Lake Havasu City
Around Lake Havasu City
Photo: Ken Lund from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Arizona · 226k people
Lake Havasu City
Locals say Mohave County · “Arizona's West Coast”
Lake Havasu City · Kingman
Where the desert meets the lake.
desert sunset orangelake water blue
Welcome to Mohave County! Whether you're here for the lake, the river, or the desert, you'll find plenty of sun and adventure. Share your stories, ask about the best spots, and enjoy the wide-open spaces.
Clubs for Lake Havasu City
No clubs for Lake Havasu City yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Lake Havasu City. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Lake Havasu City. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- London Bridge Iconic 19th-century bridge relocated from England to Lake Havasu City.
- Lake Havasu Large reservoir on the Colorado River, a boating and fishing paradise.
- Havasu National Wildlife Refuge Protected wetlands along the river, great for birdwatching.
- Route 66 Museum In Kingman, celebrates the historic Mother Road.
- Oatman Historic gold-mining town with wild burros roaming the streets.
- Colorado River Lifeline of the region, offering water sports and scenic views.
- Outdoors Boating and jet skiing
- Outdoors Off-roading
- With kids Swim and play at Lake Havasu
- With kids Visit the London Bridge
- Evenings Casino shows in Laughlin
- Evenings Lakeside bars
- Locals love Marinas
- Locals love Off-road trails
Through the year
- Lake Havasu Balloon Festival January Colorful hot-air balloons launch over the lake in January.
- Route 66 Fun Run September Classic car cruise and street party along historic Route 66 in Kingman.
- Christmas Boat Parade December Decorated boats parade on Lake Havasu in December.
- Lake Havasu Triathlon October Annual swim, bike, and run race around the lake.
- Bullhead City River Regatta April Riverfront festival with food, music, and water sports in April.
Hot desert climate with very hot summers and mild winters. Best time to be out is spring and fall; summer is for the water, winter for the desert. Best: Spring (March-April) and fall (October-November) are ideal for outdoor activities with mild temps.
Talk like a local
- “The lake”
- Lake Havasu
- “The river”
- Colorado River
- “The strip”
- Laughlin's casino strip
- “Mohave”
- Mohave County
Getaways
Local flavour
Rooting for Las Vegas Raiders (NFL), Arizona Cardinals (NFL), Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB), Vegas Golden Knights (NHL)
Eat and drink
- Sonoran hot dog Common in Arizona, though more associated with Tucson; still found locally.
- fish tacos Popular due to the lake and nearby Colorado River.
- Mexican food Burritos, tacos, and enchiladas are staples, with many local family-owned spots.
Where people go
- London Bridge The iconic landmark relocated from England to Lake Havasu City.
- Lake Havasu A major recreational lake for boating, fishing, and water sports.
- desert off-road trails Popular for ATV and off-roading in the surrounding Mohave Desert.
- casino resorts Laughlin, Nevada, just across the river from Bullhead City, offers many casinos.
- marinas Numerous marinas and docks along the Colorado River and Lake Havasu.
Heritage and traditions
The region is proud of its Route 66 heritage, the transplanted London Bridge, and a desert playground built around the Colorado River.
This time of year in Lake Havasu City
- Off-road season October to November Cooler weather brings ATV and dirt bike riders to the desert.
- Mohave County Fair October Agricultural exhibits, livestock, and midway rides in October.
Say it like a local: “Go off-roading” — Going off-roading on desert trails
Festivals
- Oatman Gold Rush Days February Reenactments, mining history, and old-west fun in February.
- Kingman Andy Devine Days September Rodeo, parade, and carnival honoring the actor, held in September.
- Mohave County Fair October Agricultural exhibits, livestock, and midway rides in October.
Landmarks with a story
- Kingman Army Airfield Museum Preserves the WWII training base that once operated here.
- Bonelli House A Victorian home from 1915, now a museum in Kingman.
- Historic Route 66 in Kingman Old alignment with neon signs and vintage motels.
- Oatman Hotel A 1902 hotel that hosted Clark Gable and Carole Lombard.
Food traditions
- Fry bread (Indian tacos) From Native American heritage, served at powwows and local events with beans, meat, and toppings.
- Prickly pear cactus jelly and margaritas Made from the desert cactus, a local specialty found in jams, drinks, and desserts.
- Mesquite-grilled fish Anglers cook fresh bass or catfish from the Colorado River over mesquite wood for a smoky flavor.
- Cowboy chili and Dutch oven cooking Ranch heritage influences hearty stews and breads cooked outdoors.
Music and arts
- Country and western music Local bars and events feature live country bands.
- Native American crafts Basketry, beadwork, and pottery from Hualapai and Mojave traditions.
- Route 66 nostalgia art Murals, neon signs, and vintage photography celebrating the highway.
- Desert photography and painting Artists capture the stark beauty of the desert and river.
A little history
- Prehistoric era Native American settlements along the Colorado River
- 1860s Mining boom brought gold and silver prospectors
- 1926 Route 66 established through Kingman
- 1964 Lake Havasu City founded by Robert McCulloch
- 1971 London Bridge relocated to Lake Havasu City
- Game day Poker runs on the lake
- Game day Fishing tournaments
- Outdoors Sunset cruises on Lake Havasu
- Outdoors Exploring ghost towns like Oatman
- With kids Feeding the burros in Oatman
- With kids Lake Havasu Aquatic Center
People speak a neutral Western American accent with a few Southwestern Spanish place names. Common terms include 'the river' for the Colorado, 'snowbird' for winter visitors, and 'monsoon' for summer storms.
Only here
- The London Bridge, a 19th-century British landmark, now spans a canal in the desert.
- Oatman's wild burros wander the streets and greet tourists.
- Lake Havasu City is a planned community built around a transplanted bridge.
- The Colorado River serves as the state border with California.
New here? A few tips
- Stay hydrated in summer; temperatures often exceed 110°F.
- Learn to say 'Mohave' as 'mo-HAH-vee' and 'Havasu' as 'HAV-a-soo'.
- Get a boat or rent one; the lake is the social center of the area.
- Expect snowbird traffic from November to March; roads can be busy.
- Try a Sonoran hot dog and fish tacos from local stands.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Nearby
Every areaParkerArizonaDesert sun, river cool, and wide-open skies.PrescottArizonaHigh country charmYumaArizonaWhere the sun meets the soil and the riverLas VegasNevadaWhere the desert meets the neonEl CentroCaliforniaSun-soaked fields and border-town spirit.PhoenixArizonaSunny skies and desert nights.PahrumpNevadaSmall town heart, wide open desert.
Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.