Why Bullhead City Is One of America's Top RV Destinations
There's a certain dream that comes with packing up an RV and hitting the road.
You picture mountains in the windshield, long stretches of open highway and maybe a beach or two along the way.
Then there's the part nobody puts in the picture.
What will you actually find when you pull into your destination? Is your campground little more than a parking lot? Are there full hookups? Is there anything to do once you've settled in? And most importantly, will you want to stay awhile?
Bullhead City makes that part a little easier.
StorageCafe recently named Bullhead City among the country's top lake and river RV destinations, recognizing destinations not just for where they're located, but for campground quality, amenities, connectivity and local livability.
Turns out, Bullhead City knows a thing or two about rolling out the welcome mat.
Trade the Snow Shovel for a Paddle
Best for winter days that don't feel much like winter
Snowbirds have known about Bullhead City winters for years.
Every season, RVs begin rolling back into town as visitors find their people, settle into their favorite spots and trade months spent indoors for months of outdoor living.
The Colorado River offers year-round fishing, boating and paddling, while nearby Lake Mohave gives you miles of water and shoreline to explore.
It's not a bad photo to send home to the friends bundled up in winter coats.
And when you're ready to stay on land, winter is one of the best times to see a completely different side of the desert.
Put Some Miles on Your Walking Shoes
Best for trading four wheels for two feet
Winter days were made for exploring Bullhead City's trails.
Follow the Colorado River Heritage Greenway Trail along the water. If you hear a buzzing overhead near Rotary Park, look up. You may catch one of the RC pilots flying from the park's airfield.
Some of the pilots here have been flying together for years. A few even remember when the airfield was first built. Meet the people who keep coming back.
At the Colorado River Nature Center, trails wind through the desert with the river never far away. Bring the binoculars and climb the nature viewing platform for a look across the surrounding landscape.
Or take a short drive to Grapevine Canyon, where you can see ancient petroglyphs in the Spirit Mountain Wilderness.
The RV can wait. You've got some walking to do.
Take the Adventure Off Road
Best for seeing what's beyond the pavement
Some of the most interesting places around Bullhead City aren't reached by pavement.
The 675-plus-mile Arizona Peace Trail loops through western Arizona, with access right here in the Bullhead City area.
Bullhead City's ATV/UTV trailhead off Silver Creek Road gives riders a place to park, unload and get ready for the trail, with restrooms and a shaded ramada on site.
Head farther into the desert and you'll find places like the Upper and Lower Narrows, where canyon walls rise on either side as the trail works its way through the landscape. You'll need the right off-road vehicle for this one.
I wasn't quite sure what I'd find the first time I headed into the desert either.
Come along and see what we found.
Park It and Stay Awhile
Best for making your RV feel like home
Here's where Bullhead City's national recognition really matters.
StorageCafe looked beyond scenery when it compared RV destinations. Campground quality, hookups, amenities, connectivity and what it's actually like to live in the community all played a role.
Bullhead City stood out for its RV infrastructure, including access to full hookups, along with river views and easy access to nearby Laughlin.
That matters when you're not just stopping for the night.
Set up camp, stock the refrigerator, find your favorite restaurant and settle in. Groceries, shopping, dining and everyday services are close by, while the Colorado River is never far away.
Your RV may be your home on wheels, but Bullhead City can start feeling a lot like home, too.
Find Your Winter Crowd
Best for turning a long stay into a good time
Staying awhile means you'll need more than beautiful scenery.
You need things to do on a Tuesday morning, a Friday night and all those days in between.
Start with a game of pickleball on one of Rotary Park's 12 lighted courts or grab a disc and take on the park's 18-hole disc golf course. If golf is more your speed, Chaparral Golf Course & Restaurant offers an affordable day on the course, and you don't have to leave when the last putt drops. Stop at the restaurant for one of its dinner specials and make an evening of it.
As fall arrives, live music returns to the outdoor decks at the Bullhead Belle at Community Park. Grab something to eat or drink, find a spot outside and listen to live music overlooking the Colorado River.
Then there's the calendar.
Winter brings farmers markets, community events, recreation programs and plenty of reasons to get out and meet people. One weekend might mean shopping the Bullhead City Farmers Market. Another could have you watching hot air balloons overhead, trying a class or finding something completely unexpected on the community calendar.
Cross the Colorado River and you'll find even more dining and entertainment in Laughlin.
When you're staying for more than a weekend, those things matter. They give you a reason to get out of the RV, meet people and start finding your own favorite places.
Check our event calendar and see what's happening during your stay.
Make Bullhead City Your Home Base
Best for leaving the RV parked while you explore
One of the best things about finding a good RV spot is being able to leave the rig right where it is.
From Bullhead City, you can spend a day following historic Route 66. Head to Oatman for wooden sidewalks, Wild West gunfights and the burros that wander through town. Drive toward Kingman and spend some time on the Mother Road.
Lake Mohave is just up the road. Laughlin is right across the Colorado River.
Go explore for the day, then come back to the same spot you've already made your own.
Ready to Park It Here?
A great RV destination needs more than a place to plug in.
You need things to do. Places to explore. Everyday conveniences. People to meet. Maybe a pickleball game in the morning, a round of golf in the afternoon or live music overlooking the Colorado River as the sun goes down.
And if you're escaping winter, it certainly doesn't hurt to have the Colorado River outside your door.
Maybe that's why Bullhead City found itself among the country's top lake and river RV destinations.
But rankings only tell you so much.
Pull in. Settle down. Stay awhile.
Then decide for yourself.
Explore Bullhead City's RV parks and start planning your winter stay.
Bullhead City, Arizona
2355 Trane Road
Bullhead City, AZ 86442
(928) 763-9400
www.bullheadcity.com