Oceanfront property in Arizona may be a myth — but that doesn’t mean this desert stunner doesn’t have some incredible beaches! From its oasis-like lakes to its mighty rivers (yes, including the Colorado), here are some of the best places to head to for an unforgettable beach day in Arizona.
Top Beaches in Arizona
Arizona Beaches
Wahweap Beach
Page, Arizona is widely considered to be one of Arizona’s premier adventure destinations. This is thanks to its proximity to extremely photographable attractions like Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.
While you’re grabbing your Insta shots, be sure to save some time for a leisurely day at Wahweap Beach, which takes advantage of a small stretch of massive Lake Powell’s 2,000-mile shoreline. While there are many, many places along the lake to take a dip or sit in the sun, this spot is known for its relatively quiet, private nature.
Things to do near Wahweap Beach
We really can’t recommend a thorough exploration of Page enough — and particularly the many incredible hiking trails and other outdoor to-dos that surround it. Just be sure you make your reservations early, because this is a perpetually popular place to be, especially amongst RVers!
Boat Beach
Most people don’t go to Grand Canyon National Park for a beach day — but make no mistake, a beach day indeed you can have at this NPS-managed site! Located in the heart of the canyon right near famed Phantom Ranch, Boat Beach offers the perfect place to dip your feet after the long, long hike to the bottom. It also serves as an excellent boat ramp spot for those looking to paddle along the mighty Colorado. Either way, you’re going to want to be well prepared to get to this extreme destination, whether that means training for the hike to the bottom the canyon, or hiring a pack animal and a guide to take you down.
Things to do near Boat Beach
The Grand Canyon gateway town of Flagstaff waits just 90 minutes south of this beach, and offers an incredible diversity of things to see and do. Think college town set in the Old West, surrounded by wilderness adventure areas like Slide Rock State Park and Walnut Canyon National Monument. Here are some area campgrounds to check out.
London Bridge Beach
Okay, get ready for this set of Lake Havasu beaches. At more than 30 square miles and 45 miles of length, this incredible body of water does offer many of the noteworthy beach sites in Arizona. To kick us off, let’s check out London Bridge Beach, which offers the unique combination of an ocean-like beach area complete with palm trees and seagulls as well as the novelty of swimming in the shadow of the actual London Bridge. This bridge was located in London and moved to Lake Havasu in the 1960s.
Due to its popularity, this beach is surrounded by campgrounds, resorts, and things to do. If you head out to the end of the island the bridge connects to the mainland, you can glance across the Colorado River at the state of California.
Things to do near London Bridge Beach
One of the main attractions of Lake Havasu City and located just outside of Lake Havasu State Park, London Bridge Beach is centrally located to so many other Arizona adventures worth having. Here are some local campgrounds to consider for the trip!
Rotary Beach
Yet another Lake Havasu beach located in the heart of Lake Havasu City proper, Rotary Beach is tucked into the Rotary Community Park and Playgrounds. Along with the sandy shore along the riverside, the park also offers hiking trails, a skate park, a golf course, and, as its name suggests, playgrounds for the kiddos. Of course, with more than 40 acres of well-manicured landscape, there’s certainly ample area to have a picnic under that clear blue Arizona sky.
Things to do near Rotary Beach
Located on the southern side of Lake Havasu City, Rotary Beach is close to many excellent restaurants, bars, shops, and other urban attractions, not to mention the Lake Havasu City Aquatic Center, which offers indoor pools, water slides, and plenty more ways to get wet and wild.
Centennial Beach
If you keep on following the Colorado River southward, you’ll eventually end up in the Gulf of California — but not before you reach Centennial Beach. This is a beautiful stretch of sand located in the southwestern Arizona city of Yuma. The sandy shores of this lakeside beach are surrounded by grassy banks, giving it a tropical feel. Meanwhile, the surrounding city is made unique and interesting by the fact that this is the place where Arizona meets California meets Mexico, all at once.
Things to do near Centennial Beach
Yuma has plenty of interest to offer, including multiple community parks such as West Wetlands Park, Colorado River State Historic Park and the Yuma Territorial Prison Park, which is really a museum.
