Parker AZ free camping and enjoyment of the River

[Perseverance]

I'm sitting in Quartsite now but want to see some water! Any recommendations for free camping in Parker and free day use enjoyment of the river?

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[B and C]

There are dispersed campsites along the colorado, river in Ehrenberg beyond the truck stop and to the South a little ways. Get on Google maps and look at satellite view to see the spots. Stay on the AZ side. Closer than Parker.

Can't help you with Parker.

 

[Perseverance]

Thank you

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[QinReno]

Perseverance, I haven't actually camped there, but have also been looking at google maps for free places near Parker. Last winter, someone told me about the Parker Strip on the "California" side. There appear to be some spots right along the river on the CA side, a mile or 2 north (Parker Dam Road) and south (Rio Vista Drive) of the bridge.

On the AZ Side near Parker, it appears to be mainly private property and Indian reservation. There is a lot of space around the Blue Water Casino, but it may all be indian property. A little ways north is La Paz County Park, which is pay, but where van people go for showers.
- http://www.lapazcountyparks.com/

Maybe you could check them out, and report back.

 

[Perseverance]

Thank you so much! Back in the 80s we would pull up to the river and camp! I will check it out[emoji604][emoji122]

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[Almost There]

If you end up in the Blue Water Casino parking lot, there is an area just to the south of the Casino hotel that has a nice beach area and boat launch that's free day use. The area to the north of the casino is part of the campground there so it's not open and free. The casino welcomes RVs but it's just a parking lot and sometimes difficult to find a level parking spot!

I second the campsites all along the AZ side of the Colorado. There are several areas there all accessed initially from the River Road Access Rd that starts just west of the Flying J - first road on your left as you head towards the river. The further down river you go the worse your cell reception gets but you could theoretically go all the way to the wildlife refuge and then continue to Yuma on that road.

If you end up on the Colorado south of Ehrenberg, you can use the showers at the laundromat in Ehrenberg (cheaper than the Flying J) and shop at the Smart & Final in Blythe just across the river. K Mart is closed so your closest W/M is in Parker - a 45 minute drive up the river from Ehrenberg.

 

[QinReno]

Also, these are several miles from the river, but if you check freecampsites.net, they show a couple of boondocking areas to the east of Parker on Shea Road.
https://freecampsites.net/#!2412&query=sitedetails

 

[Maggie Flinn]

Ehrenberg is the greatest spot I have found. It is the river access area. Just go west in front of the truck stop and look for the river access sign. You go left and then take the first right and continue past the propane plant and over the railroad tracks and you are there. If you are in a van or smaller vehicle that you are not worried about turning around I suggest going to the right along the river. What a great spot. Ehrenberg is Nomad heaven in my opinion. The laundromat mall to the north of the highway has showers for as little as $5/20. There is also a Family Dollar. Blythe is only 5 miles away and has everything BUT a Walmart. Trust me on this one. The river access ROCKS. There is also a ton of BLM land if you go east at the roundabout and make the first right. Holiday weekend kind get busy with people on ATVs but otherwise quite peacefully. Enjoy.


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[Perseverance]

If you end up in the Blue Water Casino parking lot, there is an area just to the south of the Casino hotel that has a nice beach area and boat launch that's free day use. The area to the north of the casino is part of the campground there so it's not open and free. The casino welcomes RVs but it's just a parking lot and sometimes difficult to find a level parking spot!

I second the campsites all along the AZ side of the Colorado. There are several areas there all accessed initially from the River Road Access Rd that starts just west of the Flying J - first road on your left as you head towards the river. The further down river you go the worse your cell reception gets but you could theoretically go all the way to the wildlife refuge and then continue to Yuma on that road.

If you end up on the Colorado south of Ehrenberg, you can use the showers at the laundromat in Ehrenberg (cheaper than the Flying J) and shop at the Smart & Final in Blythe just across the river. K Mart is closed so your closest W/M is in Parker - a 45 minute drive up the river from Ehrenberg.

Fantastic, THANK you!

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[Perseverance]

Ehrenberg is the greatest spot I have found. It is the river access area. Just go west in front of the truck stop and look for the river access sign. You go left and then take the first right and continue past the propane plant and over the railroad tracks and you are there. If you are in a van or smaller vehicle that you are not worried about turning around I suggest going to the right along the river. What a great spot. Ehrenberg is Nomad heaven in my opinion. The laundromat mall to the north of the highway has showers for as little as $5/20. There is also a Family Dollar. Blythe is only 5 miles away and has everything BUT a Walmart. Trust me on this one. The river access ROCKS. There is also a ton of BLM land if you go east at the roundabout and make the first right. Holiday weekend kind get busy with people on ATVs but otherwise quite peacefully. Enjoy.


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Thank you so much

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[Perseverance]

Perseverance, I haven't actually camped there, but have also been looking at google maps for free places near Parker. Last winter, someone told me about the Parker Strip on the "California" side. There appear to be some spots right along the river on the CA side, a mile or 2 north (Parker Dam Road) and south (Rio Vista Drive) of the bridge.

On the AZ Side near Parker, it appears to be mainly private property and Indian reservation. There is a lot of space around the Blue Water Casino, but it may all be indian property. A little ways north is La Paz County Park, which is pay, but where van people go for showers.
- http://www.lapazcountyparks.com/

Maybe you could check them out, and report back.

Thank you! Going today to check it out[emoji604]

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[Perseverance]

There are dispersed campsites along the colorado, river in Ehrenberg beyond the truck stop and to the South a little ways. Get on Google maps and look at satellite view to see the spots. Stay on the AZ side. Closer than Parker.

Can't help you with Parker.

Awesome, thanks

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[QinReno]

Watch out for rattlesnakes right along the river, especially south of Ehrenberg, as there are many bushes in there.

Please report on the mosquito situation, being it's still summer down there more or less, .

 

[highdesertranger]

there is no boondocking on the Parker Strip from highway 62 north to Parker dam on either side of the river. if you follow 62 west towards Vidal Jct. there is a lot of boondocking, in fact that is where one of the caravans will be staying, but you need to know where the reservation land is. highdesertranger

 

[Perseverance]

Watch out for rattlesnakes right along the river, especially south of Ehrenberg, as there are many bushes in there.

Please report on the mosquito situation, being it's still summer down there more or less, .

No snakes or mosquitos for the days I was there[emoji106]

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[Perseverance]

there is no boondocking on the Parker Strip from highway 62 north to Parker dam on either side of the river. if you follow 62 west towards Vidal Jct. there is a lot of boondocking, in fact that is where one of the caravans will be staying, but you need to know where the reservation land is. highdesertranger

Thanks! On the river? I'm in town now in Parker!

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[highdesertranger]

yes nothing as far as boondocking on the river. there are many campgrounds on the strip, I am not sure what their off season rates are. highdesertranger

 

[Perseverance]

Thank you! Going today to check it out[emoji604]

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Thanks! Spent the day there but can't afford the camping rates!

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[QinReno]

Maybe try boondocking out Shea Rd which turnoff is just south of town. The van build will be held out there in a couple of weeks. Have you been up to Lake Havasu City? Good docking areas just north of town, and a couple not so nice to the south. There is a state park a few miles north of Parker dam right on the river, but costly. They have an RV overflow area for less money