Adventure Awaits:
Discover Western Arizona
Just as all roads lead to BlueWater, our casino resort is also the center of fun leading to more adventures and activities down the road in the Parker, Arizona and wider La Paz County areas. Starting from the convenience of our hotel or RV dry camping area, you can discover many more local attractions for your vacation stay!
History & Culture
Colorado River Indian Tribes Museum
Located 1 mile southwest of BlueWater, Colorado River Indian Tribes Museum chronicles the history of the Mohave, Hopi, Navajo, and Chemehuevi peoples. Visitors can see artifacts and exhibits on tribal history ranging from before the CRIT Reservation’s 1865 establishment to the present day. Exhibits include historic photos, beadwork, woven baskets, and clay work.
CRIT Museum is a cultural resource for tribal members, community members, tourists, and institutions. They offer courses in crafts, language, singing, and dancing by appointment. The gift shop features handmade crafts and supplies, jewelry, accessories, books, and more by native artisans.
Parker Dam
Located ten miles northeast from BlueWater along the Colorado River, Parker Dam is famous as the deepest dam in the world. It’s also famous for the controversy around its construction: due to interstate territorial disputes in 1935, California workers had to negotiate with the Arizona National Guard! Today, Parker Dam still provides hydropower and a reservoir for Lake Havasu City (“Arizona’s Playground”).
Visitors can drive on a narrow road atop this engineering marvel and witness the river’s dramatic drop from one side to another. Enjoy views of impressive concrete arches over deep blue water when you go.
Swansea Ghost Town
Thirty-five miles southeast of BlueWater Casino, the ghost town of Swansea is a hidden gem in the middle of nowhere. This historic mining town started in 1909, smelting copper ore until 1912. Today, visitors can see abandoned buildings and closed mineshafts that the Bureau of Land Management has restored.
If you’re seeking an offroad adventure, take an hourlong drive down the dirt roads to Swansea. The entrance has pit toilets and a historic kiosk to educate visitors. Discover the ruins of a railroad depot, mineshafts, cemeteries, and other lost relics of mining town life in the desert!
Parks & Preserves
Ahakhav Tribal Preserve
Four miles southwest of BlueWater, Ahakhav Tribal Preserve is a fun daytrip destination on a peaceful stretch of the Colorado River. This preserve features 1,253 acres of wilderness and a 3.5-acre park with a playground and picnic area. Visitors can enjoy fishing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, birding, and running or walking on the 4.6-mile fitness trail.
Ahakhav Tribal Preserve protects endangered plants and animals on the Colorado River Basin through revegetation and habitat restoration. Visit anytime year-round to witness uncommon birds, native trees, and relaxing river views.
La Paz County Park
Located 8 miles north of Parker off Highway 95, La Paz County Park is a popular camping destination. The park offers 114 RV sites, riverfront ramadas, and dry camping sites. Campsites come equipped with utilities such as water, power, and barbecues. Park visitors can also enjoy the horseshoe pits, volleyball and tennis courts, playground, and softball fields. If you’re a nature lover, visit the beachfront walkway for scenic riverwalks, kayaking and canoeing, and fishing.
To make reservations and learn about holiday events, contact La Paz County Park on their website.
Buckskin Mountain State Park
Located 9 miles northeast of Parker, Buckskin Mountain State Park offers year-round recreational opportunities on the Colorado River. The state park has 68 camping and RV sites and a two-lane boat ramp. Visitors can also swim, fish, canoe, kayak, or jet ski on the water or go hiking for beautiful mountain views. You may keep an eye out for desert wildlife such as bighorn sheep and foxes.
For more information on camping reservations and watercraft guidelines, visit the Buckskin Mountain State Park website.
River Island State Park
Ten miles northeast of Parker, River Island State Park offers wilderness adventures in the Colorado River and surrounding desert mountains. The park has 37 campsites, a ramada, and a boat launch by the sandy beach and cove. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, jet skiing, and swimming in the summer, fishing at mild temperatures in the winter, and camping year-round. The park also has access to back county roads for offroad vehicles and nearby Lake Havasu.
For more information on camping reservations and watercraft guidelines, visit the River Island State Park website.
Parker Public Parks
On a day of exploring Parker, public parks are fun places to play and relax – especially for the kids. Pop Harvey Park offers a splash park, playground, picnic areas, and sand volleyball courts. The gazebo is a popular concert and wedding venue, and the historic Old Parker Jail from 1914 stands on-site. For sports fans, Western Park offers a basketball court, playing field, and Aaron Hill Field for baseball; Parker City Park offers a skate park, handball court, tennis courts, and 4 baseball fields. Visitors to Manataba Park can find more fields and events such as CRIT swap meets.
Check with the Parks and Recreation Committee to reserve facilities for events.
