DISCOVER LAUGHLIN
ACTIVITIES FOR EVERY EXPLORER
Adventure Seekers - Discover Outdoor Adventure In Laughlin
If you’re craving wide-open spaces, breathtaking desert landscapes, and thrilling water-based fun, Laughlin, Nevada is your ultimate outdoor playground. Nestled along the banks of the mighty Colorado River, Laughlin offers a perfect blend of scenic beauty and adrenaline-pumping activities — all just a short drive from Las Vegas.
At the heart of Laughlin’s outdoor appeal is the Colorado River, a haven for kayaking, jet skiing, paddleboarding, and fishing. Rent a personal watercraft or take a guided river tour and soak up stunning views of the Mojave Desert from a whole new perspective.
Just steps from the river, the Colorado River Heritage Greenway Park & Trails offers over 10 miles of multi-use trails ideal for hiking, biking, and wildlife watching.
For a truly awe-inspiring escape, venture into the newly designated Avi Kwa Ame National Monument, just outside of Laughlin. This sacred Mojave Desert landscape protects over 500,000 acres of stunning wilderness, from Joshua tree forests to towering desert peaks.
Just a short drive from Laughlin lies the Grapevine Canyon Trailhead, a must-visit for hikers. The trail leads to ancient petroglyphs etched into rock walls by Native American tribes over 1,000 years ago. If you stop here, it’s a fairly easy 4-mile in and out. But, you can keep going at the mouth where the trail head splits. Here’s some recommendations.
History Buffs - Explore Laughlin’s Legacy
Founded in 1964, Laughlin, Nevada is a younger city but already rich with history. While there are many wonderful hotels to stay at, history buffs will especially like Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort Hotel and Casino. The first hotel and casino opened by the city’s namesake Don Laughlin is filled with old newspaper articles and artifacts from the city’s past.
While you’re there, hop aboard the USS Riverside for a detailed history of the region and the Colorado River as you cruise past all the casinos and up to Davis Dam.
Explore Don Laughlin’s Classic Car Museum showcasing more than 80 vintage and rare automobiles from the 1900s to modern classics; including hot rods, muscle cars, and unique historical vehicles.
Step back into history on the Colorado River Heritage Greenway Park and Trail. Once part of the Old Spanish Trail, today the trail offers interpretive signage about the history of the Colorado River, early settlers, and native wildlife. This scenic system connects visitors to natural landscapes, shaded rest areas, and fascinating historic markers that tell the story of Laughlin’s past.
Get your kicks on Route 66! The Route 66 Museum is a short drive from Laughlin and offers insights into the highway’s history. Visit Oatman, a historic mining town with a Wild West feel, including free-roaming burros and staged gunfights, making it a popular destination and day trip.
Don’t Miss: Just a short drive from Laughlin sits Grapevine Canyon, home to ancient Native American petroglyphs carved into its rocks. Known as Spirit Mountain, it is sacred to the Mojave people and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Family Travelers - All Ages Fun in Laughlin
Make a splash at Big Bend of the Colorado River — with sandy shores perfect for swimming, boating, picnicking, and spotting wildlife. Families can enjoy daytime fun and stay for stargazing after dark!
Hidden Gem: Add a little adventure to your drive with a detour through Christmas Tree Pass — a scenic route filled with desert views, quirky ornamented trees, and access to Grapevine Canyon’s ancient petroglyphs (link). 👉 Read more in our Tripspiration blog.
The Laughlin Riverwalk provides a scenic paved path that runs behind several casinos with river views, picnic areas, and spots to sit and snack. Look out for the ducks, boats, and the occasional live entertainment.
For more outdoor fun, visit the Laughlin Labyrinths featuring nine stone mazes that kids will love exploring.
When you want to get indoors and escape heat, Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort Hotel and Casino provides a cool kid-friendly retreat with a bowling alley, cinema, and Kid’s Castle arcade. Or if you want to make a splash in the hotel pools, many Laughlin resorts — like Harrah’s Laughlin with a beach and cabana rentals, Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort Hotel and Casino, and Aquarius Casino Resort — have family-friendly pools, lazy rivers, or kid-safe swim areas with direct beach access to the river.
