Three Days in Laughlin: A Practical Plan for a Nevada Road Trip

Laughlin rewards travellers who treat it as a base for the Colorado River rather than a single-stop destination, with cheap rooms, short drives and a slower pace than Las Vegas.

Getting There and Where to Sleep

Laughlin sits at the southern tip of Nevada on the Colorado River, about 90 minutes' drive from Las Vegas via US-93 and NV-163, and roughly 30 minutes from Bullhead City, Arizona, across the river. Most visitors arrive by car; the drive from Las Vegas is straightforward and the last stretch through Searchlight and Cal-Nevada is empty desert. If you are flying, Harry Reid International in Las Vegas is the practical gateway, with rental cars available at the terminal. Book a room on the south end of Casino Drive if you want to walk to the river and the boat launch, or on the north end for quieter evenings.

Room rates here run well below Las Vegas Strip levels, and midweek bargains are common outside the summer peak. The main hotel clusters line Casino Drive along the river, with a handful of smaller motels and RV parks in Bullhead City for travellers towing boats. Spring and autumn are the comfortable months; July and August routinely push past 110°F, so plan indoor or water-based activity in the middle of the day. I would book a river-view room for a first visit, since the view over the water toward Arizona is the reason many people return.

Day One: River Time and the Arizona Side

Start on the water. The stretch of the Colorado below Davis Dam is calm and popular with kayakers, paddleboarders and small boats, and several operators along Casino Drive rent equipment by the half-day. If you would rather not paddle, the Laughlin Riverwalk connects the major hotels and makes an easy morning walk with views across to Bullhead City. After lunch, cross the bridge to Bullhead City for cheaper fuel, groceries and a sense of how the two towns function as one community. The Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport sits just north of town and handles small charter flights.

Late afternoon is the time for a boat tour or a drive up to Davis Dam, about 20 minutes north on NV-163. The dam and Lake Mohave behind it are the reason this stretch of river stays calm, and the shoreline is popular for picnics and fishing. Return for dinner on Casino Drive, where the hotel restaurants range from buffets to steakhouses. I would skip the chain fast food on the Arizona side and eat on the Nevada side at least once, since the river views from the dining rooms are the best in town.

Day Two: Desert and History

Head north on NV-163 toward Searchlight, about 45 minutes away, for a half-day of high-desert scenery and a genuine old mining town. Searchlight has a small museum and a handful of cafes, and the drive itself passes through open Joshua tree country that most Las Vegas visitors never see. Continue to the turnoff for the Spirit Mountain area if you want a longer loop; the gravel roads there are rough and best suited to a high-clearance vehicle. Bring water and sun protection, and fill the tank before leaving Laughlin.

If you prefer history closer to town, the Colorado River Museum in Bullhead City covers the dam-building era and the region's mining past in an hour or so. Alternatively, drive south to Needles, California, roughly 40 minutes away on I-40, for a look at the Route 66-era main street. Either option pairs well with an afternoon back at the hotel pool. I would choose Searchlight over Needles if you have only one day, because the desert drive is more memorable than the town itself.

Day Three: Lake Mohave and a Slow Finish

Spend the last morning at Lake Mohave, reached via the Katherine Landing road north of Davis Dam. The lake is cooler and clearer than the river, with a marina, swimming areas and boat rentals, and the surrounding hills make for good photographs early in the day. Arrive before 10am in summer to claim shade and parking. The drive from Casino Drive takes about 25 minutes. Pack lunch, since services at the lake are limited outside the marina.

On the way back, stop at the Laughlin Visitors Center on Casino Drive for maps and current event listings before an afternoon of nothing much by the pool. This is the right pace for Laughlin; the town rewards travellers who do not over-schedule. If you have an evening left, the riverwalk at dusk is the best free activity in the area. Book a room with a late checkout for the final day so you are not rushed, and top up the car in Bullhead City before the drive back to Las Vegas.

Questions, answered

How many days do you need in Laughlin?

Three days covers the river, a desert day trip and Lake Mohave without rushing. Two days is enough for a quick stop, and a week suits boaters who want time on the water.

Is Laughlin worth visiting from Las Vegas?

Yes, if you want a quieter, cheaper river base rather than nightlife. The 90-minute drive makes it a good two- or three-night add-on to a Las Vegas trip, especially in spring or autumn.

When is the best time to visit Laughlin?

March to May and October to November bring mild temperatures and comfortable river conditions. Summer heat is severe, with highs often above 110°F, so plan indoor activity or time on the water.

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