Cool Off in Arizona’s Hottest, Wettest Vacation Town

No, it’s not a mirage. Arizona’s Lake Havasu City does in fact have water and desert in one place. Interrupting the Colorado River along the border of California and Arizona, it's known as a Spring Break destination, but the peak of summer is the real party zone and the best time to visit Lake Havasu. Fair warning: That's when it gets hot. Really hot. While Death Valley officially has the highest recorded temperature on Earth, Lake Havasu is recognized as the hottest incorporated city.

But Lake Havasu City brings the party outdoors and in the water. For the most part, Lake Havasu leaves gambling and entertainment to nearby Laughlin. Instead, LHC is like a party where everybody is off doing their own thing, whether chilling on a boat in a secluded cove, drinking craft beer on Main Street, or speeding through the desert on an ATV. It doesn't take long to figure out Lake Havasu City, but it helps to plan your visit in advance so get familiar with all the stuff you'll want to do after arriving in town and explore the best things to do in Lake Havasu City.

2.5 hours from Las Vegas, Nevada
3 hours from Phoenix, Arizona
4.5 hours from Los Angeles, California

The 930-foot London Bridge is Lake Havasu's most famous landmark and the second most visited tourist attraction in Arizona behind the Grand Canyon. It once spanned the River Thames in London, replacing the original which inspired "London Bridge is Falling Down." Since it couldn't handle the weight of auto traffic, the bridge was put up for auction as the world's most expensive antique and bought by Lake Havasu City. It was shipped over and reconstructed brick-by-brick over sand (making for some surreal vintage photos) before Bridgewater Channel was dredged underneath it to create Lake Havasu Island.

The Bridgewater Channel flows for about 2.5 miles from Lake Havasu to Thompson Bay, which leads back to the Colorado River. The channel is a no-wake zone and popular for boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding with the best photos underneath the London Bridge. The perimeter is lined with tie-offs, making it easy for boats to line up and park next to each other while cranking music and cracking open beer coolers. Then again, you can just book your own floating VIP cabana, a convenient option for groups. The surrounding land includes parks, beaches, and the English Village, a small shopping and dining promenade.

Boats are a big part of the party scene, especially when packed together in areas like Copper Canyon, where swimmers can take the plunge off Jump Rock, or gathered around a small island known as the Sandbar. Vehicles zip along the water without any speed limit to worry about—although traffic jams aren't uncommon during the busy summer months. The largest launch ramp is at Windsor Beach inside Lake Havasu State Park.

Don't have your own boat? Rentals are easy to find. But even better, book a custom-designed vessel with Sunset Charter & Tour Co. or a tropical-themed party boat with Original Tiki Tours. Both allow you to bring your own booze while detouring to historic spots like Steamboat Cove and the largest collection of replica lighthouses in the United States, scaled down modes of historic counterparts from throughout the country. Half the fun is discovering smaller beaches in secluded coves that aren't accessible by car or foot. You can also opt for a cruise on the Dixie Belle (a vintage-style paddle-wheeler with a rooftop deck) or reach out to the Designated Captain Program, which is almost like a rideshare for boat tours with a captain on standby.

Lake Havasu City is known as the "Jet Ski Capital of the World," although other brands of water scooters like Sea-Doo and WaveRunner are popular too. Personal watercraft (or PWC) aren't allowed in the channel, but show up everywhere else, including Body Beach, where competition-level racers practice, or Topok Gorge, where boats can't typically navigate the tight waterways.

Lake Havasu loves its pickup trucks—the kind that can get anywhere and tow anything. You'll see them perched above cliffs, overlooking the water, or driving down challenging slopes to reach the beachfront. Off-roading is a way of life, whether on a dirt bike or behind the wheel of an ATV/UTV. The city is basically carved into the foothills of the Mohave Mountains with plenty of rolling desert terrain to explore, including the Arizona Peace Trail (an off-road loop between Kingman and Yuma). Dry camping is hard to ignore with RVs pulling up in barren areas off the main highway—often in unofficial but organized mini-communities. The law says you're allowed to stay in the same spot for 14 days before moving elsewhere.

