There’s No Better Way to Spend the Day Than to Go on a Western Arizona Road Trip and See Hidden Gems

The Grand Canyon State is undoubtedly a paradise filled with untarnished beauty. It is a place where the calmness of the waters and the warmth of the lands meet. The Colorado River lines out its western border; branching towards the rocky ranges of the mountains, through fast-flowing streams, a series of still lakes, and arid plains. It is enticing, especially for touring visitors. What a dream it is, to traverse the vast and beautiful land of Arizona – a land with a story written by nature. And what better way there is to journey through this place than an Arizona road trip?

Let’s look at the ideal places to visit in an Arizona road trip that would surely be worth it!

Bullhead City

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The Community Park is an ideal and fun road trip destination as the evergreen stretches along the Colorado River. With a broad beach area along with shade ramadas, a boat launch ramp, and a quaint museum as well as a portion of the famous Heritage Trail.

Location: 1251 AZ-95, Bullhead City, Arizona 86429
Website: www.bullheadcity.com
Contact: 928-763-0158

What else is there to see when you’re taking a break in Bullhead City from your Arizona road trip?

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Due north of Bullhead City, at Lake Mohave Marina, is a full-service marina called Katherine Landing, which offers lodging, dining, campgrounds, a swim beach, boating necessities, equipment rentals, as well as other amenities. They have personal watercraft, kayaks, fishing boats and 28-foot patio boats which you would find very enjoyable. Take this chance to see the scenic coves of Lake Mohave. The lake is a part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, with a 25$ admission fee that’s good for seven days. Mark this place on your Arizona road trip map!

Location: 2690 E. Katherine Spur Rd.Bullhead City, Arizona 86429
Website: www.katherinelanding.com
Contact: 928-754-3245

Lake Havasu City

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If you want to know the story of how the London Bridge came to the Arizona Desert, then take a walking tour offered by the visitor center in Go Lake Havasu! You’ll learn about its history from World War II and the mysteries of the bridge as well. It is a 90-minute tour that starts at 11 am from Tuesdays – Thursdays, from November through April. The whole trip covers a half-mile and climbs 51 steps. Take a walk and enjoy the sights by dropping by during your Arizona road trip!

Location: 422 English Village Lake Havasu City, Arizona 86403
Website: www.golakehavasu.com/london-bridge-historic-walking-tour
Fee: $10 per person, and free for age 12 and younger
Contact: 928-855-5655

Cruise through the waters!

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There is also the Rubba Duck Safari where you can, and you guessed it right, pilot inflatable boats through Bridgewater Channel and into the open water of the lake. The tour lasts for two and a half hours while cruising across the shoreline scenery and secluded coves of beautiful Copper Canyon. Now that’s some fun for your road trip!

Location: 402 English Village, Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Website: www.golakehavasu.com/rubba-duck-safari
Fee: $119 for a single-person boat, and $158 for a two-person boat
Contact: 928-208-0293

Do you think a sunset tour is worth taking?

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A Lighthouse Tour is also available, perfect for tourists and locals who want to see dozens of the stylish navigational aids. It is only accessibly by water, so you need to set sail with Sunset Charter & Tour Co. on the Kon Tiki Canyon Cruiser for a two-hour narrated tour at 1 pm. It is open during Wednesdays and Thursdays from October to May. A real good road trip destination, it is!

Location: 501 English Village, Lake Havasu City, Arizona 86403
Website: www.lakehavasuboattours.com
Contact: 928-716-8687

And of course, in Arizona, hiking is as a staple adventure. Lake Havasu has also developed a system of hiking trails. The Water Tank Trail is a 6.2-mile round trip that treks across Aubrey Hills ornamented with unique rock formations leading to a fenced-in wildlife watering hole. Definitely, a hike to take on your Arizona road trip.

Website: www.golakehavasu.com
Contact: 928-855-5655

Yuma

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If you’re into spooky stuff, this one’s for you. Yuma, Arizona, is the place where you can find the country’s most haunted destination by USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Awards: Yuma Territorial Prison. It is one of the haunted places in Arizona with spooky ghost stories! The facility opened in 1876, and despite being operational for only 33 years, it had already earned a notorious reputation.

Just check the film “3:10 to Yuma,” and you’ll understand why. There were no recorded executions in this facility, yet records show that at least one hundred eleven (111) prisoners died incarcerated, while 104 more inmates lie in the graveyard of the gridiron.

This facility was a prime incarceration site for the bad boys of the Old West. At present, it is a state park where you can explore the blocks and cells of the gridiron, see the graveyard, climb the guard tower, and visit the infamous “snake den” punishment cell. Talk about creepy! If you need more information or history, there is also a museum filled with artifacts and exhibits. A place with a rich history, this is a place that deserves a marker on your Arizona road trip map!

Location: Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, 220 Prison Hill Rd, Yuma, Arizona 85364
Fee: $8, $4 for ages 7-13
Contact: 928-783-4771
Website: azstateparks.com/yuma-territorial

An Arizona road trip guarantees you can stay close to nature!

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What else is there in Yuma? You shouldn’t skip a visit to the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, a place where flowing rivers, marshy and damp wetlands, and ponds bracketed by arid desert biomes meet. The refuge serves as a sanctuary for migratory birds and other wildlife 30 miles along the Colorado River. It is a beautiful sight to see in winter as well when feathered visitors like the cinnamon teal and northern pintail drop by. During milder seasons, activities like birding tours, guided hikes and stargazing events are offered. It’s a worthy place to drop by when you get the chance!

Location: 12812 Wildlife Way, Yuma, Arizona 85365
Contact: 928-783-3371
Website: www.fws.gov/refuge/imperial

Parker

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Art enthusiasts unite! There is a small shopping plaza in Parker, called the Colorado River Indian Tribes Museum. It is where you can find a diverse and unique mix of artworks and exhibits from four tribes- Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi and Navajo. There are also traditional and modern pieces on display, like baskets, pots, jewelry and kachinas. You can learn about its history as well as the Japanese internment camp built on the reservation during World War II. The gift shop sells authentic and locally-made crafts and is open from Monday to Friday. It’s a place worth marking on an Arizona road trip. Do you agree with us? Well, there’s another place you should check out too!

Location: 133 Riverside Dr, Parker, Arizona 85344
Website: https://www.crit-nsn.gov/critmuseum/

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Nellie E. Saloon, which goes by the popular name “Desert Bar,” is a far-flung outpost 5 miles out from Parker. Curious visitors will need to travel a 5-mile rough dirt road. You should also take note that although you can take your car can get there, you might want to go with a high-clearance vehicle instead. It occupies an old mining camp, which looks both historic and post-apocalyptic. This place is green on energy as the facility runs entirely on solar power. Live bands perform the whole day, and as for food options, you can taste their char-grilled burger! Talk about a fun day. This bar is open from 12 noon to 6 pm, from Saturdays and Sundays only for October through April. Just remember to come here carrying cash because they don’t take credit cards!

Location: Cienega Springs Rd, Parker, Arizona 85344
Website: www.thedesertbar.com

There are also three state parks along the banks of the Colorado River. The parks feature sandy beaches, picnic areas, boat ramps, hiking trails, and campgrounds. There is also Buckskin Mountain which is 11 miles north of Parker; River Island located 12 miles and Cattail Cove 25 miles both due north.

Note

Some of these places might be temporarily closed due to the pandemic. Please remember to check the website for updates.

Which among these gems is your favorite stopover in your Arizona road trip? Let us know in the comments below!