BLM Nevada
Gold Butte Back Country Byway is a 62-mile loop through Gold Butte National Monument in southeastern Nevada, 90 miles northeast of Las Vegas. The route begins at Interstate 15 Exit 112, follows paved State Route 170 south, then turns onto graded desert roads through canyons and sandstone country. The byway crosses a 296,937-acre monument designated in 2016 to protect prehistoric rock carvings, Mojave Desert habitat, and historic mining sites.
The first 20 paved miles handle stock vehicles. The final 40 miles require sturdy tires and high-clearance, with the last 20 miles in Gold Butte Wash and Mud Wash needing high-clearance vehicles only. Petroglyph panels, the 110-foot Devil's Throat sinkhole, and the 1908 Gold Butte mining town sit along the route.
Trailhead: 36.73176, -114.21844
- Technical Difficulty
- moderate
- Length
- 62 miles
- Direction
- Loop
- Vehicle
- High-clearance vehicle with sturdy tires. The last 20 miles in Gold Butte Wash and Mud Wash require high-clearance only.
- Nearest town
- Mesquite, Nevada
- Terrain
- Approximately 20 miles paved on SR-170, then graded native soil and wash bottoms
- Cell coverage
- Spotty near I-15; minimal once into the monument
- Best months
- Oct, Nov, Dec, Feb, Mar, Apr
- Management
- Bureau of Land Management
- Trailhead
- 36.73176, -114.21844
Resources
Directions
The byway is a loop accessed from Interstate 15. From Las Vegas, drive 69 miles north on I-15 and take Exit 112 (Riverside / Bunkerville). Head south on State Route 170 for approximately 3 miles to the byway's start. The full 62-mile route returns drivers to the same area. Drivers can also approach from Mesquite by following local roads south to Bunkerville.
Approximate trailhead coordinates: 36.731763° N, -114.218437° W.
Photos · 10
Getting Oriented
The byway anchors Gold Butte National Monument, a 296,937-acre area of southeastern Nevada bounded by Lake Mead National Recreation Area to the south and the Virgin Mountains to the east. Las Vegas sits 90 miles to the southwest, and Mesquite is the closest service town, five miles north of the byway's I-15 access at Exit 112. Whitney Pocket marks the byway's most-visited landmark roughly 20 miles in, where the pavement ends and the rugged section begins.
Trail Overview
The route uses paved State Route 170 for the first 20 miles, dropping past Bunkerville and across the Virgin River. The middle stretch transitions to graded native soil through Whitney Pocket. The final 20 miles run through Gold Butte Wash and Mud Wash, narrow single-lane sections with deep sand and rocky stretches that demand high-clearance and care after rain. Driving the full loop with stops at the major sites takes a full day. Travelers commonly camp overnight at Whitney Pocket or a primitive site to break up the trip.
Points of Interest
- Whitney Pocket. Sandstone domes, primitive camping, and a popular base for monument exploration. Approximately 20 miles in.
- Petroglyph panels. Multiple sites along the byway, with the most-visited near Whitney Pocket and the Falling Man site.
- The Devil's Throat. A 110-foot sinkhole formed by gypsum dissolution. Fenced for safety; do not approach the rim.
- Gold Butte mining town. A 1908 mining camp that produced copper, gold, lead, and zinc. Stone foundations and a small cemetery remain.
- Cabin Canyon. At 4,000 feet in the Virgin Mountains, summer temperatures run roughly 20°F cooler than the valley floor.
- Mud Wash and Gold Butte Wash. The route's most technical sections; check conditions after rain.
Where to Camp
Primitive camping is allowed on most BLM land within the monument, with a 14-day stay limit. Whitney Pocket has a popular informal camping area with no developed amenities. There are no fee campgrounds on the byway. The closest developed camping is at Lake Mead National Recreation Area's Echo Bay and Stewart's Point areas, roughly 30 to 40 minutes south.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Visit October through April. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F and the wash sections become hazardous.
- Carry full-day water plus an emergency reserve. There are no water sources on the byway.
- Top off fuel in Mesquite or Bunkerville before starting.
- Air down for the dirt half and re-inflate before returning to pavement.
- Watch for flash flooding in Mud Wash and Gold Butte Wash during summer monsoon storms.
- Stay on designated routes. Driving off-road damages cryptobiotic soil that takes decades to recover.
- Contact the BLM Southern Nevada District Office at 702-515-5000 for current conditions.
Hazards
- Summer heat. Temperatures over 100°F from late May through mid-September. Shade is limited and water nonexistent.
- Flash floods. Summer monsoon storms can fill Mud Wash and Gold Butte Wash quickly. Check forecasts before driving.
- Rough surface on the unpaved miles. Sturdy tires and high-clearance are required for the last 20 miles. Slow speed only.
- Sinkholes and unstable ground. The Devil's Throat is the most famous, but smaller sinkholes occur throughout the gypsum-rich terrain.
- Limited cell coverage. Service drops out within a few miles of I-15.
- Snakes and scorpions. Both common in summer; watch foot placement when stepping out of the vehicle.