Laughlin, Nevada

By AZ Leisure Staff Writers

Last updated on May 7, 2026.

Laughlin, Nevada is a lively Colorado River vacation destination known for casino resorts, riverfront hotels, boating, fishing, entertainment, and easy access to nearby Arizona attractions. Located across the river from Bullhead City, Arizona, Laughlin combines desert scenery, water recreation, nightlife, dining, family activities, and relaxed resort-style travel in one convenient getaway.

Located just 90 miles south of Las Vegas and about 240 miles northwest of Phoenix, Laughlin sits on the western shores of the Colorado River in Nevada across the bridge from Bullhead City, Arizona. Laughlin NV is the ideal destination for those that enjoy a vacation that combines Las Vegas style glitz and casino gambling with outdoor adventure and water recreation. It has what Vegas has to offer with a laid-back attitude.

Why Visit Laughlin, Nevada

Visitors come to Laughlin for a more relaxed alternative to Las Vegas with the added benefit of Colorado River recreation. The area offers casino gaming, river walks, boat rentals, fishing, live entertainment, nearby Lake Mohave, scenic desert drives, and day trips to Route 66 towns, making Laughlin a popular vacation spot for couples, families, boaters, anglers, and road trip travelers.

Things To Do & See Around Laughlin, Nevada

• Explore the Laughlin Riverwalk: Walk along the Colorado River between casino resorts, restaurants, river views, and entertainment areas.
• Visit Laughlin Casinos: Enjoy gaming, restaurants, live shows, lounges, and resort amenities along Casino Drive.
• Take a Colorado River Cruise: Sightseeing boat tours provide relaxing views of Laughlin, Bullhead City, and the surrounding desert landscape.
• Visit Bullhead City: Cross the bridge into Arizona for parks, shopping, river access, and additional Colorado River recreation.
• Explore Lake Mohave: Drive north to Katherine Landing for boating, fishing, camping, swimming, and desert lake scenery.
• See Oatman, Arizona: Visit this historic Route 66 mining town known for Old West character, shops, gunfight shows, and roaming burros.
• Hike Grapevine Canyon: Explore desert scenery, boulder formations, and petroglyphs near Christmas Tree Pass.
• Enjoy Off-Road Adventures: The surrounding desert offers scenic trails for off-road vehicles, mountain bikes, and rugged desert exploring.

This relaxed and friendly atmosphere welcomes over 4.5 million visitors each year that come to enjoy Laughlin's nine casino resorts, boating on the Colorado River and the nearby Lake Mohave, great golf courses and spectator events including a world-class rodeo and off-road racing. Laughlin is also a gateway to some of the most spectacular hiking and off-road trails in the country.

Fishing Near Laughlin, Nevada

• Colorado River: Fish directly near Laughlin and Bullhead City for striped bass, catfish, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and panfish.
• Lake Mohave: A popular nearby fishing destination with striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, catfish, and sunfish.
• Katherine Landing: Offers convenient Lake Mohave fishing access, marina services, boat rentals, and shoreline areas north of Laughlin.
• Early Morning Fishing: Cooler temperatures and lighter boat traffic often make mornings a better time to fish the river and lake.
• Shoreline Fishing: Anglers without boats can find access points along the river, parks, marinas, and Lake Mohave shoreline areas.

Cool Waters of the Colorado River

The Colorado River, he nation’s fifth-longest river is a boater and water enthusiast's paradise where vacationers flock to launch their boats, water-ski, jet-ski, sail, kayak, and enjoy some old-fashioned river fishing. Launch ramps, landings and marinas are abundant and convenient.

Boating Around Laughlin, Nevada

• Colorado River Boating: Laughlin is popular for cruising, jet skiing, kayaking, personal watercraft, and sightseeing along the river.
• Lake Mohave Boating: Nearby Lake Mohave offers wide-open water, coves, marinas, boat rentals, and scenic desert shoreline.
• Katherine Landing Marina: A major boating access point with rentals, slips, launch ramps, services, and lake recreation facilities.
• Water Skiing and Wakeboarding: Calm morning water on the river and lake can be ideal for tow sports.
• Kayaking and Paddle Sports: Slower river sections and protected lake areas are good options for paddlers.

Best Times To Visit Laughlin, Nevada

• Spring: One of the best seasons for Laughlin, with warm days, comfortable evenings, boating, fishing, hiking, and outdoor events.
• Summer: Best for river recreation, pool time, boating, and casino resort stays, though midday desert temperatures can be very hot.
• Fall: Excellent for fishing, sightseeing, river walks, golf, off-road trips, and comfortable outdoor exploring.
• Winter: A good time for mild desert weather, casino getaways, snowbird travel, hiking, and day trips without summer heat.

The Lake Mohave and Lake Mead National Recreation Area is rich in wildlife and is a popular destination for fishing, boating, camping and water skiing. Katherine Landing, located nine miles north of Laughlin at Lake Mohave, features RV facilities, boat rentals, boat slips, launch ramp, picnic area, marina, restaurant and other resort amenities. Katherine Mine, the remnant of a booming 19th-century gold mine, is located a short distance from the shores of Lake Mohave.

Outdoor Adventure

After you have visited the Laughlin casinos and cruised the Colorado River, make a point to visit one of the area's scenic outdoor areas. Spirit Mountain is found to the west and is spectacular during the morning sunrise. Several trails ranging from moderate to the rugged crisscross their way up the jagged peak and on clear days, the view reaches over a panoramic 100 miles.

