Connecting with your friends and family is a special part of visiting the BlueWater Resort & Casino in Parker, Ariz. While there are some great things to see and do at the resort, there are also some festivities and activities in the local area that make some great excursions. If you re going to be in town for a few weeks or a few months, check out what Parker and the surrounding area has to offer. We ve compiled a list of summer and winter things to keep you busy, as well as some hot spots for him and for her. Summer Aquaflyboarding What happens when you combine a streaming jet of water, a board connected to your feet and the Colorado River? It s called Aquaflyboarding. Fly through the air and frolic in the water in spring and summer near the Cantina at BlueWater Resort & Casino. Call 661-434-7751 for details. Boating The Colorado River is a focal point of fun in Parker. It ranges from quiet kayak outings and pleasure boat rides to charter tours and organized events. Rent jet skis, deck boats and more at the Parker Dam or the Parker Strip. You can also bring your boat and dock it at the BlueWater Resort & Casino Marina. Enjoy some quality time on the water or watch the drag boat races when they come to town. We have a Spring Classic Boat Race in April, and the Annual BlueWater 300 Enduro Classic Boat Race in late October. Desert Storm Poker Run & Shootout There s a poker run for recreational watercraft and a performance boat race on Lake Havasu every April. As part of a four-day festival, it begins with a boat parade in Lake Havasu City. The Poker Run usually has about 150 participants running to five different locations to pick up a single card for their poker hands. They meet at the final destination for a party, where teams turn in their cards and someone collects the jackpot. Performance Boats Magazine named it to the Top Five Poker Runs in the Nation. Learn more about the Desert Storm Poker Run here.
Fishing Don t forget to pack your rod and reel when you visit Parker, Ariz. There are some sweet spots for fishing in the area. You ll find bass, sunfish, catfish, blue gill and more in our local lakes and rivers. Lake Havasu alone has more than 450 miles of shoreline. Relax and cast a line at one of the docks, stand on the shore, take out your boat or charter one. For more information on fishing in the Southwestern Arizona region, click here. London Bridge Golf Course Built in 1965, the London Bridge Golf Club was the first of its kind in Lake Havasu City. It has 36 holes and serves as a men s and women s championship course. All together, there are about 500 members in the men s and women s golf associations at the club. Enjoy views of the Colorado River and Lake Havasu, with a beautiful backdrop of desert terrain and scenic mountains in the distance. Visit the London Bridge Golf Club website for more information. Paddle Boarding and Innertubes Cool off in the summertime with some paddle boarding and inner tubes on the Colorado River. Rent a paddleboard from SUP Kulture Paddle Sports at 602-513-3067 or River Parasail at 928-575-5043. Arizona Watersports rents tubes and paddleboards. Call 800-393-5558 for details. Parker Tube Float This fundraiser for regional programs makes a splash in Parker every June. This seven-mile float down the Colorado River is put on by the Chamber of Commerce. You can participate or watch as more than 4,500 people take to the water on rafts and inner tubes. Learn more about the Parker Tube Float here.
River Parasailing Get a bird s eye view of the Colorado River as you parasail at 50 or 500 feet above the water. It s a unique way to see the enchanting scenery of Parker, AZ and the surrounding area. The take-off and landing are dry. Attached to a boat, you ll ride in the air between Fox s Campground and BlueWater Resort & Casino. Make reservations through River Parasail at 928-575-5043. Relics & Rods Run to the Sun One of the largest car shows in the Southwest, you can see over 800 vehicles from all different decades. This weekend long event showcases classic cars and trucks that have traveled from across the U.S. for the event. In addition, there are fashion shows, dinner/dance, raffles, and to top the weekend off a parade of cars. For more event information and tickets for the annual Relics & Rods Run to the Sun, click here. Wakeboard Island A one-of-a-kind wakeboard only skatepark at BlueWater Resort & Casino, whether you re a pro or a newbie, you can showcase your skills on the Island. Adventure seekers and water sport enthusiasts will love this 2 tower, cable pulley system wakeboard adventure that doesn t require a boat. There are jumps and rails for tricks, and wideopen water for less experienced riders to learn how to wakeboard. Season is generally open from March through October. To learn more, check out Wakeboard Island here.
