Parker Strip Recreation Area
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The world's deepest dam, the Parker Dam, sits along the border of California and Arizona and can store up to 211 billion gallons of water. Just south of it lies a vibrant oasis between the Mojave and Sonoran deserts known as the Parker Strip Recreation Area. This stretch of riverfront is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and is perfect for RV camping, backpacking, and exploring the unique blend of desert terrain and aquatic ecosystem. There are both free and reservation-only campsites in and around the Parker Strip Recreation Area. The free sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis and have a stay limit of up to 14 days. A capable, compact RV can easily navigate both the paved and dirt and gravel access roads. It's important to note, however, that oversized rigs and towing trailers are strictly prohibited from driving in some areas, such as across the top of Parker Dam.
Quick Facts About RVing in Parker Strip Recreation Area
• RV Friendly: Yes • Max RV Length: Varies depending on the campground • Camping Type: Developed campground and dispersed camping • Reservations: Yes for some campgrounds and free for dispersed camping • Hookups: Full and partial hookups • Dump Station: Available • Potable Water: Available, depending on the site • Cell Service: Spotty • Pets: Allowed on a 6-feet leash or less • Roads: Paved and gravel, dirt roads • Best Season: All year, but spring and fall are the ideal seasons
Why RV Travelers Love This BLM Area
• Diverse camping options • Well-maintained access roads for almost all RV types • Available parking • Breathtaking sceneries • A wide array of outdoor activities, including fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, and OHV trail riding • Proximity to nearby towns
What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Grapevine Canyon Trail
Visitors can view gorgeous rock formations as they traverse along this trail in the Spirit Mountain Wilderness.
Length: 3.3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Cupcake Mountain Trail
This trail offers some steep uphill areas and can be a bit rocky in places, but it also provides beautiful views and is a great way to spot wildlife.
Length: 4.5 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Pilot Rock Trail
One of the most popular trails in the Parker Strip Recreation Area, this trail ends at a tall outcropping with a pilot light atop it, which has guided boats along the river for decades.
Length: 7 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Island Trail
This scenic trail is a good option for a leisurely walk, trail running, or mountain biking.
Length: 3.6 miles
Intensity: Easy
Lake Havasu Watershed Loop
This lengthy trail is great for landscape or wildlife photography, and it’s also perfect for either hiking or mountain biking.
Length: 9 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Fishing and Boating
Many people visit the Parker Strip Recreation Area just for its abundant fishing opportunities. Anglers can fish from the shores or head out on a boat to catch bass, crappie, catfish, and bluegill. There are also opportunities for swimming at the area’s Bullfrog and Cable Car Day Use Areas.
Climbing
Nearby Crab Claw Rock is the most popular location for climbing in the area. The rock is actually a tall tower formation that provides several top-rope and traditional routes. There are also several excellent spots for bouldering within the Parker Strip Recreation Area.
Wildlife Viewing
The Parker Strip Recreation Area is itself the best location for spotting wildlife. Because of the nearby Colorado River, many native and migratory bird species visit the area. Wildlife enthusiasts can also often spot a range of snake and lizard species, tortoises, coyotes, cottontail and jackrabbits, mule deer, bighorn sheep, burros, and bobcats. The nearby Spirit Mountain Wilderness also offers excellent wildlife viewing and photography opportunities.
Picnicking
The Bullfrog Day Use Area in the Parker Strip Recreation Area offers picnic tables and restrooms. The area also provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities and easy access to nearby fishing, boating, and swimming locations. The nearby SARA Park also offers easy access to a range of popular hiking trails, and there are picnic tables at the summit of the Blue and Lizard Peak Loop trails.
Bureau of Land Management Camping
RV Camping 
BLM RV camping and more commercial RV options are plentiful around the Parker Strip Recreation Area. The Havasu RV Resort can accommodate even very large RVs, and the resort offers a laundry area and showers. The Campbell Cove RV Resort offers lakeside sites with full hookups. There are also a boat launch, a pool and hot tub, and an on-site laundry area.