Hiking is popular, especially in SARA's Crack—and yes, that's what it's really called—short for Special Activities Recreation Area and also referred to as SARA Park. The "crack" is a three-mile slot canyon that leads to Balance Rock, a picturesque cove on the banks of the Colorado River. Havasu Hikes leads guided tours of SARA's Crack as well as Wanderlust, which opens up to up-close mountain views, and Pilot Rock, one of the most identifiable markers on the Colorado River. Hiking season usually runs from fall to spring. If you're even thinking about a hike in summer, be ready to get up early in the morning (like 6 am), stay hydrated, and keep the journey to just a couple hours without wandering off to random trails.

You'll build up an appetite with all that outdoorsy stuff. Lake Havasu isn't a place for fancy fine dining, but the restaurant scene is picking up as the city continues to grow. The Foundry is a recent, welcome addition, mixing steaks and seafood with real cocktails (instead of the sugary tropical stuff) and spirit flights. SummerRay is Lake Havasu's first full-fledged wine bar with charcuterie plates and dispenser machines to encourage sampling by the glass. Cha-Bones is as formal as it gets, but no one will get mad if you walk in with a pair of shorts on. Steaks and tapas are the specialties and the happy hour is legendary, running from 3 to 6 pm every day. Javelina Cantina serves Mexican food with views of the channel, while Loco's is a dive bar off the beaten path known for its tacos and a tiki-style outdoor patio. The Chair has a burger topped with ice cream, which sounds gimmicky (and it is), but the ingredient works more like a condiment than something overly indulgent. It's strangely delicious.

If you're going to live like a local in Lake Havasu, you gotta drink beer like a local. College Street Brewhouse & Pub makes its own beer on site with a patio deck, lake views, and food that’s heavy on Southern favorites. Mudshark takes advantage of the hot Arizona sun, using solar power to brew its own lineup of beers, which are a frequent sight in not only its public house, but stores and bars throughout the region. Legendz sports bar hosts UFC viewing parties and other big events that carry over to ICON, an outdoor patio with its own bartenders. You can always take day drinking to a new level at The Bunker Bar, about three miles off State Route 95 via a "road" that's barely dug out of dirt and rock. A jeep works fine, but expect plenty of dust. Open on weekends, the place has grown dramatically with multiple bars, outdoor seats, games, a covered stage for live bands.

Kokomo at the London Bridge Resort, was known as a Spring Break destination in the '90s, but it's more like a clubhouse with a pool than a Vegas-level dayclub. Hop in the water, guzzle a few drinks, and play a few rounds of volleyball without worrying about the score. Lighthouse Lounge is a '70s-themed two-story lounge, featuring live cover bands in the front, a retro "living room" in the back, and a rooftop bar. The Flying X Saloon on Main Street is the top spot for country music with a large dance floor for boot scootin' and watching live acts. Just down the street, PJ's Cabana Bar has both DJs and karaoke fanatics working the mic with drink specials on a large outdoor patio.

Lake Havasu City has its share of hotel chains, but it's the independent resorts along the water that come with an extra dose of charm and character. The Nautical helped kick off Lake Havasu as a tourist destination back in the '60s, yet still feels new with a timeless art deco design. Suites have balconies that overlook a beachfront cove and marina on Thompson Bay, where guests can park their own boats. The infinity-edge pool has great views. Heat is a little more modern—like '80s Miami modern—and popular with pet owners, the Spring Break crowd, and anyone who wants to lounge on a daybed at the rooftop bar. The London Bridge Resort has a royal carriage replica in the lobby, Martini Bay (one of the town's better restaurants), and comfortable suites that are larger and more contemporary than the hotel's exterior suggests.

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