Little Finland ~ Gold Butte National Monument

​In a previous Gold Butte National Monument article about the Mud Wash Jeep Trail, some information was provided concerning desert terrain preparedness. The condition of the long bumpy dirt road to Little Finland was described. Also mentioned was the best choice for a local basecamp town, which is Mesquite, Nevada. Mesquite is about 35 miles from the National Monument. Fuel management is critical because the closest gas stations are in Mesquite, so be sure to top off the tank before setting sail to Little Finland! 

The end point for a journey on the Mud Wash Jeep Trail is the Little Finland Road intersection for most visitors, because the dirt road is even rougher as it goes downhill from here. For those who opt to continue on downhill, there are a couple more 4×4 trails that lead to more scenic destinations in Gold Butte National Monument and the neighboring Lake Mead National Recreation Area. In order to traverse both the Narrows Road and Gold Butte Wash Road after driving the entire length of the Mud Wash Trail, carrying some extra fuel may be necessary, especially for vehicles that have a low gas mileage rating.  

For most folks that only want to do a day trip or a single overnight campout, Little Finland is the end of the line on the Mud Wash Jeep Trail before turning back and with good reason. As far as a journey’s end point destination is concerned, there are few other places on earth that are as interesting as Little Finland, because this is where the wind carved red sandstone Goblins can be found!  

From the end of the Mud Wash Trail, the Little Finland Road only runs about 1.5 miles to the red sandstone outcrop destination. The landscape changes dramatically in the Little Finland region of Gold Butte National Monument. This is where the Mud Wash empties onto a vast plain that borders upon some of the most beautiful red rock outcrops that can be imagined. The grayish mud plain mixes with the orange color sand dunes and huge boulders distributed by powerful flash floods across this valley. In the distance the Mud Wash flood plain borders upon tall steep multi color barren rock mountains.  The majestic views of the Little Finland area from the high ground definitely are a stunning visual experience that can cause a person to stand and stare in awe for quite a spell!  

The main attraction at Little Finland is a place that has always been called The Goblins by local people. This gigantic red sandstone outcrop has such a perfect shape, that it looks as if is was designed by a talented engineer. The base of this outcrop looks like thick tall slab that is flat and level on top.  The walls of the slab are perfectly vertical, so they resemble the walls of a fortress. The large old palm trees growing from the seepage springs at the base of the red rock slab wall do look as if they are standing guard. The impenetrable looks of the Little Finland red rock formation  imparts an ominous feeling of being in a well defended sacred place. Once a visitor sets eyes on The Goblins on top of the gigantic red rock slab, these thoughts do start to become real.

No matter what people call this ominous looking red sandstone outcrop area, there is only one thing that is for sure. The unique Little Finland landscape is so far removed from the definition of an ordinary place that this region looks like it belongs in a fantasy painting! “Breathtaking” certainly is the best word to describe this majestic destination that can be found after a long bumpy ride down the Mud Wash in Gold Butte National Monument!