages and all your own toiletries. Beds were comfortable, and the plumbing and electricity work great.I hope this helps you decide whether this experience/place is something that interests you.

Excellent. You really need the whole 24 hours. Every hour is a different experience of the field. When I just got there with the sun high in the sky and the poles barely visible I was confused. But by the time we had to live I loved it. We went with our two years old and he liked it a lot too. He saw jackrabbits and antelopes and got his part of the adventure. He enjoyed the hikes around the field as well. The cabin is very well restored and I really liked the feeling: is warm and comfortable. As for the first review: We saw no mice but I would have expected to see some, given the fact that you are in the middle of the desert and there are lots of animals around the cabin.

I am not going to discuss the art piece at the Lightning Field, as that doesn't belong here. I'll just say it's a wonderful experience. But I wanted to respond to the previous reviewer, which clearly missed the point entirely, and to provide some practical info to those interested in going. The cabin is an original homestead which has been there since the turn of the century, and which has been carefully renovated. Naturally, and appropriately, it is not luxurious at all; but it is very comfortable and tasteful. There are three rooms, one with a double bed that shares a bathroom with a room with twins, and another room with twins and its private bathroom. There is a wonderful stove that keeps the house warm inc older nights. There is no staff at the house, to mark the isolation which is essential to the art. The wonderful Robert brings you to the site, and you are left with a home made meal (enchilada casserole with chile verde, beans, tortillas and flan). There are supplies to make pasta with tomato sauce if desired. there is also eggs, bread, bacon, cereal, milk, coffee and tea; plus trail mix and nuts. There was a gigantic bowl of apples. You should bring any wine or alcohol you wish to consume. There is no internet/radio or tv, but there is a phone that can be used in case of emergencies. We found the house to be the perfect shelter to experience the art; they leave boots and outside blankets to explore outside, plus a text written by De Maria on the art. Robert willingly and graciously answered all our questions. Dia has truly created a perfect way to experience the Lightning Field.

We loved our stay at the Lightning Field and we had lightning all around us in the evening and into the night. We listened to the rain pitter pattering on the roof of our remodeled cabin -- it was soo perfect.I truly understand that Land Art is not just about the art, but about the art in the land. This really brought it back to me. Being able to stay there we were able to see it during the sunset and sunrise and that was very special. I highly recommend a visit to the Lightning Field. And if you have time go to Pie Town and have some pie -- 3 berry pie!! yum.

After all the "hype" and "oohs and aahs" I received when I mentioned The Lightening Fields, I was hugely disappointed, as were my friends. The reservation process is easy but the information available prior to the trip is as minimal as the experience. Our feelings were that there is a of of polishing and embellishment that needs to be done. Yes, we know the land art installation is minimal but the "office" in Quemado is a shock...no one to greet, 6 old chairs in barren room, toilet out-of-order and when driver came out there were no introductions, no politesse, just "Are you ready"? During the 45 min drive she smacked gum constantly and never said a word. Even airport shuttle drivers are friendlier!!! We were let off at OLD log cabin which was clean but bare, bare bones. For $150, we would have expected: enough chairs in living room and on porch overlooking installation for 6 guests to sit (not so), adequate lights to ready by, and some sign of hospitality (maybe a couple bottles of wine, a little bowl of flowers, etc). The information provided in small notebook is minimal. We were left with lots of questions. There are NO amenities or attempt to decorate, no comfortable furniture, meals are fine (no drinks provided); 1 bottle liquid soap in rooms, etc; it is like rustic Girl Scout camp! No one would take a shower in old showers. And, the house was overwhelmed with mice which kept us up all night (when we reported it to equally taciturn driver the next morning, she said she knew! Period). The installation is amazing even though we had no lightening, lots of rain and how long can you look at a bare field even though the vistas and sunset were exquisite? Everyone's reaction was that to justify charging $150, the Dia Foundation needs to take the experience UP 1 or 2 levels in hospitality and polish from drivers to accomodations.

Une merveilleuse expérience. Tout concourt à faire de cette visite une réussite. 24h sur un site isolé et magnifique. Avec tout le confort dans la cabane très bien équipée.Solitude et sentiment de lien avec nature et paysage. Les variations de lumière sur les mâts aux différents moments de la journée et de la nuit sont étonnantes. Il y a un côté irréel. Une expérience contemplative ....Pas d'orage, mais apparemment, c'est tout de même assez rare d'en voir. Cela n'enlève rien à l'expérience. Conseil: choisir une des deux chambres intérieures plutôt que la chambre attenante à la cabane.