Winter AhaKhav Tribal Preserve Located about three miles from Parker is the Ahakhav Tribal Preserve. This wilderness area includes a 3.5-acre park where you can enjoy the day swimming, fishing, canoeing, picnicking and bird watching. If you prefer walking and hiking, check out the 4.6-mile fitness trail in the park. There s also a playground for the kids. Visit the Colorado River Indian Tribes website for more information. Bill Williams River Bridge and Refuge If you want to see some beautiful scenery, check out the pull-off at the Bill Williams Bridge at Highway 95. It s where the river meets Lake Havasu, and Mother Nature shows off some of her finest views. It s reason alone to bring your camera and binoculars on your trip. On one side of the bridge lies the Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge. A rambling 6,105 acres of land is protected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. On the other side is the sparkling water of Lake Havasu. Buckskin Mountain State Park A haven for hikers, boaters and campers, this scenic park offers the ideal picnic spot, as well as trails, boat launch ramps, and volleyball and basketball courts. A playground, cabanas and arcade are also on hand. While it s a great place to visit in the winter, you can also go boating or hit the beach at Buckskin Mountain State Park in the summertime. Learn more here about what the park has to offer. Festival of Lights Late November through early January brings a festive look to the English Channel in Lake Havasu City. More than a half million lights transform the area along the English Channel and London Bridge. Go for a walk or an evening cruise on the channel to get yourself into the holiday spirit.
Havasu Balloon Fest The Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair takes place every year in January. It s a fascinating sight to watch 75 hot-air balloons floating through the sky over Lake Havasu and Lake Havasu City. This festive event lasts 3 days and features great food and many fun activities. If you want to go for a ride, you ll have your chance on tethered and untethered hot air balloons for an extra fee. Discover the details of the Havasu Balloon Festival here for more information. Nellie E. Saloon This isn t an ordinary bar in the desert. Named for and located in an old mining camp in the Buckskin Mountains, this saloon opened in 1983 in a temporary three-sided structure. It was completed in 1988. It runs on solar power, and features old refrigerator glass doors for windows and a stamped tin roof. Sit at the brasstopped bar on steel barstools that shift, or sit outside by a cooling tower. There s an outdoor music stage and a horseshoe pit for entertainment. You ll find the Nellie E. Saloon just 5 miles outside of Parker on Highway 95. Parker Dam & Power Plant Visit the deepest dam in the world. The Parker Dam was completed in 1938, and the Power Plant controls the waters that create hydroelectric power for the region. It s quite a sight to see. Learn more about the Parker Dam and Power Plant here. Parker Dam Road Back Country Byway Want to go for a leisurely ride? The Parker Dam Road stretches between Parker, AZ and the Parker Dam. It s called the Thread of Life because it winds along the
Colorado River and the canyon. Meander along this scenic 11-mile stretch to take in a bit of history and see desert wildlife and nature at its finest. Poston Memorial Monument Just 11 miles south of Parker, you ll find this historic monument dedicated to the Poston War Relocation Center. During World War II, 17,867 people of Japanese ancestry were interned at this camp. The Poston Memorial Monument is located on Mohave Road and memorializes the hardships suffered during a time when the nation was in turmoil. Swansea Ghost Town Swansea began as a gold and copper mining camp, an offshoot of nearby Bouse. It was connected to the railroad in 1908. It had a bustling population of about 750 in its heyday. The town grew, adding a handful of local merchants to its footprint. By 1924, the population had plummeted. Today, Swansea is a ghost town on public land. The buildings are still standing, and there s a campground nearby. It s overseen by the Bureau of Land Management. Swansea has a nice place for a picnic, but you ll need a sturdy vehicle worthy of a graded dirt road to get there. Learn more about the Swansea Ghost Town here.
Gem and Mineral Show If you re craving a jewelry fix, drop by the Lake Havasu Gem & Mineral Society s annual event in November. You ll find handmade jewelry, collectible rocks and more at the Lake Havasu Gem and Mineral Show at the Lake Havasu City Community Center. Facials and Massage Indulge yourself. You re on vacation. Enjoy a massage or a facial at the spa, located at The Refuge Golf & Country Club in Lake Havasu City. There s a range of services designed to renew your body and your spirit. For more information, contact The Refuge at 928-764-1404. Best in the Desert If you re an off-road racing enthusiast, the Best in the Desert Racing organization will quench your thirst for fun. The biggest events of the year are the Motorsports Parker 250, held in January; the Parker 425, held in February; and the BlueWater Desert Challenge, held in October. These off-road racing events are exciting and affordable. Whether you re a professional or an amateur racer, or you just love to watch the races and join in the festivities, you ll enjoy the Best in the Desert events in in Parker, AZ. Gentlemen s Skin Treatment Every man needs to spoiled and pampered a bit. The Refuge Golf & Country Club has a spa to do just that. A special treatment for men features a facial, as well as a face, neck and shoulder massage. Call 928-764-1404 for more information.
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