Epic Hiking Near Lake Havasu

Hiking near Lake Havasu is one of the best activities if you want a break from boating in the area. Hiking is a great activity whether you are a resident or visitor. We’ve narrowed down the best hiking trails for your group in the area.

Where is Lake Havasu?

Lake Havasu covers over 30.16 mi² and it sits on the border between the states of Arizona and California. It is in the center of several main airports in Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Phoenix. From LAX and SAN, it will be about a 5 hour drive. It is a little closer from LAS and PHX airports, with roughly a 2.5-3 hour drive.

Is Lake Havasu not what you thought? You may be looking for Havasu Falls, which sits at the Havasupai Reservation in Arizona. Read more information about Havasu at my blog here!

Why Should You Hike Near Lake Havasu?

From the name, it’s right to assume that the major tourism activity in the area will be fishing or boating. However, Lake Havasu is also widely known for its choice collection of hiking trails. Hiking near Lake Havasu has its perks:

Perfect Activity After Boating

Lake Havasu is a vast lake in the desert which makes it great for not only boating but hiking or backpacking as well. Lake Havasu receives over 750,000 tourists annually. Most tourists who go there for boating usually fish for bass and participate in several fishing competitions organized in Lake Havasu. Boating is not just a favorite of tourists, but also the locals. 

Lake Havasu has crystal clear greenish-blue water, towering cliffs, amazing wildlife, and rugged mountains. Lake Havasu is one of the best destinations for boats of all sizes and shapes. You don’t need to buy a boat to cruise the waters of Lake Havasu. There are several options available for rent; a houseboat, pontoon boats, jet skis, or kayaks paddled by humans. 

If you need a break after all of your boating activities, what better way to stretch out your legs than go hiking near Lake Havasu?

Beautiful Views of Lake Havasu

Looking at a wonder of nature can be a nice break from a Lake Havasu hike. When you are boating, you are obviously in the middle of the water. So your views are more outwards towards the surrounding cliffs. However, if you go on a Lake Havasu hike, your vantage point will be from the cliffs and you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the blue water.

There are a lot of high grounds from which to have the best possible view of the lake. The lake is surrounded by mountains, which can be a good location to view a lake from. The mere fact that Lake Havasu is a major tourist destination for recreational fishing and boating in Arizona is enough testament to what the view will be like. 

Great Hiking from Late Fall Through Early Spring

Similar to other tourist destinations, there’s a season when certain activities are at their peak. For hikers, the period ranges from late fall (November) to early spring (March). Because of its location near the desert, hiking near Lake Havasu actually has an opposite season to what you would expect (summer). This makes for a great opportunity to hike in the “off-season.”

Judging from the size and terrain of Lake Havasu, one can tell that there are numerous hiking trails for hikers to explore. 

What to Pack for Your Lake Havasu Hike

When you are hiking, it is always important to pack the right gear. The 10 Essentials are of course important for your safety. After that – boots, sun protection, water, and clothes will keep you the most comfortable. After miles and miles of hiking, here are my personal favorites.

Hiking Boots / Shoes

There is some scrambling and loose-rock hiking near Lake Havasu, so having sturdy hiking boots or hiking shoes – more than your old sneakers – will help with both comfort and safety.

Sun Protection

Your Lake Havasu hike will likely be exposed to the sun for most of the time. Sun protection is super important for safety but also to protect your skin and keep it looking fresh!

Water Storage

There are many options for carrying your water, including just a plain water bottle. However the MSR Drom Bag has been my go-to water carrier for years now.

In the summer, I will bring around 1L per hour of hiking. In the winter, I will lessen that to around 0.5L per hour of hiking.

Summer Hiking Clothing

Hiking near Lake Havasu is very exposed and there is almost no shade on all the hikes. That’s why sweat-wicking clothing will go a long way.

PS – If you are looking for a more in-depth review of hiking gear, check out my blog on The Best Hiking Clothes.

Six Best Hikes near Lake Havasu

1. Sara Crack Trail

3.4 miles | Dog Friendly

This Lake Havasu hike covers a total of 3.4 miles with barely any elevation gain at 300 ft. It’s a moderate hike near Lake Havasu surrounded by gorgeous wildflowers. Sara Crack Trail is mostly used for nature trips and hiking. The route-type of this hiking trail is out and back. There is a yellow crack trail that leads you through the slot canyon to the Colorado River and a blue trail to take you back through the top of the canyon.

Entry is not free. From Mondays through Thursdays, vehicle owners are charged $15 and $20 during the weekend or on holidays. Tourists coming on foot or via bicycles will pay an entry fee of $3. 

