KOA Campgrounds on the Southern Colorado River

KOA has a trio of its "Kampgrounds" set on the banks of the Colorado River, located on both sides of the California and Arizona state line. That means RV and tent campers who swear by the services offered by KOA, a family-friendly national chain of campgrounds, are spoiled for choice. The area is also crammed with natural attractions, such as Lake Havasu, Buckskin Mountain State Park and the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge.

Lake Havasu KOA
This KOA is located in the vicinity of Lake Havasu and its associated Arizona state park, and at roughly 20 miles distance it is the closest of the KOAs to Parker. The Lake Havasu KOA is unusual for a member of the chain, in that it only offers RV camping sites. The sites have full hook-ups (30-amp electricity only), and the KOA's facilities include a swimming pool.

Lake Havasu / London Bridge KOA
3829 London Bridge Road
Lake Havasu, AZ 86403
(760) 663-1018

Blythe KOA
The Blythe, California KOA is about 30 miles downriver of Parker. This large campground offers 300 RV and tent sites with full hook-ups (up to 50-amp electricity). The sites also have free cable TV and telephone connections, and the largest of the sites are 55-foot pull-thrus. The Blythe KOA's other amenities include a playground and picnic area, basketball court, an arcade, hot tub, sauna and an outdoor swimming pool. It also has a boat landing on the Colorado River.

Blythe / Colorado River KOA
14100 Riviera Drive
Blythe, CA 92225
(760) 922-5350

Needles KOA
Located about 40 miles upriver of Parker is the Needles, California KOA. It offers the more typical KOA mixture of RV sites, tent-camping and rental cabins. All RV sites have full hook-ups (up to 50-amp electricity), and the largest sites are 90-foot pull-thrus. The KOA's amenities include a swimming pool, playground, clubhouse, snack bar, pet area, LP gas sales, coin laundry, horseshoe pits and dump station.

Needles KOA
5400 National Old Trails Road
Needles , CA 92363
(760) 326-4207

Sources: koa.com/where/CA/05366/; koa.com/where/CA/05451/; koa.com/where/az/03222/; map research