Lake Havasu Off Road Trails

Residents of Arizona and people visiting find it worthwhile to explore the varying terrain using various off road trails. Lake Havasu is surrounded by terrains like open desert, canyons, and dunes. Over 20 off-road trails surround the area. Here are some of the must-visit off road trails in Lake Havasu.

Cattail Cove State Park Trail

The park is south of Lake Havasu, about 15 miles down Highway 95. The Trail is an out and back trail that measures about 2.1 miles. An out and back trail means it forms some kind of loop where the trail starts and ends in the same area. 

You will have to enter the Cattail Cove State Park to access the trail. There is an entry fee for the park. Monday through Thursday, the fee is $10 per vehicle. The fee is $15 per ATV on Fridays, weekends, and holidays. You will pay $3 if you are on foot or on your bicycle. 

The trail is ideal for hiking, and you can even bring your dog, but they must be on a leash. You can also do some off road driving around the park. 

Cattail Cove To Rovey's Needle Trail

Image via Flickr by jaulemann

The Cattail Cove to Rovey's Needle Trail is opposite Cattail Cove State Park. The trail also goes out and back for about 19 miles. You may find some difficult rock obstacles around Rovey's Needle, a rocky mountain formation. There are bypasses where the rocks form impassable obstacles. The Cattail Cove is next to the Bill Williams River, and it is an ideal place to stop for a picnic. 

Mohave Wash

Mohave Wash is an easy remote trail in the open desert about 34 miles long. The terrain features soft sand, some rocky spots, and minor hills. It is one of the most ideal off road trails for beginners or if you want an easy trail. There is an information kiosk at the start of the trail with the terrain's rules, regulations, and details. For example, you should watch out for large mines that drop hundreds of feet deep. 

To access Mohave Wash Trail, take Highway 95 South of Lake Havasu City and once you reach the 173-mile marker, turn left after 0.6 miles. Head up to Standard Wash and turn left. You'll want to spare about 3 to 4 hours to hike the Mohave Wash trail. 

Swansea Townsite

Swansea Townsite is a historic copper mine site. The entire trail begins at Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge and is about 55 miles long. Make sure to spare about 4 to 5 hours for the entire trip if you're on an ATV. Apart from the 3 mile stretch through the Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge, the trail is made of gravel roads and sandy climbs.  You can go through the narrow Slot Canyon even with an SUV. 

However, always check the weather forecast for any rain predictions, as there is a possibility of flash floods in the Slot Canyon. To access Swansea Townsite, head south on Highway 95 and turn left past Bill Williams Bridge, before you reach mile marker 162. 

Buckskin Mountains

The Buckskin Mountain Trail is about 5.5 miles to get to the Desert Bar or the Nellie E. Saloon and about 4.8 miles to the exit. It will take a total of about 2.5 to 3 hours to complete the Lake Havasu off road trail map adventure. However, the trail is not ideal for stock SUVs. It is best to avoid the trail during wet conditions because it is prone to water erosion and could worsen over time.

To access the trail, head to River Island Market, between mile markers 155 and 156 along Highway 95. The trail begins on the west side of an RV storage area.

Crossman Peak

The Crossman Peak Trail is 36 miles long with moderate difficulty. The only challenging sections are a hilly part and some rocky sections. It will be best to bring a vehicle with skid plates and high ground clearance. 

You should take about 4 to 5 hours on this trailer. To access the trail, take highway 95 from Lake Havasu City and head south. After you pass mile marker 173, go for about 0.6 miles and turn left into Standard Wash. After that, turn left after the kiosk to begin the trail.

President's Choice Trail

The president's choice trail is short but even, great for modified equipment. It has a hardcore stretch of about 1 mile. There are a lot of tall and jagged rocks, which leave little room to maneuver the trail. You should dedicate about 2 to 4 hours to take on this trail. 

The trail is east off Highway 95 between mile markers 149 and 150. Go for about 0.6 miles and take a right when you get to the forked roads. After that, go for another 0.7 miles and take another right that leads to a broad area.

Earp Falls

Earp Falls is a perennial waterfall that originates from Copper Basin Reservoir. It's one of the most adventurous Lake Havasu UTV trails. The trail is a little over 8 miles long and starts from north of the Falls and leads south. Spare a total of 3 hours for the expedition. From Lake Havasu City, go south on Highway 95 up to Parker, Arizona. After that, take a right to Copper Basin Reservoir.

How To Prepare For an Off Road Trail Trip Around Lake Havasu

It is best to consider a few things before starting your off road trail Lake Havasu trip, as well as having the right supplies. These include:

• The weather. Make sure it doesn't rain to avoid getting stuck in the mud. 
• Sufficient water. 
• A charged cell phone. 
• A first aid kit. 
• A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. 
• Flashlight.

It is best to have company on this trip in case anything happens. Avoid getting too far from your partner or letting your kids wander away from you.

These trails are a great adventure for your UTV, ATV, or if you want to hop off and hike for a little. Be sure to come prepared, and have fun!