In this street journey information to Lake Havasu City, Arizona I’ll present route highlights from Phoenix and Las Vegas relying on which route you might be touring. I additionally present a lists of a few of the prime actions, occasions and even a few of my favourite eating places. I’ve additionally embedded many hyperlinks and some movies to assist together with your journey planning.
Brief History on Lake Havasu City and the London Bridge
A standard query folks get fallacious when taking part in Trivial Pursuit is town location of the long-lasting London Bridge. The unique London Bridge that was inbuilt London, England in 1825-1831 and was the truth is moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona in 1967-1971.
Lake Havasu City was created by a person named Robert P. McCulloch, who flew over the realm within the early Nineteen Sixties in quest of a spot to check his outboard boat motors. If he had flown over simply 30 years earlier, he would have deemed the realm unfit for motor testing, because the lake had not but been fashioned. It was the development of Parker Dam within the late Nineteen Thirties that created Lake Havasu.
After buying land and establishing store, Mr. McCulloch figured the realm would make a pleasant place for folks to stay, however to be able to appeal to people to the realm, he wanted an attraction. There was an article within the paper speaking about how the City of London was promoting its famed London Bridge because it wanted main repairs. Mr. McCulloch learn the story and thought the bridge would make a fantastic vacationer attraction to attract folks to Lake Havasu. The bridge had been dismantled in London, shipped and reassembled in Lake Havasu. A monumental endeavor to say the least.
At the time, the bridge was constructed on dry land and went over a shallow ravine. Once the bridge was assembled, the ravine was dredged, permitting lake water to stream by way of, thus creating an island. This island is dwelling to a number of motels, tenting websites and a municipal golf course the place the positioning of the annual balloon competition is hosted.
Mr. McCulloch was concerned in a lot of companies and was extremely profitable, however one factor he appeared to know one thing about was constructing and attracting folks to locations. In addition to Lake Havasu City, Mr. McCulloch can also be chargeable for constructing the world’s tallest fountain in Fountain Hills, Arizona.
Lake Havasu City Road Trip from Phoenix
- 190 miles
- 3:15 hour drive
- Depending on what a part of Phoenix you might be leaving from, you’ll take both I-10 West to 72 to 95. Or, 60 by way of Wickenburg.
Most folks will seemingly take US 60 by way of Wickenburg, which is what I did.
Lake Havasu Road Trip Stops from Phoenix
- Wickenburg is a real western city, the place the spurs have a job to do and hats will not be equipment. The city is stuffed with character, the place spirits stay wild and the souls are Western by way of and thru. If you conjure pictures of the west, typically what emerges within the thoughts’s eye are horses, open area, clear air and cowboys. With fewer and fewer areas to get pleasure from a real western expertise, there may be one place that has flourished for properly over a century and that’s Wickenburg.
- As you proceed West on US60, you’ll run throughout a number of small cities reminiscent of Salome, Aguila and Hope. As you previous Hope, you’ll see a humorous signal that claims “You’re now beyond Hope,” which is perhaps a great place to take a humorous selfie.
- At Hope you’ll head north on 72, which turns into 95.
- Up till this level the panorama is a bit boring, however that begins to alter when you get near Parker.
- Parker has some stunning panorama and plenty of entry to the Colorado River. Its dam, which created Lake Havasu, can also be price pursuing.
- Just previous Parker is the Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge. This is a beautiful place to interrupt out the mountain climbing boots, fishing pole or kayak. There are greater than 6000 acres to discover with lots of of chicken species in addition to reptiles, butterflies, mammals and different indigenous wildlife.
- If you may have a 4×4 and also you’re touring on the weekend, make sure to take a look at Nellie E Saloon, AKA “The Desert Bar. This is a enjoyable and eclectic ghost city of kinds for stay music, art work and a few primary grub and drink. Check out the video from my pals Jason & Nikki.
Where to Play in Havasu
Lake Havasu City is a mecca for outside lovers! In the summer time, it’s all about boating and lake recreation. Nestled deep within the Mojave Desert, this oasis attracts skiers, wakeboarders, jet skiers, hydrofoilists, kayakers and just about every other water sport you possibly can consider. There are many locations to camp and put your boat within the water, together with a number of Arizona state parks.
Of course, the focus in Lake Havasu is the London Bridge. Below the bridge are every kind of outlets, eating places and tour operators. Walking throughout the bridge is a should as you may get some stupendous views in each instructions, and, you possibly can pursue much more outlets and eating places on the opposite facet.
In the milder months of the yr, off-roading is a big draw. Whatever you may have, 4×4 truck/SUV, dust bike, sand rail, ATV or UTV, you’ll have a blast in Lake Havasu. If you don’t have an off-road unit, you possibly can hire one from a number of outfitters. You can discover the realm at your tempo, do some rock crawling, or go full-bore and really feel the fun of the off-road trails. Arizona climate within the fall by way of spring is good for off-roading this space.
- Parks – Lots of native and state parks with seaside entry.
- The Aquatic Center is ideal to chill off in the summertime months.
- Believe it or not, there are lots of lighthouses round Lake Havasu, 28 the truth is. There are over 400 miles of shoreline and these lighthouses assist boaters at evening to keep away from sandbars and jetties.
- Stargazing – With so many clear nights a yr, with actually darkish skies, Lake Havasu is a good place for stargazing.
- Disc Golf on Grand Island.
