Boating, Wildlife and Parks Await Along Parker Strip and Bill Williams River

The Colorado River doesn't slow down when it reaches La Paz County, and neither do the people drawn to its banks. The Parker Strip corridor, running along the Colorado, and the Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge at the mouth of the Bill Williams River together form the backbone of one of Arizona's most accessible and varied outdoor recreation zones. Whether you're hauling a boat trailer, pulling an RV, or simply looking for a riverside picnic table, the network of parks managed by La Paz County Parks puts serious amenities within reach of nearly every community in the area.

La Paz County Park: The Anchor of the Strip

Eight miles north of Parker off Highway 95, La Paz County Park earns its reputation as the county's biggest facility. The park sits directly along the Colorado River and offers 114 RV sites with full utilities, riverfront ramadas, and dry camping options for those who prefer a simpler setup. The scale of the place means it can absorb large groups without losing the riverside atmosphere that draws people here in the first place.

For reunions, corporate events, or any gathering that needs real infrastructure, the Don T. Pavilion is the standout option. It holds up to 300 people and comes equipped with a full kitchen, wi-fi, restrooms, and plenty of tables and chairs, all with riverside views included. To inquire about booking, call (928) 667-2069 or email camphost@lapazcountyaz.org.

Bouse Shooting Range: Day Use With River Access

Just one mile from La Paz County Park along Riverside Drive, the Bouse Shooting Range functions as a day-use park open from sunrise to sunset. Despite the name, it's a legitimate waterfront destination: the site includes a boat ramp, riverside picnic tables, and a large dog run. If you're launching onto the Colorado for a morning on the water, this is a practical and well-positioned starting point, with the added convenience of the picnic infrastructure when you come back in.

Centennial Park and Greasewood Golf Course: Desert Links Between Salome and Wenden

Not every park in La Paz County hugs the river. Centennial Park and Greasewood Golf Course sits on Centennial Road between Salome and Wenden, offering a different kind of outdoor experience for the inland communities. The park includes RV sites with utilities and dry camping alongside a full 18-hole executive golf course with a driving range. If your group includes both golfers and campers, this is the park that accommodates both without compromise.

Cibola Historical Park: A Community Gathering Spot

Down in Cibola, the Cibola Historical Park operates as a day-use site open from sunrise to sunset. The park offers a large ramada suited for family functions, a playground, and a large grassy area for recreational activities. It's a straightforward, well-equipped community green space in a part of the county that sits closer to the Bill Williams River end of the corridor.

Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge

At the mouth of the Bill Williams River, where it empties into the Colorado, the Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge anchors the southern end of the county's river corridor. The refuge adds a wildlife-viewing dimension to the Parker Strip experience that goes well beyond recreational boating. Specific trail information, seasonal hours, and wildlife program details are best confirmed directly with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which manages the refuge.

Other Parks Across the County

La Paz County Parks rounds out its network with Bouse Community Park, Pioneer Park, Ehrenberg Park, and Patria Flats, ensuring that communities spread across the county have local access to outdoor space. Across all of these sites, the county's activity offerings span camping, RV'ing, walking, swimming, boating, tennis, basketball, golfing, picnicking, water sports, volleyball, softball, and hiking. As the county parks system puts it: "We have a park or recreation area serving nearly every community in La Paz County, so if outdoor fun is your interest, there will always be something to do!"

The Saturday Swap Meet: November Through March

Running every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. between November and March, the La Paz County Parks Swap Meet is a seasonal fixture worth knowing about. Admission is free for customers, and vendor sites measuring 20 by 25 feet start as low as $20. It's a community event with practical appeal: deals, food, and a reason to get outside during the cooler months. For vendor inquiries, contact 928-859-4342.

Planning Your Visit

For camping reservations, RV site bookings, pavilion rentals, or general questions, La Paz County Parks can be reached at (928) 667-2069 or through email at camphost@lapazcountyaz.org. The parks website at lapazcountyparks.com carries current facility information. Phone lines are staffed during business hours; if you can't get through, email is the reliable backup.

Specific fees for camping, RV hookups, day-use areas, and pavilion rentals are not listed publicly in the parks' general materials and are worth confirming directly when you book. The same applies to reservation processes, ADA accessibility details, and any permit requirements for boat launches beyond the ramp at Bouse Shooting Range.

The corridor from the Parker Strip south to the Bill Williams River covers enough terrain and enough types of recreation that a single visit rarely does it justice. Plan for more than one.