Big Bend of the Colorado Recreation Area
P.O. Box 32850
Laughlin, NV 89028-2850
(702) 298-1859
BigBendSRA@embarqmail.com
Geocache coordinates: N 35° 06.722 W 114° 38.649

   Big Bend State Recreation Area is located five miles south of Laughlin on the Needles Highway. The park is within the town limits of Laughlin, one mile south of Casino Drive on South Needles Hwy. Big Bend is Nevada's newest state park that opened in 1996. Situated on the shores of the Colorado River below Laughlin in Nevada's southern tip. The park offers dramatic views of the river and surrounding mountains. The park offers camping, hiking and goup facilities and popular activities include picnicking, boating, fishing and swimming. Although the town of Laughlin is also relatively new, it offers many amenities including casinos, golf courses and an outlet mall.

fireFire Restrictions in-place, effective May 29, 2010

Main entrance to Big Bend
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Facilities & Amenities

Climate:

While summer temperatures can soar to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and above, spring and fall temperatures are usually very comfortable. Winters are very mild, with temperatures rarely dipping below freezing. Precipitation is very infrequent, but can cause flash floods in the area.

Facilities:

Entrance Fee:  An entrance fee is charged to enter the park, with additional fees for camping and boat launch. A current fee schedule is posted at the park entrance. Click here for all individual park fees by region.

Camping:  24 RV sites with power and water hookups are now available. An additional $10 fee will be charged for these sites. In additional, most of the sites have pull-through parking pads that can accommodate any size RV. The sites also have a tent pad, a shade ramada, barbecue grill and fire pit. Three of the sites are ADA equipped and reserved for those visitors with the proper ADA permit. Other amenities include restroom and shower facilities.

Picnicking:   Shade ramadas are located along the shoreline in both the day use and boat ramp areas. Some ramadas provide tables and barbecue grills.

Hiking:   In 2009, approximately four miles of trails were added throughout the developed area os of the park. The canyons in the area of the park west of the Needles Highway offer plenty of undeveloped areas to hike and explore.

Boat Launch:   A two-lane boat ramp offers access to the river through a man-made logo lagoon that shelters the ramp from the river's current. A paved parking lot with trailer spaces is also provided. Hours: Normal hours for Day Use Area/Boat Ramp is 8:00 am-5:00 pm (winter hours) and 7:00 am-sunset (summer hours).


Reminders:

To make your visit and the visits of others more enjoyable, please observe the following rules:
  1. Operating unlicensed vehicles is not permitted. All vehicle operators must be licensed. Drive only on designated roadways.
  2. Pets must be kept on a leash no longer than 6' long.
  3. Trailers parking is not permitted in the Day Use parking area.
  4. Fires are permitted only in the grills provided.
  5. Use garbage dumpsters provided.
  6. Reserving sites is not permitted; all areas of the park are "first come, first serve."
  7. Creating a wake or exceeding 5 miles per hour (MPH) in the boat ramp lagoon is not permitted.

Special note: Boating and fishing on the Colorado River is regulated by Nevada, Arizona and California. Visitors are responsible for knowing the regulations and license requirements for each of the states.

Visitors are responsible for knowing all park rules and regulations in effect. Detailed rules and regulations are posted in the park.
Some nearby sites and distances
10 miles to Davis Dam (Lake Mojave)
31 miles to Oatman (Historic Mining Area)
68 miles to Lake Havasu
100 miles to Las Vegas
230 miles Grand Canyon (South Rim)
250 miles to Los Angeles

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