Cactus Flat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cactus Flat |
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![]() Cactus Flat is the location of the Tonopah Test Range Airport (left of center).
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Floor elevation | 1630 |
Geography | |
Country | United States |
State | Nevada |
Borders on | Cactus Range and Kawich Range |
Cactus Flat is a large, flat area in the desert of central Nevada, United States. It's part of a bigger area called the Cactus-Sacrobatus Watershed. This flat desert region is named after the watershed it belongs to.
Cactus Flat is home to the Tonopah Test Range Airport and the Tonopah Test Range. These are parts of the Nevada Test and Training Range. Since the 1950s, this area has been used for testing different kinds of military equipment. It's also where you'll find the Nevada Wild Horse Range, which covers about 615 square miles (1,593 square kilometers). This wild horse range is managed by the Nellis Air Force Range.
Exploring Cactus Flat's Location
Cactus Flat is surrounded by mountains. The Kawich Range is located to the northeast. To the southwest, you'll find the Cactus Range. A small hill called Jack Rabbit Knob is about 11.5 kilometers (7.1 miles) east of Antelope Lake playa, which is a dry lakebed within Cactus Flat.
Plants and Wildlife in Cactus Flat
Even though it's a desert, Cactus Flat has some interesting plant life. You can find three main types of cacti growing here. These include the Beavertail cactus, which has flat, paddle-shaped pads. You might also spot the Calico cactus and the tall, round Barrel cactus. These plants are well-adapted to the dry desert environment.