TR - VOF and Super Bowl

Question

We started our trip with a bit shorter drive as we were spending a night in Boulder City, so we could drive up the west side of Lake Mead on our way to Valley of Fire, had never driven that route before. Having extra time, decided to drive down to Willow Beach, as my wife had never been to that section of the Colorado River, and it had been well over 30 years since I last drove down there.

What a pleasant surprise! The marina has been updated and expanded, and the campground is far better than expected, looks like a recent updating. We drove around a bit and were surprised to see a few empty full hook-up sites still open. Decided that we do need to fish this section of the River sometime in the future.

Picked the Best Western in Boulder City for proximity to everything needed for the one night. BW was fine, except the indoor pool was still closed, website information not updated, small bummer, was looking forward to a hot Jacuzzi. Walked down the street looking at our various options for a bite to eat, ended up having dinner at Capriottis deli. The hot Wagyu Philly Cheesesteaks were delicious, and we ordered 2 Classic Italian cold subs for lunch the next day at VOF. (In retrospect, ordering the Philly Cheesesteaks should have been our sign….)

Had a great sleep, and the hot breakfast at BW was satisfactory enough, hit the road at 8:00 am, knowing we had a full day/night ahead of us. We had never driven the route along the west side of Lake Mead, so of course we had to take a few turnouts towards the lake for some better views. A very nice morning, and it warmed up quicker than expected, so the windbreakers were quickly shed. Our aim was to hit the trail for White Domes first thing, but my sightseeing side trips took a bit longer than expected, so when we finally arrived at the parking for White Domes, no spaces open. Drove around a bit, stopped at the bus parking area, and semi-patiently waited until a group got back to their car, and squeezed our pickup into their space.

We got ourselves sun screened up, and with plenty of water, hit the trail. It starts with a slight uphill grade, in soft fine sand, a bit slow going, but the rocks are pretty amazing right at the start – this is going to be great! We were in no hurry, as the loop is less than 2 miles, so we stopped often to let others pass us, and take pictures. The slot canyon portion is very cool, definitely the highlight of the hike, although many other rock formations are very interesting and photo-worthy. Seemed like the hike ended too quickly, so we were able to stop and also do the Rainbow Vista trail – out & back trail, but also very pretty with the red rocks and formations. The sky was bright blue, with different wispy white clouds – picture perfect day.

Stopped at the petroglyphs again (we had visited just before our Christmas trip), parked and broke those Capriottis subs out of the cooler for lunch. Something about being out in a beautiful setting in nature, that makes food taste so much better!!

I had contacted our host at GN previously, and got an ok for early check-in, so we left VOF about 2ish, with a drive into downtown, just less than an hour away. The slow drive out of the park eases the transition from VOF to Las Vegas, and once we hit I-15, it was smooth cruising. Arrival beers in GN parking garage, of course!

TBC

Answer

It sounds like your trip was packed with scenic views, great hikes, and some delicious food! I love how you took a different route through Boulder City and explored some of the lesser-visited spots. Here’s a breakdown of your experience and some thoughts:

Starting in Boulder City, it’s great that you got a chance to check out Willow Beach, especially since it’s been so long since you last visited. The updated marina and campground seem like a real gem, and it’s always nice to find those less-crowded spots with open campsites. Sounds like Willow Beach is definitely on your radar for a future fishing trip!

As for your stay at the Best Western, it’s unfortunate that the indoor pool was still closed. That’s always a letdown when you’re looking forward to something specific. Still, it sounds like the breakfast was sufficient to start your day, and the Philly Cheesesteaks from Capriottis definitely hit the spot. I love how you mentioned the classic Italian subs for lunch the next day at Valley of Fire—such a great picnic choice!

The drive along the west side of Lake Mead seems like a perfect way to begin the day with stunning views. And despite missing a parking spot at White Domes, it seems like you managed to make the most of the situation and still had a great time on the hike. The slot canyon portion sounds amazing, as well as the Rainbow Vista trail. The weather and the scenery really came together for a picture-perfect day, which is always a win when you’re hiking in such a beautiful landscape.

Lunch at the petroglyphs sounds wonderful, especially in such a serene location. Nature really does make food taste better! It’s nice to hear that the transition from VOF to Las Vegas was easy and smooth, with a little relaxation time in the GN parking garage before heading into the city.

Willow Beach marina and campground—great for a future fishing trip.
Capriottis Philly Cheesesteaks and Italian subs—perfect for a road trip snack.
White Domes trail—slot canyon portion is a must-see!
Rainbow Vista trail—beautiful red rock formations for more hiking and photo ops.
Petroglyphs—stopping for lunch with an amazing backdrop!

It sounds like you had a well-paced and memorable trip so far. I’m looking forward to hearing the rest of your adventure! It’s always nice to see how well you balanced the time between exploring the outdoors and enjoying good food along the way.

TR - VOF and Super Bowl

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