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Top Reasons to Go | Getting Oriented | What’s Where | Northwest Arizona and Southeast Nevada Planner
Updated by Teresa Bitler And Michael Weatherford
Bisected by a dramatic stretch of the Colorado River, home to the longest unbroken section of old Route 66, and anchored at opposite ends by the plucky gaming town of Laughlin and the water-sports recreation hub of Lake Havasu City, northwestern Arizona and southeastern Nevada comprise a unique blend of deserts, mountains, and miles of shoreline. This sparsely populated region about midway between Las Vegas and Phoenix appeals strongly to road-trippers, who appreciate the wide-open roads and scenic byways through frozen-in-time hamlets, and boaters and kayakers enthralled with the basaltic canyons and dammed lakes in the Colorado River’s path.
The defining feature of the region is the Colorado River, which affords visitors myriad opportunities to view local wildlife, Jet Ski, fish, and even rent houseboats. Since the late Pleistocene epoch when Paleo-Indians first set foot in the river that was once described as “too thick to drink and too thin to plow,” the Colorado has been a blessing and a barrier. Prehistoric traders from the Pacific Coast crossed the river at Willow Beach on their way to trade shells for pelts with the Hopi and other Pueblo tribes farther east. When gold was discovered in California in 1848, entrepreneurs built ferries up and down the river to accommodate the miners drawn to the area by what Cortez called “a disease of the heart for which the only cure is gold.” Prosperity followed, particularly for Kingman.
Every spring the snowmelt of the Rocky Mountain watershed of the Colorado River rushed through high basaltic canyons like water through a garden hose and washed away crops and livestock. Harnessing such a powerful river required no ordinary dam. In 1935, notched into the steep and narrow confines of Black Canyon on the border separating Arizona and Nevada, 726-foot-high Hoover Dam took control of the Colorado River and turned its power into electricity and its floodwaters into the largest man-made reservoir in the United States: Lake Mead. In 2010, the similarly dramatic Hoover Dam Bypass (also known as the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge) opened just south of the dam, vastly reducing the time it takes for automobiles to cross over the Colorado River.
Top Reasons to Go
Get wet: Boating, fishing, and water adventure top the list of favorite activities on the cool Colorado River and the adjoining lakes of Havasu, Mohave, and Mead.
Experience a slice of England: Pass under on a boat or take a guided tour over London Bridge in Lake Havasu City.
Drive the open road: Take a road trip on legendary Route 66 and cruise the longest remaining stretch of the Mother Road from Seligman to Kingman.
Take a walk on the wild side: For Vegas-style gambling and glitz, spend some quality play time in the twin riverside cities of Laughlin, Nevada, and Bullhead City, Arizona.
Hike Hualapai: Take a break from the desert and climb the cool climes of Hualapai Mountain Park—the highest point in western Arizona.
Getting Oriented
In the far northwestern corner of Arizona, the fast-growing communities of Lake Havasu and Laughlin/Bullhead City are good bases for outdoor recreation and gaming, respectively. Kingman, the Mohave County seat and a historic shipping center, is an ideal launch pad for exploring historic and quirky Route 66.
The Colorado River flows out of the Grand Canyon to the north and then sweeps directly south, serving as the western border of the state of Arizona and supplying the lifeblood to the otherwise desolate desert region. Created from dams on the mighty Colorado River, Lakes Mead, Mohave, and Havasu provide a common link in the tristate area by offering some of the best water recreation around.
What’s Where
Northwest Arizona. Take a drive down memory lane on the longest remaining stretch of historic Route 66—roll down the windows and watch the sweeping desert views pass you by. Along the way, check out the funky little ghost towns of Oatman and Chloride and make a splash in the cool blue waterways of Lakes Mohave, Mead, and Havasu.
Southeast Nevada. Laughlin attracts laid-back gamblers and elite entertainers looking for all of the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas without the high prices and large crowds. Take a quick jaunt into Nevada for a look at monumental Hoover Dam and a hand or two of blackjack in a riverside casino.
Northwest Arizona and Southeast Nevada Planner
When to Go
Unlike many destinations, the communities in northwest Arizona don’t have distinct high and low seasons. The arid climate and clear winter skies attract “snowbirds,” retirees flocking south to escape the harsh northern climes. On the flip side, the hot, sunny summer months attract sports enthusiasts looking to cavort in the cool, blue waterways—despite searing temperatures that occasionally top 110°F.
