"It's an art-and-science sanctuary in Las Vegas, New Mexico, where an empty white space fills with rainbows each day as sunlight passes through 12 large prisms—designed as a refuge for reflection and perfect for couples seeking calm wonder." - Cailey Rizzo
Cailey Rizzo
Cailey Rizzo is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. She specializes in reporting on travel, culture, and the arts. She is currently based in Brooklyn.
Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
The colorful lights which shown around the sanctuary were beautiful. The inside was peaceful. Any little sound made would echo, so singing or even humming could create a beautiful harmony. I would love to visit here again.
Guillermo L.
Google
From their web site:The Dwan Light Sanctuary is located on the UWC-USA campus. While the campus is closed to the general public (except for announced events), guests may visit the Dwan Light Sanctuary by first stopping at the Welcome Center where campus security officers will provide directions and an access key. Because the prisms are most impressive during full sunlight, optimal times to visit are late morning to early afternoon. There is no charge, although donations are accepted at the Welcome Center.
Chris P.
Google
Beautiful hidden gem outside Las Vegas, NM, on the campus of United World College, which has a castle that looks like Hogwarts! Worth the short detour of the I25. Free to visit, security guard will hold your ID as you visit.
Jenny L.
Google
What a beautiful place! Wish we could have been there alone. We went on a friday afternoon and there were lots of visitors. It's worth the stop and a great place to visit before or after the lobster pot.
dolores G.
Google
It is a very unique place. It was cool having it all to ourselves. FYI as to how you visit the Sanctuary. You have to go to the security office on the Campus, they then will give you the key card in exchange for your driver's license. They then will give you explicit directions to get to the Sanctuary. They have strict rules because it is part of the Campus.
George K.
Google
A unique place to visit. There wasn't a lot of information on how to get in or what to do. The road leading up to the school is narrow, so be careful going up to it. The security/visitor center is on the right side of the road. The guy came out to our vehicle and informed us of what the procedures were and where to go. You basically give them an ID and they give you a key card in exchange. They will keep your ID until you return the key card. You take a short drive up to the sanctuary parking lot and then a short uphill walk to the building. The light coming in puts a reflection on different parts of the interior. When you look out the windows do so at different angles. It does change what you see. Notice the rainbow colors at the top of the picture. There is also a rainbow on top of each cloud. Kinda hard yo see in the picture but if you look out at the right angle, it would show. Best of all, it's free!
Jill K.
Google
A beautiful area to reflect and relax. I practiced yoga using the mat and bolster from the closet. It's free with the key fob from the welcome center.
Paul S.
Google
Interesting. We arrived about 3 PM on a Wednesday and had the room to ourselves. We got the key from the security office in exchange for one of our driver's licenses. The Sanctuary was easy to find (you can see it from the security office).
Hadassah A.
Yelp
It is a nice and quiet room in the sanctuary. Make sure to stop by the welcome center at WUC before going to Dwan Light Sanctuary.
Inez A.
Yelp
High in the hills in Las Vegas, NM on the campus of the United World College sits a lovely round building which houses the Dwan Light Sanctuary. The prisms alone are a site to behold. It was a rainy day, so we didn't see any prims, the room has a serene sense of peace. I will go back when the sun is shining to grasp the full effect.
Anna D.
Yelp
Worth stopping for a visit! Must have drivers license to enter- closes at 5. It's at the college. Make sure it's sunny when you go- if it's over cast not too many rainbows. Candles and yoga mats to use inside and restroom.