Death Valley Nat'l Park

[Char]

Hi all,

This is my first posting! I'm going to Death Valley National Park in a few weeks, and am very worried about the gluten-free situation there. Does anyone know of anything vaguely nearby that might serve gluten-free food?

Thanks!

-Char

[winki4]

I went there last year and the prior year with a group of 9 friends. Sadly you will have to be careful with all of the restuarants in and around the park. Nobody speaks our language in Death Valley. Bring food with you, a cooler with snacks etc. Bathrooms are no problem until you leave the park.

I was as careful as could be and still was badly glutened the last day. If you can imagine a large van, with seating for 10, I'm in the back last row. It is a long drive to civilization on the way out of the park, 2 1/2 hours. I need to use a bathroom for a big D coming on and all there is around me is desert. No trees, no bushes, no bathrooms, and a van full of men and women to watch if I jump out to relieve myself in a hurry in the desert.

I manage to hold it in for 45 minutes, we get to a gas station, I pile out of the van like I am shot from a cannon. The bathroom is closed! The line is for a one stall mens room and there are 7 people in line for it. I push through them all and get relief. It sounds funny now, but it was a disaster when it happened.

Go anyway, just bring your own food with you. Death Valley is not to be missed.

[Char]

Thanks for your post, winki4. It's disappointing, but expected... so sorry about your experience!

[Char]

Hi all, I just wanted to let you know about my trip.

We stayed for two nights at the Shoshone Inn (Open Original Shared Link click on "Lodging"). Our room had two burners, a microwave, and a fridge, so we ended up cooking our dinners (and packing a lunch) - though note, we had to bring our own pots and dishes. It's pretty cheap, with the corresponding problems (e.g. I spent the first half hour on my hands and knees scrubbing out the shower because there was some oddly-colored gooey stain in the shower (blech)).

We stayed one night at the Ranch House Inn (Open Original Shared Link), which I can't recommend highly enough -- it's absolutely fabulous! Cynthia, the inn owner, is great, the rooms are homey and cute, and the location is absolutely incredible. With a two-week notice, you can order dinner, and she'll accomodate gluten-free diets (and other dietary restrictions) -- she made us brown rice with veggies, grilled pork chops, and a spinach salad with pinenuts and strawberries. I'm sending her more materials about "hidden" sources of gluten, but she herself rarely eats wheat, and says that she bakes with rice flour (!!).

-Char

[4getgluten]

Char - It sounds like you had a good trip. I haven't been to Death Valley in years. I like the sound of the Ranch House Inn. Thanks for sharing.