Laughin to Lake Havasu

[Ronnie]

i just read an article in Boating magazine about the author’s overnight trip between Laughlin and Lake Havasu and am now toying with the idea of doing the same next summer or maybe this September. It’s 60 miles each way and looks like there is a great balance of civilization and undeveloped stretchs of the river running through the desert including high canyon walls in the baby Grand Canyon and copper canyon. There is also good lodging at each end.

If anyone has done this trip please chime in with tips and tricks or to let me know if it’s worth the effort. I’m in Northern ca an could drive but it’s 12 hours to Vegas, call it 15 for me as I’m no longer a road warrior, it is I drive I can take my own skis or boat and I’d save a chunk of change on the rental cost. Otherwise I’d need to rent when I get there. More than likely I would fly into Vegas and spend the rest of the week there or at lake mead. Not sure if I will go at all but I’m down to try something different, it doesn’t look like I’ll ever make the boat trip from Florida to bimini. This seems a lot more doable for me.

 

[Scuba_ref]

Sounds like a cool trip!

 

[cxr133]

Fun trip... have done it lots of times. its not a 2 day trip i didn't know it was 60 miles have gone back and forth in the same day.

very beautiful , everything you mentioned. not really that big. if you ever decide to do it and have questions let me know.

I'm with you i want to do the boat trip to Bimini too. i have thought about flying in and renting a boat for that trip.

 

[mpbassett44]

Going to Laughlin in 2 weeks. We spend 1 day at Lake Mohave and 1 day we head down to Havasu on the river. It's a great boating trip. It's usually 105 to 115 degrees in the summer and still over 100 degrees in September. But you barely notice the heat when you have the clear, refreshing water of the Colorado to keep you cool! There are some real shallow spots between Laughlin and Needles. So watch out for rocks! Most people launch in Needles and head down river from there. It's awesome!!! Lots of places to stop and enjoy on the way to Havasu (Pirates Cove/Topock 66/Topock Gorge/The Sand Bar). We try to get out there 3-4 times a year. So keep us posted!

 

[WildBillF1]

My vacation home is in Bullhead City, AZ...right across the river from Laughlin, NV. There are some shallow spots heading towards Needles, but if you run when the dam is releasing 4-5 units, it won't be a problem for somebody unfamiliar with the river in a jet boat. Here's the link for the Davis Dam water release schedule. https://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/hourly/DavisParkerSchedules.pdf

If you decide to make the trek to this area, let me know. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. Maybe even meet a fellow member of this website and run with you for a bit.

 

[Ronnie]

You guys are awesome!

Now I want to make the trip sooner than next summer, maybe September or early October. I’d feel ok about driving now that I have a newer tow vehicle but not sure if I’d bring skis or the boa, probably the skis unless I can find a good rental place. Still a lot of logistics to figure out but would love to try and see something new as well as meet you. More to come.

 

[mpbassett44]

I think September and October are the best times to go. Good weather and less crowded! The water temp starts to drop a little in mid to late October, but it's still nice! I don't have any advice on rentals. I know you can rent boats and skies, I just don't have any experience. Plenty of good places to stay! Casinos in Laughlin, cool restaurants and bars a long the river and in Havasu. If you fly into Vegas, Laughlin is about a hour drive. You mentioned Vegas and Lake Mead. That's a whole different beast of a lake. You would need to plan a whole different trip out there to see everything. We've been going out to the Colorado River for over 10 years, and we still see something new everytime we head out there!

 

[Ronnie]

I’d rather stay and play at lake mead than on the strip in Vegas but I’m not committed to either for this kind of trip. Is there a better airport to fly into? I wouldn’t mind starting at Havasu and traveling north to Laughlin if the airport or driving situation makes it easier to do so.

 

[mpbassett44]

There is a small airport in Bullhead, but I don't think there are very many commercial flights going in there. If you fly, and you want to boat on the river to Havasu, best bet is to stay in Laughlin. Lake Mohave is only a 10 minute drive from the Hotels. Plus you have access to the river....Just so you know how the Colorado runs in that area, it goes Lake Mead(Hoover Dam)-Lake Mohave(Davis Dam)-Lake Havasu(Parker Dam)-Parker strip. Those are most of the popular spots to boat out there. Between the lakes , there are long stretches of the river. You can't boat the whole river due to the Dams. But you can boat from Laughlin to Parker Dam in Lake Havasu. There's a lot to see! I think it would be close to 80 miles to due Davis Dam to Parker Dam.