Recreation & Activities
Emerald Canyon Golf Course
Eight miles southwest of BlueWater Casino, Emerald Canyon Golf Course is the “Jewel of the Desert” carved into mountainsides along the Colorado River. This 18-hole par 72 championship course was named Arizona Republic’s Best Exotic Course and rated 4 stars by Golf Digest. You can enjoy scenic river views, elevation changes, and sightings of protected wildlife while you play.
Emerald Canyon Golf Course offers putting and practice greens, golf lessons, snack and beverage carts, and a pro shop. Visit their website for more information on course layouts and rates.
Wanderlust Balloons
Thirty-eight miles from Parker in Lake Havasu City, Wanderlust Balloons takes visitors on unforgettable flights! These colorful hot air balloons carry either 2 or 4 passengers maximum, with spectacular aerial views of the desert and reservoir. Their friendly crew will instruct you on safety and reward all riders with a “First Flight Certificate” and ceremony.
For more information on what to wear and bring, visit the Wanderlust Balloons website. Flights last up to an hour and go where the wind takes them. Whether you’re an experienced flier or checking off that bucket list item, balloon rides are fun for all!
Aquaflyboarding and Jet Pack America
In Parker and Lake Havasu City, Aquaflyboarding and Jetpack America can show you how to fly! These flight operators offer jetpack sales, rentals, and training above the water. Their experienced instructors can train beginners on basics and intermediate fliers on exciting new tricks. Jet packing enthusiasts say this up-and-coming watersport is like skydiving, scuba diving, and jet skiing all at once!
For more information on safety and getting started, visit Jetpack America’s website. They welcome fliers of diverse experience levels and abilities. Strap on a jetpack for a high-flying adventure!
Desert Bar
In the heart of the desert nine miles northeast of BlueWater Casino, Desert Bar is a popular offroad destination. Also called the Nellie E. Saloon, this former site of a historic mining camp features a bar, two food spots, live bands, dancing areas, and indoor and outdoor seating. Bargoers may enjoy mining-themed décor that uses upcycled materials and solar power.
Desert Bar is a cash-only location and only open outside of summer. Visit their website for more information on their operating hours and how to prepare for your trip.
Wet and Wyld Watersports
Two miles south of BlueWater Casino, Wet and Wyld Watersports offers equipment rentals for all your adventures on the Colorado River. Whether you’re looking to ride waves on a jet ski or take a peaceful boat ride, they will find the right models for you. Wet and Wyld Watersports will provide rentals right on the water or deliver them at an agreed-upon time.
For more information on rental prices and comfort features, visit the Wet and Wyld Watersports website. Their store provides sunscreen, sunglasses, waterproof cameras, and other items to help you have fun on the water.
Rockhounding
Parker’s riverbanks, hills, and valleys make it a hidden gem for rockhounders. This hobby for amateur geologists involves discovering rocks and minerals to study or collect. Some of the specimens found near Parker include agates, jasper, chalcedony, quartz, geodes, and fossils. Enthusiast guides such as Gem Trails of Arizona and Rockhound Resource list popular sites for rockhounding adventures. When hiking in the desert, always bring water and gear such as a phone for emergencies, pickaxe, and backpack fit to carry rocks.
Stargazing
As a small town with little light pollution and an average of 306 sunny days per year, Parker is a beautiful desert getaway for stargazing. Buckskin Mountain State Park and River Island State Park provide spectacular views of the Milky Way and planets year-round. In town or camping at La Paz County Park, you can see the stars above the Colorado River. When you adventure out into the desert, the stars shine brightly and clearly over the landscape.
Birding
A small desert community flanked by the Colorado River, Parker is a pleasant oasis for birdwatchers. The La Paz County Field Checklist by Arizona Field Ornithologists lists the bird species you can find in our preserves, mountains, and desert. Ahakhav Nature Preserve and Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge are popular spots to observe waterfowl such as loons, grebes, raptors, coots, and ducks. For a meditative adventure, kayak or canoe in the early morning to discover rare birds.
More to Explore at BlueWater
Promotions
Promotions
Play thrilling table games and over 450 slots on our casino gaming floor!
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Resort
Resort
Rock down to our Amphitheater, Showroom, and Dig Entertainment Lounge for live music and comedy, dancing, sports TV, and more!
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Dining
Dining
Explore casual and fine dining at BlueWater Grille, River Willow Steakhouse, Riverwalk Deli, River’s Edge Cantina, Atrium Bar, and Dig Lounge!
Marina
Marina
Explore the sights and sounds of Parker, Arizona from our exciting home base for adventure!
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- Colorado River views
- Pool & waterslide
- Fitness center
- Pet-friendly rooms
- Conference rooms
- Gift shop
- Free valet parking
- RV dry camping
- Trucker parking
- Private beach
- Marina and boat launch
- Marina General Store
- BlueWater Cinemas
- EV charging stations
