The Dirt

Gold Butte National Monument

Download

Discover

Gold Butte National Monument is Nevada’s piece of the Grand Canyon and a treasure trove of cultural, historic, and natural wonders.

These wonders include thousands of petroglyphs; historic mining- and pioneer-era artifacts; rare and threatened wildlife such as the Mojave Desert tortoise and desert bighorn sheep; dramatic geologic features like sculpted red sandstone and rock spires; and fossil track-sites dating back 170 to 180 million years ago.

In addition, Gold Butte is an amazing place open to multiple uses where people can experience the great outdoors through hiking, hunting, birding, camping, OHV riding on legal roads and routes, and traditional tribal uses.

Designated routes are open to motorized vehicles, and high-clearance vehicles are recommended.

Devil’s Cove / Lake Mead: From the Gold Butte Backcountry Byway turn south onto Devils Cove Rd. This out and back road is 14.7 miles (one way) taking approximately three hours. Residing in the Gold Butte National Monument this road travels down to a pre-existing cove of Lake Mead. The drive is a mellow road weaving in and out of washes and is accessible by passenger 4WD.

Directions

From Las Vegas, take Interstate-15 approximately 69 miles north to Exit 112/Riverside Road. Merge onto Riverside Road and travel approximately 17 miles to the Gold Butte Backcountry Byway. Turn right onto the Byway and travel approximately 12 miles to the Monument boundary.

Rules of the Road

Land Manager: Bureau of Land Management

BLM Field Office - Las Vegas
4701 North Torrey Pines Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89130

(702) 515-5000

lvfoweb@blm.gov

Motor vehicles are permitted on designated trails only. High-clearance vehicles are recommended.

Always plan ahead and prepare for uncertainty. Travel with warm clothing, first aid, food, water and appropriate tools to fix a problem.
Traveling in groups is always a good idea, as well as informing someone of where you will be going.