Points of interest near DJs RV Park Lake Havasu City, Arizona. We have the best rates in town

POINTS OF INTEREST

Sprouting from the shores of the Colorado River, Lake Havasu City—the "Personal Watercraft Capital of the World"—is one of the Southwest's premier water-sports locations. Its namesake lake is a 45-mile long paradise with 450 miles of shoreline, sandy beaches, secluded coves and constantly sunny skies—a magnet for boat manufacturers and jet skiers. It is also home to the London Bridge, one of Arizona's most popular attractions Purchased in 1968, the bridge—the "world's largest antique"—is the focus of visitor activity. Its 130-year-old granite blocks were disassembled in England and shipped to Arizona. After reassembly, Bridgewater Channel was dredged underneath, creating an island that now houses a marina, a golf course, hotels and a campground. The annual London Bridge Days commemorates the dedication with a parade, concerts and a Renaissance Festival Ideal for nature lovers, National Wildlife Refuges have been designated south and north of the city. Bill Williams NWR, to the south, preserves a beautiful 6-mile stretch of river. Havasu NWR includes a 13-mile section of the Colorado known as Topock Gorge that protects desert bighorn sheep, wild burros, bald eagles and peregrine falcons. On the sheer canyon walls, prehistoric Indians chiseled petroglyphs, ancient rock art estimated to be between 1,500-2,000 years old.

Leaving several times a day from the London Bridge, tour boats explore the lake. The Dixie Belle, a two-story replica of a Mississippi paddle-wheeler, circles the island with the pilot pointing out natural features and recounting the history of the area. The Kon-Tiki Tour Boat cruises farther south to Copper Canyon, a favorite of spring breakers. Blue Water Jet Boat Tours and London Jet offer narrated tours of Topock Gorge and trips to the gaming tables at Laughlin, Nevada. Southwest Desert Magic specializes in nighttime tours of Topock Gorge Visitors seeking individual adventures can rent almost any kind of watercraft, including houseboats up to 56 feet long, along with the equipment to enjoy them. For lazy afternoons, paddle wheelers, aquacycles and bumper boats are available under London Bridge. Personal watercraft are rented at the bridge, the Nautical Inn and several shops in town. Many rental shops also offer ski boats, water skis, wetsuits, wakeboards, tubes, pontoon boats and fishing boats, delivering all of it lakeside.

For longer stays, Havasu Springs Resort and Sandpoint Marina (both south of town) rent houseboats. Local canoe and kayak outfitters arrange self-propelled trips on Lake Havasu and almost anywhere on the Colorado, including day trips and overnighters.

Home of the largest warm-water fishery program in the country, Lake Havasu provides superb fishing, especially for bass. Several fishing guides operate on the lake.

Although the water is the most popular activity, visitors can choose from a number of others as well. Golfers can pick among four courses, three of them 18-hole and the other a nine-hole. Jeep tours explore Crossman Peak Natural Scenic Area, with its wide variety of flora and fauna from the Sonoran and Mohave Deserts and vestiges of earlier civilizations. Hikers can trek through Crossman, the state parks or a narrow canyon called "The Crack. A number of hotels accommodate visitors, from beachside units to national chains to resorts. Several campgrounds dot the beaches, including private and state park units. Some of these are beachside, and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) maintains boat-in campsites.

The English Village, a Tudor-style retail center with boutiques and specialty shops, is on the east side of the London Bridge. The Island Mall offers shopping in view of the bridge. Shopping centers dot the town, supplying anything needed to enjoy the lake. Diners can enjoy English pub fare at the English Village or seafood and steak at Shugrue's; both offer superb views of the bridge and the water.

Lake Havasu hosts a number of races and regattas throughout the year, including the Skat-Trak World Finals, the Super Bowl of jet-skiing. Powerboat racing, fishing derbies and water-skiing tournaments entertain visitors as well.