Reaching Gold Butte starts by taking exit 112 off Interstate 15. This is about 70 miles east of Las Vegas, or 10 miles west of Mesquite Nevada. From exit 112, head south for 3.1 miles on NV-170 toward Riverside. Just after the road crosses the Virgin River, turn right onto Gold Butte Road.

The hike starts on the rough jeep road that connects Whitney Pocket to First Rock. This road requires high clearance 4-wheel drive but can be walked if needed. I describe coming from the west since it is a shorter section of road, though you can also walk from Whitney Pocket.

From the pullout, head east. The road quickly reaches a wide wash. Go right (east) along the tracks in the wash. Keep an eye out on the right for a low pass. It is about 0.3 miles from the trailhead to a small drainage that heads up to the pass. Follow the drainage up the pass and an old road along the ridge.

Drop down from the pass into the wide drainage that heads southwest. A short distance down from the pass, the drainage becomes sandstone lined and quit pretty. After passing through a short section of red sandstone, watch for the social trail to leave on the left.

The social trail passes between two sandstone walls, then heads west to the last sandstone outcropping visible on the right (north) side of the drainage. Doodlebug Arch is here, and only visible when right up on it. It is on the west side of the sandstone outcropping.

Return the same way.

Alternate Return: From the pass, the old roads head west along the ridge, and provide a nice alternate return. Be sure to drop down to the red rock outcropping that is the trailhead. There are a couple of old roads, both end up at the outcropping.