ROUTE 66 Road Trip - ROUTE 66 RV Network

ROUTE 66 Road Trip
By Kimber Williams
Photo courtesy of Ithe Nevada Commission of Tourism.
The Solitudes
Photo courtesy of Ithe Nevada Commission of Tourism.
Red Rock Canyon
Spring Valley State Park
Photo courtesy of Ithe Nevada Commission of Tourism.
Once you get your fill
of neon and glitz, step
beyond the bright lights
of Las Vegas to stretch
your legs and your spirit
amid an unspoiled
landscape of big rocks
Scenic Route
Vol.2 / No. 1
Ward Charcoal Oven
State Historical Park
and broad horizons.
Nevada,
Naturally
T
he Las Vegas strip celebrates a delightfully
unnatural world, a
place where the Eiffel
tower rises just blocks away from the
Statue of Liberty, where pirate ships
do battle in the city streets and gondolas glide through the desert.
But just beyond the surreal urban
playground of this fast-growing
community stretches a world of natural wonders: towering mountains,
windsculpted sandstone, sparkling
high-desert lakes and miles of quiet
hiking trails.
Head due west out of Vegas and
you can experience the raw, craggy
landscape of Red Rock Canyon, just
minutes away by RV, auto or bicycle.
Amble northward and sample the varied geographic flavors along the Great
Basin Scenic Byway, a region that
boasts Nevada’s highest concentration of state parks. Aim eastward and
explore the expansive, rippling shoreline of Lake Mead and the engineering
marvel of Hoover Dam. Choose a
northeasterly route, and you’ll find
yourself gawking at the ancient, multihued palette of the Valley of Fire.
Best of all, the sites are really no
gamble — they’re close at hand with
entrance and camping fees that won’t
break the bank. Most of these natural
attractions are an easy drive from the
frenetic pace of downtown Vegas,
yet feel a galaxy apart. For many,
the serene, open spaces are a perfect
antidote to the clatter of casinos.
A welcome change of scenery, a
Cathedral Gorge
State Park
place to catch your breath.
In southeastern Nevada, it seems,
it really is possible to have the best
of both worlds.
North: Seeking
the Solitudes
Diane and Patrick Filbin make
their home in northern Nevada, near
Reno, and have camped throughout
Nevada and Arizona in their 23foot Trail-Cruiser travel trailer. So
they’ve figured out one of the big
secrets to desert driving: Stop. Get
out. Breathe. Experience it.
“You really have to stop and get
out and look around,” Diane explained.
“Otherwise, you miss so much.”
Desert driving may well be an
acquired taste. One driver may gaze
upon the dry, sweeping landscape,
see monotonous sameness, and rush
to move through it. Another driver
will revel in the spice-colored scenery, see it as a fascinating geological
sculpture garden, and pull into every
scenic turnout.
Count the Filbins among the
latter.
“When you bother to stop, you
notice different things every time,”
Diane Filbin said. “Just driving
through you don’t always appreciate
the beauty.”
“Plus, at this altitude, things
really cool down at night. It’s not as
hot out here as it is in Las Vegas,”
Patrick Filbin added.
Around the start of the new
year, the Filbins found themselves
cruising U.S. Highway 93, which
stretches north of Las Vegas through
the Sheep Range and Delamar
Mountains. It’s a trek that’s wellknown to snowbirders and routinely
populated by RVers en route to the
next big adventure.
But the region is also a worthy destination in itself, ripe with
uncluttered views, rugged undulating terrain and wide-open blue
skies. To people like the Filbins, it
is desolate and vast and beautiful in
its simplicity. Little wonder Nevada
has dubbed this portion of the state
“The Solitudes.” As state tourism
literature touts, the wide unbridled
landscape is “an hour north of Vegas
and a million miles away.”
While on a return trip from visiting their daughter, who teaches
school in Las Vegas, the Filbins took
some time to appreciate the scenery
and scout future camping spots for
family gatherings. There are plenty
to choose from.
“There are all these parks available all the way up through here,”
Patrick explained.
That’s seven state parks, to be
exact, with a spectacular national
park thrown in for good measure.
