La Paz County combines water-based recreation with activities in the desert. The range of experiences reflects this: water sports and fishing take center stage on the Parker Strip, while wildlife refuges, desert landscapes, and mountain trails offer other discoveries. You can shape your trip around the things that interest you most.
Water Activities and Wildlife Watching
The 17-mile Parker Strip offers opportunities for waterskiing, boating, jet skiing, wave running, swimming, and fishing. Away from the water, the Parker area also has hundreds of miles of mountain biking and road cycling routes. La Paz County also offers off-road trails, old mines, ghost towns, and wildflower landscapes in bloom in spring. The range extends from active pursuits to experiences shaped by the landscape and its history.
The Lower Colorado River and its backwaters at Cibola National Wildlife Refuge offer many opportunities for outdoor activities. The refuge covers 18,444 acres. Its responsibilities include protecting and restoring marshes, backwaters, and river bends that historically served as wintering areas for migratory waterfowl and other wildlife. The refuge is home to migratory birds, wintering waterfowl, and threatened or endangered species. This diversity makes wildlife watching a particular highlight.
Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge can also be explored in different ways: driving routes make it possible to observe wildlife and habitats from your vehicle. The accessible fishing facilities are currently listed as open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Check operating information before your trip.
The ‘Ahakhav Tribal Preserve was established in 1995 and currently encompasses 1,253 acres of wilderness area and a 3.5-acre park. Activities there include fishing, canoeing, birdwatching, and swimming. There is also a 4.6-mile fitness trail. The different activities offer different ways to spend your time: you may be interested in exercising on the trail, spending time by the water, or watching birds.
Mountain and Desert Trails
Trails in Buckskin Mountain State Park lead into a mountain range in western Arizona. Two trails offer specific details about their length and route: the 2.7-mile River View Trail is a loop leading to a viewpoint overlooking the Colorado River. The Copper Mines Trail is a 0.6-mile scenic one-way trail that passes a series of abandoned copper mines. The trails differ not only in length but also in whether they form a loop or run one way.
Reach the La Posa Long Term Visitor Area via the Interstate 10 exit at Quartzsite, then head south on Highway 95. There are opportunities for hiking, wildlife watching, and rock and mineral collecting. The campground at La Posa Long Term Visitor Area covers about 11,400 acres and is flat and sparsely vegetated. Its vegetation includes creosote bushes, palo verde, ironwood and mesquite trees, as well as various cactus species. These details paint a landscape quite different from the mountain trails at Buckskin Mountain State Park.
Preserved Traces and Seasonal Discoveries
Several adobe and brick buildings remain in Swansea, along with the railroad grade, numerous foundations, and mine shafts. Getting there requires some planning: Swansea is accessible by vehicle from Parker or Bouse. The last few miles are on a bumpy gravel road, for which a vehicle with high ground clearance is recommended. Road conditions can change, so check them before setting out.
Quartzsite is known for its mineral and gem shows during the winter season. The PowWow Gem and Mineral Show takes place every January. If you want to plan your trip around this event, check the dates in advance. This lets you combine your visit with your interests without losing sight of the nature and outdoor experiences available year-round.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Quartzsite, Parker, Ehrenberg, Parker Strip, Salome, Mohave, Graham County, Greenlee County.
Back to the main travel overview: Arizona.
