Little Finland: Visit a Striking Hidden Gem in Nevada
Photo by depositphotos.com
When most people think of Nevada, they think of bustling casinos, plush hotels, and fancy restaurants. The state of Nevada is also home to countless natural wonders that don’t get nearly as much foot traffic as similar terrain in surrounding states such as Utah and Arizona. Little Finland — which is also known as Hobgoblin’s Garden — features vermillion rock formations that resemble a petrified sea wave, an alien throne, and a warped flying saucer turned to stone by Medusa.
Where is Little Finland?
Photo by depositphotos.com
Little Finland is part of Gold Butte National Monument near Mesquite, Nevada. Many people assume that the name Little Finland is an homage to the Scandinavian country. Little Finland refers to a series of fin-like rock formations that formed due to thousands of years of relentless erosion. Because Little Finland is fairly remote and doesn’t receive hordes of visitors, the Aztec Sandstone rock formations have a sharpness that is missing from areas that host a steady stream of visitors.
How to Get to Little Finland
Photo by depositphotos.com
Getting to Little Finland means a remote drive over primitive BLM roads. The BLM says roads in Gold Butte can require high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles and recommends high clearance on the last 19 miles of the Back Country Byway. A separate spur leads to the formations, but no current condition report for that spur was available; check with the BLM Las Vegas Field Office before departure. The ground is uneven and has few marked trails, so this hike is not suitable for every visitor. No official visit time is published; a specialist visitor guide suggests about an hour among the formations, not including the approach drive.
Other Attractions in Gold Butte National Monument
Photo by Flickr
Visitors can also explore some of Gold Butte National Monument‘s other wonders, including the ghost town of Gold Butte. Founded in 1906, Gold Butte came into being because gold was discovered in the area. Unfortunately, Gold Butte’s gold rush didn’t last long. By 1909, the town was virtually abandoned. Travelers can view a handful of gravestones, housing foundations, and rusted out mining equipment against the backdrop of the Mojave Desert.
Why Visit Little Finland?
Photo by depositphotos.com
If you have yearned to visit Arizona’s iconic Wave in Vermillion Cliffs National Monument or Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park but don’t want to face large crowds, Little Finland is an excellent alternate. Visitors can stay at a hotel in Mesquite and set out on a rugged desert adventure to explore Little Finland’s unique terrain. Eagle-eyed visitors may even spot a few mysterious palm trees nestled among the red rocks. No one is entirely sure how California palm trees sprouted in the Nevada desert. One of many reasons why Little Finland is worth exploring.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Little Finland, Gold Butte National Monument, Clark County, Nevada, USA
- Coordinates
- 36.45074, -114.21439
- Access
- Little Finland is a remote red-sandstone formation area on BLM land within Gold Butte National Monument, not a developed visitor site. BLM says monument roads are primitive and may require high clearance or 4WD; the last 19 miles of the Back Country Byway should be traveled only by high-clearance vehicles. A separate spur leads to Little Finland, but no current condition report for that spur was found. Check with the BLM Las Vegas Field Office for currently open routes before departure; expect few services and unreliable help. Protect the fragile formations and stay on open designated roads.
- Admission
- BLM reports that visitation to Gold Butte National Monument is free. Special permits, camping or commercial activities may have separate rules or costs; check with BLM before travel.
- Time needed
- No official visit duration is published. A specialist visitor guide suggests allowing about an hour among the formations; that estimate excludes the remote, rough approach drive and is not a BLM time recommendation.
- Best season
- BLM warns that summer temperatures may exceed 100°F and remote-road conditions can worsen with weather. Cooler months are a practical choice for reducing heat exposure, but BLM does not designate an official best season. Check forecast and route status; avoid travel when storms could make washes unsafe.
- Opening hours
- No Little Finland-specific daily hours are published. It lies on BLM public land, but vehicle access is limited to open designated roads and can change with closures or road conditions. Contact the BLM Las Vegas Field Office before making the remote trip.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-16
- Facts checked
- 2026-11-02
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