Just wandering from state park to
state park makes for some great,
scenery-packed driving. But be sure
to poke into some of the small towns
along the way, each offering their
own peculiar history.
Here’s a quick primer on the
variety of views that await you:
(Right, top to bottom) Beyond Las Vegas lies a land of sweeping vistas and scenery-packed
drives, from the vast, craggy desertland dubbed “The Solitudes” to lively Red Rock Canyon, just
17 miles west of town and a hiker’s paradise. Spring Valley State Park and the Ward Charcoal
Ovens State Historical Park may be off the beaten path, but worth the short trek from U.S. 93.
(Main) With fascinating spires, caves and pillars carved by erosion, Cathedral Gorge State Park
offers hikers hands-on adventure.
Scenic Route
Vol.2 / No. 1
Great Basin National Park
Photo courtesy of Ithe Nevada Commission of Tourism.
Photo courtesy of Ithe Nevada Commission of Tourism.
Bristlecone Pine
Photo courtesy of Ithe Nevada Commission of Tourism.
Lehman Caves
Mt. Charleston
(top to bottom) Bristlecone pines — the longest living trees on earth — can be found at
Wheeler Peak, in Great Basin National Park,
thriving in harsh conditions and high-altitude.
Lehman Caves, in Great Basin National Park,
is loaded with dramatic limestone formations.
Tours are offered daily, except Thanksgiving,
Christmas and New Year’s days. With an elevation of 11,918 feet, Mt. Charleston stands
as the centerpiece of the Spring Mountain
National Recreation Area, less than an hour’s
drive from Las Vegas.
10
Scenic Route
Vol.2 / No. 1
Beaver Dam State Park,
Caliente, Nevada
With deep canyons of wrinkled volcanic
rock, rolling pinion, juniper and ponderosa
pine woodlands, meandering streams (that
actually host beaver dams) and a small
reservoir, this is considered Nevada’s most
primitive and rustic park. The drive to reach
it is one clue of the remoteness — head 28
miles east of U.S. 93 on a graded gravel
road, which is actually not advised for large
motorhomes.
But those who make the journey find
dancing rainbow trout break the waters
on well-stocked Schroeder Reservoir, quiet
camping and hiking that takes you past a
20-foot waterfall.
A note of caution: Visitors should call
first to check on current conditions. A breach
in the dam last year emptied the reservoir
and damaged some hiking trails.
Facilities include three campgrounds
with some sites suitable for trailers up to 20
feet long. Water hydrants are available May
through October. There is no trash collection.
Entrance and camping fees are $10, but
first call (775) 726-3564.
Cathedral Gorge State
Park, Panaca, Nevada
A well-appointed regional visitor’s center
along U.S. 93 marks the entrance to this scenic canyon, so take time to stop in. The center
offers an excellent orientation to the region
and indoor toilets . . . a welcome amenity in
the desert, we found.
The picturesque park is only a short drive
away, located in a long, narrow valley that
really does appear to be some kind of natural wonderland. Centuries of erosion have
sculpted the native soft bentonite clay into
fantastic caves, gothic pillars and cathedrallike spires. Hiking trails abound, offering
hands-on adventure for kids.
Shaded picnic areas and a no-frills treeshaded 22-site campground (with dump station, restrooms and showers) are available.
Camping is first come, first serve. Pay the
$4 entrance fee and drive or hike about, or
simply drive a mile north on U.S. 93 to Miller
Point. It’s a popular scenic overlook located
just off the highway where the view is spectacular and free.
Cave Lake State Park,
Ely, Nevada
Considered one of the most scenic mountain parks in Nevada, Cave Lake State Park
sits high in the Schell Creek Range at an
elevation of 7,300 feet. The park is 15 miles
southeast of Ely and boasts a 32-acre reser-
voir. Boaters are welcome, but boats must not
exceed 5 mph or create a wake.
Open year-round, the park is popular for
camping, boating, fishing and winter sports
including ice fishing, cross-country skiing
and ice-skating. Given the park’s elevation,
visitors can expect harsh winters and mild
summers. Sheepherders are known to make
summer camp in the area, and deer hunters
use park campsites in the fall, but hunting is
not allowed within the park.
