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BLM Camping

Cable Car Day Use Area

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

BLM areas, which often offer free or low-cost camping as well as other recreational activities such as hiking and boating, are unincorporated spaces of public lands. These areas are generally relatively secluded, so they can sometimes offer a quieter, more private way to explore an area. Amenities at these areas can be limited, depending on the particular site. To find BLM sites and what camping amenities they offer, search for “BLM camping near me.”

The Cable Car Day Use Area sits along the Colorado River and is part of the Parker Strip Recreation Area. There is direct access to the river, so visitors can enjoy boating, swimming, and fishing. The area is also a great place to spot local wildlife or take in the beautiful scenery.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Island Trail

This paved trail offers excellent views, and it’s perfect for hiking, biking, or running.

Length: 3.6 miles

Intensity: Easy

Mockingbird Wash Trail

This beautiful trail offers scenic views of the surrounding mountains as well as Lake Havasu.

Length: 4 miles

Intensity: Easy

Pilot Rock Trail

As its name suggests, this trail leads to a rock outcropping with a pilot light on top, which has helped to guide boaters since steamboat days.

Length: 7 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Cupcake Mountain Trail

This trail offers a strenuous hike, but hikers will be rewarded with gorgeous views from the peak.

Length: 4.5 miles

Intensity: Hard

Water Tank Trail

This scenic trail is relatively easy but does include hiking up and down a few hills.

Length: 6.2 miles

Intensity: Easy

Fishing and Boating

Boating, swimming, and fishing activities can all be found at the Cable Car Day Use Area and the Parker Strip Recreation Area, which contains it. Fishing enthusiasts can expect to catch catfish, smallmouth and largemouth bass, bluegills, and crappie. The areas feature fishing piers for easy casting, but there are also several places along the shore to cast your line.

Climbing

One of the most popular climbing destinations in the area is Crab Claw Rock, which can be found in Lake Havasu City. Crab Claw Rock offers seven different climbs of varying degrees of difficulty, making it an excellent practice spot or a great place to take on a new challenge.

Wildlife Viewing

The Cable Car Day Use Area and the Parker Strip Recreation Area are excellent places to view wildlife. Visitors can often see roadrunners, rabbits, coyotes, bighorn sheep, bobcats, hawks and falcons, bats, and occasionally mountain lions. Birdwatching enthusiasts will also enjoy nearby Castle Rock Bay, one of the best local areas for spotting birds, which is located in the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge.

Picnicking

Solitude Cove at Lake Havasu offers picnic tables and restrooms, and the area features stunning views of the lake and the surrounding landscape. The Bullfrog Day Use Area, which is another section of the Parker Strip Recreation Area, also offers picnic areas, including benches and tables, as well as restrooms and well-maintained, shady grass areas for those who wish to spread a picnic blanket.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

The Cable Car Day Use Area is for day use only, so there is no BLM RV camping available. However, the area still offers several RV camping options. The Desert Hills RV Park in Lake Havasu City offers gorgeous views of the river and landscape. The park also features restrooms and showers. The Craggy Wash BLM Land Camping Area is also a great choice for RV camping, and it offers a more rugged, out-of-the-way camping experience.

Free Camping

The Parker Strip Recreation Area features two campgrounds that offer Bureau of Land Management free camping. These campsites are open all year long and feature access to hiking trails, as well as boating, fishing, picnicking, and swimming options.

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Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Cable Car Day Use Area BLM trip

The Cable Car Day Use Area is an excellent way to see some of the natural beauty of California and Arizona, and the nearby river is perfect for cooling down on a hot summer day. However, it’s important to remember that the day use area is located within a desert environment, and there are no facilities. This means that it’s very important to bring your own water and to dress accordingly. Temperatures in the summer can easily exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, but nights can be cold, with temperatures quickly dropping below freezing in the spring, fall, and winter. If you’re planning a visit during the colder months, especially if you’re planning an overnight stay, dress accordingly and pack for cold weather.

Spotting local wildlife is one of the many fun opportunities available at the Cable Car Day Use Area, but it’s also worth noting that several venomous snakes, including rattlesnakes, call this area home. Stay alert as you hike, and never touch or disturb any of the wildlife.

Most Bureau of Land Management campgrounds allow for a stay of up to 14 days within a 28-day period, but it’s always best to check. Calling ahead can also help you ensure that there is space to camp since many BLM areas do not take reservations. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

Whenever you’re enjoying a natural area or a Bureau of Land Management camping area, it’s very important to do your part to ensure that the landscape stays beautiful and as untouched as possible. Practicing Leave No Trace rules can help to guide your stay. Always take your trash with you when you leave or dispose of it properly. Only ever build a fire in a designated area when the fire danger is low. This is especially important in dry areas, such as Arizona, that are prone to wildfires. Try not to disturb the landscape or wildlife, and don’t take anything except photographs home with you.

Cable Car Day Use Area Location

From Lake Havasu City, drive over Parker Dam into California. Continue south for about four miles before turning right at the sign that designates the Cable Car Day Use Area. You can also reach the area from Parker, Arizona, by taking the nearby bridge over the Colorado River. Turn right, and then continue on for 14 miles. The day-use area is on the right.

Ready to visit Cable Car Day Use 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.