Lake Havasu City plays host to hordes of college revelers during spring break in March, and Kingman fills up fast during the annual Route 66 Fun Run drive in May. Things simmer down a bit during the rest of spring as well as the fall months. Overall, expect fairly busy weekends during the summer months and sold-out rooms during sporting events and fishing tournaments.
Hualapai Mountain Park is the one part of northwestern Arizona that is high-altitude enough to get occasionally heavy snow in winter.
Festivals and Events
Late April–Early May
Route 66 Fun Run.
This three-day event in early May is a 40-mile drive along the longest remaining section of the “Mother Road.” | 928/753–5001 | www.azrt66.com.
September
Andy Devine Days.
The festival honors the film and television actor with a parade and an impressive rodeo. It also incorporates a Route 66 element with car shows and live music. | 928/753–6106.
October
London Bridge Days.
Lake Havasu City heats up with a weeklong Renaissance festival, a parade, and British-themed contests. | 928/453–8686 | www.golakehavasu.com.
Planning Your Time
Kingman is an ideal base for exploring Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the ghost towns of Oatman and Chloride, and the forested Hualapai Mountain Park. You’ll need at least a day to enjoy water sports on Lake Mead, whereas an hour or two is enough to explore the funky little ghost towns. Visitors to Lake Havasu should spend a night or two to get a real sense of this recreation hub, although you can get a quick taste by making a day trip from Bullhead City.
Water activities dominate the scene here, but in a shorter visit you can check out London Bridge, go on a birding expedition at Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, or a foray into the quaint if touristy shops in English Village. Fans of gambling can just hop across the Colorado River to Laughlin and spend hours or days reveling in the glitz and glitter. There are also casinos near Lake Havasu City, one on the Arizona side in Parker, an hour south, and the other easily reached across the lake in California.
TIP Remember that Arizona, in the Mountain Time zone, doesn’t observe Daylight Saving Time, but the neighboring states of Nevada and California, both in the Pacific Time zone, do. When scheduling interstate travel, double-check all times to avoid confusion and missed connections.
Getting Here and Around
Air Travel
Kingman (IGM) has limited air service, with direct flights available on Great Lakes Airlines from Los Angeles and Denver. Laughlin-Bullhead City (IFP) is presently served only by charters, but has been lobbying for scheduled commercial service—stay tuned. Most visitors arriving by plane reach this part of the state after first flying into Las Vegas (two hours from Laughlin) or Phoenix (four hours from Kingman or Lake Havasu City) and renting a car.
Car Travel
Most visitors drive to this corner of the state—after all, Kingman is on the longest remaining stretch of Route 66. At first glance, the countryside can seem a bit stark and remote, but there are many surprises in this part of the world, including the strange-looking Joshua tree, the defining plant of the Mojave Desert. Historic Route 66 crosses east–west and curves north of Interstate 40, which provides the fastest path across the region. U.S. 93 is the main route for north–south travel. All of these roads are in excellent condition. On Interstate 40 high winds occasionally raise enough blowing dust to restrict visibility. In winter, ice may be present on Interstate 40 east of Kingman, as well as on sections of Route 66. Most of the county roads are improved dirt roads, but washboard sections bounce you around a bit, so take your time and drive no faster than prudence dictates. Be aware that many maps and GPS devices show what appear to be viable dirt roads that may actually be unmaintained or even abandoned—stick with established routes. TIP Fuel up while you’re in this part of Arizona—all grades of gasoline can be as much as $0.50 to $0.75 per gallon less in Kingman and Bullhead City than across the border in Nevada and California.
Train Travel
Kingman is the only city in this region served by Amtrak; the Southwest Chief stops in Kingman on its daily run between Los Angeles and Chicago (via Albuquerque).
Restaurants
Dining in this remote corner of the state is quite casual, though also affordable. You’re more likely to find a 1950s-inspired diner, a taquería, or a family-owned café than a sophisticated, high-end eatery. For the most part you’ll find home-cooked American and Southwestern favorites. The few higher-end dining options are in Lake Havasu and across the Colorado River in Laughlin’s casinos, where steakhouses proliferate.
Hotels
Mid-price chain accommodations abound in Kingman and Lake Havasu, and to a lesser extent Bullhead City—though the casino resorts across the river in Laughlin are among the best values in the region. Lake Havasu City has a few somewhat upscale resorts, as does Laughlin, with its several glittery but reasonably priced gaming properties. Staying in a houseboat on Lake Havasu or Lake Mead puts a decidedly different twist on water recreation. These floating rooms with a view can be maneuvered into countless coves and inlets, allowing for peaceful solitude rarely found on the busy beaches and popular waterways.