The park features two designated campgrounds: Elk Flat and Lake View. Both offer
flush toilets and showers. A fee of $14 covers entrance and camping. All campsites are
level and include a fire pit with grill, table
and parking. Access roads to the campsites
are generally unpaved.
In mid-January, the park is also home to
the White Pine Fire and Ice Show, a popular
regional snow and ice-sculpting competition.
Echo Canyon State
Park, Pioche, Nevada
Anglers will certainly want to check
out this 65-acre reservoir and campground
located 12 miles east of Pioche. The waterfront features a boat ramp, fish-cleaning station and picnic area. The reservoir is stocked
with rainbow trout, but also attracts a variety
of water birds, including an occasional trumpeter swan.
You’ll also find 33 campsites, with flush
toilets and an RV dump station. Drinking
water is available near each site. The fee
for entrance and camping is a bargain at
$10. Hikers will enjoy the Ash Canyon trail,
which leads into the park’s vast back country.
The 2.5-mile trail begins in the upper campground, climbs 800 feet in 1/3 mile to the
valley rim and descends into Ash Canyon.
It joins the highway in Rose Valley near
the eastern park entrance and returns to the
campground through Echo Canyon. Indian
artifacts and ancient petroglyphs can still be
found in the area, but are protected under
federal law and should be left untouched.
Great Basin National
Park, Baker, Nevada
Nevada’s only national park is located
an hour’s drive east of Ely and includes
access to a glacier, Lehman Caves National
Monument, and the popular 12-mile
Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, with its ancient
bristlecone pine forests. Schedules for ranger-led tours of the limestone caves with their
breathtaking geologic formations are posted
at the visitor center. Park elevations range
from 7,000 to 13,063 feet above sea level.
There is no entrance fee for the park.
Las Vegas
Boulevard
may be the
brightest
offical scenic
byway in
the nation.
that Las Vegas is one of the nation’s fastestgrowing cities. Expect road construction and
delays, and don’t expect to find curbside parking
downtown.
The state of Nevada actively markets to
RVers. Request RV-specific travel brochures and
“Open Roads: A Road Guide to RVing” by calling
(800) Nevada-8. You may also want to check
www.travelnevada.com, which provides a link to
search for RV Parks, mileage charts and weather.
Those who wish to stay close to the action along
the Vegas strip may want to consider:
KOA at Circus Circus
500 Circus Circus Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 794-3757; (800) 634-3450
• 399 sites with full hookups, swimming pool,
jacuzzi, restrooms and showers, playground,
convenience store and pet run. Located on the
northern end of the strip.
Hitchin’ Post RV Park
3640 Las Vegas Blvd. North
Las Vegas, NV 89115
(702) 644-1043
• 185 sites with pull-throughs, showers and
restrooms, laundry, swimming pool and
Internet access
By night, this famous chunk of concrete —
from Washington Avenue to Sahara Avenue
— shimmers supernaturally with the neon glow
cast from thousands of glaring, blinking, sputtering casino lights.
The three-mile “Vegas
strip” definitely offers its own
kind of eye-popping scenery
and plenty of local history,
with long-standing casinos,
landmark architecture, museums and wedding chapels,
all stuffed into the very heart
of Las Vegas.
Increasingly, it’s a scene
that’s accessible to RVs. With
RV parks springing up in the
parking lots of long-established casinos, and shuttle
Juan Caballero
service to the Vegas strip
and family
from outlying parks, RVers
are finding a welcome homeaway-from-home in Vegas.
Take Juan Caballero, for instance.
When he decided to bring his wife and daughter to Las Vegas, it made sense to stay at the
Circusland RV Park — a tree-studded setting
managed by KOA that happens to sit directly
next to Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, located
on the northern end of the Las Vegas strip and
considered one of the city’s more “family
friendly” resorts.
