Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Lake Havasu City sits along the Arizona – California border and is on the eastern shore of 45-mile-long Lake Havasu, a large, shimmering reservoir that was created by the Parker Dam construction in the 1930s.  Originally a planned community for Army Air Corps personnel during World War II, Lake Havasu City was purchased by chainsaw industry mogul Robert McCulloch in 1963.

Since those early days, the city has evolved into a popular tourist and vacation destination, attracting nearly one million visitors per year, including droves of “snowbirds” and some college Spring Break revelers.   

During the high season, the city takes on a party atmosphere. Restaurants and resorts fill up and all kinds of watercraft line the water.  Lake Havasu is perfect for Jet Skiing, wind surfing, wakeboarding, sailing and fishing (particularly for bass and sometimes the elusive white sturgeon). Fishing charters and boat rentals are always available. 

For drier adventures, Lake Havasu State Park boasts a full tapestry of beautiful scenery from Windsor Beach to Cattail Cove with rolling hills in between. Hiking and camping are among the main activities enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

Lake Havasu City also has a bit of fame as the home of the original London Bridge, which McCulloch purchased from the city of London, England in 1967 when the bridge could no longer support that city’s increasing automobile traffic. McCulloch hoped that the 1831 bridge, which he had transported brick by brick across the Atlantic, would draw new home buyers and tourists to his remote city in the desert. 

The publicity stunt worked. Today, London Bridge is Arizona’s second most popular tourist attraction (the Grand Canyon remains number one), traversing the Bridgewater Channel between the mainland and “the island” where a resort, park and other amenities sit.

It also worth noting that while Lake Havasu water levels are currently holding steady, the reservoir is fed by the Colorado River, which is facing challenges.