Seven Keyholes Slot Canyon in Gold Butte
Seven Keyholes is a unique, small and remote canyon in the middle of Nevada’s Gold Butte National Monument. On some maps, it is referred to as a slot canyon. Other maps simply label it as Seven Keyholes. As the crow flies, Seven Keyholes is located merely one mile from a popular attraction in Gold Butte named Little Finland.
Trip Specs
Length
Attractions
- Unique slot canyon
- Petroglyphs
- Aztec sandstone
- Views of Mojave Desert
Difficulty
- Steep but short hike
- Remote area
- No cell phone reception
- Otherwise, easy walk
Elevation Gain
- ~80 feet loss/gain
About Seven Keyholes
Although many would like to name it a slot canyon, Seven Keyholes really isn’t one. In geologic terms, this straight and narrow canyon is a joint, or a fracture, which divides two large rock masses. Joints are created when forces made them crack and separate. The rock is Aztec sandstone, as it is called locally in Nevada, or Navajo sandstone, as it is called in Utah and throughout the Colorado Plateau. Joints are usually straight, clean (non-jagged) breaks, with other joints forming and running parallel with each other.
What makes Seven Keyholes unique to other large joints found in sandstone is the hollowed-out bottom section of the canyon. It looks similar to Zion’s famous subway canyon, which is not a joint. But what caused this hollowed out portion? In Zion, it was obviously a lot of constant rushing water and flash flood events. But was there that much rushing water once present here at Seven Keyholes? Probably not. Furthermore, side canyons or joints branching off the main canyon of Seven Keyholes also have the hollowed-out bottom, further supporting the idea that it was not created by water.
The drive to the trailhead (see Getting There below), then the short hike into Seven Keyholes is very rewarding. In our experience with visiting almost every corner of the Mojave Desert, there is no canyon like Seven Keyholes. Visiting Seven Keyholes can be done during a visit to Little Finland or taking in the Gold Butte Scenic Byway loop road.
Pictures
Below are some pictures of what you will see along the way.
Petroglyphs
Halfway on the hike between the trailhead to the entrance to Seven Keyholes, Native American petroglyphs can be found on the right. In Gold Butte National Monument, petroglyphs can be found all over, mainly in the redish-orange Aztec (Navajo) sandstone.
Getting There
A visit to Seven Keyholes can be included in a visit to Little Finland. Follow the directions we give on our trip to Little Finland.
Either continue west on Gold Butte Scenic Byway (aka Little Finland Road or Mud Wash) past the obvious coral near Little Finland to Red Bluff Spring. The road makes a 90-degree left turn and heads south. In about a mile, look for a road that goes to the left. Be careful, because there are two roads. One that bears to the left almost 90-degrees, and another bears off the main road at a shallow angle. This shallow-angled road is the one you want. It ends at the trailhead.
A shortcut road can be found as you’re driving west on Gold Butte Scenic Byway about a quarter mile before the coral. It bears to the left of Mud Wash, then loops around as it climbs the ridge on the left (southwest) side of the wash. Follow this road for about 1.5 miles until you reach the junction of the 3 roads mentioned previously. Turn left, making sure to continue bearing left on the road the goes to the trailhead.
Trip Map
To help plan your trip, use our interactive Google Map below. Be sure to switch to Satellite view to see the terrain.
Learn more about our maps.
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