Situated northeast of Las Vegas and south of Mesquiteville in Nevada, Gold Butte National Monument is one of the newest areas to be designated as a national monument. The Clark County-area site comprises approximately 300,000 acres of desert. With a range of breathtaking landscapes that include sandstone, mountains, and canyons, the monument is truly incredible. If the landscape isn’t enough to get you interested, the monument also contains ancient petroglyphs and etchings, providing some history on the ancient civilizations that lived here!
History
President Barack Obama designated the monument in 2016, influenced by the efforts of local conservation group. Other groups that helped promote the monument are Nevada and Clark County lawmakers and the Moapa Band of Paiute Indians. The Lima Canyon Wilderness Area and Jumbo Springs Wilderness Area are contained within the monument’s boundaries.
Activities
Gold Butte National Monument is accessible to visitors who wish to camp, hike, horseback ride, bike, or explore the area with four-wheel drive vehicles on more than 250 miles of access road. While the area is open for exploration, there are currently no designated hiking trails. Flora, fauna, and artifacts should be left undisturbed, and all tenets of Leave No Trace should be followed.
Amenities
Visitors to Gold Butte National Monument should be prepared for the rugged landscape. The area offers few amenities and little cell phone service, so it’s important to bring plenty of water, food, first aid materials, and an emergency radio.
In addition to the beauty of the natural landscape, visitors may observe such animals as the desert tortoise, mountain lions, and bighorn sheep. Other animals found at the park are quails, owls, and hawks. Those interested in history can explore the remnants of old mines, including the ghost town of Gold Butte.
Prior to its designation as a national monument, sites at Gold Butte National Monument were in danger of destruction. The designation prevents future development of the area while maintaining existing water rights and transportation infrastructure.
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Featured Image from Dominic Gentilcore PhD/Shutter Stock