Though admittedly mostly concrete and palm
trees, the RV park offers 399 spaces in a
tidy, attractive setting with
full-service utility hookups,
swimming pool and jacuzzi,
showers and restrooms, a
laundromat, playground,
convenience stores and pet
runs. Plus, the family had
access to restaurants, shopping, entertainment, the
“world’s largest permanent
circus” and gaming action
at Circus Circus — all
told, a bargain for this San
Francisco Bay-area family.
“It would be nice to
have more green areas, but
it’s really not bad,” said
Caballero, who drove his
31-foot Fleetwood Jamboree
from Oakley, California.
As Caballero pointed out, road noise from
nearby Las Vegas Boulevard really wasn’t that
obtrusive, even in mid-day. The climate was
great, the neighbors friendly, and downtown
attractions were within easy reach.
Ready to tackle Vegas by RV? Just remember
Mahoney’s Silver Nugget RV Park
2140 North Las Vegas Blvd.
North Las Vegas, NV
(702) 649-7439
• 152 sites with full hookups, restrooms,
showers, pool, and laundry. Located two miles
north of downtown Las Vegas.
Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort
2711 West Windmill
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 260-2000; (800) 566-4708
• Over 700 landscaped sites, beachfront pool,
spas, 18-hole putting course and 24-hour
security. Just south of Strip with daily shuttle
service to Strip.
Riviera Travel Trailer Park
2200 Palm St.
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 457-8700
• 136 sites with shade trees, heated pool and
jacuzzi, laundry, restrooms. Within walking
distance of casinos.
Showboat Hotel RV Park
2800 Fremont St.
Las Vegas, NV 89104
(800) 826-2800 and (702) 383-9333
• 84 sites with hookups, private showers,
laundry, cable TV, telephone and sewer. Located
behind hotel and casino.
Good Eats,
Great Sites:
• T he Historic Silver
Cafe, Pioche
• The Union-Pacific
Railroad Station,
Caliente
• Mineral spring baths,
Caliente
• Historic mining camp
towns, including
Bristol, Hiko and
Delamar
• Scenic drive through
Rainbow Canyon
• Lincoln County
Museum, Pioche
• Hansen’s Fine Foods,
Caliente
• Nevada Northern
Railway, Ely
Don’t Forget
• Water, water, water
• Hats, sunscreen, sunglasses
• A good camera
• Binoculars for watching birds and rock
climbers
• Good hiking gear
• Bicycles
Route 66
Regional ROUTE 66
RV Network Dealers:
Sierra RV Sales &
Rentals
9125 S. Virginia St.
Reno, NV 89511
(775) 324-0522
The main entrance is five miles
west of Baker, Nevada. Four developed campgrounds offer water (in
the summer), restrooms, fire rings,
and picnic tables.
Camping fees range from $12
to $25 per night, depending on the
campground, or $6 to $12 with a
Golden Age or Access Passport.
Dump station fees are $5. The
Lower Lehman Creek campsite offers a limited number of
pull-through sites for small RVs
or trailers. However, RVs are not
recommended at the Grey Cliffs
Group Campground or Wheeler
Peak Campground. In fact, vehicles
over 24 feet in length are not rec12
Scenic Route
Vol. 2 / No. 1
ommended beyond Upper Lehman
Creek Campground. Campers will
also find a restaurant and small
grocery store and unmanned gas
pumps in nearby Baker. All camping is first come, first served.
Kershaw-Ryan
State Park,
Caliente, Nevada
Situated just three miles south
of Caliente off U.S. 93, the steep,
rugged walls of this hidden canyon once sheltered homesteading
settlers. Today, a lush curtain of
grapevines covers the 500-foot cliffs.
This secluded park presents a visual
surprise in the arid desert, featuring
hiking past cold running springs,
waterfalls, thickets of gambel oak
trees and picnic sites. Camping is not
yet allowed, but mark this mini-oasis
as an ideal spot for an impromptu
picnic. Entrance fee is $4.
Pahranagat
National Wildlife
Refuge, Alamo,
Nevada
The name comes from a Paiute
word meaning “Valley of Shining
Waters,” and the four masses of
water that make up this 5,380-acre
wildlife refuge stand in sharp contrast to the miles of sunbaked desert
that surround it. Located along the
famed Pacific flyway, the lakes and
marshes provide habitat to over 200
species of migrating birds, including songbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors.
