County: Mohave
Year of Incorporation: 1978
Elevation: 602
Population: 52,205
Lake Havasu City, Arizona is one of the most popular recreational lakes along the Colorado River, Lake Havasu is internationally known for two things – it is the “Personal Watercraft Capital of the World,” and it is home to the famous London Bridge.The name “Havasu” means, “Land of the Blue Green Water,” and it does make a cool and sparkling contrast to the surrounding desert and mountains. Lake Havasu is located along the foot region of California’s Chemehuevi Mountains and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, which oversees 1.4 million acres of public lands in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, Lake Havasu and the Arizona uplands. Lake Havasu has become an outdoor mecca for residents and tourists year round, who flock to the area to enjoy the cool waters and pretty scenery. In an area where the sun shines almost every day of the year, anytime is a great time in Lake Havasu, where you can go swimming, boating, water skiing and fishing. The desert surrounding the lake encompasses rugged mountains and canyons and huge sand dunes. Six wilderness areas make up the backcountry around Lake Havasu, with interesting geological and historical sites, ghost towns and scenic wonders. Towering saguaro cactus stand like silent giants guarding the desert, and over 200 species of birds and wildlife can be seen in the area.
The famed London Bridge, which crosses the Bridgewater Channel from the mainland to a small island on the Colorado River, and draws visitors from all over the world. When the bridge was “falling down” into the River Thames in London, Robert P. McCulloch won a bid to purchase it. The bridge was dismantled and sent by barge to the California coast where it was loaded, trucked to Lake Havasu and rebuilt "block" by "block". The bridge is the focal point for Lake Havasu City. The lure of merry old England draws year-round guests to the city and the lake. Located beneath the bridge is an "English Village" with shopping and dining amid Tudor style architecture. Stroll the tree-lined walkways, stop at one of our local breweries, rent a paddleboat, or take the ferry to the California side of the Lake.
Along the shores of the lake is Lake Havasu City. Lake Havasu City is a planned community and is one of the fastest growing areas in the country that offers a multitude of activities and services for tourists and residents, including golfing, tennis courts, malls, and 20 movie theaters. Restaurants offer a wide variety of menus and are found all around the lake, downtown, and the bridge. Lake Havasu City also maintains a full calendar of events and entertainment all year long, such as fishing derbies, regattas, arts and crafts shows, car shows, plays and much more. It has small town charm coupled with warm year round temperatures and the amazing beauty of the lake and surrounding desert. Lake Havasu is a great place to live and experience the truly unique atmosphere of the American Southwest and all it has to offer!