Overview

Rattlesnake Wash Road is a two-track located out at the far southwest end of Gold Butte National Monument, a side road off Scanlon Road. Little used, most of Rattlesnake Wash Road is fairly smooth and without too many rocks because it runs down the gravel wash. The road turns steeply out of the wash and climbs somewhat steeply in places over somewhat rougher terrain to Rattlesnake Spring, which is actually an old water tank and cattle watering trough.

Rattlesnake Wash Road might be passable in a 2WD-HC vehicle, but it is safer in a short-wheel-base 4WD vehicle because the road is a bit sandy in places. Also, 4WD is required to get to it.

From Scanlon Road, the road runs 1.3 miles to dead end at the watering trough, the only point of interest on this road. Don't expect to see any rattlesnakes.

Link to Rattlesnake Wash Road Map.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about driving in the desert, ... this is a fairly safe road without unusual hazards, but parts are somewhat sandy, and vehicles might receive desert pin-striping.

This is wild and remote country without services of any kind (no restrooms, no water, no gas, no food). Bring what you need to survive. Be prepared and be self-reliant. It is a big place, but someone will eventually find you if you stay on a main road, but be prepared to survive alone for a day or two, or even longer on side roads. Cell phones don't work here. Consider signaling the tourist helicopters that traverse the area coming and going from the Grand Canyon.

While out, please respect the land and the other people out there, and try to Leave No Trace of your passage. Also, this is a remote area, so be sure to bring the 10 Essentials.

Getting to Rattlesnake Wash Road

Rattlesnake Wash Road is located out in Gold Butte National Monument at the northeast end of Lake Mead, about 5 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 continues southwest as Scanlon Road. Drive south on Scanlon Road 8.7 miles to Rattlesnake Wash Road, on the right.

The Road

When Scanlon Road crosses Rattlesnake Wash (Site 1807), Rattlesnake Wash Road turns right to run down the wash. For the first 1.0 miles, the road simply follows the wash, winding among trees and bushes, but it should be easy driving.

At about 1.0 miles out, Rattlesnake Wash Road abruptly turns right (Site 1808) out of the wash and heads north. Most drivers likely will miss the turn the first time through, and if so, the wash passes a cliff on the right, then bends right and pinches down to a narrower, brush filled canyon. Turn around and drive back past the cliff, now on the left, and the road to the north is obvious.

From the turn, Rattlesnake Wash Road climbs out of the wash and winds up the hillside for 0.3 miles to end (Site 1809) adjacent to the rusting water tank. The road appears to continue, and everyone tries, but it only continues a couple of yards before ending at the edge of a steep wash bank. It is easier to turn around by the water tank.