Sara Crack Trail is a good hike for the following reasons: 

• The trail is never too busy, so you won’t feel super crowded on this hike
• Its distance of 3.4 miles also means kids can join in the fun and go back the way they came through the crack.
• This Lake Havasu hike comes with great views of the lake and the box canyon. A particular favorite for the kids was the little rope ladder in the canyon.
• Sara Crack Trail has well-marked paths to guide you to the crack. Even beginners and elderly individuals should have no issues navigating through.
• Of all the hiking near Lake Havasu, this is probably the most popular hikes. It’s highly rated across platforms

2. Lizard Peak via Trashcan and Watershed Trail Loop

2.1 miles | Dogs not recommended

This Lake Havasu hike is roughly 2.1 miles in length and has an elevation gain of 600 ft. This heavily trafficked trail highlights four paths that lead to the summit of Lizard Peak. At the summit, there’s a picnic table and this spot offers you the best views in the entire park from a bird’s eye viewpoint, including the beautiful city of Lake Havasu, Cupcake Mountain in the California region of the lake. You also get extensive views of the river from both directions. 

The watershed loop portion of this trail is not long but challenging to hike. The northmost route in the loop features a couple of ledges (both measuring roughly 48-72 inches in height) that you must navigate across. A little tip here; you may prefer navigating this loop in reverse so that you will be ascending these ledges instead of downclimbing. 

This Lake Havasu hike, although short, is somewhat difficult and shouldn’t be navigated by someone unsure of their ability to navigate up and down rocky or steep inclines. 

Lizard Peak via Trashcan and Watershed Trail Loop is a good hike near Lake Havasu for the following reasons:

• The views of the lake are breathtaking from the top.
• The distance is short; roughly 2 miles and can be completed in about 90 minutes.

3. Blue Trail and Lizard Peak Loop

3.6 miles | Dogs not recommended

This hike near Lake Havasu is 3.6 miles long, which makes it a longer trail than the first two on the list. It also has the highest elevation gain (900 ft) on the list. Just like the Sara Crack Trail, it’s a moderate hike. This hike features a steep back climb to the summit. The top of this trail gives you a complete view of the lake and mountains. 

There’s a great picnic table at the summit as well which can serve as a great background or setting for your pictures and a resting spot. Although the trails aren’t well marked, there hasn’t been any case of a missing hiker. 

Blue Trail and Lizard Peak Loop is a good hike for the following reasons:

• The trail offers you some great views of the lake and the city itself.
• Navigating the steep climb is a great way to workout and burn some calories.
• One can complete it in a couple of hours.

4. Cattail Cove Perimeter Loop

3.4 miles | Dog Friendly

This Lake Havasu hike is located in Cattail Cove State Park. It’s 3.4 miles long and has an elevation gain of 300 ft. The state park charges $10 for vehicle owners from Monday to Thursday and $15 from Friday to Sunday and during the holidays. Tourists coming on foot or via bicycle will pay an entry fee of $3. The trail path is steep and there are plenty of loose rocks. 

Cattail Cove Perimeter Loop is a good hike because:

• It offers you great views precisely the trail path along the river and inland.
• The trail is easy to navigate and the traffic is low.
• The trail has been properly maintained and this enhances its ease of navigation.
• It features many intersecting trails if you want to extend your hike
• The path is easier than the Lizard Peak trails, and therefore dogs will enjoy it more

5. Arch Rock and Watershed Loop

4.8 miles | Dog Friendly

This Lake Havasu hike is located in SARA Park and it’s 4.8 miles long. The elevation gain is 500 ft, which is higher than that of Sara Crack Trail and Cattail Cove Perimeter Loop. It’s categorized as a moderate trail. This route type of this hiking trail is a loop, and the trail itself is much easier than Lizard Peak. It’s a less popular but longer hike within SARA Park.

Arch Rock and Watershed Loop is a good hike because:

• You can hike along with your kids and your pet.
• Variety of terrains to explore
• The trail has a fun loop and beautiful setting.

6. Pilot Rock Trail

6.7 miles | Dog friendly

Finally, we have Pilot Rock Trail, which is also located in SARA Park. The hike is 6.7 miles long, which makes it the longest hike near Lake Havasu on the list. Despite the length of the trail, it’s a moderate hike and the traffic is light. It has an out-and-back route and it also has the second highest elevation gain (700 ft) on the list. The trail is quite long, so it will take you about 3 hours to complete.

Pilot Rock Trail is a great hike for the following reasons:

• The trail is easy to navigate and there are just a few hills to climb.
• It offers you amazing views of the water.
• It’s regarded by some hikers as the best trail near Lake Havasu.
• Be aware, like many Lake Havasu hikes, Pilot Rock Trail is completely unshaded for the 6.7 miles

Summary

These hikes near Lake Havasu are the standouts from a long list of hikes in the region. What they all have in common are affordable entry fees, numerous positive reviews and high ratings from hikers, great views of the lake and the city, and easy navigation. It’s a great way to have fun and stay fit at the same time. 

If you are looking to break up some of your time on the lake, these Lake Havasu hikes are definitely worth it.

Have you done any of these Lake Havasu hikes? What did you think?

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