For year-round sunshine and blue skies, this town on the Colorado River delivers.
Most visitors have heard of the Four Corners region of the United State, the scenic plateau region where Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico touch. But most are surprised to learn Arizona also has a tri-state region where Nevada and California are located just across the Colorado River. Head to this former Route 66 outpost that today invites visitors to explore neighborhoods perched on riverbanks surrounded by rugged desert landscapes.
Hit the Beach
Along Arizona’s West Coast, the Colorado River creates a strip of outdoor recreation destinations. Water activities along the Bullhead City strip of the river are up-tempo. The river is wide enough for Jet Skiing and water skiing behind motorized boats. Nearby Davis Camp offers mellow pebble beaches to soak in the natural beauty and explore the waterways on kayaks and paddleboards. The day-use area and RV Park are a great example of urban re-use — the recreation area was once a village where workers lived while building the dam. Some of the original homes have been converted to vacation rentals. Just north of Davis Dam, Lake Mohave offers remote water activities that lead up to the wildly popular Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Ride the Trails
Hiking in this part of Arizona is mostly flat and expansive with the craggy Black Mountains off in the distance. Many visitors prefer to get more miles in by exploring the desert in off-road vehicles. Many area outfitters rent the rides and gear, plus give advice on the best trails to kick up some dust in the Mojave Desert. Find hundreds of miles of Bureau of Land Management trails that follow old mining routes. After a day on the trails, the river back at Bullhead City will never look more refreshing.
Place a Bet
Bullhead City is Arizona’s gateway to casino gaming in neighboring Laughlin, Nevada. The high-rise casinos there line the riverside with glitzy, up-all-night entertainment. For a more mellow gaming experience, take a short drive south to tribal enterprises on Fort Mohave tribal lands. Visitors enjoy more intimate gaming at Spirit Mountain Casino and across the river in California at AVI Resort & Casino.