The refuge is adjacent to U.S.
93, is easily seen from the road and
offers a welcome break. It’s a good
place to stretch your legs, get out
the binoculars or enjoy a picnic.
Primitive camping is permitted along
the eastern shore of the upper lake
and restrooms are available.
Spring Valley
State Park,
Pioche, Nevada
The sprawling contours of 65acre Eagle Valley Reservoir appear
in the desert like a great liquid
mirage, offering water-oriented
recreation and trophy-class walleye
fishing. Anglers can cast for rainbow and cutthroat trout, and rainbow and brown trout can be caught
in the stream below the reservoir.
The park is located 20 miles
east of Pioche via State Route 322.
Snow may make winter access
difficult although it is open yearround. In addition to boating, hiking and picnicking, visitors will
find campgrounds, restrooms with
showers and RV dump stations.
Park entrance is $4 for day visits
or $14 if you plan to camp. Group
camping is also available.
Ward Charcoal
Ovens State
Historic Park,
Ely, Nevada
In the shadow of Great Basin
National Park lies a historic curiosity: six beehive-shaped charcoal
ovens. The ovens were used in the
late 19th century to produce charcoal for use in smelters at nearby
silver mines. Today, the area also
offers facilities for picnicking,
hiking and camping, and memorable views of the nearby Steptoe
Valley — a good deal for a $4
entrance fee.
The 33-foot-tall ovens were said
to be built by Swiss-Italian charcoal workers called “Carbonari.”
The ovens were crafted from
native quartz quarried from near
the ovens. The distinctive beehive
shape was thought to be a more
efficient way to render pinyon and
juniper into charcoal. Each of the
massive ovens held about 35 cords
of wood.
Located seven miles south of
Ely, then 11 miles southwest via
Cave Valley Road, visitors must
travel a graded dirt road that is
accessible most of the year. The
park also offers primitive camping.
Those who spend the night are said
to be treated to some of the starriest
skies in the Western United States.
Willow Creek Campground
has 14 campsites with two large
pull-through sites, one handicapped
designated site and two restrooms.
A yurt is also available, by making
reservations. Drinking water is
available May through September
from a hydrant near the campground entrance. A fee of $10
covers entrance and camping.
West: Red Rock
Canyon
Let’s say you prefer the desert in small doses, so driving
for hours through sand and sun
doesn’t appeal.
Red Rock Canyon National
Conservation Area is the place
for you.
Here, craggy sandstone rises like
great knobs of muscle — a striking
contrast of rich russet rock against
an achingly blue desert sky.
Located just 17 miles west of
Las Vegas off State Route 159
(straight west out busy Charleston
Boulevard if you’re coming from
town), the 83,100-acre canyon
features a winding 13-mile, oneway scenic drive with plenty of
scenic turnouts, a visitor’s center
with restrooms and cold water.
Over a million people are drawn
here every year for the hiking,
rock climbing, biking and terrific
Mojave Desert scenery. Best of all,
it’s an easy trek from Las Vegas
(left to right) An RVer finds
an impromptu campsite
near Pahranagat National
Wildlife Refuge. Harnessing
the power of the Colorado
River, Hoover Dam presents
a majestic spectacle.
Lake Mead
(top) Though its waters are low, Lake Mead is still an impressive
sight and represents the heart of a rich recreation zone. (left to
right) RV campsites with full hookups abound around Lake Mead,
which is an easy 25-minute drive from downtown Las Vegas.
and a fine way to fill an afternoon.
For those who prefer to linger,
seasonal camping is available at
the Red Rock Canyon Campground
from September through May. The
campground is located two miles
east of the Visitor Center on State
Route 159. Campsites are first
come, first served and offer barbecue grills, picnic tables, trash collection, a water tank and pit toilets.
