The resort town of Laughlin, Nevada, may be known for its casinos, but the area also offers a wealth of outdoor recreation. You’ll find plenty of water sports such as swimming, fishing, water and jet skiing and fishing. You can also hike on a few miles of trail in the nearby state recreation area. The area offers a variety of campgrounds, too, giving campers a choice as to where you set up base camp.
Area Information
Laughlin is located in southern Nevada, about 90 miles south of Las Vegas. Situated along the Colorado River and next to the Mojave Desert, the low-desert area boasts hot summers and mild winters. Across the river from Laughlin lies the sister city of Bullhead City, Arizona.
Private RV Campgrounds
Several campgrounds cater to RV campers. Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort & RV Park offers spaces with full hookups. You’ll also find a dump station, laundry facilities, restrooms and showers, along with a boat dock.
The Laughlin/Avi Casino KOA offers riverside campsites for self-contained RVs. Amenities include full hookups with cable television, showers, a laundry facility and free wireless Internet access. The premises feature a casino, private white sand beach and 9,000-square-foot lagoon pool with a separate children’s pool. Personal watercrafts are available for rent at the beach. You’ll also find a boat launch and a fitness center. Or you can play a round of golf at the 18-hole Mojave Resort Golf Club, located next door. Children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old can enjoy the Kid’s Quest, a supervised entertainment experience.
State Recreation Area Campground
Big Bend State Recreation Area, located 5 miles south of Laughlin on the Needles Highway, offers camping with panoramic views of the river and nearby mountains. You’ll find RV campsites with power and water hookups, as well as tent sites with a pad and shade ramada. All of the sites include barbecue grills and fire pits. Several pull-through sites are also available. The campground includes a boat launch on the Colorado River. You can swim, boat or enjoy water skiing in the river.
Activities
In Big Bend State Recreation Area, you can hike on 4 miles of developed trails or head into the canyons on the park’s west side to hike and explore the undeveloped areas. Rent a boat in Laughlin or launch your own and enjoy the Colorado River while you ski or fish. Public boat launches are available in several places along the river, as well as at the campgrounds. Fishing is best in the early morning or late evening; you might catch largemouth and striped bass.
Preparation
Sunscreen and hats come in handy in Laughlin, especially in the hot summer months. Make sure you bring plenty of water for hiking. If you plan to fish in the area, you’ll need fishing licenses from Nevada, Arizona or California, depending on the area. Check with sporting goods stores in Laughlin about your exact fishing location so you can buy the appropriate permit.
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