For an incredible vacation that'll leave you longing for more, it's worth a trip to Nevada's Gold Butte National Monument. Consider a trip there for your next RV getaway.
Gold Butte National Monument is a Bureau of Land Management property that encompasses almost 300,000 acres of ground. This desert locale is situated in the heart of Nevada and is characterized by its unique red sandstone rock formations, hilly terrain, and lush green mountaintops.
Found within the monument grounds are many stunning examples of petroglyphs, ancient rock art which represents the remains of previous civilizations that once made the region their home. Gold Butte National Monument offers families lots of recreational activities to enjoy including hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, and backcountry camping.
Located within a very remote section the Mojave Desert, this Nevada landmark is a popular attraction for those seeking to explore the region. Other area attractions include Lake Mead Recreation Area and the Valley of Fire State Park.
Camping can be found in several campgrounds surrounding the monument premises. Both RV and tent sites are available on a year-round basis, allowing families to visit during any season.
A property of great historical significance, Gold Butte National Monument was once home to the Moapa Band of Paiute Indians. Many artifacts remain on the grounds which trace their roots to nearly 12,000 years ago.
An RV stay at Gold Butte National Monument is like no other. Plan your next vacation there today!
To reach Gold Butte National Monument, travelers will need to take the two-lane paved Highway 15 through the desert to Exit 112. From here, continue heading south, taking the bridge past the Virgin River. At the first exit, continue to the west.
Travel to Gold Butte National Monument is best navigated with a high clearance vehicle with 4WD. Since this route cuts through the Mojave Desert, it should only be undertaken with ample supplies of food, water, and gas in case of accident or vehicle failure. Cell service is not available en route or on the monument premises themselves.
Weather conditions can affect travel. It is highly recommended that motorists not deviate from the main highway.
To get to the heart of the monument grounds, it is necessary to park by within 30 feet of the highway and travel the remaining distance on foot.
There are no formally designated parking lots on the grounds at Gold Butte National Monument. Travelers should park within 30 feet of the highway and travel to the heart of the monument premises on foot.
Located within Lake Mead National Recreation Area is Calville Bay Campground. This popular camping facility offers RV and tent camping by reservation year-round.
There are 52 campsites in total. The maximum length stay at this facility is 30 nights.
The on-site amenities at this campground include power, water, and sewer hookups.
There are many recreational opportunities at this picturesque camping facility including hiking, fishing, picnicking, photography, and much more.
Echo Bay Lower Campground is also found within Lake Mead State Recreation Area. A property that offers RV and tent camping year-round, reservations are required for stays at this property.
There are 37 campsites in total, and a 30-day limit is the maximum length of stay at this facility.
The on-site amenities here include full power, water, and sewer hookups.
A property that is housed near to water, Echo Bay Lower Campground offers many interesting activities for families to enjoy including fishing, swimming, hiking, biking, and photography.
Virgin River Canyon Campground offers RV and tent camping year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. There are 75 sites in total for families to choose from. The maximum length RV that can be accommodated here is 50 feet.
On-site amenities here include pull-through campsites and bathrooms.
Dogs are permitted to join their owners but must remain leashed at all times.
Generator use is permitted in the daytime but must be turned off overnight.
Valley of Fire State Park is a popular attraction for families visiting Gold Butte National Monument. The landscape consists of 40,000 acres of land that is colored an intense hue of red from the sandstone formations lining the premises. This picturesque recreational area is home to a large expanse of petrified forest. It also houses many pieces of ancient rock art believed to be at least 2,000 years old.
The on-site visitors center offers families the opportunity to explore unique exhibits and learn more about the park's use as a focal point for past civilizations.
Valley of Fire State Park is home to a campground where families can enjoy RV and tent camping year-round. Other on-site activities including hiking and picnicking.
Whitney Pocket is found on the grounds of Gold Butte National Monument and is one of the first areas families will come in contact with on their visit to this popular park. Whitney Point is home to several campgrounds that offer backcountry camping conditions for those looking to experience life in the wild for themselves.
Off-road vehicle access is permitted here, and Whitney Pocket forms the access point for many of the most beloved trails. Also found in this section of the monument property are the remains of an ancient roasting spit, many different samples of rock art, and the Dam and Storage Cave which was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Many people consider Little Finland the highlight of any visit to Gold Butte National Monument. This section of the park is incredibly picturesque with its red sandstone structures and backdrop of breathtakingly beautiful petroglyphs.
The landscape is so stunning that many struggle to believe it is actually real. There are several forests that are lined with a rich growth of Palm and Joshua Trees.
The route to Little Finland is best discovered by vehicle. It will take several hours to reach this spot, and the terrain is quite rugged. But visitors to this place all agree that it is well worth the effort.
There is no public transportation available to Gold Butte National Monument.
Another interesting feature found at Gold Butte National Monument is Devil's Throat. Devil's Throat is a sinkhole that reaches a depth of 110 feet. It rests on the very outer edge of the monument grounds.
The sinkhole is surrounded by a dense outcropping of sagebrush and Yucca growth, making it difficult to see without a concentrated effort. A chain-link fence surrounds the region to prevent accidents from occurring.
It is best to resist the temptation to climb the fence to get closer to the actual sinkhole since the ground around it is subject to erosion, and thus, is not safe.
Gold Butte Townsite offers families the rare opportunity to visit a true ghost town. The monument takes its name from the prosperous mining community which operated in the region at the turn of the 20th century.
The mine was at its most productive from 1905 through 1910. Today, the property still bears evidence of the trade that once flourished there.
Today, the townsite bears scars from the hot climate, but families can still enjoy roaming the grounds discovering hallmarks of the community including such treasures as gravestones and mine shafts.
Hiking is one of the most beloved recreational activities at Gold Butte National Monument. Virgin Peak is the highest elevation found within the park. The pinnacle of the mountain reaches 8,000 feet in height, making it challenging to climb. The views glimpsed from the top are awe-inspiring to behold.
Reaching the pinnacle of this mountain is a difficult task. The majority of the trail was destroyed during a storm in 2017. However, it can still be navigated safely by determined hikers.
Bring your camera along on this expedition. Drinking water is a must to keep thirst at bay as hikers will work up a sweat on their journey up the mountain.
