5 Paths to Adventure

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The Best of Fun in Lake Havasu City, AZ

Attention outdoor enthusiasts, adrenaline junkies and avid adventurers: you’re searching for hardcore fun in a perfect outdoor playground, right?

Adventure is always in season in Lake Havasu City, a destination for the intrepid. Known as Arizona’s West Coast, Lake Havasu City is perfectly positioned for adventure on the Colorado River border of California and Arizona.

While it’s a place of incredible landscapes and knockout scenery, Lake Havasu City also sports the perfect backdrop for breathtaking action. Get out there and experience our top picks:

#1 For Land Adventurers

Water activities often get top billing in a lake-based city, but for those who prefer to explore and stay dry, Lake Havasu City has outings that seriously rival anything on the water.

Hikers will find some of the best trails in the Southwest. Whether you’re an experienced multi-day hiker or looking for shorter hikes, there’s a diverse range of terrain and scenery available on Lake Havasu City’s trails. Marvel at magnificent rock formations, beautiful local wildlife and the hints of long-ago mines in the rugged, red landscape.

Experienced hikers will enjoy the reward of spectacular views from atop the Cupcake Mountain Trail, while those looking for a lighter hike can get right down to the shoreline of Lake Havasu on the Mockingbird Wash Trail.

There’s also plenty of action for anyone who likes to ride. Mountain bikers can hit the trails in SARA Park, or for a slower pace, check out the beautiful vistas as you cruise on the 3.6-mile "Island Trail" loop.

Craving the thrill of an off-road challenge? Get your heart pumping on more than 20 networks of off-road trails around Lake Havasu City. ATVs, dirt bikes, side-by-sides, and 4WD trucks can explore rocky landscapes, wildflowers and even abandoned mining towns. Bring your own vehicle, rent from one of the businesses in town or, if you prefer that someone else does the driving, join an off-road tour, such as through Sandbar Powersports. You’ll come back covered in dust and a can’t-wipe-it-off-your-face grin.

Golfers love Lake Havasu City for good reason. Enjoy stunning lakeside views and rock formations on gorgeous nine- and 18-hole courses year-round, a true showcase of “Arizona’s West Coast.” There are numerous golf courses to choose from, so anyone can challenge their game.

#2 Events Throughout The Year

Adventurers, be impressed by the range of events offered all year long. The IJSBA World Finals is an annual October event bringing the thrill of the world’s most skilled personal water craft racers and freestylers to Lake Havasu. One of the largest car shows in the Southwest, visitors should also catch another October favorite: the annual Relics and Rods Run to the Sun featuring some of the finest classic and collectible cars.

Ready to throw back a few cold ones? Find annual craft brews, good food and quality live entertainment at Chillin ‘n Swillin Beer Festival. Enjoy the party and make use of the shuttle service so you don’t have to drive!

Heading into the holiday season, the annual Boat Parade of Lights is a free event, showcasing brightly decorated boats near the London Bridge.

#3 Tours For All

Tours are available year-round and are a great way to dig deep into the Lake Havasu City experience. Stretch your legs and immerse yourself in a storied history on the London Bridge Historic Walking Tour. Take to the skies with Hav-N-Fun Scenic Flights and soak in the rugged expanse from California in the west to Arizona in the east, or, take in some stunning views with a Bluewater Jetboat Tour of the Topock Gorge, including prehistoric 3,500 year-old Indian petroglyphs. Look for our many other guided or self-guided tours, covering a range of interests.

#4 Catching The Big One

Get ready for some thrilling fishing action! Whether you’re an amateur or have been casting a line for decades, Lake Havasu offers some of the best fishing in Arizona—we’d argue that it’s the best in the Southwest! With spectacular year-round fishing across 60+ miles of shoreline, the lake is abundantly stocked with largemouth and smallmouth bass, striped bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish, crappies, and flathead catfish. Accept the challenge and try to best your former biggest catch.

Fishing is available to anyone with a valid Arizona fishing license. You can choose to drop a line over one of the free public access docks, launch your boat from one of several ramp options or head out on one of the guided charters available.

With 19,300 acres of lake to explore, there are plenty of fishing adventures waiting for you.

#5 Boating

Stay on the water with plenty of boating and water-based activities. Test your prowess at wake boarding, wake surfing, water skiing or standup paddleboarding. The waters of Lake Havasu welcome you with clear, warm temperatures most of the year, making this one of the best locations for water sports in Arizona.

Boaters from high-performance to pontoons can enjoy Lake Havasu all year long thanks to the awesome weather, a rare treat for any lake. A day on the lake is the perfect shot of camera-worthy adventure.

For those ready for a physical challenge, Lake Havasu once again delivers, with excellent opportunities for canoeing, kayaking and rafting. You can bring your own and launch off from any of the non-motorized ramps, or rent from one of the rental shops in town. There are even dog-friendly shops, such as Southwest Kayaks, so bring Fido along if he’s as hardcore as you are!

Lake Havasu City is not only a top destination for recreation and adventure, but a welcoming, friendly community as well. As second-place winner for America’s Best Communities competition in 2017 and a finalist in other years, the community spirit and commitment to excellence is strong in Arizona’s Playground.

Visitors are welcome to experience a world of adventure, or simply kick back and soak in the atmosphere. Book your getaway today for year-round fun and memories of a lifetime.

Get ready for adventure…

Plan your next getaway to Lake Havasu City, AZ and play all day in the sun.

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