Overview

Mockingbird Spring and Corral are located out at the far south end of Gold Butte National Monument, about 5 miles west of Gold Butte Townsite out towards the Overton Arm of Lake Mead.

This historic spring area was developed by ranchers years ago, and water from the spring still flows to an old cement trough. The springbox is grown over with Honey Mesquite, and water overflowing from the trough supports another large clump of mesquite. The mesquite is full of Mesquite Mistletoe, which feeds fair populations of Phainopepla (a bird species that eats mistletoe berries [note: poisonous to humans]). Northern Mockingbirds and Loggerhead Shrikes also rely on the spring. Phainopepla and Loggerhead Shrikes are bird species of concern in Nevada.

This point of interest makes for a place to stop while driving the Catclaw Wash area and contemplate the lives of people who once worked these hills while listening to the songs of desert birds coming in for water.

Link to map.

Getting to Mockingbird Spring

Mockingbird Spring is located out in Gold Butte National Monument at the northeast end of Lake Mead, about 4 hours northeast of Las Vegas.

From Las Vegas, drive out Gold Butte Road 21 miles to Whitney Pocket at the end of the pavement. Continue south on the unpaved Gold Butte Road 20 miles to Gold Butte Townsite.

From the townsite, the main road that continues straight (southwest) is Scanlon Road. Drive south on Scanlon Road 2.7 miles to Quail Wash South Road (Table 1, Site 1796), on the right.

Drive west on Quail Wash South Road for 1.5 miles to a 4-way intersection (Site 1797). Stay left on Quail Wash South Road for another 0.8 miles (2.3 miles total) to Quail Wash Crossover Road (Site 1799) and stay right, crossing over 50 feet, to Quail Wash Road (Site 1800). Drive west on Quail Wash Road for 1.0 miles to Mockingbird Spring (Site 1802).