LAUGHLIN LAKE & RIVER TOURS

You have a choice of two launch sites, Telephone Cove, or Cabin Site Point. From each launch site there are many coves and places to explore with spectacular desert mountain views. Wildlife is in abundance from waterfowl to reptiles and several other desert creatures. This trip is great for all ages because it allows flexibility for all skill levels. This can be done as a day, sunset, or moonlight paddle.

Trip lasts 3-4 hours
Level is beginner and up
Fee includes boat and gear drop-off and pickup

This trip is a diverse exploration of urban and undeveloped land which follows the Colorado River Heritage Trail. It begins at historic Davis Camp and winds down past the casino row of Laughlin. Once you pass the casinos it is a leisurely paddle through the residential area of Bullhead City and the Laughlin Lagoon area, where it is common to spot a variety of waterfowl and other wildlife. There are many places to stop and explore, or just relax and have a picnic on the beach. This trip is excellent for families because it caters to beginning paddlers of all ages.

Trip lasts 3 to 4 hours
Level is beginner and up
Shuttle from our store, boat, gear and pick-up included

We launch at the Topock Gorge Marina under the I-40 bridge and paddle through the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, and Needles Wilderness Area where vast species of bird and wildlife can be spotted. Migratory waterfowl, desert bighorn, coyote and beaver can be seen. This section of river winds through the Devils Elbow, past Picture Rock, the Blankenship Bend, and the marshes of upper Lake Havasu and offers a scenic and tranquil environment mid October to mid April. This trip is considered intermediate due to the possibility of high winds and long distance over slow moving water. This can be done as a day or moonlight trip.

Trip lasts 5-7 hours
Level is intermediate (moderately strenuous)
Fee includes shuttle, boat and gear

Join us as we do variety of moonlight trips on the river or lake. These guided trips offer spectacular moon rises and relaxed conditions on the water with mild temperatures. Moonlights are becoming our most popular trips so contact us for exact dates and trips.

Group Rates
Do you have a group that would like to paddle?
If so we can accommodate you. We have the largest fleet of sit-on-top kayaks on the river. We can handle 150 people on a variety of double and single kayaks. The sit-on-top kayaks are fun and very popular.

Discounts start with a group of 20 and we suggest calling us for pricing.

Group leader receives a free trip. The group leader is responsible for booking, signing up and collecting fees from participants. The group leader is required to send a signed copy of our reservation form when reservation is confirmed.

We have several multi day trips available for those of you wanting to spend a few days on the water. The most popular is Davis dam to Lake Havasu City. This can be done in as little as 2 days for experienced paddlers to 4 days for those seeking a leisurely paddle.

Another popular multi day trip is Hoover Dam to El Dorado Canyon on Lake Mohave, most people do this trip in 3 days. The scenery is outstanding and this area has quite a rich history in the settlement and development of the lower Colorado River region.

Other multi day trips can be done on Lake Mead starting at Pearce Ferry and paddling down Lake Mead to any number of access points on the Lake. South Cove, Greggs Hideout , Temple Bar and Bonnelli Landing are points where you can be picked up. Stunning scenery and isolation, are offered on Lake Mead . High winds and changing weather conditions are possible so we recommend EXPERIENCED paddlers attempt this area.

We recommend you contact us to help plan these trips and obtain pricing. We will be happy to assist you.

All trips listed are unguided. Guide service is available, but most trips can be done without one. All water is rated Class 1. Trips on Lake Mead are unguided due to National Park Service Regulations but you can have a support boat provided by Desert River Outfitters accompany your group at an additional fee.

We can’t guarantee you won’t flip over, we do take some precautions to help minimize capsize. We specialize in using Ocean Kayak brand sit-on-top kayaks in the rental fleet. These boats have been designed to be used on the ocean so they can handle most water conditions on the river. If you don’t overload them they are very stable. We have over 10 O.K. models in rentals and we try to size you to a boat. If you choose a touring kayak or canoe you must be aware that these boats handle differently. Your center of gravity may be higher, or the boat may be narrower thus affecting stability. Also the sit-on-tops are easier to self rescue from so we suggest calling us for more information on the right boat for you.

Anytime you can get on the water is a good time to go. There are certain times of the year though when it good to come to the Colorado River.

Fall and early spring are great, October to November the temperatures are mild and motorized traffic starts to disappear.

In the spring mid March to mid May, the temperatures range in the 70’s for March, to 90-100 degrees in May. Since it is starting to warm up river traffic starts to pick up and there are no guarantees for a quiet time on the river.

As summer approaches more motorized boats appear and the river can be quite busy. We strongly recommend early morning launches in the summer. We will put you on as early as you would like with a 6:00am time being ideal. Of course if you are on vacation it is not mandatory to go this early but, around 10:30am is when motorized traffic starts to pick-up and the wind starts to blow.

Winter is a quiet time of the year so if solitude is what you are seeking December to early March is ideal. There are few motorized boats at this time of year. Temperatures are mild, and migratory Waterfowl can be observed. With a little bit of planning you can paddle and enjoy the experience .

No! The lower river has been drastically altered over the last 70 years creating several reservoirs for water storage and power generation. The flowing sections of the river have a current of about 3mph. Although it may seem to move faster it doesn’t. It is the volume of water that makes it seem as if you are going faster. On the Davis Dam to Rotary Park trip even if you don’t paddle at all you can still make it to the end in about 4 hours.

We do not have age restrictions. It is dependant on what the parents feel comfortable with. If you do take a child you must have a proper LIFEJACKET for the child. We do have children’s lifejackets and suggest you call in advance to make proper arrangements. There are some trips we don’t recommend for smaller children. We also suggest checking with others in your group to see if children will fit the dynamics of the group.

We do not recommend taking pets on a trip with you. We have over the years seen people take pets with them (even a pet goat). However, you must realize this is the desert and it can be a very harsh environment. A pet may not fit the dynamics of a group either so we suggest not bringing them.

Since the lower river is considered a navigable waterway motorized traffic is allowed anywhere you might want to go. However there are a few places on Lake Mead and Mohave that are a little more isolated and therefore harder to get to so traffic is less than in the more populated areas. Give us a call and we can help direct you to these areas.

Yes! You can still go. Although your cost will be higher. Figure what the trip would cost with the minimum participants and that is what it will cost if you cannot meet the minimum trip participants.