Lake Mohave
Lake Mohave, located within the National Mead Recreation Area, offers ideal boating and fishing opportunities. The 67-mile-long lake offers hundreds of miles of shoreline, cliffs, sandy beaches and sheer rock faces. Marinas rent fishing boats, ski boats, patio boats, personal watercraft and houseboats. One-day raft trips and guided kayak trips are offered through the waters of the Black Canyon from Hoover Dam to Willow Beach, at the north end of the Lake. Large mouth bass, striped bass, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, channel catfish, crappie and bluegill are found in the lake. Auto access is limited to Katherine Landing, Princess Cove and Willow Beach on the Arizona Side and Cottonwood Cove on the Nevada side. For more information call the Katherine Landing Ranger Station at (928) 754-3245.

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Davis Dam
For more information call (928) 754-3682. Located in Pyramid Canyon just north of Laughlin and named in 1941 for then Director of Reclamation, Arthur Powell Davis, the $67 million earth and rock embankment along the Colorado River has a concrete spillway, intake structure and power plant. The dam is 200 feet high and was completed in 1953 to control floods and to generate hydroelectric energy.

Bullhead City, Arizona
Laughlin's sister city across the Colorado River was named after a unique rock formation in the shape of a bull's head which once jutted upward out of the river. It became submerged in the 1950s when Davis Dam was completed and Lake Mohave filled. The general area of Bullhead City was once inhabited by the Mojave Indians. American soldiers, many of whom were previous miners from California, arrived in the area in the late 1850's, looking to mine gold and silver along the river. Navigation by steamboat of the upper Colorado River became the best way to furnish supplies to the mines and the miners who began flocking to the area in record numbers.

It was during this era that William Harrison Hardy (1821-1906) helped build Hardyville, the forerunner of Bullhead City. Hardyville became an active river port and community from 1865 to 1872 when it was destroyed by fire. With the advent of the railroad and other new industry, there was little incentive to rebuild, although the population in the region continued to grow.

In the late 1930s, Bullhead City subdivided and the town began to grow after World War II and the completion of Davis Dam, in 1950. When Don Laughlin opened the Riverside Resort in 1966, no one could have predicted the growth that would forever change the City of Bullhead City. Now the home to more than 40,000 residents, the booming community has survived its growing pains and developed into a unique and vibrant city.

The only remnants of Hardyville existing today are the Hardyville Pioneer Cemetery and items preserved in the Colorado River Museum. For more information call the Bullhead Area Chamber at (928) 754-4121.

Click this link to visit our Sister City: Bullhead City, Arizona

Big Bend State Park
The Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area is one mile south of Laughlin's residential area. This is a new state park offering picnic areas, RV parking, camping, sandy beaches and a boat launching ramp. The park is open 24 hours a day and fees are $8 for boat launching and $3 for park use. For more information call (702) 298-1859.

Grapevine Canyon
Native American petroglyphs pecked into sheer rock faces by ancient Native Americans adorn the walls of this canyon located near Christmas Tree Pass northwest of Laughlin, inside the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. There is a two-mile gravel road leading to the trail head off Highway 163, about 10 miles west of Laughlin. The canyon was named for the grape plants found in the area. A short walk from the parking lot is required to reach the petroglyphs. Ranger-guided hikes are offered regularly. For information, call the Katherine Landing Ranger Station at (928) 754-3245.

The London Bridge in Lake Havasu City
Lake Havasu's London Bridge spanned the Thames River for about 80 years before being dismantled and brought piece by piece to Arizona in 1964. The unique attraction is greeted by the English Village, filled with shops and eateries. A carousel, boat rentals and tours of the lake are available. Several golf courses are located nearby and Lake Havasu City hosts an annual Dixieland Jazz Festival each January. Access is by Arizona's Highway 95 about 65 miles south of Laughlin. For more information call (928) 855-5655.

Colorado River Museum
The museum includes replicas of the area landmarks and historical displays…items from early settlers to the first slot machines. Located at Davis Camp area on the Arizona side of the Colorado River just north of the Laughlin Bridge. For more information call (928) 754-3399.

Oatman
Probably one of the most popular sites in the region is Oatman, located along famous Route 66. An historic an historic gold mining town born in 1906 as a tent camp for miners, Oatman is 18 miles southeast of Bullhead City (take Highway 95 south, then Boundary Cone Road east into the Black Mountains). Oatman offers visitors quaint shops, restaurants and saloons with live entertainment. Town landmarks include the wild burros that roam the streets looking for carrots and a friendly pat and the Oatman Gunfighters, who stage daily shootouts on historic Route 66. The town hosts several events each year including the Annual Bed Races and Gold Camp Days. For more information call (928) 768-6222.

Hualapai Mountain County Park
Located 14 miles east of Kingman, Arizona, the Hualapai Mountains offer a cool, forested environment similar to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Pines trees, oaks, aspens and birch trees offer sharp contrasts to surrounding desert terrain. Mule deer, fox, chipmunks, eagles, raccoons and even elk are some of the common wildlife. Campsites and rustic cabins are available. Also, RV parking, group picnic areas and hiking trails are abundant. For more information call (928) 757-0915.

Laughlin Library
Since their beginnings in 1987, the Laughlin Library and the Friends of the Laughlin Library have supported the arts. The library facility, which opened in 1994, includes an 18' by 18' art gallery. Six exhibits a year are scheduled in the gallery: Two provided by the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, and four featuring local artists. Past exhibits featuring local artists have included River Valley Artist Guild and DeWills of Oatman, Arizona. It is located at 2840 Needles Highway, Laughlin, NV. For more information, call (702) 298-1081.

Performing Arts - Mohave Community College
In addition to providing quality education programs, Mohave Community College takes great pride in its Performing Arts Series. The goal of the series is to provide additional cultural opportunities for residents and area visitors. By offering a variety of performances, the college hopes to encourage a greater appreciation for the arts. To request a schedule of performances contact the Activities and Events Specialist at the Mohave Valley Campus at (928) 758-3926.

Performing Arts - Colorado River Community Concert Association
The Colorado River Community Concert Association offers an exciting selection of concerts including folk and operatic singers, dance attractions and pianists at very affordable prices. Various season subscriptions are available. Become a member of the Community Concerts Association and find out how memorable and fun live performances can be. For information call (928) 758-4567 or (702) 299-0013 or write to Colorado River Community Concert Association, P. O. Box 2306, Bullhead City, AZ 86430.

 

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