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

and broad horizons.

ROUTE 66 Road Trip By Kimber Williams

�Scenic Route

Vol.2 / No. 1

The SoliTudeS

Ward CharCoal oven State hiStoriCal Park

Red Rock canyon

Spring Valley State park

Pho

to c

our

tesy

of I

the

Nev

ad

a C

om

miss

ion

of T

our

ism.

Pho

to c

our

tesy

of I

the

Nev

ad

a C

om

miss

ion

of T

our

ism.

Pho

to c

our

tesy

of I

the

Nev

ad

a C

om

miss

ion

of T

our

ism.

(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.

Cathedral GorGe State Park

ROUTE 66 Road Trip

Nevada, Naturally

he las vegas strip cel-ebrates 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 gon-dolas glide through the desert.

But just beyond the surreal urban playground of this fast-growing community stretches a world of nat-ural 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 var-ied geographic flavors along the Great Basin Scenic Byway, a region that boasts Nevada’s highest concentra-tion of state parks. aim eastward and explore the expansive, rippling shore-line of lake Mead and the engineering marvel of Hoover dam. Choose a northeasterly route, and you’ll find yourself gawking at the ancient, multi-hued 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

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 23-foot 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 scen-ery, 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 well-known to snowbirders and routinely populated by rvers en route to the next big adventure.

But the region is also a wor-thy destination in itself, ripe with uncluttered views, rugged undu-lating 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 vis-iting 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 avail-able 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:

t

�Scenic Route

Vol.2 / No. 1

Bristlecone Pine

Pho

to c

our

tesy

of I

the

Nev

ad

a C

om

miss

ion

of T

our

ism.

Mt. Charleston

Pho

to c

our

tesy

of I

the

Nev

ad

a C

om

miss

ion

of T

our

ism.

Lehman Caves

Pho

to c

our

tesy

of I

the

Nev

ad

a C

om

miss

ion

of T

our

ism.

10Scenic Route

Vol.2 / No. 1

(top to bottom) Bristlecone pines — the lon-gest 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 ele-vation 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.

Gr

ea

t B

as

in n

at

ion

al

Pa

rk

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 sce-nic 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 natu-ral wonderland. Centuries of erosion have sculpted the native soft bentonite clay into fantastic caves, gothic pillars and cathedral-like spires. Hiking trails abound, offering hands-on adventure for kids.

Shaded picnic areas and a no-frills tree-shaded 22-site campground (with dump sta-tion, 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 spec-tacular and free.

Cave Lake State Park, Ely, Nevada

Considered one of the most scenic moun-tain 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 camp-grounds: elk Flat and lake view. Both offer flush toilets and showers. a fee of $14 cov-ers 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 water-front features a boat ramp, fish-cleaning sta-tion and picnic area. the reservoir is stocked with rainbow trout, but also attracts a variety of water birds, including an occasional trum-peter 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 camp-ground, 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 rang-er-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.

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, sputter-ing 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, muse-ums 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-estab-lished casinos, and shuttle service to the Vegas strip from outlying parks, RVers are finding a welcome home-away-from-home in Vegas.

Take Juan Caballero, for instance.When he decided to bring his wife and daugh-

ter 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, shop-ping, 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

that Las Vegas is one of the nation’s fastest-growing 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 Circus500 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 Park3640 Las Vegas Blvd. NorthLas Vegas, NV 89115(702) 644-1043• 185 sites with pull-throughs, showers and

restrooms, laundry, swimming pool and Internet access

Mahoney’s Silver Nugget RV Park2140 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 Resort2711 West WindmillLas 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 Park2200 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 Park2800 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.

laS veGaS BOulevard May Be tHe BrIGHteSt OFFICal SCeNIC ByWay IN tHe NatION.

Juan Caballero and family

the main entrance is five miles west of Baker, Nevada. Four devel-oped 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 camp-site 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 rec-

ommended beyond upper lehman Creek Campground. Campers will also find a restaurant and small grocery store and unmanned gas pumps in nearby Baker. all camp-ing 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 can-yon 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 con-trast 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, includ-ing songbirds, waterfowl, shore-birds 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 65-acre 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 rain-bow and cutthroat trout, and rain-bow 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 year-round. In addition to boating, hik-ing 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 curios-ity: six beehive-shaped charcoal ovens. the ovens were used in the late 19th century to produce char-coal for use in smelters at nearby silver mines. today, the area also offers facilities for picnicking, hiking and camping, and memo-rable 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 char-coal 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 camp-ground entrance. a fee of $10 covers entrance and camping.

West: Red Rock Canyon

let’s say you prefer the des-ert 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, one-way 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

12Scenic Route

Vol. 2 / No. 1

(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.

Good eats, Great Sites: • The 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, sun-

glasses• A good camera• Binoculars for watch-

ing birds and rock climbers

• Good hiking gear• Bicycles

rOute 66 Regional ROUTE 66 RV Network Dealers:

Sierra RV Sales & Rentals9125 S. Virginia St.Reno, NV 89511(775) 324-0522

14Scenic Route

Vol. 2 / No. 1

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 barbe-cue grills, picnic tables, trash col-lection, a water tank and pit toilets.

red rock Canyon presents an amazing array of hiking possibili-ties, with 19 designated trails, rang-ing 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 climb-ing routes, red rock Canyon has become one of the nation’s top

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 rela-tively 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 val-ley that lies less than an hour north-east 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 his-tory, 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, includ-ing 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 camp-grounds 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 sprawl-ing 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 encom-passes 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 eleva-tion 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, boat-ing, 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.

(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.

La

ke

Me

ad

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

Ideal for 5th Wheels & Travel Trailers. Easy, push-button operation.

Powered awnings aren’t just for the big rigs anymore!

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 whenthe manual roll up awning on your trailer is working just fine?” Here’s why:

1 Electric awnings are easy to use Any family membercan operate the awning.

2You can extend and retract the awning in secondsIf you’re pulling off the road for a quick lunch push the button andthe awning is set up in less than 20 seconds! Or, if a big stormcomes up in the middle of the night push a button and the awningis fully retracted and safe from the weather. You don’t have towrestle the awning in the wind and rain to put it away!

3Carefree uses worm-gear motors so you can restassured the awning won’t billow while your traveling.

Easy, push-button operation . . .Ideal for 5th Wheels & Travel Trailers

Now your Travel Trailer or 5th wheelcan have the same convenience as abig motorhome. Just push a buttonand the Travel’r extends or retracts.It’s as easy as that!

www.carefreeofcolorado.com

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 sta-tions, 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 pay-ing 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 com-mitment, 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. [

Patrick and Diane Filbin, of Dayton, Nevada, enjoy the scenic desert drive along U.S. Highway 93, where we caught them scouting future campsites.

16Scenic Route

Vol. 2 / No. 1