- Boat Cruises – Several choices obtainable to get out on the lake in the event you don’t have your personal boat.
- Hot Air Ballooning – Even in the event you don’t attend the annual Havasu Balloon Festival, you possibly can nonetheless go up in a single through the season.
- Walking trails – There are miles of strolling trails, many proper alongside the lake which can be price strolling.
- Fishing is one other huge attraction at Lake Havasu.
- Golf – There are a few golf programs on the town, I might simply keep away from taking part in within the warmth of the summer time.
- Hiking – A neighborhood favourite is Crack within the Wall in SARA Park. This five-mile loop takes you alongside a sandy wash by way of an attractive slot canyon, then right down to the lake for views of gorgeous rock formations.
- Mountain Biking – SARA Park as talked about above can also be a fantastic place for Mt. Biking.
- Culinary Scene – I’ve solely been to some of the over 140 eating places on the town, so in the event you uncover one you’ll suggest, however positive to depart a remark under. My favorites are listed under.
Top Events in Lake Havasu
Lake Havasu City has many note-worthy occasions all year long, right here is only a pattern:
Where to remain in Lake Havasu City
There are a number of lodging choices in Lake Havasu, however there is just one place on the base of the London Bridge that places you inside strolling distance to the all of the motion, and that’s the unique London Bridge Resort. This lodge is essentially the most centrally positioned in Lake Havasu with unobstructed views of the lake and its well-known bridge. The rooms include full kitchens, which is so useful for these prolonged stays. The third flooring lodging have spiral staircases resulting in a rooftop deck with unbelievable views of the London Bridge. This is the most effective spot on the town to view a few of the native actions such because the annual scorching air balloon competition, the competition of lights and the 12-Days of Christmas.
Places to Eat in Havasu
Some of my favourite locations to dine in Lake Havasu embody:
- Cha-Bones – One of essentially the most gastronomic eating places in Lake Havasu! They have a implausible tapas and steak choice with recent seafood introduced in every day. Wonderful ambiance with some cool water options on the entrance. A beautiful bar as the focus serving up some inspiring cocktails.
- Red Onion – The delicacies can most likely be finest described as refined consolation bar meals, offered in a beautiful ambiance with a wall of home windows that confide in the outside.
- Barley Brothers -Extensive consolation meals and beer menu, vigorous ambiance on the northwestern facet of the London Bridge. Great completely satisfied hour and views of the Bridge.
- Mudshark Public House – If you get pleasure from craft beer, don’t miss this native brewery. During the winter months they’ve an excellent choice of darkish beers with evocative taste profiles. They additionally serve up some tasty pub meals, from pizzas, salads to starters and sandwiches. Oh, and the view from the patio is an excellent spot to look at the sundown.
Lake Havasu City Road Trip from Las Vegas
- 150 miles
- 2:30 hour drive
- I-515 to 95 south
Lake Havasu Road Trip Stops coming from Las Vegas
The drive from Las Vegas to Lake Havasu is fairly uneventful, however it’s a straightforward one down NV/CA-95 (with a brief length on I-40). If you wish to make a little bit of a street journey out of it, take 163 by way of Laughlin and head to Oatman. This will add about 40 minutes and 30 miles to your journey, however it’s properly price it.
Nestled in Arizona’s rugged and distant wilderness, this tiny city has a wealthy historical past that comes alive with staged shootouts, wood boardwalks and a bounty of burros that freely roam the streets. Oatman is finest identified for its beloved burros. Fun info…the city is dwelling to extra burros than folks!
When you permit Oatman, you’ll journey down a stretch of the historic Route 66. This well-known street was once the primary freeway that traversed the United States from the Nineteen Twenties by way of the ‘50s. You’ll keep on this windy scenic route till you attain I-40, which you’ll journey for a number of miles earlier than getting onto AZ-95, which is able to take you proper into Lake Havasu City.
Mohave County, Arizona Home Base
Lake Havasu City is a perfect place to name your own home base whereas exploring Mohave County, Arizona. There are so many excellent close by street journeys. I’ve talked about a number of en path to Lake Havasu from the south and the north, however listed here are a number of extra ideas:
- Blythe Intaglios – 70 miles south of Lake Havasu you possibly can see one among over 300 intaglios within the American Southwest and areas of Mexico. The Blythe Intaglios are a gaggle of big figures discovered within the desert close to Blythe, California
- Diamond Creek Road to the Colorado River – Located off Route 66 in Peach Springs, Diamond Creek Road is an adventurous street to the Colorado River. You will truly be driving down into the Grand Canyon to the Colorado River.
- Grand Canyon Caverns – This pure surprise was created over thousands and thousands of years and is the most important dry cavern within the U.S. The air within the caverns is a constant 56° year-round on account of zero humidity and is drawn in from the Grand Canyon by way of 60 miles of limestone caves and crevasses.
- The Hualapai Mountains is a good escape from the desert local weather. with elevations of 6300 ft to 8240 ft, you’ll expertise the scent of pine timber, recent mountain air, and snow within the winter.
- Topock Maze – Less than 45 minutes north of Lake Havasu lies a really particular remnant of American Indian heritage within the type of a 600+ yr previous geoglyph referred to as the Topock Maze (aka Mystic Maze).
I hope you discovered this street journey information to Lake Havasu City, Arizona useful. If you may have any questions in any respect, please depart a remark under.