One of my favourite photography spots in Nevada has recently become one of the USA’s newest National Monuments: Gold Butte National Monument. It’s not hard to see why. It covers almost 300,000 acres of the Mojave Desert and it’s the only place I have been where you can see rock striped with all the colours of the rainbow and Joshua Trees at the same time.
The rock is similar to what you’ll find at the nearby Valley of Fire State Park, but because of the higher elevation, the Joshua Trees enjoy this land too. The combination makes a unique canvas for photography.
Ray and I were introduced to this place a few years ago by a reader of this blog who owns a small RV park in Moapa, Nevada. Don invited us to his park when he saw us coming his way, and was kind enough to share quite a few outstanding photo locations with me! I had no idea Nevada was so beautiful. Now we stop there almost every year to do some exploring and see what new things we can find.
Known as Nevada’s piece of the Grand Canyon, this incredible landscape and the wildlife that live there will now be preserved and protected for the future. The monument is open for all sorts of recreation such as hiking, horseback riding and camping while at the same time is closed to industrial development.
The photos in this post were all made in an area within the monument known as Whitney Pocket.
This is our camping spot in the monument. You can see us as well as some of our friends who came by with their horses for the day.
You can dry camp there, but if you require hook-ups, you might want to check out my friend Don’s RV park which is conveniently located in between Gold Butte and the Valley of Fire and you can easily day-trip to both places from there. You’ll find Palm Creek RV Resort in a beautiful oasis with a warm spring running through it in Moapa, Nevada.
Beautiful photos, Anne. We are hoping to head west next winter to see this splendor with our own eyes.
Hi Gladys, there are so many beautiful things to see in the American Southwest, you are going to love it! Thanks for your comments.
Lovely shots! I moved to northern Nevada from Georgia last year (file that under changing your life isn’t a scary as it seems.) Haven’t made it to Gold Butte yet but it’s very high on the list! Thanks for the insight.
You are most welcome Val. Nevada is quite the change from Georgia. I really liked Georgia, especially Jekyll Island, but the bugs!!! I got eaten alive there. There are tons of amazing things to see in Nevada, you’ll probably spend years seeing it all. Thanks for your visit and comments.
Those rock formations, WOW! Your photos are gorgeous (as usual), Anne. Did you use your Sony for these shots? (I’m considering going mirrorless.) I thoroughly enjoy your photos, comments, and instruction, and Ray’s interesting and informative RV travel blog as well.
Hi Suzy, Thank you so much! Yes, I used my Sony for these. Either the NEX6 (which I still use!) or the A6000. Since I have two, I tend to carry them both with different lenses attached so I have to change lenses less frequently. Mirrorless is awesome 🙂
Once again Anne you really impress me with your photography and I sure enjoyed this blog on Gold Butte and the colors and composition you put into them. Never ben there but its near my home here In southern Idaho and after seeing these wonderful shots It will be a must this summer.
Also want to thank you for your free eBook, “Taking Control”, a very wonderful beginners guide to photography. A couple of family members really gained some tips from this read. Thank you so much.
Hi Robert, I highly recommend a trip to this place, it is amazing. Make sure you don’t miss the Valley of Fire while down there too! I’m very glad to hear that you and your family enjoyed the eBook 🙂 I really appreciate your wonderful comments! 🙂
Great write-up and images, Anne! I’m so glad this park was preserved – I’ll definitely be visiting soon.
You’re going to love it Russ! If you have a four wheel drive, you can go out to Little Finland too. http://annemckinnell.com/2013/04/18/little-finland-nevada/ I haven’t been there for awhile since we don’t have a 4wd vehicle and big old blue would get stuck down there! But it’s definitely worth it. Thanks for your visit and comments!
Some amazing photos, Anne. I love the liquid look of the rocks as they flow in and out of each other. Looks like it’s definitely worth visiting if I ever venture over that way.
Hi Mike, it is certainly worth a visit and there’s much more to explore in this area too! Thanks for your comments.
Looks like a beautiful trip. Great photos of the rocks and formations. Again, jealous of your travels.
You should go James! There’s so much to see in the southwest 🙂 Many thanks for your comments.
I’m 50, but can you adopt me?? What a life, and what staggeringly gorgeous images! You are an inspiration on many levels! Take care out there 🙂
Haha, thanks Trisha! I can adopt you, but you have to bring your own RV 🙂 Thanks for the kind compliment, I appreciate that.
I love your images. As I looked at the red rock images, I saw animal faces in the rock formations. I can now dream of going there and lighting the rock to bring out the gorilla face, the lions face, and several skeletal looks.
Are people allowed on the rock, or must they be photographed from a trail or road?
Hi Steve, you can walk anywhere you like here. Its wonderful because there is so much to explore. You can just walk off in any general direction and discover all kinds of things. Thanks for your visit and comments.
Your photos are absolutely gorgeous. Can you please tell me how to get to this location. Can you use a regular SUV? We are going to Valley Of Fire the beginning of November so I would very much like to see this area. Thank you.
Hi Madeline, you can find out all the information here: https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/nevada/gold-butte There is a section there on backcountry byway – that’s the route. You can get quite far, past where these photos were taken, in a regular car. If you go too far though you’ll need a 4WD. We towed our RV out there so you’ll be able to go in an SUV. You’re going to love Valley of Fire and Gold Butte, they are absolutely stunning! Thanks for your comments.
WOW, It’s really great photo. This is a very beautiful place. Kindly You say the best time for going there. Thank you for shear such post and photo.
Hi Marie, thank you very much! I have only been there in winter but I can tell you that the climate is perfect during the winter months. I believe it would be super hot there in summer time.