Road Trippers & Weekend Explorers - Wander-Worthy Finds
Fill up the tank, grab your sense of adventure, and make Laughlin your next great discovery. It’s a mix of neon and nature in a more intimate setting.
Laughlin is a hidden gem for roadtrippers and weekend explorers looking to blend classic Americana with quirky desert adventures. Whether you’re cruising in for a day trip or making it part of a longer Southwest journey, Laughlin delivers surprises around every bend.
The perfect basecamp for day trip adventures, here’s three stops.
✔️From antique Fords to rare muscle cars and quirky memorabilia, Don Laughlin’s Classic Car Museum is a throwback to the golden age of the American road trip — and it’s free to visit!
✔️Take a meditative break at the Laughlin Labyrinths, a collection of hand-built stone mazes. The peaceful paths offer a chance to stretch your legs, take in the desert silence, and spark a little introspection — or just a fun photo op.
✔️Don’t miss Grapevine Canyon Trailhead, with incredible Native American petroglyphs etched into the canyon walls — a cultural and natural wonder rolled into one.
Backroads and highways, scenic byways, Laughlin provides the auto/RV traveler, motorcyclist, and bicyclist with the open space to enjoy a good ride.
Ready to head out on the highway? Laughlin is the southern gateway to the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Lake Mohave, Grand Canyon West and more!
✔️Nestled between Las Vegas and Laughlin is Searchlight, Nevada and the road to this little water-stay gem. Feeling adventurous? Christmas Tree Pass is a scenic backroad detour to get you there. This unpaved route winds through rugged canyons and Joshua tree forests, offering stunning views.
✔️Grand Canyon West is less than 2 hours from Laughlin and perfect for a day trip, but if you decide to spend the night check out this glamping spot from our trusted partners at ⭐️Las Vegas Outdoor Adventures⭐️.
Laughlin is more than just a casino town. It’s a desert stop with soul — a place where classic road trip vibes meet offbeat charm.Event & Festival Goers - Mark Your Calendar
Laughlin offers a lively blend of entertainment, adrenaline, and family-friendly charm. Here’s why your next getaway should revolve around these standout happenings:
Laughlin Events Center – Located within bustling casino resorts, the Laughlin Events Center hosts concerts, comedy nights, and special performances year-round. From big-name artists to seasonal showcases, it’s the heart of live entertainment in town. Ideal for visitors looking to combine festival spirit with big-production shows.
Celebrate Independence Day in style with Rockets Over The River, Laughlin’s iconic fireworks show along the riverwalk. Synchronised to more than 20 minutes of patriotic music and reflected on the Colorado River’s shimmering waters, this dazzling display is free, family‑friendly, and unforgettable — held annually on July 4th.
Anglers, get ready! The W.O.N. Bass Open, hosted at nearby Lake Mohave and Katherine Landing, brings together pro and amateur fishermen for an exciting multi-day tournament. With hundreds of competitors and lively weigh‑ins, it’s a spectator favorite — and a chance to catch the region’s fishing buzz firsthand.
Calling all foodies! Get your fill of ice-cold brews at the Laughlin Brewfest or join in on the culinary magic of Chef’s Food Fest featuring tasting plates, desserts, and cocktails.
Never Miss a Beat: There’s always something happening in Laughlin, if you’re planning a trip be sure to check out the city’s entertainment calendar.
Business & Convention Travelers - Meet by the River
Looking for a unique, affordable, and scenic destination for your next meeting, conference, or corporate retreat? Welcome to Laughlin, Nevada — where productivity meets relaxation on the banks of the Colorado River.
Set apart from the hustle of big cities, Laughlin offers a more relaxed, focused environment for business events of all sizes. With its resort-style venues, beautiful riverfront views, and easy access from Las Vegas (just 90 minutes away), it’s the ideal destination for companies, associations, and organizations looking to bring people together in a memorable setting.
