Best Cabin Camping near Parker, AZ

This park is next door to Buckskin about ten minutes from Parker right on the Colorado River. It’s one of the prettiest areas in the state. Large sites with a great beach.

Every time I mention Alamo Lake, even people who have lived in Arizona forever say "where"? It's quite a drive to what feels like the middle of nowhere, but totally worth the trip. It's like a mini-Lake Pleasant without all the jet skies and power boats. Campgrounds are basic but serviceable and the far side of the lake has nice sandy beaches for additional camping outside the official park.

I just returned from a camping trip here this weekend and the lake was totally different from my last visit. This lake is not fed by any dedicated water source and it was designed for flood control, so it's level varies greatly from year to year based on winter rain/snow fall during the previous winter. The lake this weekend was THREE TIMES bigger than when I saw it in the spring of 2016 - about 17,000 acres and close to full right now. I'd love to give the park a one-star review just so no one will go there and it can be my great little secret! The drive there is a bit boring, and it's funny to note that while driving the 30 miles or so out Salome road, the "watch for cattle" signs are paired with warnings painted on the road AND rumble strips about every 300 years while in Maricopa county, but as soon as you cross into La Paz county the yellow signs and road paint continue, but the rumble strips disappear :)

There are 5 camping sections with different amenities for each - I prefer the B section because most of the sites have views of the lake, but section A has showers near the cabin rentals (they are only a short walk from B, so it makes staying closer to the lake a win still). Sections C, D, and E are off the first road you can enter and are much more primitive, although they are serviced by their own launch and fish cleaning station. Sections A and B are near the ranger station/camp store that sells all kinds of stuff you might forget and snacks, and has a gas pump outside (I did not inquire about purchasing gas and the pump looks like it's quite an antique. . .)

It's a bit desolate and can be hot and to be honest, kind of boring if you don't have a plan. I love taking my kayak because it's so quiet and it's a great lake for birding - I saw tons of migrating water birds this weekend, as well as an osprey, Harris hawks, and an owl early this morning. There are also tons of wild burros, coyotes, and other desert creatures. This is a fishing lake and pretty much everyone who drives all the way out to Alamo Lake is going for the same reason - to sit in a serene lake on a quiet boat and catch a ton of fish. This is not a hiking lake - I did not see any trails other than just paths here and there through the park.

Stayed in the cabin loop, cabin 12 “Gila Monster”. Enjoyed the cabin so much we stayed an additional night. Cabins everything you’d want with amazing few of lake. Warm showers and clean bathrooms. Lake havasu is a great place to visit in winter!

Nice location to be near town. Lots of gravel but good size spots. Boat launch, garden, cabins and beaches.

This is our 2nd stay at Lake Havasu State Park. We had site C-2 in the cabin loop with W/E. Recommend weekdays if you like quiet camping. We were there Monday thru Thursday with only a couple days advanced resi and had the cabin loop all to ourselves until the last night. Most weekends are booked. As always the park is immaculate with nice personal combo bathrooms & showers. Clean & level tent sites as well. The park staff had huge smiles and waves at the gate every time we returned from our days adventure. Great welcome!

This place is amazing. It’s feel like you are camping in wilderness. Lots of wildlife and beautiful views. The rangers are pretty kind. Plenty of services for campers (Tents, RV’s, cabins) and daily visitors.

The park is very nicely laid out and the site was great. We got kinda lucky cuz the country was shut down due to the flu from China and there was hardly anyone around. Our first trip there was Dec 2020 and most everything was closed, on our 2nd trip in Oct 2022 the place was very busy with snowbirds & all the camps & cabins were booked. Though we liked our first trip we wouldn't return cuz it's just too popular.

First long trip in our new camper to Parker, AZ. We decided to pick the River Island as our first trip to Parker. The campgrounds are very welcoming and spread out with good distance between them. You are nestled way in between two large canyons of red rock with the beautiful Colorado River to the west end of the campsites. The restrooms and showers were clean and well stocked. The Wi-Fi and Phone service was a little patchy, then again you're camping. It was very convenient that there is a private boat launch with the campground, you can launch your boat and other watercraft without leaving the site. Overall we would camp here again, however our next Parker AZ trip will be to Buckskin State Park just south of River Island, wait for our review there.

Camped here  April 28 and stayed for 2 nights. Was very close to home but wanted to test out the new trailer. It's $30 a night for non beach sites and $40 for beach front. The sites are well separated and there are fire rings, cabana and picnic tables at each site. There is also water and electric at all sites, 30 and 50 amp.  Its was very warm the days we stayed and had the A/C on the whole time. There are flush toilets and showers available. Nice hiking trails around the park. The campground staff are all pleasant and they keep the sites and bathrooms very clean. Its even close enough to town that you can walk to many nice restaurants. The beach's are sandy and you have a nice view of the sunset over the water in the evening. There is a dump station for those with holding tanks. All sites are reservable and there are also air conditioned cabins for rent.

