20 Attractions to Explore Near River Island State Park

Buckskin Mountain State Park commands one of the finest views along the Parker strip, an 18-mile stretch between Parker Dam and Headgate Dam. Mountains line the river on both the Arizona and California sides, and the wildlife is as varied as the recreational opportunities along the river. This picturesque park provides a scenic respite, mountain hikes, a desert escape and fun-filled water adventure.

Parker Dam is a concrete arch structure commonly called the 'deepest dam in the world'. Built between 1934 and 1938 by the Bureau of Reclamation, it is 320 feet high, 235 feet of which are below the riverbed. The dam's primary functions are to create a reservoir, and to generate hydroelectric power. The dam straddles the Arizona-California state border at the narrows the river passes through between the Whipple Mountains in San Bernardino County.

The Central Arizona Project is a 336 mi diversion canal in Arizona in the southern United States.The aqueduct diverts water from the Colorado River to the Bill Williams Wildlife Refuge south portion of Lake Havasu near Parker into central and southern Arizona. CAP is managed and operated by the Central Arizona Water Conservation District. It was shepherded through Congress by Carl Hayden.

Bill Williams Wildlife Refuge is home to over 6,000 acres of habitat, 355 species of birds, 34 documented reptiles, 40 species of butterflies, 57 species of mammals, 7 amphibians, and a plethora of indigenous wildlife. The refuge is ideal for both amateur and professional photographers. With one sweep of the shutter, you can capture cottonwood forests, saguaro cacti, black rock mountains, babbling streams, and breathtaking sunsets.

The Gibraltar Mountain Wilderness is an 18,790-acre property located about 10 miles northeast of Parker in the western Buckskin Mountains.This desert wilderness is primarily volcanic tuff crossed with deep canyons and sandy washes. Vegetation in the area includes creosote bush, cholla, barrel cactus, and palo verde that support a small population of desert bighorn sheep.

A beautiful state park located in the shore of Lake Havasu. It offers a beach , boat ramp, and 61 campsites and so more. There are also boat-in campsites along the lake shoreline within the park. The park offers a 4-lane launch ramp and a beautiful white sandy beach with a swim area.

Blue Water Marina Park is a park and is located in La Paz County, Arizona, United States. It is one of the iconic attraction in this area and also there are so many things to see and do.

Headgate Rock Dam was constructed in 1942 and is operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Lake Moovalya was created by this dam and provides irrigation water to Colorado River Indian Reservation farms.

The Colorado River Indian Tribes is a federally recognized tribe consisting of the four distinct ethnic groups associated with the Colorado River Indian Reservation: Chemehuevi, the Mohave, Hopi, and Navajo. The tribe has about 4,277 enrolled members. A total population of 9,485 currently resides within the tribal reservation according to the 2012-2016 American Community Survey data.

The 1,253-acre preserve, which includes a 3½-acre park and 250 acres of aquatic habitat, is on the Colorado Indian Tribes Reservation and is a top spot in the area for bird-watching and hiking.The 4½-mile hiking trail has exercise stations along the way, and a trail extension will lead you to the tribal historical museum and gift shop. Activities include fishing, canoeing, and swimming along a peaceful section of Colorado River backwater

Swansea Wilderness is a protected wilderness area in the central portion of the Buckskin Mountains divided by a large gorge formed by the Bill Williams River in the U.S. state of Arizona. The 16,400-acre property straddles the Bill Williams River and the La Paz-Mohave county line. The Buckskin Mountains are on the south, Black Mesa on the north and a six-mile stretch of the Bill Williams River cuts across the center.

The 14,630-acre East Cactus Plain Wilderness is about 10 miles north of Bouse, Arizona in La Paz County. The wilderness includes the eastern third of the Cactus Plain. It is dominated by an intricate crescent dune topography and dense dunescrub vegetation known only from this area in Arizona. It is administered by the Bureau of Land Management.

The London Bridge Beach is a very pleasant most enjoyable beach and park. It is one of the iconic attraction just over the London bridge and is suitable for all ages.

London Bridge is a bridge in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. It was originally built in the 1830s and formerly spanned the River Thames in London, England. In 1968, the bridge was purchased from the City of London by Robert P. McCulloch.

Crossman Peak is the Mohave Mountain range's highpoint and is located near Lake Havasu City in western Arizona. Even though the summit elevation is modest by Arizona standards, the elevation of nearby Lake Havasu is only 450 feet, so Crossman Peak rises an impressive 4,500 feet from the lake.

This is an ideal place to enjoy beautiful beaches, nature trails, boat ramps, and convenient campsites. It is located on the shores of Lake Havasu, and features clean white sand beaches and a large grassy area. Picnic tables, grills and shade covers make this the perfect site to spend the day. The park offers panoramic views of the lake and mountains beyond.

The Poston Memorial Monument marks the site where 17,867 persons of Japanese ancestry, the majority of whom were United States citizens, were interned during World War II from May 1942 to November 1945. This memorial is dedicated to all those men, women and children whosuffered countless hardships and indignities at the hands of a nation misguided by wartime hysteria, racial prejudice and fear.

Alamo Lake State Park is located about 37 miles north of Wenden and offers a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities in the Bill Williams River Valley. It features camping facilities and attracts wildlife enthusiasts, as the park is home to numerous wildlife species including the bald eagle. The park's remoteness and distance from cities also makes it a destination for stargazing, as is the darkest sky state park in Arizona.

Alamo Lake State Park is one of the best places to fish for bass in Arizona. The crystal clear lake is surrounded by mountainous terrain speckled with brush, wildflowers and cacti making for a visually pleasing experience. The park has good wildlife viewing opportunities, and you may spot a bald or golden eagle.

Topock Gorge is a mountainous canyon and gorge section of the Colorado River located between Interstate 40 and Lake Havasu. The natural landmarks and river crossing by them were one of the journey markers for travelers on historic Route 66. It is within the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. It features natural habitat, wildlife, scenic preservation, and archeology. Mojave people Indian petroglyphs are in the Gorge.