Parker Historical Society - The Museum is located at 1214 California Avenue (Highway 95) in Parker. The temporary building (donated by the Beaver family) is being used to its capacity. There are many displays featured including Indian and old mining artifacts. Many old photos depict some very interesting aerial views of the surrounding areas. There are also large photo exhibits from the building of the Parker Dam and the World War II Japanese internment camps, one of which was located in Poston. Historical buffs will enjoy seeing the history of the Parker at the new museum. Call the Museum at 928 669-8077 or 928-669-6578. Please feel to contact the Chamber of Commerce for further information at 928 669-2174.
Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Museum and Library - The Colorado River Indian Reservation is unique in the sense that it is occupied by four (4) distinct tribal groups: Mohave, Chemehuevi, Navajo and Hopi, each with its own separate culture and traditions. The CRIT Museum and Library are both open to the public Monday through Friday and there is no charge to visit the facilities. The Library offers a vast selection of reading materials, including historical archives and selections relative to the four distinct tribes. The museum contains the largest collection of Chemehuevi baskets in the world, excellent examples of Mohave pottery, beautiful Navajo silver-smithed jewelry, intricate Hopi Kachina dolls, and many artifacts from the Reservation. For more information call 928 669-9211 or the Chamber of Commerce at 928 669-2174.
Poston Memorial Monument - This monument marks the site of the Poston War Relocation Center where 17,867 persons of Japanese ancestry were interned during World War II. The monument is located approximately eleven (11) miles south of Parker on the Parker/Poston Road, and may be visited at any time during the daylight hours. There is no fee. History of the Center is inscribed into the monument and at an information kiosk on the property. For additional information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 928 669-2174.
Aha Khav Tribal Preserve - The Preserve is located just south of Four Corners on the Colorado River Indian Reservation (approximately three (3) miles south of Parker on Mojave road, turn west on Rodeo Road at the PIRA Rodeo Grounds). The Aha Khav Preserve is a serene wetlands and backwater area of the River. The Preserve has been made possible through the efforts of the CRIT Education Department, who are returning the area to its natural habitat. The Preserve, which includes a hunting and fishing area known to many as Deer Lake, also offers hiking trails, picnic areas and canoeing. There is a small fee for canoe rentals. For more information call the CRIT Education Department at 928 669-9211.
Swansea Ghost Town - Swansea has been proclaimed as one of Arizona's best ghost towns by Arizona Highways Magazine. Take a day trip back into time and see the remains of what was once a bustling mining community, complete with a "moving picture house", a post office and automobile dealership. On public lands, the Bureau of Land Management now manages the town and is in the process of building picnic and camping areas near the original town site. A non-profit organization, the "Friends of Swansea" has also been established to raise funds for Swansea's restoration. Swansea is accessible by two-wheel drive automobiles; however, high clearance vehicles are suggested. The ghost town can be reached by traveling east out of Parker on Shea Road, (paved) for approximately 10 miles. At this point you will travel about 20 miles on a well-graded dirt road to Swansea. The ghost town can also be reached by traveling northeast from Bouse. Whenever traveling in the desert, remember to take water and always tell someone where you're going and when you plan to return. There is no charge to visit Swansea.
Parker Dam Road Scenic Byway - The Parker Dam Road between Earp California and Parker Dam, California has officially been declared a National Back Country By Way by the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management. Several historical and nature inspired sites along the road offer travelers a look into the area's past as well as an insight of the desert flora and wildlife. The BLM also operates several campsites, OHV areas and day use sites along the California shore of the river, and there are several private BLM concessionaire resorts available. For more information call the BLM at 928 505-1234 or the Chamber of Commerce at 928 669-2174.
Parker Dam & Powerplant - View the world's deepest dam from a scenic point on either the Arizona or California side of the beautiful Colorado River. The dam is located 17 miles northeast of Parker. The dam forms the reservoir of Lake Havasu, which is 45-miles long. Water is pumped from the reservoir into the Colorado River Aqueduct, which can provide up to one billion gallons of water a day to Southern California cities. Water is also pumped into the Central Arizona Project, providing water to Arizona cities, farms, ranches, and Arizona Indian communities.
Parker Dam is the deepest dam in the world at 320 feet and is one of the most visited Power Plant in the local area. The Bureau of Reclamation built the dam between 1934 and 1938, and 2/3 of its depth is below the riverbed. The dam's builders had to drill deep into the earth to find bedrock to ensure the dam's stability. Parker Dam is operated with Hoover and Davis Dams to bring water and power benefits to residents of the lower Colorado River Basin. The power plant is operated and managed by Reclamation. The Department of Energy, through the Western Area Power Administration, markets the hydropower produced at the power plant to cities, agricultural users and Native American communities throughout the Southwest. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California reserves about 50% of the plant's power output for pumping water to the Pacific Coast. Tours of the power plant are no longer available to the public, due to budget cuts and security issues. However, scenic view pullouts are open to the public on both the Arizona and California sides of the Dam. For additional information about Parker Dam call 760 663-3712.Also, only passenger vehicles are allowed to cross due to barriers and security.
Bill William's Bridge - A few miles North of Parker Dam, the Bill Williams River flows into Lake Havasu on the Arizona side of the river. That's where the Bill Williams Bridge is located, sporting a spectacular view of the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge (Bill Williams Unit) to the right and a panoramic view of Lake Havasu to the left. The refuge, established in 1941 to provide wintering water flow habitants, is comprised of cattail marshes, rugged desert uplands and a riparian zone. The varied terrain attracts many species of migratory birds including the endangered Yuma clapper rail as well as other wildlife such as owls, lizards, desert bighorn sheep and Gamble's quail. For more information about the Bill Williams area call the U.S. Fish Wildlife office at 928 667-4144.
BlueWater Resort and Casino - Las Vegas fun is available in Parker at the BlueWater Resort and Casino, a gaming enterprise of the Colorado River Indian Tribes. The theme of the Resort is "The Lost City". All 200 rooms, of which 10 are suites, has a beautiful view of the Colorado River while looking down at the marina with 164 boat slips. "The Dig" (an entertainment lounge), will seat 148 people and offers a large screen TV and scheduled live entertainment. There is a 24 hours restaurant/buffet along with a fine dining area, which will feature steak, seafood and have a good wine selection. Adjacent to the main resort is a four-screen moving theater, a 9-hole miniature golf course and a 500 to 1500 seat amphitheater. The focus is the atrium where there are four swimming pools at four different levels, a spa and 15 waterfalls. The facility also has extensive conference rooms available. Last, but not least, the 8000 square foot casino boasts of 400 slot machines, card room, and a huge bingo room. To welcome the boaters there is a cantina located at the marina entrance which will be serving a light fare. For more information, please call the Blue Water Resort at 928 669 7000, 1-888-243-3360.
Emerald Canyon Golf Course - This is the most fascinating and unusual Golf Course you'll ever play, often referred to as the "Jewel in the Desert". You may tee off over a ravine to a fairway bordered by vertical canyon walls on both sides, or hitting your tee shot at a par three to a green guarded by a deep canyon. Then again, you may stand on an elevated tee and gaze down at the mighty Colorado River and the numerous mountains that surround you as you feel you can see for eternity. The Golf Digest quoted - "An unexpected pleasure. A fantastic, unusual layout with stunning surroundings."
The Golf Course offers a full service Pro Shop and snack bar. There are two (2) practice greens with a lighted driving range. Golf lessons can be taken from a PGA Golf professional. They are located at 8251 Riverside Drive, Parker Dam. For further information you may call the Golf Course direct at 928 667-3366.