Tempe Beach Park
Tempe Beach Park has been a long-established beachfront oasis along the Salt River, in the part of this body of water that’s been set aside as a reservoir. Along with sandy shores and palm trees, the park this beach is part of offers hiking, walking, biking and jogging trails, as well as picnic areas, a baseball field, boat rentals and more. It’s all just steps from Arizona State University and so much of the rest of what the town of Tempe has to offer.
Things to do near Tempe Beach Park
The greater Phoenix area is far and away the most populous part of Arizona, with Phoenix itself boasting more than 1,600,000 people. Be sure to check out all of the communities that make up this metropole, such as Tempe, Scottsdale, Mesa, Glendale, Gilbert, Peoria and Queen Creek. Here are some RV campgrounds to call home base for your exploration.
Patagonia Lake State Park
About as far south as you can get in Arizona without venturing into Mexico, Patagonia Lake State Park offers an oasis from the scorching heat. This includes some beautiful waterfront situated amidst rugged landscapes of rolling hills dotted with low-lying desert shrubbery. The namesake lake is a 300-acre reservoir that’s particularly popular for kayakers, canoers, and other people pursuing paddle sports, but there’s certainly room for sunbathers, swimmers, and those who simply want to while away an afternoon waterside.
Things to do near Patagonia Lake State Park
This beautiful natural oasis is a little more than an hour outside of Tucson, and is immediately adjacent to the Sonoita Creek State Natural Area. All of which is to say: there’s a plethora of outdoor recreation options here, not to mention camping opportunities.
The Best Arizona Beaches for RVers
Windsor Beach
Another Lake Havasu City-area beach that’s not quite as crowded as London Bridge Beach, Windsor Beach is an excellent option for a quieter beach day inside the boundaries of Lake Havasu State Park. Restrooms are available close to the waterfront, and the park also offers campgrounds, sports courts, playgrounds and more. Wave at California while you’re there!
Why This Beach is Perfect for RVers
This state park features an onsite campground, making it super easy to set up camp and stay a while to enjoy the park and the surrounding area.
Things to do near Windsor Beach
Another Lake Havasu City beach destination, Windsor Beach specifically is close to the shops and restaurants along Industrial Boulevard and Arizona State Route 95, so you’ve got plenty of options for grabbing a bite after you take a swim.
Cattail Cove State Park
A bit further south along the lakeshore, about 25 minutes outside of Lake Havasu City proper, Cattail Cove State Park offers another worthy beachfront. Here, you’ll find opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating, and simply soaking up the plentiful Arizona sun alongside this gorgeous body of water. Cattail Cove State Park does get crowded during the weekends and those beautiful sunny days everyone wants to take advantage of, so get your reservations ahead of time, arrive early, or have a plan B!
Why This Beach is Perfect for RVers
This is another state park with onsite RV campsites. This means you can park your RV near the water and fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the area.
Things to do near Cattail Cove State Park
Although in a fairly remote area, this state park is only a half hour from Lake Havasu City and its many resources, and the small town of Parker lies just a little bit further south. While you’re in the area, check out the Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge. Here are some nearby RV parks to stay in.
Buckskin Mountain State Park
Even further south along the Colorado River, Buckskin Mountain State Park offers a serene swimming spot tucked between two dams. It boasts crystalline blue waters, rocky desert landscapes on the horizon, and palm trees. In other words, it’s an Arizona beach that firmly feels like an Arizona beach. This state park is one of the most popular places for those eager to float along the Colorado River during the dog days of summer.
Why This Beach is Perfect for RVers
Yet another state park with an onsite campground, this spot is popular with RVers. You will want to reserve your site in advance!
Things to do near Buckskin Mountain State Park
Tucked between riverside resorts and small cities, Buckskin Mountain State Park is quite remote while still being less than an hour from Lake Havasu City.
Planning an RV Trip to Arizona
RVing is the best way to explore all of these amazing Arizona beaches. While there, be sure to see the best state parks in Arizona along with the state’s best campgrounds. You’ll also want to see Grand Canyon National Park, Petrified Forest National Park, and Saguaro National Park as well as the best cities in the state.