Developed Campgrounds
If you prefer RV camping with full hookups and resort‑style comfort, there are several developed campgrounds near the Parker Strip Recreation Area that you can reserve. For example, Havasu RV Resort, located about 42 minutes north of the Parker Strip, accommodates Class A, B, and C motorhomes along with fifth wheels and travel trailers. The resort has 397 luxurious RV lots and offers amenities such as heated pools and spas, a game room for poker and billiards, a golf course, and more. Campbell Cove RV Resort is another nearby option, located roughly 30 miles north of the Parker Strip. It has 121 RV sites with full hookups, a laundromat, swimming pools, a scenic gazebo, and a barbecue area.
Dispersed Camping
If you prefer boondocking or want to stay in free primitive campgrounds within the recreation area itself, there are numerous options available. The Parker Strip Recreation Area has a total of 90 campsites that operate on a first‑come, first‑served basis. Although these sites are generally considered primitive, they still provide showers, restrooms, and a dump station, which makes them more comfortable than many other BLM boondocking locations. You can stay for as long as 14 days in either the Crossroads or Empire Landing campgrounds, where these sites are located. It is worth noting that if you plan to set up a camping tent or prefer a site with hookups, you may be required to pay a small fee. Also, oversized rigs can face limitations because certain areas prohibit larger vehicles. The terrain near the river is generally accessible, but some interior roads narrow or soften, especially after heavy use or seasonal weather shifts. More importantly, follow BLM's Leave‑No‑Trace principles whenever you camp in these areas.
Is This BLM Area Good for Your RV?
Parker Strip Recreation Area is one of the most accessible BLM destinations for RVs. The combination of paved roads, well‑maintained riverfront dirt roads, and clearly marked recreation zones makes it easier for any rig to reach. Be that as it may, certain RV types are better suited for the recreation area than others. • Camper Vans: Camper vans are one of the best choices for visiting the Parker Strip Recreation Area. They offer unmatched agility on tight roads and can maneuver easily through the narrower interior routes that connect the dispersed campgrounds. They also meet the size requirement to cross the Parker Dam. • Travel Trailers: Travel trailers can also work, but they require a different route. If you are towing a trailer, you must enter through Parker, Arizona, because trailers are not permitted across the Parker Dam. Once inside the recreation area, most of the roads are smooth enough for towing, but some older, primitive routes may be more challenging to navigate. • Fifth Wheels: Fifth wheels may limit your access to certain parts of the Parker Strip Recreation Area. They are also strictly prohibited from crossing the Parker Dam and may find it challenging to navigate through narrow lanes and compact spaces. • Class A Motorhomes: Class A motorhomes can work if you plan to stay at one of the developed campgrounds near the Parker Strip. Within the recreation area itself, their size can make it difficult to pull through dispersed camping sites or navigate the tighter desert roads. • Class B Motorhomes: Class B motorhomes are among the best RVs for visiting the Parker Strip Recreation Area. They maneuver easily through cities, towns, and both paved and unpaved access roads. • Class C Motorhomes: Class C motorhomes are another great option for the Parker Strip. Their moderate size allows access to most dispersed camping sites without the clearance issues of larger rigs, yet they provide significantly more interior space than a Class B.
Free Camping 
Bureau of Land Management free camping is available at the Craggy Wash BLM Campground. Visitors can set up a primitive site and enjoy the beautiful views the area offers. There are also two campgrounds in the recreation area. These campgrounds, called the Crossroads and Empire Landing Campgrounds, offer a total of 90 sites, and they each have showers, restrooms, and a dump station. Visitors can stay at either of these campgrounds for a total of 14 days.
RV Rentals Near Parker Strip Recreation Area Plan your next adventure
Planning your Parker Strip Recreation Area BLM trip
Many of the byways running through the Parker Strip Recreation Area abut private lands or the Colorado River Indian Reservation. Obey all posted signs and regulations and respect private property. There are interpretive signs along the main byway and pullout areas where visitors can learn more about the history of the area, stretch their legs, or explore the surrounding landscape.
