On this episode of “Outdoor Nevada,” Connor Fields visits one of Nevada’s recently designated national monuments, an off-the grid getaway that’s close to home for Southern Nevadans. Gold Butte National Monument’s backcountry trails and byways spans 300 miles of the Mojave Desert, providing access to numerous petroglyphs, delicate rock formations, and, as Fields finds out, lizard fishing. Although most visitors won’t get to fish for lizards like Matt from the Nevada Department of Wildlife, they can enjoy plenty of other adventures in Gold Butte.
Fields runs into a number of visitors during the BioBlitz featured in the episode, but Gold Butte is extremely remote, and access is challenging. High-clearance, four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles are necessary to access the monument's more notable landmarks, such as Little Finland and Whitney Pocket.
Along with the monument’s natural landmarks, historical remnants from Indigenous Peoples and the Westward expansion scatter the monument. Between the petroglyphs are abandoned mines, and old mining equipment stands as reminders of Nevada's gold rush era, offering photographers and history buffs ample opportunity for exploration and documentation.
For hikers, the monument offers several remarkable trails. The Whitney Pocket area has accessible hiking with incredible rock formations and historical sites, while the Devil's Throat trail leads to a 100-foot-deep sinkhole that showcases the area's unique geological processes. Photographers, historians, and nature lovers will relish a visit to this hidden desert gem.
Visitors should be well-prepared when exploring Gold Butte National Monument. The area has only one vault toilet (at the Cabin Canyon trailhead) and primitive campsites. Cell phone coverage is extremely limited, and temperatures can be extreme. Travelers must bring sufficient food, water, and emergency provisions, as well as detailed maps, extra fuel, and satellite communication devices. Along with other hiking basics, it is crucial to practice Leave No Trace principles and respect the delicate desert ecosystem around the monument.
Hike: Little Finland Loop
Route: This is a choose your-own-adventure, off-trail route around Little Finland, an area filled with red sandstone formations called “hoodoos.” The distance can vary from 2.5 miles to 5.5 miles, as you loop around and between the sandstone fins. The “trail” can be found at the Oasis trailhead. Make sure you have GPS to track your route.
Getting there: Take I-15 North towards Mesquite for about 73 miles, then exit onto Riverside Road or NV-170. Continue on NV-170 for 20 miles until a right turn onto Gold Butte Road. The road beyond this point is unmaintained, and a high clearance vehicle is recommended. Continue towards Little Finland by following the marked signs for Mud Wash Road and Little Finland.
Pro tip: The ideal times to visit are during spring (March to May) and fall (September to November), when temperatures are moderate and comfortable. Summer can be intensely hot, while winter nights can be quite cold, so careful planning is essential.
