12 Best Things to Do in Parker, Arizona

By VacationIdea Staff on September 24, 2023 - Updated

Courtesy of Alexander - Fotolia.com

Parker, Arizona is a gateway to the Lake Havasu region and the Colorado River. Many diverse water activities are available in the area, such as jet-skiing, water skiing, and boating. The city also has several bars and restaurants, museums, a ghost town, a casino, and the Parker Dam.

1. Desert Bar and Nellie E Saloon

The Desert Bar and Nellie E Saloon is a rustic and quirky water hole that was built on land that used to be a mining camp.

The bar is open only on the weekends from October until April, closed during the summer season.

Those wanting to grab a drink here should keep in mind that the Nellie E Saloon and Desert Bar only accepts cash. There is a horseshoe pit behind the outdoor Desert Bar, and a stage for the occasional live music.

Cienega Springs Rd, Parker, AZ 85344

More ideas: Romantic Weekend Getaways in Arizona

2. Buckskin Mountain State Park

The Buckskin Mountain State Park offers a variety of recreational activities for the whole family, from camping and hiking to boating and swimming. The park also boasts some of the best views found on the Parker strip, which is spans eighteen miles along the banks of the Colorado River in the area, between the Headgate Dam and the Park Dam.

Buckskin Mountain is a perfect year-round destination thanks to its combination of land and water activities and the warm weather.

The river provides a way to cool off during the hot summer season, and visitors can enjoy the mild temperatures in winter at the campsites.

5476 N. US Hwy. 95, Parker, AZ 85344, Phone: 928-667-3231

More ideas: Places to Visit in Arizona

3. Emerald Canyon Golf Course

The Emerald Canyon Golf Course is often called “The Jewel of the Desert,” and is located near the city of Parker. The unique golf course is carved out of the area’s canyons and mountains and overlooks the Colorado River. This make the Emerald Canyon Golf Course a must among things to do in Park for any real golf enthusiast. The scenic Emerald Canyon features an 18-hole Par 72 championship golf course. Other features of the golf course include a lighted driving range, two practice greens, and a putting green. There is also a pro golf shop, a snack bar, and a beverage cart.

7351 Riverside Dr, Parker, AZ 85344, Phone: 928-667-3366

More ideas: Arizona Day Trips

4. Parker Dam

The Parker Dam offers some of the most amazing views visitors can find in the Parker area of the scenic Lake Havasu. This dam is located downstream from the more famous Hoover Dam, and sits basically right on the border of Arizona and California. Visitors can take in one of the most amazing views of Lake Havasu and the Colorado River by driving just a short distance across the Parker Dam. The dam was constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation between the year 1934 and the year 1938, and helps bring power and water to the lower Colorado River Basin.

State Highway 95, Parker, AZ, (website link)

More ideas: Things to Do in Arizona

5. BlueWater Casino, Parker, Arizona

The BlueWater Casino at the BlueWater Resort in Park is a destination for around-the-clock gaming excitement and fun. It’s the leading spot along the Colorado River for gaming and offers a broad variety of different casino table games, as well as over five hundred slot machines. Guests can also discover the thrilling fun of blackjack, poker, or bingo at the BlueWater Casino. For even more gambling fun, guests can spend some time in the High Limit Slots Lounge or the Poker Room. The casino is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. There are dining options here as well.

11300 Resort Dr, Parker, AZ 85344, Phone: 888-243-3360

More ideas: Hot Springs in Arizona

6. Colorado River Indian Tribes Museum

The Colorado River Indian Tribes Museum can be found within the Tribal Government complex along with the Colorado River Indian Tribes Library. The small museum offers a look at the comprehensive history of the region’s Colorado River Indian Tribes, as well as their traditions and heritage. Various exhibits and cultural artifacts are housed within the museum, including photographs, baskets, beadwork, pottery, and other crafts. There are also exhibits that provide visitors with an overview of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, its people, and the Tribal history. The information dates back to before 1865, when the CRIT Reservation was founded.

