Your full Arizona road trip travel itinerary
Arizona may not have any ocean-front property. But if you’re looking for a beachy getaway, the Grand Canyon State still has you covered.
Lake Havasu City is tucked along a bend of the Colorado River in northeastern Arizona and has more than 400 miles of shoreline and several beaches to enjoy.
World Atlas, a geography website, compiled a list of the best Grand Canyon State road trips and everything to see and do on the way, ranging from surreal natural landscapes to artsy mining towns and iconic national parks. Lake Havasu was one of the uniquely Arizona road-trip destinations on the list.
Here’s everything you need to know to plan a road trip to Lake Havasu.
How long is the drive to Lake Havasu?
It is about 190 miles from Phoenix to Lake Havasu City, which is a 3-hour drive.
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To get there, just take Interstate 10 west until you reach exit 45. Use that exit to take you north to Vicksburg so you can catch State Routes 72 and 95 to Lake Havasu City.
If you want to take a slightly longer route so you can visit Quartzsite, take I-10 west to Quartzsite and then take SR 95 north to Lake Havasu City.
What should you see and do in Lake Havasu?
To make the most of your trip, try some of these activities:
- Relax at Lake Havasu State Park: You can’t go wrong visiting Lake Havasu State Park. Whether you want to hit the lake on a boat, hike in the area to see wildlife, spend a couple of days camping or just picnic, there’s something for everyone.
- Visit the London Bridge: If you’ve already made the trek, you should definitely check out the London Bridge, which chainsaw tycoon Robert McCulloch had shipped to Arizona in the 1960s. The bridge is in the middle of the charming English Village, which McCulloch had built to support the new tourist destination, and features shopping and dining hot spots.
- See the lighthouses: Lake Havasu City is also home to more lighthouses than any other city in America, with 28 scaled-down lighthouse replicas scattered along 400 miles of shoreline.
- Walk around downtown: Lake Havasu City’s downtown district was named one of the best downtowns in Arizona. You can visit the Bridgewater Channel District and the English Village or stroll Shoreline Trail and Rotary Community Park.
- Sit on the beach: Lake Havasu City boasts 400 miles of beaches. Most allow swimming and some are perfect for a nice relaxing time sitting in the sand.
- Check out a museum: Explore the unique history of the lakeside city and its colorful characters at the Lake Havasu Museum of History. The museum, which is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, also houses a collection of gems and minerals.
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Check out these sites on your way to Lake Havasu
Things to do in Parker
- Check out the Bill Williams Wildlife Refuge: The Bill Williams River marks the transition between the Mojave and Sonoran deserts and is a melting pot of wildlife. The refuge is home to more than 355 species of birds, 34 documented reptiles, 40 species of butterflies, 57 species of mammals and seven amphibians. It is truly a picturesque place that will surely have you getting your camera out.
- Have a drink at the Desert Bar: This beloved Arizona watering hole, located down a dirt road in the rugged mountains of western Arizona, has become a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike. Open on Saturdays and Sundays from October through April, the Desert Bar offers rustic charm and cold drinks, all set against a stunning desert backdrop.
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Things to do in Bucksin Mountains
Buckskin Mountain State Park near Parker is on the Colorado River just over 6 miles from the bar. Craggy mountains line the California and Arizona sides of the river.
- Go camping: The park has 80 campsites for tents and RVs. Hookups are available. Camping rates are $35 to $40 per night. Tall trees provide shade throughout the park. The tent sites are at the river’s edge, for idyllic views of the orange and purple sunsets.
- Get in the Colorado River: On the river, fishing, boating and swimming are available in designated areas.
- Take a hike: Buckskin Mountain State Park has five hiking trails with scenic lookouts, views of the Colorado River, an abandoned mine shaft and plenty of rolling hills. The longest hike is a 6.8-mile round trip called the Buckskin Trail. In the winter months, you can join a ranger for a guided hike at 10 a.m. Saturdays.
Things to see in Quartzsite
- Learn the legend of Hi Jolly: This tomb in Quartzsite holds the remains of Hadji Ali, who was originally from Syria, who everyone called Hi Jolly. He drove camels for the U.S. Army in the 1850s and worked as a packer and scout for the government for 30 years. A pyramid with a camel on top honors his legacy in the Quartzsite Cemetery where he is buried.
- Enjoy rocks: Quartzsite, which was named after the quartz commonly found in the area, hosts several large gem and mineral festivals and a plethora of rock shops.
- Hike to Palm Canyon: A grove of native palm trees grows in a canyon near Quartzsite on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. The hike to the canyon is half a mile and moderately easy. To reach the area, take U.S. 95 approximately 18 miles south and watch for the Palm Canyon sign.
Arizona Republic reporter Tiffany Acosta contributed to this article.
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