Road Food: LV, Grand Canyon, Valley of Fire, Red Rock and Death Valley

[BostonTravelGal]

Hello, first time poster here -

I will be traveling through the SW in March - here is the general outline:

1. LV to Valley of Fire
2. Valley of Fire to Grand Canyon - probably via LV, given the maps I have
3. GC to Red Rock Canyon via Henderson for a stop
4. Red Rock to Death Valley
5. Death Valley back to Vegas

We are driving in an RV and doing a series of hiking/backpacking excursions. During our road time we will be desperate for real food. Any suggestions? Diners, tacos, burgers? Nothing to fancy, but we will pay for a decent meal.

I have been warned abou the quality and price around the Grand Canyon, and a friend suggested the Snowcap on Rte 66.

Thanks for your help!

[DuchessNukem]

Just got back from Grand Canyon/Vegas. I didn't find much in great eats on I-40 between GC and Vegas (fast food in Kingman, Subway-in-convenience-store in smaller towns); there is a Starbucks in Kingman if you need it like we did lol. Plenty of geocaching sites but we ended up not stopping.

The El Tovar Hotel at the GC is lovely, dinner was great (reservations only, but probably have an opening) -- best prime rib I've had in years.

In Henderson at the M Resort, is a beer bar with multiple draft options, very nice. They have a pleasant Japanese sushi/oyster bar, Terzetto. (Consider ziplining at bcflightlines.com in Boulder City if you have time/$$ -- $150 for 4 lines off a small mountain.)

Just a note: I had planned for 40-50 degrees but we left the GC in a blizzard, that was due to deposit 8-10 inches (2/20). The desert road back to Vegas turned into very slow careful going. I'm sure y'all are prepared but I can't encourage enough, keep gas tank full and snacks on board.

[BostonTravelGal]

Thank you so much! We are prepared for snow. I appreciate the heads up. We were looking at the zip lines as a possible thing to do. I am also glad to know there is a Starbucks en route.

[Steve Green]

1. LV to VOF: Pretty much nothing.
2. VOF to GC: As mentioned, fast food in Kingman -- also, Cracker Barrel if you like that sort of thing. The Snowcap in Seligman is cute and novel, but the food isn't anything to write home about -- at least it wasn't when I was there a decade or so ago. I also really like the El Tovar at the Canyon -- the other places on the South Rim are just OK.
3. GC to RRC via Henderson: Other than above, can't help much -- search the board for Henderson
4: RR to DV: Cest si bon is a quirky cafe in Shoshone -- pretty good vegetarian fare, when they're open. Death Valley itself is kinda grim for food -- the restaurant at Furnace Creek Inn is pretty good, especially considering where it is. The food at Furnace Creek Ranch, and at Stovepipe Wells -- well, consider bringing food to DV instead.
5. If you come back through Baker, you have fast food and Mad Greek (sort of a diner -- it's been well-described on previous threads). Otherwise, see #4.

[shamu613]

I don't know from where you are beginning your trip, but I do know that you are wasting time and gas backtracking a lot. If I wanted to do those parks, I'd start in the Grand Canyon first, Death Valley next, then Red Rock Canyon and finally Valley of Fire.

Wait. Let me guess... you are renting an RV here in Las Vegas? Will you be towing a car behind the RV or doing all the traveling in the RV?

Suggestion. Skip RRC and VoF. Instead visit Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon in Utah. Only 3-4 hours from LV. Much better scenery and far more recreation that you seek.

1. Valley of Fire. The only thing in that general direction is a coffee shop at the Petro Truck Stop at the Las Vegas Speedway exit. Good eats. There is a campground in VoF but none in RRC. You can return your RV and rent a car in Las Vegas for daily trips each to see RRC and VoF.

2. Grand Canyon. Seligman, AZ or Kingman, AZ. Search either Google maps or Yelp for restaurants.

By the way, in the Grand Canyon there is the more famous South Rim, but there is also the West Rim on the Hualapi Indian Reservation. http://www.grandcanyonwest.com/ Home of the new Skywalk. There's an airport offering helicopter tours inside the Canyon, river rafting and much more. Do dome research. Their Diamond Creek Restaurant is on Route 66.

3. Coming from Grand Canyon, stop in Boulder City at either The Coffee Cup Diner or Mel's Diner. Going to Red Rock, stop at Rocco"s New York Italian Deli & Pizzeria. http://www.roccosdelilv.com/. Great pizza, sandwiches and more pre-made Italian deli items than you can fit into the RV. Wrapped properly using Saran wrap or zip lock bags, or both, sandwiches will last several days if you forgo the oil and vinegar dressing. Ask me how I know.

4. Death Valley. Save money and stay in Beatty, NV. Most of the really scenic attractions can easily be accessed from a base there. There are several RV parks from which to chose. ALL HAVE FULL HOOKUPS. For eats... The Ensenada Grill and Rita's Cafe At the Stagecoach Casino are both good. Really small market in town so do your supermarket shopping in Las Vegas before you head up there.

There's an RV campground at Furnace Creek, but it's dry camping only. Waiting time for the restaurants there can be hours. Make use of your RV's kitchen to save time to recreate.

NEVER EVER pass up a gas station in the desert without filling up. Better still, fill up each morning in Beatty and get a little fuel if you go below half a tank. Gas stations are few and far between. Know the limits of your vehicle. The park is HUGE and distances are extreme between attractions.

Consider buying or renting a SPOT. There is no cell service anywhere in Death Valley. http://www.findmespot.com/en/

Buy the National Geographic Map for Death Valley National Park. Trust me on this one. If you have a smart phone with satellite GPS and this map, you're golden. http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/ngs/product/maps/travel-and-hiking-maps/trails-illustrated-hiking-and-recreation-maps/california/221-death-valley-national-park-trail-map

5. Return to Vegas via Amargosa and stop in Pahrump at the Saddle West Hotel Casino Resort. http://www.saddlewest.com/index.html. Really good and cheap buffet.

PS: Leave me your email address or a way to contact. Maybe we can talk on the phone. I've been off roading in Red Rock, VoF and Death Valley for more than five years. I live in Las Vegas and I know the area very well. I may be able to help you plan your trip.

Andy

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Mel's Diner
1717 S Decatur Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89102

Coffee Cup
512 Nevada Hwy, Boulder City, NV 89005

[janetofreno]

I think your geography is a little off, familiar though you may be. Las Vegas (and Red Rock) is IN BETWEEN Death Valley and Grand Canyon....in fact I'm not sure that its even POSSIBLE to drive from Grand Canyon to Death Valley without at least going through the outskirts of Las Vegas. And if you drive from Grand Canyon to Death Valley you can go right by Red Rock, at least if you take 215 and cut over to Pahrump (probably quicker than going up to Beatty and over....).

But lets stick to food. Viva Zapata's is a decent Mexican place on I15 north as you're leaving Vegas and heading up to Valley of Fire (which is well worth visiting, btw, even if as a quick stop on the way to Zion...).

I also really like the Ensenada Grill in Beatty...but not so sure I would make Beatty my base. Especially if you are camping, just stay in Death Valley. The stars at night are well worth it. Stock up in Vegas. There is a Whole Foods and numerous standard grocery chains on Charleston Ave near Red Rock, if you decide to go that way.