🌴 From Desert Dust to Lakeside Bliss: Exploring Lake Havasu City on a Budget
- Switching Gears RV Diary
- Mar 9, 2025
- 4 min read
Goodbye Quartzsite, Hello Lake Havasu City
After days of swirling desert dust and stop-and-go traffic in Quartzsite, we were more than ready to swap chaos for calm. So we headed north along scenic AZ-95 toward a shimmering oasis in the desert: Lake Havasu City.
We’re Mark and Paula, and this is stop five in our series, Exploring Arizona. If you’re dreaming of sun, history, water activities, and wallet-friendly adventures, you’ll love what we found here.
🌄 First Impressions: A Lake Oasis in the Arizona Desert
Tucked along the Colorado River, Lake Havasu City spans 46 square miles and draws over one million visitors each year. With a population of around 56,000, it’s known for:
Sparkling blue waters
Snowbird-friendly winters
The iconic London Bridge
A laid-back but energetic vibe
Ranked as one of Arizona’s safest and wealthiest retirement cities, Lake Havasu is where desert serenity meets lakeside fun.
🏕️ Budget-Friendly Boondocking Just Outside Town
We set up camp just three miles north of the city—a perfect BLM boondocking spot close to amenities yet surrounded by nature.
City conveniences like grocery stores, restaurants, and retailers were just minutes away. But first? We had some business to handle.
🗑️ Trash Talk & Treasure Finds at Sara Park
After chatting with a camp host, we learned Sara Park allows BLM campers to use their dumpsters—huge win! But even better? The park itself is a local treasure.
What You’ll Find at Sara Park:
🐴 Rodeo grounds
🚴 BMX and mountain biking trails
🎯 Public shooting range
🥏 Frisbee golf course
🐶 Off-leash dog park
🏃♀️ Hiking trails (2–9 miles)
🧒 Covered picnic areas and playgrounds
And just like Quartzsite... RC planes found us again! This time? Giant, gas-powered models putting on an impromptu airshow. It was unexpected, and it was awesome.
🌉 The London Bridge: A British Icon in the Southwest
Lake Havasu’s crown jewel is without a doubt the London Bridge—yes, that London Bridge.
Originally constructed in 1831 over the River Thames, the bridge was dismantled and purchased in the 1960s by businessman Robert McCulloch. Every stone was labeled, shipped, and reassembled in Arizona by 1971.
Today, it’s the #2 most visited tourist attraction in Arizona, right behind the Grand Canyon.
Beneath the bridge, you’ll find:
The charming English Village
Restaurants & shops
The Visitor Center (grab a lighthouse map here!)
🎲 $5 Ferry Ride to Havasu Landing Casino
We’re not big gamblers, but we couldn’t pass up a $5 ferry ride across the lake to Havasu Landing Casino in California.
The trip is 20 minutes each way
First leg: Standing room only
Return: Upper deck + lake views = magic
Dinner: Inexpensive and surprisingly good!
💡 Travel Tip: The turquoise color of the lake? It comes from calcium carbonate and magnesium—otherworldly, especially at sunset.
🚣♀️ Kayaks, Parks & Easy Access Points
Back on the Arizona side, we explored several free parks in Lake Havasu City perfect for kayaking and picnics.
Our Favorites:
Rotary Park
London Bridge Beach Park
Both parks include:
Covered BBQs and picnic spots
Enclosed dog areas
Volleyball and basketball courts
Walking trails and scenic lookouts
Launch ramps ideal for kayaking in calm, no-wake zones
Pro tip: Wait for a wind-free day for a smooth paddle under the London Bridge.
🗺️ A Lighthouse Lover’s Dream
Did you know Lake Havasu is home to 28 fully operational lighthouse replicas?
Arizona shore: East Coast lighthouses
California shore: West Coast
On the island: Great Lakes lighthouses
We picked up a free lighthouse map and started spotting them both on foot and by kayak. Some are only accessible from the water, so bring your paddle power!
👑 Hidden Royalty: The London Bridge Resort
Tucked inside the London Bridge Resort is a life-size replica of the Gold State Coach—used for royal coronations since 1762. It’s totally free to view and feels like a little slice of Buckingham Palace in the desert.
Just down the street, the Lake Havasu Museum (Tues–Sat, donation-based) was a surprise hit. It features:
Native American history
Lake development & lighthouse exhibits
Interactive desert wildlife room
An excellent short film on Robert McCulloch
Turns out, McCulloch wasn’t just a chainsaw guy—he invented:
The first one-man chainsaw (1948)
Outboard motors
Superchargers
A hybrid helicopter-airplane prototype
He didn’t just move a bridge—he built an entire town around it. That’s vision.
🏖️ Rotary Park & Our Final Kayak Launch
Back at Rotary Park, we launched our kayaks one last time. The wind had stilled, the water was calm, and the setting was perfect.
We paddled under the London Bridge, waved at passing boats, and soaked in the coolest, calmest waters of our Arizona trip so far.
🌟 Final Thoughts: Lake Havasu City on a Budget? 100% Yes.
Between:
✅ Free parks
✅ Cheap ferry rides
✅ Donation-based museums
✅ Gorgeous kayaking spots
✅ An international landmark with a wild backstory...
Lake Havasu offers big adventure on a small budget. Whether you’re traveling by RV, van, or car, it’s the perfect mix of history, fun, and chill.
🐴 Coming Up Next: Wild Donkeys & Route 66 in Oatman
Next week, we hit the historic Route 66 and roll into Oatman, an old mining town where wild donkeys roam the streets. You don’t want to miss this quirky detour into the Wild West.
👉 Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notified when the next chapter drops!
📍 Learn more about the Lake Havasu Museum: https://www.havasumuseum.com
Thanks for riding along!—Mark & Paula 🌵
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