Although mere minutes from the bright lights and neon of Laughlin, Nevada’s casinos, Bullhead City, Arizona, has a quiet and subdued setting. Perched along the banks of the Colorado River, the small desert town provides an assortment of recreational adventures alongside cultural activities.
Spend your days cooling off in the river via Desert River Outfitters. The company provides kayak and canoe rentals so you can explore canyons and rock formations as you float down the Colorado River. The group can also offer shuttle service to your launch spot and help plan your route. Sign up for a river excursion with one of the company’s personal guides. Trips take place during the day, at sunset and under the desert moonlight. Bordering Bullhead City to the north is Lake Mead National Recreational Area. The massive preserved region includes Lake Mead, 90 minutes away, and Lake Mohave, less than five minutes from Bullhead City. In addition to kayaking, canoeing and boating, the area in and around Lake Mohave provides opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, hunting, scuba diving and fishing in a body of water stocked with largemouth bass, rainbow trout and bluegill.
Nestled in the 10,000-acre Laughlin Ranch housing community is the Laughlin Ranch Golf Club, an 18-hole championship golf course. The public course has sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and the river down below. Just steps from the 18th hole, you’ll find a bar and grill and horseshoe pits. There’s also an on-site spa with 11 treatment rooms, a full service salon, outdoor pool and fitness center. The city is also home to nine parks, each with an array of amenities. Perched along the river, Community Park and Rotary Park both have public boat launches. Rotary Park also includes a fishing pier, skate park, basketball courts and an off-leash dog park with a splash pad. Peek in on wildlife as you take a stroll through the desert landscape and along the water at the Colorado River Nature Center. Enjoy a round of horseshoes at Ken Fovargue Park or cool off at the public pool, a zero-depth-entry pool with a water slide.
The Colorado River Museum celebrates the waterway’s storied past, including its relationship with Native Americans and early settlers in the area. Museum exhibits, complete with dioramas, photographs and artifacts, detail the history of the river and region, including the railroads, steamboats and ranching. The facility often hosts guest speakers who cover such topics as journalism and mining in the area. In 2011, Mohave County Library unveiled a completely revamped Bullhead City Branch, complete with a new cafe and lounge, study rooms and separate computer labs for children, teens and adults. The library stages special events, including craft workshops for all ages, story time sessions for kids and concerts for teens.
The Colorado River Bluegrass Festival takes place in early February. The three-day weekend event takes place in Rotary Park, showcasing a variety of bluegrass musicians from across the country. The event also has arts and crafts and food vendors. Passes are sold on a per-day, per-person basis. Overnight camping is allowed but requires a separate fee, is available first-come, first-served and does not include any hookups. In early August, the city hosts the Aloha River Regatta, where residents, visitors and local businesses take to the water in inflatable rafts and floats. Each year the festival has a theme, such as pirates, Hawaiian or Mardi Gras, and participants must deck out their vessels in matching attire. Prizes are handed out for the best decorated and most spirited regattas.
