Parker, Arizona is a gateway to the Lake Havasu region and the Colorado River. Many diverse water activities are available in the area, such as jet-skiing, water skiing, and boating. The city also has several bars and restaurants, museums, a ghost town, a casino, and the Parker Dam. Parkeri 2 hr 25 minutes (154.4 miles via I-10 W) from Phoenix.
Buckskin Mountain State Park
The Buckskin Mountain State Park offers a variety of recreational activities for the whole family, from camping and hiking to boating and swimming.
- The park also boasts some of the best views found on the Parker strip, which is spans eighteen miles along the banks of the Colorado River in the area, between the Headgate Dam and the Park Dam.
- Buckskin Mountain is a perfect year-round destination thanks to its combination of land and water activities and the warm weather.
- The river provides a way to cool off during the hot summer season, and visitors can enjoy mild temperatures in winter at the RV and tent campsites.
5476 N. US Hwy. 95, Parker, AZ 85344, Phone: 928-667-3231
Best Western Parker Inn is 15 minutes from the Buckskin Mountain State Park (11.0 miles via AZ-95 N).
Emerald Canyon Golf Course
The Emerald Canyon Golf Course is often called “The Jewel of the Desert,” and is located near the city of Parker. The unique golf course is carved out of the area’s canyons and mountains and overlooks the Colorado River. This make the Emerald Canyon Golf Course a must among things to do in Park for any real golf enthusiast. The scenic Emerald Canyon features an 18-hole Par 72 championship golf course. Other features of the golf course include a lighted driving range, two practice greens, and a putting green. There is also a pro golf shop, a snack bar, and a beverage cart.
7351 Riverside Dr, Parker, AZ 85344, Phone: 928-667-3366
Parker Dam
The Parker Dam offers some of the most amazing views visitors can find in the Parker area of the scenic Lake Havasu. This dam is located downstream from the more famous Hoover Dam, and sits basically right on the border of Arizona and California. Visitors can take in one of the most amazing views of Lake Havasu and the Colorado River by driving just a short distance across the Parker Dam. The dam was constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation between the year 1934 and the year 1938, and helps bring power and water to the lower Colorado River Basin.
State Highway 95, Parker, AZ
Havasu Springs Resort is just 5 minutes from Parker Dam.
BlueWater Resort & Casino
The BlueWater Resort & Casino is a destination for around-the-clock gaming excitement and fun. It’s the leading spot along the Colorado River for gaming and offers a broad variety of different casino table games, as well as over five hundred slot machines. Guests can also discover the thrilling fun of blackjack, poker, or bingo at the BlueWater Casino. For even more gambling fun, guests can spend some time in the High Limit Slots Lounge or the Poker Room. The casino is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. There are dining options here as well.
11300 Resort Dr, Parker, AZ 85344, Phone: 888-243-3360
Colorado River Indian Tribes Museum
The Colorado River Indian Tribes Museum can be found within the Tribal Government complex along with the Colorado River Indian Tribes Library. The small museum offers a look at the comprehensive history of the region’s Colorado River Indian Tribes, as well as their traditions and heritage. Various exhibits and cultural artifacts are housed within the museum, including photographs, baskets, beadwork, pottery, and other crafts. There are also exhibits that provide visitors with an overview of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, its people, and the Tribal history. The information dates back to before 1865, when the CRIT Reservation was founded.
7 Arizona Ave, Parker, AZ 85344, Phone: 928-669-8970
Swansea Ghost Town
The Swansea Ghost Town is a former mining site and a good site to learn more about the history of the area. Visitors can even perhaps have a picnic lunch and relax in the ghost town. Barbecue grills are available to visitors, as well as spots for camping. Another popular activity around Swansea is ATVing. The town of Swansea existed just five years before it ultimately disappeared. The ghost town is a mystery in itself and is located in the middle of virtually nothing. Swansea didn’t have any stores and building like other nearby towns, such as Bisbee, or Jerome.
Swansea Road, Parker, AZ 85344, Phone: 928-505-1200
Lake Havasu City is 45 minutes from Parker (38.6 miles via AZ-95 N).
Ahakhav Tribal Preserve
The Ahakhav Tribal Preserve is a great thing to do for any nature lover. The preserve offers quite a bit for play, along with education and sanctuary. Outdoor recreation activities at the Ahakhav Tribal Preserve include swimming, canoeing, and fishing, as well as a peaceful backwater section of the Colorado River. There is also a 4.6-mile maintained fitness trail with picnic facilities and a playground nearby. Visitors can easily stay in a hotel or other options in Parker, Arizona or choose to camp out with a tent in one of the several campgrounds along the river.
25401 Rodeo Rd, Parker, AZ 853444, Phone: 928-669-2664
Pirate's Den Restaurants
There are two restaurants for visitors to grab a bit at the Pirate’s Den Resort in Parker, Arizona. The Thirsty Pirate Bar and Grill is a beachside outdoor dining option. Guests can relax underneath the shade provided by umbrellas, beachside palapas, and palm trees. Cocktails and delicious food are served on the outdoor patio next to the beach. The Black Pearl Restaurant overlooks the Colorado River, providing some great views while enjoying a meal for lunch or dinner, including fresh seafood dishes. The restaurant has a Caribbean-style ambiance and offers a comfortable, intimate, and unpretentious dining experience.
Pirate's Den Restaurants, 7350 Riverside Dr, Parker, AZ 85344, Phone: 928-667-3102
River Island State Park
River Island State Park in Parker, Arizona is an ideal nature escape for tent camping enthusiasts. It also provides a fun water adventure or desert escape for both locals and visitors alike. The park features more than thirty campsites, a boat launch area, a cove, a sandy beach, and a ramada. There are also back country roads for off-highway vehicles and hiking trails throughout the state park. Popular activities during the summer at River Island include camping, swimming, jet skiing, fishing, and boating. Visitors can also still fish and camp during the winter thanks to the mild climate.
5200 AZ-95, Parker, AZ 85344, 928-667-3386
