The Mighty Colorado River

Coursing more than a thousand miles from the Rockies to the Sea of Cortez, the mighty Colorado River provides irrigation, public water and hydroelectric power to parts of California, Nevada and Arizona. In Bullhead City, the river also offers a wide variety of recreational activities. Enjoy boating, water and jet skiing, fishing or a refreshing dip in the brisk water.  Launch ramp facilities are plentiful along the river, as well as watercraft rental services. The river can also be enjoyed by strolling along the Heritage Trail located in Rotary Park to observe the boating enthusiasts along with the waterfowl that flock to its shores.

Colorado River Museum

The museum features a collection of Indian artifacts, pottery, photographs, old memorabilia and antiques.  The museum displays, artifacts and memorabilia really bring the area's past to life.  Mojave Tribe artifacts, photos and maps from today and yesterday, minerals and gemstone, plus a fossilized nautilus snail that dates back some 240 million years area few of their exhibits that make it a worthwhile visit.

Bullhead Belle

The City of Bullhead City is excited to announce that the Bullhead Belle is open to the public. The Bullhead Belle is a 65-foot mock paddle wheel boat repurposed, now operating as a riverside concession facility. Formerly known as The Celebration, the Bullhead Belle takes advantage of its new location on land to expand its serving capacity to a two-tiered patio overlooking the Colorado River in Bullhead City's scenic Community Park.

Order from the unique menu of salads, wraps, pizzas, novelty items, desserts and flavorful beverages. Take in the stunning view of the Colorado River from the spacious outdoor patios and relaxed quiet upper deck or dine in the air-conditioned comfort of the 900-square-foot main cabin of the Bullhead Belle. The Belle boasts a seating capacity for over 200 patrons spread across the 4,100 square foot lower patio, the 4,000 square foot upper patio, and the 900 square foot upper deck.

The Bullhead Belle is the City’s newest improvement to Bullhead Community Park, 1251 AZ-95, located just south of the Bullhead Area Chamber of Commerce overlooking the Colorado River’s edge. The new amenity will allow beach and parkgoers to order ready-to-eat meals made to order right on the water.

The Belle’s history in Bullhead City dates back to its former life as The Celebration when it set sail on its maiden voyage in 1997. Between its maiden voyage and eventual retirement in December of 2022, The Celebration carried nearly 1,000,000 passengers up and down the Colorado River as a touring restaurant and special event venue. Upon its retirement, The Celebration was donated to the City of Bullhead City by Brea and Trevor Chiodini of Laughlin River Tours to preserve and continue its legacy of service.

Like the park and its amenities, the Bullhead Belle will be open 365 days a year, regardless of holidays. The Bullhead Belle’s operating hours will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Parking at the Bullhead Belle can be found by entering the park through the main gate at Laughlin Ranch Blvd. Bullhead City residents with photo ID may park free of charge. 

Lake Mohave Resort at Katherine's Landing Marina

Located nine miles north of Bullhead City on the Arizona side of Lake Mohave, Katherine's Landing features RV facilities, boat rentals, boat slips, launch ramp, picnic area, marina, dry storage, restaurant and snack bar, general store, hotel and other resort amenities. Boat rentals range from personal watercraft to 16-foot fishing boats, 18-foot runabouts for water skiing and exploring, 24-foot patio boats, and houseboats that sleep up to 14 people.

Hardyville Cemetery

The Hardyville Cemetery, is also known as the Hardyville Pioneer Cemetery, located at 1776 Arizona State Route 95 in Bullhead. In the 19th century the current site of Bullhead City was called Hardyville, named for early resident and politician, William Hardy.  After the 19th century saw a population boom in Hardyville as mining became more profitable, the beginning of the 20th century saw mining activities move away from the Colorado River and Hardyville.  When the railroad was constructed from Needles, California to Kingman, Arizona, Hardyville was abandoned and became a ghost town.  The Hardyville Cemetery, now a historic landmark, is the most significant existing remnant of Hardyville.

Arizona Veterans Memorial Park

The Arizona Veterans Memorial Park is located at 2170 Rio Grande Road in Bullhead City. The Arizona Veterans Memorial is a destination in itself. The north part is on Rio Grande Road and has a set of panels with the names of all Arizonians killed in a century of conflicts. The south part has columns and an eternal flame, with green space nearby.  A visit provides both contemplation and a history lesson. 

Oatman, Arizona

Oatman started life over 100 years ago as a mining tent camp, and quickly became a flourishing gold-mining center. In 1915, two miners struck a $10 million gold find, and within a year, the town's population grew to more than 3,500. Oatman was served by a narrow gauge rail line between 1903 and 1905 that ran 17 miles to the Colorado River near Needles, California.

But both the population and mining booms were short lived. In 1921, a fire burned down many of the smaller shacks in town, and three years later, the main mining company, United Eastern Mines, shut down operations for good. Oatman survived by catering to travelers on old U.S. Route 66. But in the 1960s, when the route became what is now Interstate 40, Oatman almost died.  Oatman is a fun place to visit - an authentic old western town with burros roaming the streets and gunfights staged on weekends. The burros are tame and can be hand fed.

Grapevine Canyon Petroglyphs

The Grapevine Canyon Petroglyphs are located in Grapevine Canyon on Spirit Mountain near Laughlin, Nevada and are listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places.  The area is known as Christmas Tree Pass.  While the petropglyphs extend through the canyon, a significant concentration lies at the entrance to the canyon which is at an elevation of 2,395 feet.  The area features over 700 petroglyphs and many rock shelters. The entrance to the Canyon/Christmas Tree Pass is located about seven miles west of Laughlin. The graded, dirt road of this pass runs through a ruggedly beautiful canyon rich with wildlife and petroglyphs. The canyon is part of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and the trek via car from NV State 163 to NV State 95 takes about 45 minutes. About two miles in from 163, is an unmarked side road to Grapevine Canyon. The lush plant growth in this canyon is in sharp contrast to the stark, surrounding hillsides. A short hike up Grapevine Canyon, visitors will find a small desert spring which flows almost year round. This spring not only allows certain plants to grow here, but also provides a water source for bighorn sheep and other animals. The petroglyphs on the canyon's sheer rock walls also indicate the presence of ancient inhabitants as early as A.D. 1100. Spirit Mountain, the highest peak in the Newberry Mountain range, rises to an elevation of 5,639 feet and looms above the canyon. This mountain, considered the beginning of creation, is a sacred place to Indian tribes in Southern Nevada and has become the first Indian land in the state to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.