7 Arizona Ave, Parker, AZ 85344, Phone: 928-669-8970

More ideas: Things to Do in Arizona with Kids

7. Swansea Ghost Town, Parker, Arizona

The Swansea Ghost Town is a former mining site and a good site to learn more about the history of the area. Visitors can even perhaps have a picnic lunch and relax in the ghost town. Barbecue grills are available to visitors, as well as spots for camping. Another popular activity around Swansea is ATVing. The town of Swansea existed just five years before it ultimately disappeared. The ghost town is a mystery in itself and is located in the middle of virtually nothing. Swansea didn’t have any stores and building like other nearby towns, such as Bisbee, or Jerome.

Swansea Road, Parker, AZ 85344, Phone: 928-505-1200

More ideas: Day Trips from Tucson

8. Things to Do in Parker: Ahakhav Tribal Preserve

The Ahakhav Tribal Preserve is a great thing to do for any nature lover. The preserve offers quite a bit for play, along with education and sanctuary. Outdoor recreation activities at the Ahakhav Tribal Preserve include swimming, canoeing, and fishing, as well as a peaceful backwater section of the Colorado River. There is also a 4.6-mile maintained fitness trail with picnic facilities and a playground nearby. Visitors can easily stay in a hotel or other options in Parker, Arizona or choose to camp out with a tent in one of the several campgrounds along the river.

25401 Rodeo Rd, Parker, AZ 853444, Phone: 928-669-2664

More ideas: Day Trips from Sedona

9. Wet And Wyld Watersports, Parker, AZ

We and Wyld Watersports is situated in the city of Parker, just a couple miles from the BlueWater Resort, and only minutes away from the Colorado River. The company offers visitors with a chance to relax and enjoy their vacation while Wet and Wyld does all of the work of planning their water excursion, supplying everything customers need to have a fun vacation. Wet and Wyld offers rental services for water sports equipment like skis and boats, including a 13-passenger luxury pontoon boat that can fit the entire family and plenty of friends easily and a 7-passenger speed boat.

512 Riverside Dr, Parker, AZ 85344, Phone: 928-230-6181

More ideas: Day Trips from Scottsdale

10. Pirate's Den Restaurants, Parker, AZ

There are two restaurants for visitors to grab a bit at the Pirate’s Den Resort in Parker, Arizona. The Thirsty Pirate Bar and Grill is a beachside outdoor dining option. Guests can relax underneath the shade provided by umbrellas, beachside palapas, and palm trees. Cocktails and delicious food are served on the outdoor patio next to the beach. The Black Pearl Restaurant overlooks the Colorado River, providing some great views while enjoying a meal for lunch or dinner, including fresh seafood dishes. The restaurant has a Caribbean-style ambiance and offers a comfortable, intimate, and unpretentious dining experience.

7350 Riverside Dr, Parker, AZ 85344, Phone: 928-667-3102

More ideas: Arizona Resorts

11. Foxs RV Park Resort, Parker, Arizona

The Foxs RV Park Resort offers a great spot for visitors to call home for a couple nights, from the park model rentals and RV park to the bar and full-service restaurant. The floating bar is located along the banks of the Colorado River on the resort’s private beach. The Foxs RV Park is friendly and well maintained, and includes a grassy playground area and a swimming beach for guests. Visitors will find quick off-road access and beautiful desert scenery surround the resort. As for dining, Foxs takes pride in what it offers, serving food made mostly in-house with guests in mind.

6350 Riverside Dr, Parker, AZ 85344, Phone: 928-667-3444

More ideas: Things to do at the Grand Canyon

12. River Island State Park

River Island State Park in Parker, Arizona is an ideal nature escape for tent camping enthusiasts. It also provides a fun water adventure or desert escape for both locals and visitors alike. The park features more than thirty campsites, a boat launch area, a cove, a sandy beach, and a ramada. There are also back country roads for off-highway vehicles and hiking trails throughout the state park. Popular activities during the summer at River Island include camping, swimming, jet skiing, fishing, and boating. Visitors can also still fish and camp during the winter thanks to the mild climate.

5200 AZ-95, Parker, AZ 85344, 928-667-3386, (website link)

More ideas: Arizona Dude Ranches