Ahakhav Tribal Preserve

Explore restored wetlands operated by the Colorado River Indian Tribes.

This grassy area with picnic tables and a playground looks like a well-manicured city park at first sight. But the park is just one element of a wetlands-restoration project aimed at returning the river valley back to what it looked like hundreds of years ago. The park also honors cultural traditions tied to the indigenous people who survived in this rugged backcountry. See a traditional Mojave shelter and learn how the plants that flourish in this river corridor were used to build shelters and farming tools vital for desert survival.

On the Water

Visitors are asked to leave their motorboats at home and enjoy this tranquil preserve on people-powered watercrafts. Paddle a canoe or kayak along the waterways to go fishing or to spot herons and egrets gliding across the water year-round. Seasonal bird species make layovers here on their annual migrations, and beavers, deer, fox and coyote also live in the riparian area. Head north on Highway 95 to Buckskin Mountain State Park and River Island State Park, sister parks located along a bend in the river with campgrounds and access to the main channel of the Colorado River.

On the Land

The preserve is located just south of the Parker Strip, an area that boasts multiple state parks and wildlife refuges. At Ahakhav, visitors are welcome to hike along the banks of the wetlands on a trail that winds nearly 5 miles through the preserve. Restoration efforts include new orchards of mesquite trees, desert willows and cottonwood trees that in turn attract critters native to the Lower Colorado River Basin. Visitors who have not had the pleasure of seeing a roadrunner or a family of quail in the wild are encouraged to sit for a few minutes to see what scurries by.

Tribal Enterprises

Other visitor attractions operated by the Colorado River Indian Tribes include the CRIT Museum, which preserves artifacts from the Mojave and Chemehuevi tribes as well as ancestors of Navajo and Hopi people. The museum presents an excellent collection of antique rugs, Kachina dolls, pottery and baskets. Plus, BlueWater Resort & Casino offers destination gaming along the Colorado River on the eastside of Parker. The expansive property is a favorite among couples seeking gaming and nightlife and includes a beach and waterpark for family getaways.