Lake Havasu City Things to Do

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The old London Bridge of nursery-rhyme fame is over 600 years old. Dated between 1176-1209 and built by Peter of Colechurch to replace an earlier timber bridge. This bridge has a very long history and a grisly one at that. It was here during the 1300 to 1600's that the heads of traitors were displayed at its gates. William Wallace, Jack Cade1450, Sir Thomas More and Bishop John Fisher 1535, and Thomas Cromwell 1540. King Charles II put a stop to this thankfully.

By the 18th century the bridge was starting to crumple and blocked water traffic. London had outgrown her and built a new bridge 1831. Yet, the old bridge remarkable stood the test of time, until in 1967 the city council of London decided to sell her and Robert P. McCulloch had the winning bid of $2,460,000 in 1968. It was disassembled, numbered, and shipping to Arizona via the Panama Canal to California and then trucked to Arizona. In October of 1971 she was rededicated and has become the second largest attraction next to the Grand Canyon for visitors.%c*

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Not sure who the name sake is, but this whole area was created when in the 1930's when Parker Dam was built along the Colorado River created this enclave. This became a natural site for camping and fishermen. When Mr. McCulloch brought his 130,000-ton bridge here, the whole area never looked back. A beautiful city grew expanded all around it and created what you see here. A area that visitors come to see a real London Bridge and an area the locals get to enjoy year around with boating, fishing and the natural beauty of the waters.

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While I was standing there looking at the London Bridge over a manmade canal in Arizona, I met two Welsh guys who asked "how did you nick that?". Actually we bought the London Bridge for $2,460,000. It was taken apart piece by piece with each piece meticulously numbered and sent to the US. All 10,000 tons of it. It was then rebuilt in Lake Havasu City. When it was first put up it spanned nothing but sand so a canal was built under it. It took three years, from 1968 to 1971 to compete the 928 foot span. It has become a very popular tourist destination.

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Lake Havasu State Park is located along the scenic shores of Lake Havasu on the north side of the city not far from the London Bridge. The park has beautiful beaches, nature trails, 3 boat ramps, picnic areas and 47 convenient campsites. It is a paradise for boating enthusiasts and anyone who loves the water and great scenery. The Mohave Sunset Trail (1.5 miles each way) winds its way through the lowland desert and along the shoreline. At about the midpoint of the trail is the Arroyo-Camino Interpretive Garden which showcases the diverse life that exists within the park and this area of the desert. Birds, lizards, and desert cottontails are common sights.

For more details see my Lake Havasu State Park Page coming soon.

A great way to see Lake Havasu is by boat. One nice option is the Dixie Belle Lake Havasu's only paddlewheel boat. The Dixie Belle departs from a dock in English Town and costs about $15 per person (less for kids). It operates 7 days week as long as the weather permits. I wanted to take the tour myself but weather did not permit it.

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The area at the base of the London Bridge is called English Town. It has restaurants, shops and lots of little touches to evoke a little bit of Jolly Old England. It is a very popular tourist stop and is well worth a visit. The Visitor's Center is here too.

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One of my favorite things to do when I travel is to meet the locals and my fellow travellers. Kate is a Park Ranger at Lake Havasu State Park; Stan is the regional commander for the VFW and the last photo is of two Welsh guys I met.

As with most state and national parks, your first stop will be the visitor's center. Here you will pay the entrance fee, get brochures about the park and other area attractions, and you can buy any needed gifts or souvenirs.