Arizona Official State Travel Guide - Arizona 2025-26
Arizona’s West Coast
2025-08-25 05:50:04
Cocopah Indian Tribe, Colorado River Indian Tribes, Fort Mojave Indian Tribe, Fort Yuma-Quechan Tribe, Fredonia, Grand Canyon West, Havasupai Tribe, Hualapai Tribe, Lake Havasu City, Kingman, Oatman, Peach Springs, Topock, Yuma
Be sure to pack your swimsuit when you visit the western edge of Arizona, where the Colorado River and glittering waters of lakes and reservoirs combine to create the perfect climate for fun in the sun. As you trace the Colorado River’s path from the Glen Canyon Dam to Mexico, you’ll fall in love with close-knit communities filled with museums and attractions, natural wonders and wildlife habitats — and, of course, countless places to enjoy boating, swimming and water sports of all types.
AREA HIGHLIGHTS
POWERHOUSE VISITOR CENTER, KINGMAN
Originally the Desert Power & Water Co. Electric Power Plant, today this center is a hub for the history and culture of the Mother Road, housing the Arizona Route 66 Museum, Route 66 Electric Vehicle Museum and the Carlos Elmer Gallery, which displays scenic highway photography.
COLORADO RIVER INDIAN TRIBES (CRIT) MUSEUM AND GIFT SHOP, PARKER
Glimpse into the lives, history and culture of local tribes — including Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi and Navajo — through exhibits, cultural artifacts and historical photographs housed at this museum.
COLORADO RIVER
Winding along the borders of Arizona, California and Nevada, this iconic waterway is ideal for a guided whitewater rafting trip, cruising along in a jet boat or just paddling through the canyons in a kayak. Rent a boat at one of the marinas or bring your own to dock at one of the lively riverfront bars and eateries.
YUMA TERRITORIAL PRISON STATE HISTORIC PARK, YUMA
Once holding an array of law breakers — including notorious stagecoach robber Pearl Hart — this historic prison dates back to the Gold Rush era. See the original cell blocks, guard tower and entrance gate, and be sure to view the video presentation and authentic artifacts at the museum.
OATMAN HOTEL, OATMAN
Originally built for miners during the Gold Rush days, this historic hotel is known for being haunted by friendly spirits. Even though you can no longer spend the night, visitors from all around come to have a drink at the restaurant and bar, where the walls are covered with $1 bills with people’s names written on them.
LAKE HAVASU
White sandy beaches, brilliant red mountains, teal waters, 400 miles of shoreline — this deep reservoir is a colorful oasis in the desert. Pitch a tent or bring your RV to enjoy waterfront camping, rent a boat or personal watercraft to zoom along the lake’s surface, go fishing or just kick back at one of the waterfront bars and restaurants. Keep an eye out for the 28 scaled-down lighthouses, which are working replicas of beacons from around the U.S.
KINGMAN RAILROAD MUSEUM, KINGMAN
Housed in the historic Santa Fe Railroad train depot dating back to 1907, this volunteer-run museum showcases artifacts, memorabilia and local train history, as well as several model train layouts featuring vintage toy components.
HOOVER DAM
One of America’s Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders, this monolithic dam completed in 1935 on the Arizona- Nevada border controls flooding on the Colorado River and generates hydroelectric power for the Southwest. Take a guided dam tour to walk through historic tunnels, and take the power plant tour to see commercial generators and to visit the viewing platform.
EVENTS IN THE AREA
Brews and Brats Oktoberfest
Kingman
explorekingman.com
Midnight at the Oasis
Yuma
caballeros.org/midnight-at-the-oasis
Relics and Rods to the Sun
Lake Havasu City
relicsandrods.com
Somerton Tamale Festival
Somerton
somertontamalefestival.com
Yuma Airshow
Yuma
yumaairshow.com
Yuma Territorial Marathon and Half Marathon
Yuma
caballeros.org/yuma-marathon
Scan here for more events
WET YOUR WHISTLE WITH CRAFT BEVERAGES
From small-batch spirits to craft beers, the West Coast region has a beverage to suit your style.
Yuma, the sunniest city in the country, is home to Prison Hill Brewing Co., which takes its name from the nearby historic territorial prison and serves up wittily named selections that include Rec Time and Allegation Amber. In Lake Havasu City, pull up a chair at Barley Bros. Restaurant & Brewery, where you can enjoy a craft beer to wash down wood-fired calzones. Also here is Hangar 24 Craft Brewing, serving up pints of fan favorites such as the Chocolate Bomber porter and a roster of limited releases.
In Kingman, you’ll find desert-inspired agave rum, whiskey and vodka at Desert Diamond Distillery inside the Airport Industrial Complex, where you can have a tour and a tasting for the full experience. Also in Kingman, Black Bridge Brewery serves up everything from blonde to stout on its changing menu. Meanwhile, Wildcatter Winery specializes in handcrafted red wines, so sit outdoors among the grapevines while enjoying a glass.
FAMILY MATTERS
When it comes to family fun, this area offers up everything from zip lining to nature walks.
PLAY ALL DAY
Let your little ones loose at the castle-like Stewart Vincent Wolfe Creative Playground at West Wetlands Park in Yuma, where imaginative structures, a zip line with two bays (one is ADA accessible), and a climbing area will keep kids busy for hours.
FLYING HIGH
Experience an hour of pure adrenaline at the zip line at Hualapai Point at Grand Canyon West. Here, several zip lines above a canyon translate to the thrill of flying at up to 40 mph. (Guests must weigh between 90 to 275 pounds.)
BACK TO NATURE
Bring the family to Hualapai Mountain Park in Kingman to choose from 10 miles of trails for mountain biking and hiking, or play a game of disc golf on the 18-hole championship-style course. Then set up camp among oak and ponderosa pines in the first-come, first-served Wild Cow Springs Campground. Ongoing ranger talks from the Kingman BLM Field Office discuss how to be prepared in different camping situations.
GET WILD
Embark on a wild journey through a picturesque 175-acre canyon in Valentine, where you’ll find Keepers of the Wild Nature Park. This nonprofit wildlife sanctuary is home to 130 wild animals such as lions, tigers, wolves, primates and various wildlife indigenous to the Southwest.
GAME DAY
Challenge the family to a game of bowling at Cocopah Indian Tribe’s Wild River Family Entertainment Center in Somerton, or explore the laser tag arena, arcade, lounge and eateries.
TAKE THE PLUNGE
From whitewater rafting to swim-up bars, the western side of the state knows how to make a splash.
MAKE WAVES
With an 850-foot lazy river, a zippy mat racer and massive water slides, Waylon’s Water World in Yuma issues a siren song to the young (and young at heart).
ON THE WATER
Get a new perspective of the Grand Canyon when you whitewater raft the Colorado River with Hualapai River Runners in Peach Springs. Or hop aboard a canoe or kayak with Desert River Outfitters in Bullhead City for a guided tour along the lower Colorado River, and savor wow-worthy views of the canyon
LIFE’S A BEACH
In Lake Havasu City, lounge on white-sand beaches at Lake Havasu State Park, take a dip along the shore in the designated swimming area, enjoy a feast alfresco in the picnic area or launch a boat from one of the three boat ramps.
POOL PARTY
Cool off at Topock66 on the Colorado River in Topock, which offers a swim-up bar and live entertainment on the weekends. A marina, restaurant and retail shop round out the experience.
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