Skip to Main Content

Wendover, Utah: Metaphor, the Tree of Utah

A towering metal "tree" sculpture that's the only vertical thing for hours along I-80's path through the white desert of the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Visitor Tips and News About Metaphor, the Tree of Utah

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Metaphor in winter.

Metaphor, the Tree of Utah

Thought you might enjoy a winter view of the famous "Tree." Conditions were freezing fog with temperatures not much above 0 Fahrenheit. Brr! [Candace, 02/04/2013]

This nine-story-high artwork has stood alone on the Bonneville Salt Flats since 1986. Most motorists probably confuse it with a cell phone tower.

Metaphor.

Metaphor, the Tree of Utah

We heard the fence is around Metaphor because a girl got hurt (minor) and sued someone, so to protect themselves against dumb asses the fence was placed.

[bonelady, 11/04/2010]

Metaphor, the Tree of Utah

Address:
I-80 West, Wendover, UT
Directions:
North side of I-80 mile marker 26 on the north side, 25 miles east of Wendover, NV; 95 miles west of Salt Lake City.
Hours:
Daylight, no stopping.
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Salt Flats NessieSalt Flats Nessie, Wendover, UT - 5 mi.
Last Splice In First Transcontinental Phone LineLast Splice In First Transcontinental Phone Line, Wendover, UT - 16 mi.
Bonneville Salt FlatsBonneville Salt Flats, Wendover, UT - 18 mi.
In the region:
Airfield Museum, Atomic Bomb Loading Pit, Wendover, UT - 26 mi.

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Save Cool Vacation Destinations! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

X-Files Preservation Collection, Saratoga Springs, New York (Oct 6-12, 2025)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings

Favorite Quirky City Sights