Lake Havasu & Western Arizona

As the Colorado River wends its way toward the Gulf of California from Lake Mead, many of Western Arizona's cities, towns and recreational areas provide fantastic opportunities for freshwater adventures — a rare treat in the sometimes blistering Mohave and Sonoran deserts. Whether you prefer a tranquil canoe excursion through Ahakhav Tribal Preserve wetlands or a raucous beach party on a houseboat anchored at Lake Havasu City, you can have a blast on Arizona’s “West Coast.”

Western Arizona is packed with more than a dozen state, federal and tribal parks and wildlife preserves — explore the full listings below! — with hiking trails through riparian areas where you can spot native and migratory waterfowl, bighorn sheep, javelina and coyotes, to name just a few. Off-roaders and pleasure boaters navigate toward the Parker Strip, which has hundreds of miles of trails for ATVs and dirt bikes, as well as plenty of docks and spots for motorized and people-powered watercraft.

On this side of the state, water plays an essential role in not just recreation but also crop cultivation: Thanks to the mighty Colorado, the Yuma area is now the winter vegetable capital of the world, producing millions of pounds of dates each year and hosting agritourism events on farms and craft breweries. What better way to savor a trip to Arizona's West Coast than with a full stomach?