The " River Run" is Laughlin's key money maker. It is always and has been the West COAST'S LARGEST motorcycle rally and scheduled in late April is the years early spring event for many snow bound neighbor states.

Yes Dal Con has a lock on the room rates and have yearly pushed the envelop in costs, but every year they get their numbers even with the so called " Boy cotters".

Sturgis and Daytona are NO exception and quite frankly a LOT higher priced and yet people still go.

But if you are budget squeezed ( or rather spend your cash on scoots and T&A ) I would recommend the folowing.

1. Kingman Az is only 35 miles away and the motels are getting wise a s well, expect $100 a night there. There are many motels, just use the yellow pages.

2. Las Vegas is in a slump and room rates are cheap compared to last year at this time, but again figure a 2 hour ride and depending on weather conditions anywhere from lovely to a pain in the ###.

3. Lake Havasu? Forget it, execpt I believe a group of Az guys have the annual screw Laughlin rally in Parker Az.

4. Pay the bucks and enjoy.

I will say though, If your a gambler, I would bet the rooms WILL not be sold out this year ( Thanks Bush) and walk ups will be available, but prepare to spend $100 a night if that happens.

 

I'll be there....call Tropicana Express,1-800-343-4533,ask for promo code 4539,3 nights 499.99.Have to book before Jan.15th or the price goes up 100.00!! Their located just about in the middle Casino Dr.

 

We stayed at the Prima Donna in Primm Valley last year. One fifth the price and only about an hour or so away. On the third day the wives went into Vegas for the day when we rode back to Laughlin to check out the ride. Another way to go is to get there on Monday and leave on Thursday. The rooms are about $30 a night and the vendors are already set up on Monday.

 

No wonder I was the only one there.

 

Last year they did not sell either. I had email one of the hotels, Sorry don't remember which one, but at the last minute they emailed me back and had a room (or rooms) avail for about $100. I had already made other plans.

I gota feeling you WILL be able to find rooms at a cheaper rate at the last minute, but for some reason if you can't then you are stuck.

A couple years ago we did the Primm thing. Stayed in Primm, went into Laughlin, about an hour away, then back later that night. It works, but you just can't have "fun" knowing you have to ride back later that day/night. And if you are on your bike and buy something, you gota haul it back.

It does take some planning but like a few peole have said, just pay the price and enjoy yourself.

If I do get to go this year, I'll post it on here later, in case anyone wants to meet up and have a drink.

 

A freind and I took a week off in 2006 and road from Denver south through the Grand Canyon area and back through southern Utah. What great memories. Going to try for next year.

 

My BAD

 

I am thinking of going and staying in Needles and riding in for the day on the 22nd - the web site event schedule is not there. Does anyone know if it is worth going for the one day will the vendors be there? Any thing going on the 22nd?

 

Will go a couple days and will ride back and forth so I can sleep in my own bed, might get a room as I think there will be plent and will be cheap.

 

You can book directly through the hotels this year. We got our room in Tropicana on my wife's players card for 326 incl tax for the 3 days. Buddy of mine did slightly better, I guess because his wife gambles more.
We found this out with much thanks to a fellow forum member. More info can be found in the Pacific section.

Another couple we're going with got 2 rooms at Harrahs on full comp. Here's what they found out. Tropicana casinos are not linked between Vegas and Laughlin, so you need a Trop card from Laughlin. Harrahs is linked so if you have a Harrahs Vegas you can work a deal for rooms in Laughlin.

I like a brew or two, so I like being in the thick of the party.