Loving, New Mexico: Project Gnome Atomic Explosion Site
RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report
- Address:
- Mobley Ranch Rd, Loving, NM
- Directions:
- From Carlsbad, drive southeast on US Hwy 285. Before reaching Loving, turn east on Hwy 31/Potash Mines Rd. After around seven miles, turn right (east) on Hwy 128. Drive for a little over seven miles, then turn right onto CR-795/Mobley Ranch Rd. After a half-mile, CR-795/Mobley Ranch Rd forks to the right. Ignore it and continue straight ahead. After 4.5 miles a small dirt road appears on the left. Turn and drive east to the marker. NOTE: There are several side roads that are not the right route. The top of the concrete monument is just visible from the access road before you turn left on a much smaller path that goes 250 yards due east directly to the site.
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
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The most accessible atomic explosion site in the U.S., but you still should plan ahead before you drive to it. On December 10, 1961, a three-kiloton bomb was exploded only 1,200 feet below the surface.
Roadsideamerica.com Report...Visitor Tips and News About Project Gnome Atomic Explosion Site
Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.
Don't underestimate all the tip comments about a rough ride dirt road. It's 5 miles of bouncing, turning, and rut-avoiding driving to get to the monument. Take your time and you will be fine. Current GPS map apps will navigate you right to it.
[Luv2RV, 05/13/2023]Tried going. Confusing as to which "dirt road" on the left to take. There had been a rain and a huge hole of water. Also not sure what access road the monument is visible from. 795? Dirt road on left? A road off the dirt road on the left. It was a lot of bouncing around on a back road with no payoff. If you want to do this, have a 4-wheeler with you.
[Busted Suitcase, 06/20/2018]There is a gate with a Dept. of Energy sign on it, on the road leading to the monument. That makes it much easier to find.
[michelle, 12/02/2017]The road is very very bad. A dirt road that has been washed out in places. Wouldn't recommend for a low clearance vehicle.
[GmaCandy, 06/18/2017]Page of 2 [Next 1 items]
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"Energy" as in "atomic bomb," which is what was exploded at the Project Gnome site in 1961.