Best suited for the cooler fall, winter and springtime seasons, hikers should always remember to carry sufficient water and be on the lookout for all of nature's surprises. From unseasonable weather to crawly creatures, the desert is a fascinating and often unpredictable place. Keep an eye on your surroundings and you will have a great time reaching the top of Spirit Mountain. Getting there is easy - head north on Nevada Highway 163 just over five miles to Christmas Tree Pass turnoff. This is an unpaved road that will take you three miles to the parking turnoff.

Mountain Bikers will enjoy the relatively flat terrain of Christmas Tree Pass as well. The traffic is light and the scenery is fantastic. Several craggy boulders will dot the trail and the slight inclines will make the trip worthwhile for even the most seasoned riders.

Grapevine Canyon is a slightly easier hiking area, with several petroglyphs left by the area's indigenous people. A short 30 minute drive time from Laughlin, Grapevine Canyon can be reached by following the signs off Christmas Tree Pass road.

Ghost Town of Oatman Arizona

A once-thriving mining community, Oatman, Arizona, takes visitors back to the days of the Old West with cowboy gunfights and showdowns in the middle of town. Wild burros roam the streets of this popular setting for many movies and TV westerns. City folks can saddle up for a scenic western trail ride with Oatman Stables. Your trail guide will take you through the hills of Oatman for a cowboy's view. Supper rides, breakfast rides and cattle drives are also available September through May. Oatman is about 30 miles southeast of Laughlin and sits on the longest stretch of Historic Route 66.

Bring the Kids

Laughlin is truly a family friendly desert oasis and there is something fun for everyone. Kids will love the 23 movie screens, the bowling alley, dozens of arcades and swimming pools that dot the Laughlin landscape. Older teens (15 years and up) can rent personal water craft and hit the river and the entire family will enjoy a jet boat tour to Lake Havasu that leaves daily from the Pioneer Casino.

If you are looking for a place to entertain the kids while you visit the casinos, children 6-12 can visit Mountain View Park offered by the Boys and Girls Club and for just $5 a day can enjoy tennis, basketball, jungle gym equipment. The Kid Kastle welcomes children from 3 months to 12 years and has a soft play area, video games, its own movie theater and CPR trained staff to watch over the little ones while you enjoy an afternoon of grown-up fun.

Across the bridge in nearby Bullhead City Arizona you will find Scooter's Family Fun Center, an outdoor miniature golf course and arcade. Whether in town for a weekend or an entire week, there are plenty of activities to keep the whole family busy.

Nearby Day Trips From Laughlin

• Bullhead City, Arizona: A quick bridge crossing with river parks, shopping, restaurants, and outdoor recreation.
• Oatman, Arizona: A historic Route 66 mining town with Old West charm and desert mountain scenery.
• Lake Mohave: A scenic reservoir north of Laughlin known for boating, fishing, camping, and desert coves.
• Kingman, Arizona: A Route 66 city with museums, restaurants, historic sites, and road trip connections.
• Lake Havasu City: A popular Colorado River destination with boating, beaches, London Bridge, and waterfront activities.

Getting to Laughlin, Nevada

From Phoenix. Take Grand Avenue West (US 60) to Wickenburg AZ. Then take US 93 north through Wikieup AZ to I-40 west through Kingman. Take the Bullhead City / Las Vegas exit and turn right at the signal at the end of the exit ramp. Continue west taking the Highway 68 ramp toward Bullhead City / Laughlin. Highway 68 merges into Arizona Highway 95. Turn right at the Laughlin Bridge.

Approximately 225 miles from Phoenix, about a 4 hour drive.

From Southern California. I-15 north to Barstow; I-40 east to Needles, CA. Exit on River Road cutoff, turn north for 22 miles on Needles Highway to Casino Drive, turn right.

Approximately 283 miles from Los Angeles, about a 5 hour drive.
Approximately 335 miles from San Diego, about a 6 hour drive.

From Las Vegas: Interstate 515, US 93/95 south through Las Vegas towards Boulder City. After passing through Henderson and the Railroad Pass, take ramp and turn right onto US 95 south toward Searchlight/Laughlin for 55 miles. Turn left onto NV 163. Head east for 19 miles. Turn right on Casino Drive.

Approximately 90 miles from Las Vegas.

More Information About Laughlin

Laughlin Visitor Information Center
1555 Casino Drive
Laughlin NV 89029
(702) 298-3321
(800) 4- LAUGHLIN

The Laughlin Visitor Information Center will send you a Visitor Information Packet. Click here to make your Vacation Packet request online.

Map Directions To Laughlin

Laughlin City Map

FAQ

Where is Laughlin, Nevada located?
Laughlin is located in southern Nevada along the Colorado River, directly across from Bullhead City, Arizona and about 90 miles south of Las Vegas.

What is Laughlin, Nevada known for?
Laughlin is known for riverfront casino resorts, Colorado River boating, fishing, entertainment, nearby Lake Mohave, and a more relaxed atmosphere than Las Vegas.

Can you go boating in Laughlin?
Yes. Laughlin is popular for boating, jet skiing, kayaking, river cruises, and nearby Lake Mohave recreation.

Is fishing good near Laughlin?
Yes. Anglers fish the Colorado River and nearby Lake Mohave for striped bass, catfish, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, trout, and panfish.

What is the best time to visit Laughlin?
Spring and fall usually offer the most comfortable weather for sightseeing, fishing, boating, river walks, and desert day trips.

Is Laughlin a good family destination?
Yes. Laughlin offers family-friendly hotels, pools, river activities, bowling, arcades, boat tours, nearby parks, and day trips to Bullhead City, Lake Mohave, and Oatman.

Along The Colorado River