Gold Butte National Monument Loop — Whitney Pocket to Lime Canyon via Devil’s Throat
A sinkhole, petroglyphs, and zero guardrails.
Gold Butte National Monument sits in the extreme southeast corner of Nevada, wedged between Lake Mead and the Arizona border, and most overlanders drive right past it on US-93. That’s their loss. The loop connecting Whitney Pocket — a cluster of dramatic Aztec sandstone formations covered in ancestral Puebloan petroglyphs — to Devil’s Throat sinkhole and then south through Lime Canyon to the Colorado River Wash is one of the most geologically violent stretches of desert in the American Southwest. Devil’s Throat itself is a roughly 100-foot-wide, 100-foot-deep collapse sinkhole in the middle of the desert flat, no fence, no guardrail, no warning sign — just a hole in the earth that will ruin your day if you’re not paying attention.
Most of the loop is passable in a capable stock 4WD with decent clearance, but the Lime Canyon section throws loose basalt, embedded rock ledges, and one particularly nasty shelf road section that earns a moderate-to-difficult rating. The full loop runs about 70 miles from Mesquite, Nevada, and should be treated as an overnight — primitive camping at Whitney Pocket is free and excellent. No permit required as of 2024. Carry two full days of water — there is none on route. Best season is October through April; summer temperatures regularly exceed 110°F and vehicles die out here. Cell service is nonexistent past Whitney Pocket.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 70 mi / 112.7 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3600 ft |
| Best season | October to April |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Mesquite, Nevada |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management — Las Vegas Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | blm.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle this without modifications?
Yes. A stock 4WD high-clearance vehicle like a 4Runner, Wrangler, or Tacoma is the minimum and will manage the route. Rocky wash sections and loose desert surfaces reward a locker or aggressive tires, but the trail isn't technical enough to require them.
When is Gold Butte National Monument Loop actually driveable?
October through April is the sweet spot. Summer temps in this part of the Mojave regularly hit 110°F+, which is genuinely dangerous in a remote area with no services. Winter is cold but very manageable, and spring wildflowers are a bonus.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp here?
No permit required. Gold Butte is BLM-managed land with free dispersed camping throughout. There are no fees, no entry stations, and no reservation system — just follow Leave No Trace and don't camp within 300 feet of water sources or cultural sites.
What's the hardest section of the route and what actually makes it difficult?
The desert wash sections between Devil's Throat and Lime Canyon are where most people slow down — loose rock, sandy wash bottoms, and route-finding without clear markers. Devil's Throat itself is just a viewpoint, but the surrounding terrain requires attention to tire placement and picking your line.
How much fuel do I need, and is there water anywhere on the route?
Fill up in Mesquite before you leave — there are zero fuel stops on this 70-mile loop and the nearest town is a long drive out if you're running dry. There is no reliable water on the route, so carry all drinking water for yourself and any radiator emergencies.
Trail track
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