Blythe is a small agricultural town in California that offers limit-


ed boondocking, although there are multiple RV parks and resorts to choose from. To boondock (free dry camping) head north on Lovekin road six miles. We haven’t camped in Blythe but our friends say it’s great for cheap golf. To continue north along the Colorado from Blythe, take Hwy 95


and then east on Hwy 62 to Parker/Earp. Tis section of the river is by far the most beautiful and busiest resort area. Te river is quiet and pristine, with well-appointed RV resorts, golf courses and river adven- tures. Te road winds its way along both sides of the river and crosses at


Hoover Dam forms Lake Mead. Imperial Dam & Senator’s wash A few miles north of Mitry Lake north of the Im-


perial Dam on the California side of the Colorado River is Squaw Lake. Dry camping is available next to the lake, although it’s a paved campground with curbs to keep your rig from accidentally straying onto the gravel. Tere is a boat launch next to the camp- ground, making it possible to fish or travel by boat for miles up the river. A mile west of Squaw Lake is Senator’s Wash Reser-


voir, and dry camping on the shore is popular. Squaw Lake and Senator’s Reservoir are fee-based, and on the same ticket. Te $75 fee is good for a year and you may stay at one or the other for 14 days at a time.


LTVA (Long Term Visitor’s Area) Up the hill from Senator’s Wash Reservoir is the


Imperial Dam LTVA. Tis is a semi-organized ran- dom dry camping (boondocking) area with central RV dump, water and trash. During the fall, winter and spring you will find hundreds if not thousands of boondockers homesteading in this large area. Tis LTVA has a large social network including


emergency CB radio monitoring as well as organized social events. Te fee here is minimal ($185 per sea- son at the time of writing this.). Te fee includes the Quartzsite area and several other LTVA areas.


Martinez Lake Farther up the river on the Arizona side is pretty


Martinez Lake with a private campground and a small settlement called Fishers Landing offering a small RV Park under the trees along with a boat launch and marina providing access to miles of the slow-moving Colorado River.


Blythe, California For more RV camping areas along the Colorado


River travel north for 60 miles from Martinez Lake on Hwy 95 to Quartzsite then west on I-10, 20 miles to Blythe on the Colorado River.


10 RVT 174 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016 Senator’s Wash Reservoir dry camping.


Parker and the Parker dam to the north. It makes for a pleasant drive, or motorcycle tour. Te Parker Dam is closed to RVs; it is not neces- sary to cross at the Dam.


Lake Havasu Lake Havasu is the focal point of the southern Colorado Basin; one


of the largest accessible lakes on the Colorado basin with many RV resorts to consider. Tere are several boondocking opportunities. On the east side of the highway north and south of Havasu City, watch for boondockers on your right or check with the BLM office in Havasu City. Lake Havasu is a large lake with pleasant weather especially in the


fall and spring; the winter can be cool, with wind. Fall and spring are like midsummer in the north with 80+ temperatures and that perfect summer feeling. Te lake is an amazing site during Easter weekend when the racing


boats gather in the canal under the London Bridge, the boats are so close together you could literally walk from boat to boat all the way along both sides of the canal, a sight to behold. Te city does a great job sponsoring free events throughout the fall and spring months, fire- works and a variety of festivals, always something to enjoy.


I hope this article has presented a few ideas of the RVing possibilities


along the Colorado River Basin. Lynda and I have spent many of our southern trips exploring this area; it has become one of our favourite destinations. For us seeking out a boondocking or camping area along a lake or river makes the trip infinitely more enjoyable. Te Northern Colorado River Basin has many more RVing oppor-


tunities north of Lake Havasu that I will cover in subsequent articles. Lynda and I have spent many winters traveling throughout the


southwest. I have documented most of our trips on my website, www. rvretirementtravel.com so check it out if you like. 4


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