Overview

Mud Hills Corral (not to be confused with Mud Wash Corral), sitting on the banks of Upper Mud Wash below the scenic Mud Hills, is an historic corral built by ranchers long ago. The wooden corral is weathering, but this site makes for an interesting place to visit and gain a glimpse into the ranching history in our region. This site also makes for a nice, isolated, and quiet campsite that is big enough to turn around a trailer. Bring your own firewood; don't burn the historical corral fencing.

This land has been drying out since before settlement times and the ranchers are moving north, so please tread lightly on this historic site. With the climate changing, it is unlikely we will ever see this corral rebuilt.

If you tend to pick up trash, be sure to only pick up new trash. There are bits of old junk lying about, but this is what makes the site interesting.

Link to map.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ... this area is fairly safe, but keep an eye out for wire on the ground that could present a tripping hazard, and of course, watch for rusty nails in the old boards.

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.

While visiting the area, 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, even if you leave them in your vehicle.

Getting to Mud Hills Corral

Mud Hills Corral is located out in Gold Butte National Monument at the northeast end of Lake Mead, about 2.5 hours northeast of Las Vegas in a wild, remote, and scenic area.

From town, drive out to Gold Butte National Monument. From Whitney Pocket, continue south on the unpaved Gold Butte Road. At about 7.2 miles from the pavement, Gold Butte Road passes a signed intersection with Mud Wash Road. Continue on Gold Butte Road for another 1.1 miles to Mud Hills Corral Road (Table 1, Site 0074), on the left.

Turn left onto Mud Hills Corral Access Road and drive east about 50 yards to the corral (Site 0075).