Ok so... I'm doing the Laughlin River Run rally this year and taking a couple of days to go to Death Valley. My plan is to take Bad Water Basin Rd up to Stove Pipe Village, and spend the night. The next morning I am going to hit the Mesquite Flat Dunes, but after that... I dunno.

Was thinking about Ubehebe Crater and Scotty's castle, but the photos of the crater seem underwhelming (just a big hole in the ground), and Scotty's castle, while impressive, is not really what I would want to see on a visit to Death Valley.

What's the best way to go back to Laughlin?

I was thinking about skipping the crater and the castle and just taking the 190 to the 127 and back to Laughlin, but I do not know what sites there are to see on the way or if the route is good riding.

 

At a minimum, hit Artists' Drive and Dante's Peak

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/23167360

 

Stop at the Crowbar in Shoshone for lunch.

 

Thanks!

I had already planned on the Artist's Drive loop, then doubling back to the playa for some sunset photos. Dante's peak is a great suggestion.

 

Stop at the Crowbar in Shoshone for lunch---great advice doc. cool joint. ice cold beer was great!

 

The ride over to Panamint springs is nice, also Scotty's castle won't disappoint from there you could head out 267 to 95 thru Beatty, Vegas, then back thru Searchlight to Laughlin. It's a long way thru the park speed limits are not all that fast. Take water, you can get gas in Shoshone, Furnace Creek, Stove Pipe Wells, if you do not already have a National Parks Pass you can get one in Furnace Creek. Just about any thing you see in Death Valley is awesome. (Panamint and back might be a bit much.
Russ

From Furnace Creek 190 out to 160 thru Pharump then over the hump ( stop at Mt Springs Bar) thru Vegas Drop down I15 south exit Nipton 164 east to Search Light.
Read something about a small motel in Beatty I think was Atomic motel, had a good breakfast.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/atomic-inn-beatty

 

I was just out there and took a ride past Stovepipe wells to Lone Pine. The road takes you over a couple of passes(through) Panamint Springs(Rt 190 to 136). Great scenary! I just gassed up in Lone Pine, got a candy bar and headed back to DV. It was a great ride.

 

Scotty's Castle is a must see while in the Valley.

 

Go see the Race Track...

 

This was my #1 "must do", but I understand that it is 23 miles of dirt road to see it. :-(

Plus it is an out and back, which may make day 2 too long. Your experiences would be appreciated.