Cities

Parker

The Colorado River town of Parker is synonymous with water recreation and camping under dark skies.

Located along the east banks of the Colorado River, this stretch of Arizona’s West Coast features long expanses of water perfect for motorized boats pulling water-skiers as well as secret coves that attract kayakers and anglers. Many visitors pull into state parks in RVs, eager to stay the night surrounded by magnificent landscapes before heading down the road to the next riverside vacation spot.

Water Recreation

Shoreline state parks pop up every few miles in this part of Arizona. The Parker Strip is the destination of travelers heading to River Island and Buckskin Mountain state parks. Outfitters along the strip rent watercrafts and gear for visitors to have fun on the water without having to haul water toys here. The river attracts many visitors during the summer months who come to Jet Ski and waterski or paddleboard and swim in coves protected from the high-flying action on the main channel. The crowds dwindle during the cooler months, which creates ideal conditions for visitors who prefer to sit on the shore and watch the river flow by.

The RV Life

This is not a place that visitors race through. Most prefer to stay in the slow lane on Highway 95 to marvel at the craggy landscapes along this scenic drive in Arizona. Many visitors share the right lane with RVs heading to the blue-green ribbon of water that forms the border between Arizona and California. Riverside RV parks fill year-round with visitors who bring all the comforts of home with them.

For City Slickers

The city of Parker has many attractions to keep visitors busy when they are not enjoying water activities on the Colorado River. Find restaurants in town as well as retro motor lodges perfect for road trippers who prefer to vacation under a roof. Find plenty of local haunts to mingle with locals who call the Parker Strip home. BlueWater Resort & Casino is a tribal enterprise of the Colorado River Indian Tribes. Other tribal enterprises welcome visitors to learn about the heritage and traditions of the region’s indigenous tribal communities. Visit the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Museum in Parker to see how people have thrived along the Colorado River for centuries.

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