Gold Butte is in southeast Nevada about 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas. It begins south of Mesquite off NV 170 and travels south to the ghost town of Gold Butte. The byway is 62 miles long and follows Gold Butte Road, splitting at Devil’s Throat. The first 24 miles follow a narrow paved road suitable for passenger vehicles. Traveling east of Devil’s Throat, the road is a relatively smooth gravel road that is also suitable for passenger cars. The segment heading west from Devil’s Throat is a lightly maintained dirt road that requires a high-clearance, two-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicle. Gold Butte Back Country Byway remains open year-round.
Gold Butte Back Country Byway travels across a desert landscape among the foothills of the Virgin Mountains and red rock formations. The Virgin River is seen peacefully flowing alongside the first several miles of the byway. To the east you’ll see Virgin Peak towering 8,000 feet above the desert floor. Side roads can take you to the top of this mountain peak.
This area is rich in history. Three separate Native American cultures are known to have settled here. Their petroglyph carvings can be seen etched into the rocks. Early non-Indian explorers were followed by the Mormon colonizers who settled in the Mesquite and Bunkerville area in 1877.
Desert wildlife thrives along the byway. Wildlife observers will want to remain alert for the occasional bighorn sheep or mule deer. Mountain lions and the desert tortoise also make their home in this area. Patient observers may occasionally catch a glimpse of wild horses or herds of burro.
The byway passes colorful sandstone rock formations in the area of Whitney Pockets. This area was partially named for a local family and the pockets that have been etched into the cliffs by erosion. The remnants of a Civilian Conservation Corps projects can also be seen in this area.
The byway continues to a split in the road at Devil’s Throat, a 100-foot wide by 100-foot deep sinkhole that continues to expand. Whether you turn left or right at this point, you’ll end up at the historic mining town of Gold Butte. This town was established in 1908 to service the many mining operations in the area. The town once boasted of a store, hotel, stable, and post office.