Beach Treasures and Treasure Beaches

No kidding!  Lake Havasu is known as Arizona’s West Coast. The lake is actually a large reservoir formed by the placement of Parker Dam on the Colorado River. On the border between California and Arizona, Lake Havasu City rests on the lake’s eastern shore.

London Bridge, Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Lake Havasu City has many wonderful beaches, beginning with Lake Havasu State Park, which has a great location on the lake. It’s a fee area, just right for campers and boaters, but we decided to focus on the two biggest fee-free beaches today.  Both are very lovely and conveniently accessible from tourist central. It’s not easy to choose between London Bridge Beach and Rotary Park, but lucky for us, it is easy enough to visit both in one day! These two sandy beaches rest on the shores of Thompson Bay, and they’re right across the cool, calm, sparkling clean water from each other.

London Bridge Beach, Lake Havasu City, Arizona

London Bridge Beach is located just over the transplanted iconic London Bridge, on McCulloch Blvd. Swimmers, sunbathers, paddle boarders and people watchers all enjoy this beautiful sandy beach and park.  The views are amazing, and folks here are as friendly as they come.

London Bridge Beach on Beautiful Lake Havasu, Arizona

London Bridge Beach has play areas for the kiddies and plenty of shade for family picnics. A large grassy area to run and play and a fenced dog park for the furry members of the family are all available right here. Paved walkways along the waterfront give locals and tourists, alike, the opportunity to meander along the Bridgewater Channel and enjoy the welcome shade of the trees. Boaters, canoeists, kayakers, Sea-Doo enthusiasts and standup paddle boarders all come and go from the man-made waterway.

London Bridge Beach

If you drive back across London Bridge and park in one of the large (free) lots, you can walk to Rotary Park, the biggest public lakefront park and beach that Lake Havasu City has to offer.  This 40-acre gem has lots of amenities for the entire family. There are shaded playgrounds, picnic tables, beach volleyball courts and a lovely treed walking path. At the far south end, there’s even a skate park and a specified area for radio-controlled float model airplanes and boats. Kayaks can be launched from alongside the designated swim area. In fact, quite a few kayakers were already returning the morning we were there.

Rotary Park, Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Rotary Park, Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Clean restrooms are plentiful at the beaches on both sides of Thompson Bay.  It’s important to note, though, that no beaches in Lake Havasu City have life guards.  For safety’s sake, you’ll want to read and pay attention to all posted signs.

Rotary Park looking across to London Bridge Beach

Walkway along the Bridgewater Channel

Even if  you are driving through the hot, dusty, arid desert of the American Southwest, you can still enjoy a wonderful day at the beach. ~I know we did!

How cool is that?

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