Several companies offer different types of boat tours on Lake Havasu. Bluewater Jet Boat Tours (tel. 928/855-7171) runs 2 1/2-hour jet-boat tours from the London Bridge up the Colorado River 25 miles to scenic Topock Gorge. The cost is $45 for adults, $42 for seniors, and $25 for children 5 to 12. Numerous other operators offer water tours, including a ferry ride across the river to the Chemehuevi Indian Reservation in California. For a listing, see https://golakehavasu.com.
Looking for something a bit quieter and slower paced? Between October and May, you can book a hot-air balloon ride with Wanderlust Balloons (tel. 928/486-1075), which charges $200 per person ($210 with credit card) for an hour-long sunrise flight over the river.
Canoeing the Colorado
Paddling down a desert river is a fascinating experience. Rugged rock walls, prickly cacti, and thickets of reeds drift by on shore as the cool water rushes past your boat. If you’re interested in a scenic canoe tour, a couple of outfitters in the area provide boats, paddles, life jackets, maps, and shuttles to put-in and take-out points, though usually no guides. Western Arizona Canoe and Kayak Outfitters (tel. 888/881-5038 or 928/855-6414) offers self-guided kayak or canoe trips through beautiful rugged Topock Gorge, where you can see ancient petroglyphs and possibly bighorn sheep. Trips take 5 to 6 hours and the cost is $50 per person, which includes kayak/canoe rentals, paddles, life jackets, dry bags, coolers, and, most important, the shuttle service to the put-in point and back from the take-out point. Jerkwater Canoe Company (tel. 800/421-7803 or 928/768-7753) offers a similar Topock Gorge excursion as well as other canoe and kayak trips of varying lengths. Jerkwater’s Topock Gorge self-guided daylong trip is $51 per person. There is a two-person minimum.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