This is our go-to spot in the winter. 2 hours from Phoenix. This is all ugly desert landscape, but the lake is nice and the night sky is AMAZING! We pay $22 per night for water and electric. Spots are pretty close to each other. They have a ranger store that sells pretty much everything. The bathrooms are always clean with flush toilets and showers. The weather is close to perfect in the winter, gets pretty cold at night. I wouldn’t recommend going in the summer as the temps reach well over 100. We have fished there, but have never caught anything. The fishermen on boats bring in a ton of fish, so if you have a boat then you’ll have better luck. It’s always very windy at night, so remember to put your awnings up! We made that mistake our first time there. I’m sure we’ll go back next winter since it’s close to Phoenix and reasonably priced. We get pretty good cell service too. There are a ton of spots and are reservable online. They also have small cabins you can rent.

We love it when parks have a plan for traveling campers like us who hate making reservations, and Lake Havasu came through in spades. They have a whole section of their campground dedicated to folks like us. We pulled up, grabbed a space, and spent the night right by the lakeshore. 

I’m afraid we didn’t take pictures of the parking area as we were so taken with the view! It’s a huge parking lot with dedicated camping spaces, with picnic tables, trash cans and plenty of space between your neighbors. The bathrooms offer flush toilets, sinks and warm showers. 

The RV dump tanks were close by, as is the vast boat launch area. While the overnight area might be a little more spartan, the rest of the park is gorgeous with looping campsite areas, rentable cabins, and winding paths. 

Yet, it’s still within the town limits, so everything you might need, or want, is a short walk, bike ride, or drive away. You can even catch the ferry to the casinos across the lake if you want to lose your spending money. 

Hiking, biking and paddling opportunities could all be reached from the campsite. Each site along the beach had some trees for shade, but all the sunshine you could want for solar power as well.  We’ll keep this place in mind when we want a quick overnight with some shower access close to town.

Made reservations for one of the sites facing the Lake (#40).  Checked in (by giving last name) with a wonderfully nice and helpful staff member.  50 and 30 Amp service along with water hook up.  Even cement pad with a picnic table to the side.  Since it was 112 degrees the 50 foot walk to the waters edge and a quick dip was the refreshing needed.  Wet Monkey boat rentals is located right at the park.  The London Bridge is about 2 miles South.

This is a great location when visiting Havasu City

Large campground with many permanent squatters. Positioned directly on the Colorado R. about 3-4 miles below Parker Dam. This could be a nice campground with the mountain views over the river. But the rundown nature and lack of maintenance here is very noticable. This place is definitely past it's prime. There is no cell service so you must rely on wifi, of which, there is none. I asked at the office...nope, none. There is a nice area right on the river to walk your dog or whatever. Sites are cramped, and there is not much gravel. Worst picnic tables I have ever seen situated between the tight(!) spots. Tiny homes are available for sale along the shoreline, so camping spots are slowly being devoured.

sandy beaches and plenty of places to RV, camp, or even rent a cabin. So many neat things for children too so make sure you ask when you pull in for coloring books and a junior ranger packet... keep them kiddos busy. summertime this place is popping, not too busy in the off-seasons but a really nice sandy beach, fun in the sun type of place. very well maintained and affordable.

Here are my star ratings based on my lifestyle and what I like. I'm also a mother, dog mama, and a wife so it's not just me it's my crew and i. 1 star- AUTOMATIC relocate… the property is no longer there, trashed or/and I could never have my children there and I wouldn't ever think about staying no matter what. 2 star- Not really my jam, and would NEVER go to again… It probably more of desert life and not really my style for sure…Being from Vegas I can't stand being in the desert and I love the Trees and the Green more than anything. 3 star- Would stay there again in a pinch, but not really my style, the reason its not is because not enough family things to do, the scenery, or the location… but I would go again and feel safe having my kiddos here but only if I needed to in a pinch. 4 star- a really good rating for sure, maybe needed some improvements, minor things like being on top of each other, not a lot of privacy, but honestly little cosmetic things that aren't anything to sweat and would be back again for sure. 5 star- MY FAVORITE… love the location, safety, the surroundings, big camp spots available to fit toys for my kids to play, hammocks to hang, our big family tent, cases of firewood, our suburban or RV, etcccccc….. I would not only come back but would live if I could!!! Anyway thanks for reading and enjoy every moment like it's your last! CHEERS!