Exploring Gold Butte National Monument – Nevada’s Hidden Gem
Gold Butte National Monument (GBNM) is a stunning and remote destination located in southeastern Nevada, just 2 hours northeast of Las Vegas and 1 hour south of Mesquite. Established in 2016, the monument spans over 300,000 acres and offers a unique mix of vibrant sandstone formations, ancient rock art, desert wildlife, historic mining sites, natural arches, and even a ghost town.
Whether you're an ATV enthusiast, hiker, or geology lover, Gold Butte offers something for everyone.
The Living Room Trail is one of SLC's most popular hike. At only 2 miles round-trip, this overlook provides one of the best views looking down to the city. There are several routes to reach The Living Room, which is home to several rock "lazy boys" and "couches". If you hike up here on a Friday night or during the day on the weekends, The Living Room can get really crowded. I've been up there when 40-50 people are all trying to see the sun set, or just relax and drink a beer. The Living Room sits behind the Natural History Museum along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST). This is a popular hike to bring along dogs, kids, and the whole family and it can be done in under 2 hours.
Mountain Dell Recreation Area is a cross country (xc) skiing area and sledding area in the Winter, and converts to a golf course in Summer. During Winter, Mountain Dell is maintained by TUNA.
Look no further. I've created this list for those wanting to take the kids out for a hike, but aren't ready for an all day adventure. These 3 hikes range from 15 minutes to 2 hours, and can be safely hiked year round. No matter how long or short your hike, be prepared with at least one bottle of water per person, a small snack, and sun protection. For more tips when hiking with kids, read more of this post. Grab your hikin' boots, and let's hit the trails!
Soaking at Spencer Hot Springs, Nevada – A Remote Desert Gem
Spencer Hot Springs is one of Nevada’s most popular natural hot springs, located almost dead-center in the state, about an hour west of Eureka, NV. This remote oasis features three soaking areas: two human-made tubs and one natural hot spring pond. Whether you're looking to unwind under the desert sun or stargaze while soaking, Spencer Hot Springs is a must-visit on any Nevada road trip.
Cross country skiing in the Uintas is one of my favorite winter activities! I've been cross country (XC) skiing since 2008 when I lived in Montana. My favorite place to ski was Lone Mountain Ranch, but when we moved to Utah, no resort compared to that. So, I had to find new places to ski, and of course, I wanted to bring Charlie along. Yes, Utah has some small xc ski resorts like White Pine Touring, but you can't bring dogs to those places. Round Valley is a nice dog-friendly option but gets boring after awhile. The past few years I've been dying to get out and xc ski in the Uintas but didn't have a good car to get there in winter. I was afraid my little Sonata would get stuck, and I didn't want to deal with it.
