Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Nevada Bunkerville Devil's Throat
AO Edited

Devil's Throat

An unexpected sinkhole in a desert flat within Gold Butte National Monument.

Bunkerville, Nevada

Added By
slgwv
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Devil’s Throat, looking more or less easterly.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
Interpretive sign for Devil’s Throat.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
Devil’s Throat in 1966.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
Devil’s Throat, looking east.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
Devil’s Throat, looking southeast.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
Devil’s Throat, looking north. Note vehicle for scale.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
Devil’s Throat, looking north.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
Devil’s Throat. Virgin Mountains in the background.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Sinkholes are well-known in humid areas with limestone bedrock. They are however unexpected in a desert landscape, so Devil's Throat is a surprise.

This large sinkhole formed in 1908, when cowboys working in the area were startled by a roar and a column of dust in the distance. Upon investigation, they found a section of the desert floor had collapsed into a pit.

It's believed this was caused by the dissolution of gypsum in the subsurface. Gypsum, calcium sulfate, like limestone, is barely soluble in water and the soils underlying this area are rich in the mineral. It's thought that moving groundwater, over time, leached out enough gypsum to form a void, which then collapsed.

Related Tags

Deserts Nature Natural Wonders

Know Before You Go

Devil's Throat now lies within Gold Butte National Monument. From the end of the pavement at Whitney Pocket go 7.1 miles toward Gold Butte on the Gold Butte Road.

The road is nominally graded but quite rough, and high clearance is strongly recommended. You will reach a signed intersection; turn right here. Devil's Throat is about a half-mile and is well marked.

The pit is fenced off for safety as it is still actively expanding. The edges are unstable, and indeed the fence gets relocated every few years. Please exercise extreme caution, especially with children and pets.

Community Contributors

Added By

slgwv

Published

June 28, 2022

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Devil's Throat
Mud Wash Rd
Bunkerville, Nevada, 89007
United States
36.429264, -114.147627
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Little Finland

Bunkerville, Nevada

miles away

Seven Keyholes Slot Canyon

Nevada

miles away

Black Butte Petroglyph Trail

Clark County, Nevada

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Bunkerville

Bunkerville

Nevada

Places 2

Nearby Places

Little Finland

Bunkerville, Nevada

miles away

Seven Keyholes Slot Canyon

Nevada

miles away

Black Butte Petroglyph Trail

Clark County, Nevada

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Bunkerville

Bunkerville

Nevada

Places 2

Related Places

  • Boat in the khors of Oman

    Khasab, Oman

    The Desert Fjords of Oman

    Take the most scenic fjord landscape in Norway and add dramatic red cliffs, warm clear water, and playful dolphins.

  • Al Wathba Fossil Dune Formations

    Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Al Wathba Fossil Dunes

    These otherworldly formations were shaped over millions of years by the forces of nature.

  • Guelta d’Archei.

    Chad

    Guelta d'Archei

    Camels and crocodiles share the black waters of this stunning Saharan oasis.

  • Laws Spring engraving.

    Williams, Arizona

    Laws Spring

    This remote desert watering hole has a connection to a curious chapter of American history.

  • Quitobaquito Springs.

    Ajo, Arizona

    Quitobaquito Springs

    This oasis-like spring in the Sonoran Desert is home to unique, endangered species.

  • RV tracks

    Wadi Rum Village, Jordan

    Wadi Rum

    Known as the "Valley of the Moon," this Jordanian wadi is one of the most amazing desertscapes on Earth.

  • Ein Avdat pool and waterfall.

    Be'er Sheva, Israel

    Ein Avdat

    A magical oasis in the middle of the Negev Desert.

  • A mud pot.

    Iceland

    Námafjall

    In Northeastern Iceland lies something of an oxymoron: a steaming desert.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.