The climate around the Parker Strip Recreation Area can be very warm during the summer, late spring, and early fall. If you plan to visit when the weather is hot, remember to shield yourself from the sun. Carry plenty of water and drink water frequently. Sunburns, heat stroke, and dehydration can happen quickly, especially in children. Conversely, nights can be cold, so prepare for chilly evenings if you plan to camp in the area.
Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
What RV Travelers Should Know Before Arriving
First, it is important to know that the Parker Strip Recreation Area tends to have peak seasons, especially in spring and fall, and during weekends. Arriving early gives you the best chance of quickly finding a dispersed RV camping spot before the more desirable areas fill up. Most campsites have the basic amenities you may need during your stay, such as water access and dump stations. However, since these conveniences are limited and quickly taken, arriving with a fully equipped RV ensures your comfort even in more primitive spots.
Leave No Trace 
Bureau of Land Management campgrounds, byways, and wild areas require care and respect, and Leave No Trace policies can help guide your actions while you enjoy these areas. Be extremely cautious about fires. Only build fires in designated areas. Always ensure that they remain controlled, and only ever consider building a fire when the fire danger rating is low. Be polite to other visitors and share communal areas such as trails, campgrounds, and picnic spots. Keep noise to a minimum. Stay on trails or roads and only camp on stable ground. This helps to reduce your impact on the landscape. Maintain a safe distance from wild animals.
Parker Strip Recreation Area Location
From Lake Havasu City, head toward Parker Dam. The Parker Strip Recreation Area follows a byway that starts at the dam and continues along Parker Dam Road. You can continue south to the boundary of the Colorado River Indian Reservation.
Ready to visit Parker Strip Recreation Area? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
Plan Your Day at Parker Strip Recreation Area
• Morning: Wake up early, have a hearty breakfast, and begin your activities before crowds gather at the recreation areas. You can start with an easy hike along the Island Trail or take a quiet kayak out for a peaceful paddle through the calm morning water. • Afternoon: As the day warms, you can settle into more relaxed activities along the riverfront. Many visitors enjoy swimming, picnicking, or simply resting in the shade while watching boats drift by. • Evening: Enjoy a relaxing cruise or shoreline stroll as the sun settles behind the desert mountains. You can get dinner at a local spot near the water or prepare a meal back at camp while the air cools.
Nearby Attractions
• The Desert Bar: The Desert Bar is a famous off-grid, open-air hangout located in the mountains, east of Parker. It is known for live music, great food, and beer. • La Paz County Park: Right along the southern end of the Parker Strip Recreation Area, off Highway 95, La Paz County Park offers a spacious, well-maintained haven for RVers. It features shaded cabanas, barbecue areas, private river spots, and sports facilities. • Ahakhav Tribal Preserve: If you enjoy exploring wildlife and peaceful natural settings, visit Ahakhav Tribal Preserve, located just south of the Parker Strip. It protects cultural artifacts from the Mojave and Chemehuevi tribes and offers restored wetlands where native and rare birds and animals thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the stay limit for RV camping? In the campgrounds within the Parker Strip Recreation Area, you can stay for up to 14 days. In the developed campgrounds near the Parker Strip, you can remain for as long as your reservation allows. Are there fees or reservations needed? Parker Strip Recreation Area is free for day use. However, expect to pay a small night fee if you plan to RV camp in one of the dispersed camping sites. Can I bring pets? Yes, you are allowed to bring pets inside the Parker Strip Recreation Area. However, you must have it on a short leash, no longer than 6 feet. Are campfires allowed? Campfires are generally allowed in the Parker Strip Recreation Area. However, you must use existing fire rings and completely douse your campfire with water or dirt before leaving the site. Are generators allowed? Generators are typically allowed in dispersed camping areas, but you should use them responsibly to avoid disturbing nearby campers. Quiet hours are often enforced from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.
Rent the Right RV for This Trip
Renting a camper van, a Class B, or a compact Class C will give you a better RV camping experience when visiting the Parker Strip Recreation Area. Renting eliminates the stress of towing while letting you choose a rig tailored to your comfort level, driving confidence, and travel plans. Browse RV rentals near Parker Strip Recreation Area.