Red Rock Canyon presents an
amazing array of hiking possibilities, with 19 designated trails, ranging from short and easy to long and
strenuous. Hikes can take you past
desert flora, Triassic fossils, prickly
Joshua trees, towering canyon walls,
old homesteads and dramatic rock
formations. Desert Bighorn sheep,
wild horses and burros are often
spotted along the barren hillsides. In
fact, wild burros often wander onto
roadways, so be alert.
With more than 2,000 climbing routes, Red Rock Canyon has
become one of the nation’s top
14
Scenic Route
Vol. 2 / No. 1
five climbing destinations. Vertical
routes routinely draw climbers
from around the world, who are
fun to watch, even if you don’t
want to attempt any big wall climbs
yourself. The scenic drive remains
a favorite with cyclists, and is relatively safe. Just bring lots of water.
Entrance fees are required, but
reasonable at $5 per vehicle. A
year-long pass is a bargain at $20.
Northeast: Valley
of Fire State Park,
Overton, Nevada
Wind and water have carved a
masterpiece in the red sandstone valley that lies less than an hour northeast of Las Vegas. Valley of Fire
may be Nevada’s oldest and largest
state park, but the scenery seems to
change constantly, with the shifting
slant of the sun coaxing a variety of
colors from this rugged land.
The drive north on I-15 out of Las
Vegas doesn’t provide an adequate
hint of the scenery that lies in store
just beyond the Muddy Mountains.
To reach the park, take Nevada
Route 169 at Crystal to reach the
entrance. A visitor’s center explores
the region’s complex geologic history, and is a recommended first
stop. But be sure to bring your own
water or beverages; you won’t find
a concession stand here.
The park is famous for both
its human and geologic histories.
Here, you’ll find ancient Indian
petroglyphs and a smorgasbord of
unusual rock formations, including such landmarks as Arch Rock,
Piano Rock, Elephant Rock, Seven
Sisters, Poodle Rock, Rainbow
Vista and Fire Canyon. All sites
are generally accessible through
the park’s scenic roads.
Open year-round, the park offers
generally mild temperatures in the
winter, though spring and fall are
considered the best seasons to visit.
Don’t forget your camera.
Entrance fees are $6, or $14 if
you intend to camp. Two campgrounds offer 51 sites, with shaded
tables, grills, water and restrooms.
A dump station is also available.
East: Lake
Mead National
Recreation Area/
Hoover Dam
From the air, the sprawling body of water that straddles
the border between Nevada and
Arizona seems to meander forever.
Restrained by the great Hoover
Dam, this is where the Colorado
River becomes America’s largest
man-made reservoir.
The Lake Mead National
Recreation Area actually encompasses two large bodies of water,
the 110-mile-long Lake Mead and
67-mile-long Lake Mohave.
It may come as a bit of a shock
to look at this massive body of water
and realize that the water level in
Lake Mead is lower than it has been
in over 40 years. High water marks
linger on surrounding rocks like a
dirty bathtub ring. Small islands rise
above the water like abnormally
yeasty loaves of bread.
Hydrologists say water levels
are falling because the Colorado
River runoff has been far below
normal in recent years. The lakes
are usually at their highest elevation in late fall and early spring.
But variations in water levels can
create fresh dangers to boaters and
challenges at launch ramps.
Still, the region remains the heart
of a rich recreation zone. At 1.5
million acres, this recreation area is
twice the size of Rhode Island and
conjoins three major deserts, the
Mojave, the Great Basin and the
Sonoran Desert. That makes for an
intriguing blend of water and land
activities, including fishing, boating, camping and hiking.
It’s also an easy 25-minute
drive from downtown Las Vegas
via Lake Mead Parkway. Visitors
can get their bearings at the Alan
Bible Visitor Center, located four
miles northeast of Boulder City,
Nevada, on U.S. 93.