Laughlin features seven properties with more than 100,000 square feet of combined meeting space, plus the beautiful Laughlin Events Center that can seat 9,300 – 21,000 people for concerts and special events.
Take a deeper look at available meeting spaces.
Fairway Finds: Looking ⛳️ FORE a business outing, there are eight golf courses within 20 miles of Laughlin.
Foodies - A Riverfront Flavor Adventure
Laughlin, Nevada is a surprising culinary destination for foodies looking to pair bold flavors with scenic riverfront views. From gourmet dining to comfort food classics, Laughlin’s diverse selection of restaurants offers something to satisfy every craving — all in a laid-back, affordable setting.
Roll into Flavor Town with Mexican fare at Guy Fieri’s El Burro Burracho. Or perhaps you prefer upscale options like The Gourmet Room offering classic fine dining and stunning views of the Colorado River. For a rich steakhouse experience, The Range Steakhouse is known for its expertly cooked cuts and refined ambiance.
How about cruising the Colorado while dining? This is the tour for you. Stargazers, this wine tour is for YOU! But we get it, you also have beer lovers and cocktail gurus traveling with you, so get hip to this kindly tip.
Don’t Skimp: Indulge in The ULTIMATE Bloody Mary at Bumbleberry Flats featuring 24oz Vodka or Tequila Bloody Mary, fried chicken, waffle, fried green tomato slider, pickle spear, a jumbo shrimp, olives,cocktail onions, & a hard boiled egg.
Casual diners will find plenty of local gems throughout town. Grab a juicy burger and a refreshing pint of beer at Brew Brothers, or savor flavorful street-style tacos and margaritas at Casa Serrano. For the perfect riverside breakfast, head to Riverview Restaurant, where you can sip coffee while watching the boats drift by.
With delicious dishes, river views, and a friendly small-town vibe, Laughlin is a foodie escape well worth the trip.
Enjoy boating, water skiing, jet skiing and fishing or a refreshing dip in the brisk water. For a more relaxed pace, take a leisurely, scenic ride or dinner cruise aboard paddlewheel steamship replicas and tour boats while listening to a narrated history of Laughlin. Explore Laughlin’s hotels for gorgeous pools, spas, and other fan-favorite amenities.
The Laughlin Event Center hosts the best outdoor events from new and longtime favorite artists. The 9,000 seat venue features state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment, high-quality molded seating and bleacher seating, VIP Suites and Dream Seats, food and beverage outlets and permanent restroom facilities. Visitors can easily walk from most Laughlin resorts or take complimentary shuttle transportation. Check out laughlineventcenter.com for a rockin’ good time!
Ready to plan your perfect Laughlin visit?
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning a trip to Laughlin? Find quick answers to the most common questions all in one place.
Laughlin is located in the southern tip of Nevada, along the Colorado River, about 90 miles south of Las Vegas and across the river from Bullhead City, Arizona.
Laughlin is known for its riverside casinos, affordable accommodations, water recreation on the Colorado River, and outdoor adventures in the surrounding desert and mountains.
Laughlin is in the Pacific Time Zone (PT).
Most visitors drive from Las Vegas or Southern California. You can also fly into the nearby Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport (IFP), which has limited commercial service and charter flights.
Laughlin does not have a large public transit system, but most casinos and hotels are within walking distance, and taxis, shuttles, and rideshares like Uber and Lyft are available.
Yes! The Laughlin Riverwalk connects several of the major resorts and offers scenic views of the Colorado River.
The road can be accessed on your way to or from Laughlin with entrances/exits just off NV Highway 163 just outside of Laughlin, or just South of Searchlight, NV on US Highway 93. I highly recommend you use GPS on this one.
According to the Visit Laughlin website, “The Labyrinths can be found on the east side of Thomas Edison, between Bruce Woodbury and Casino Dr. 1/4 mile from each intersection.
Recreate Responsibly
Adventure Photo Tours
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.