Outdoor sports, scenic drives, festivals and nightlife beckon visitors to Bullhead City. Built by river traders in the area of an earlier Mojave settlement, the city is named for a riverside landmark rock resembling the head of a bull. The area is a perfect base from which to explore the Colorado River, Lake Mohave and the Mojave Desert, historic mining towns and the casinos of neighboring Laughlin, Nevada.
Year-round sunshine makes Bullhead City a popular destination for lovers of outdoor recreation. Near the mouth of the Riviera Marina is the Arizona Veterans Memorial Park, a large grassy area where you’ll find the names of 3,000 Arizona citizens lost in wars over the last 100 years. Continue along the riverside walking trails to enjoy the network of picnic areas and beaches.
Board a jet boat for the wild ride downstream to Lake Havasu, stopping along the way to admire centuries-old petroglyphs and the London Bridge, which was dismantled and shipped from London and rebuilt here. Head upstream to Davis Dam, where Lake Mohave offers swimming, kayaking, waterskiing and fishing. Nearby at the Colorado River Museum, study displays on local history and Native American artifacts.
Bullhead’s weather makes it a perfect destination for golfers. Tee off at Chaparral Golf and Country Club or make the short drive south to Desert Lakes Golf Course.
The Bullhead region is filled with historic towns and sites. Visit the Gold Road Mine, which has been in operation for over a century. Kids will enjoy the Wild West town of Oatman where gunfights are re-created in the streets and tame burros roam free.
Bullhead City hosts several festivals. Enjoy live music during February’s Colorado River Bluegrass Festival and watch kayak races or join the floating fun during August’s Bullhead City River Regatta. For a big night out, cross the river by water taxi to Laughlin, in Nevada, where you’ll find 10 casinos offering 24-hour bars, dining and entertainment.
Fly in to Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport. Renting a car is the best way to explore the surrounding Arizona scenery.
