Gold Butte Road

Gold Butte Road penetrates deep into Nevada’s forgotten corner, following cattle trails and mining tracks through the newly designated Gold Butte National Monument. This 40-mile route begins near Mesquite and threads through some of the Mojave Desert’s most pristine Joshua tree forests, past ancient Ancestral Puebloan petroglyphs at Whitney Pockets, and into the stunning red rock formations of Little Finland. The road deteriorates as it climbs toward the monument’s heart, with loose sand, embedded rocks, and seasonal washouts that can trap unwary drivers.

High-clearance 4WD is mandatory beyond the first 10 miles, with aggressive tires recommended for the deep sand sections near Devil’s Throat. Spring and fall offer the best weather, though flash flood risk exists year-round in the numerous washes. No services exist within 50 miles — carry extra fuel, water, and recovery gear. Cell service disappears entirely once you leave the highway. The reward is experiencing Nevada’s newest national monument in complete solitude, with world-class petroglyphs, dispersed camping opportunities, and some of the Southwest’s most otherworldly geology.