Where to Stay:
RV Campsites on
Lake Mead
• Callville Bay
Resort,
(702) 565-8958
• Echo Bay Resort,
(702) 394-4000
• Lakeshore
Trailer Village,
(702) 293-2540
• Overton
Beach Resort,
(702) 394-4040
• Temple Bar Resort,
(520) 767-3211
On Lake Mohave
• Cottonwood
Cove Resort,
(702) 297-1464
• Lake Mohave Resort,
(520) 754-3245
State/National Park
Campsites
• Beaver Dam,
Caliente
(775) 726-3564
• Cave Lake, Ely,
(775) 728-4460
• Cathedral
Gorge, Panaca
(775) 728-4460
• Echo Canyon, Pioche,
(775) 962-5103
• Great Basin National
Park, Baker
(775) 234-7331
• Spring Valley
State Park, Pioche
(775) 962-5102
• Valley of Fire State
Park, Overton
(702) 397-2088
Powered awnings aren’t just for the big rigs anymore!
Ideal for 5th Wheels & Travel Trailers.
Easy, push-button operation.
Patrick and Diane Filbin, of Dayton, Nevada, enjoy the scenic
desert drive along U.S. Highway 93, where we caught them
scouting future campsites.
Now you can have the same
convenience and ease of use of an
electric awning as you’ve seen on those big, luxurious
motorhomes at a fraction of the cost. Why get an electric awning when
the manual roll up awning on your trailer is working just fine?” Here’s why:
1
Electric awnings are easy to use Any family member
can operate the awning.
2 You can extend and retract the awning in seconds
If you’re pulling off the road for a quick lunch push the button and
the awning is set up in less than 20 seconds! Or, if a big storm
comes up in the middle of the night push a button and the awning
is fully retracted and safe from the weather. You don’t have to
wrestle the awning in the wind and rain to put it away!
3 Carefree
uses worm-gear motors so you can rest
assured the awning won’t billow while your traveling.
Easy, push-button operation . . .
Ideal for 5th Wheels & Travel Trailers
Now your Travel Trailer or 5th wheel
can have the same convenience as a
big motorhome. Just push a button
and the Travel’r extends or retracts.
It’s as easy as that!
www.carefreeofcolorado.com
16
Scenic Route
Vol. 2 / No. 1
Entrance fees are $5 per vehicle for those who plan to stay
one to five days, or $20 for an annual pass and may be paid
at four locations, including East Lake Mead Drive, East Lake
Mead Boulevard, Boulder Beach and Katherine Landing.
Here, camping is considered a year-round activity.
Visitors will find a range of accommodation, including
hotels, campgrounds, multiple marinas and RV Parks.
Reservations are accepted only for group campsites. All
campgrounds offer restrooms, running water, dump stations, grills, tables and some shade.
Park concessionaires provide RV sites with full
hookups (electric, water and sewage) at Callville Bay, Echo
Bay, Lakeshore Trailer Village (Boulder Beach), Overton
Beach, Temple Bar, Cottonwood Cove and Lake Mohave
Resort (Katherine).
But you really can’t make it this far without paying a visit to nearby Hoover Dam, widely considered
the greatest dam constructed in its day and the historic
springboard for the economic growth of Las Vegas.
With its distinctive arch-gravity construction, Hoover
Dam is said to be the highest concrete dam in the Western
Hemisphere, rising 726 feet above desert bedrock. A visit
to the dam offers a dramatic spectacle with majestic views
and hands-on history lessons.
Be advised: The dam is also a huge traffic bottleneck. It’s
the only crossing point over the Colorado River for hundreds
of miles. A quick visit may require a significant time commitment, much of it spent sitting in creeping traffic, even
off-season. Traffic is heaviest on the weekend and holidays.
Approaching from the west on U.S. 93, we found that
traveling the last four miles took over 20 minutes of inching
forward and riding brakes on steep hills. All RVs, campers
and towable trailers must be prepared to pull off for a full
security check. Signs caution that delays of up to 30 minutes
are possible.
Still, it’s an impressive sight . . . a massive sweep of
a smooth concrete apron hugged by the rugged walls of
Black Canyon. Parking costs $7 and is limited. Oversized
vehicles, including RVs, will likely be directed to overflow
parking on the Arizona side.
Guided tours are available into the dam and around the
generating rooms inside for a fee. But if lines are too long, it’s
worth it to simply walk across the dam and soak in the view.
If you want to avoid crowds, try visiting in January or
February, and try to arrive early in the day. [