Mohave: Nature, Culture and Vast Landscapes

Mohave combines the vastness of the desert landscape with the Colorado River, impressive protected areas and unusually diverse cultural experiences. Those planning a trip to Mohave can choose between active days on roads and trails, excursions along the river and insights into the region’s history. When looking for a suitable holiday apartment, the key consideration is therefore which aspect of the destination should be the focus.

Nature between River, Desert and Mountains

One defining landscape is the 20-mile-long Topock Gorge. It contains one of the last remaining natural sections of the lower Colorado River. The Havasu National Wildlife Refuge has a different character: It protects 30 river miles, and more than 300 species have been documented there. These two destinations illustrate how differently the river landscapes of western Arizona can be experienced.

The extensive protected areas inland also give Mohave its distinctive character. Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument covers more than one million acres and is designated as the Parashant International Night Sky Province. The Cerbat Pinnacles are located in the Mount Tipton Wilderness and are considered the area’s most important scenic attraction. The Mount Wilson Wilderness is also home to a population of desert bighorn sheep.

Hiking, Horseback Riding and Trails for Active Days

For hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders, Hualapai Mountain Park offers 10 miles of trails. The Dolan Springs Trail System is open to hikers, joggers, horseback riders and mountain bikers. It is located on 480 acres of BLM land at the northern end of the Mount Tipton Wilderness in the Cerbat Mountains. Those who want to combine different types of activity will find various options here for planning their day.

The Wabayuma Peak Wilderness and Mount Nutt Wilderness offer further challenging nature experiences. In Wabayuma, visitors can enjoy challenging hikes, backpacking trips, horseback rides and wildlife observation. Mount Nutt offers diverse and challenging opportunities for hiking, camping, photography and rock climbing. In the Warm Springs Wilderness, hiking and horseback-riding opportunities follow an old historic route as well as numerous burro trails.

Individual routes also have clear focuses: The Monolith Garden Trail near Kingman is an 8.5-mile series of loop trails for hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders and trail runners. The Moss Wash OHV Trail is a challenging 9.5-mile route through pinyon-juniper woodland, chaparral, ponderosa pine forest, riparian vegetation and Mojave Desert vegetation. The Mohave & Milltown Railroad Non-motorized Trail runs for seven miles along a historic railway line and is designed for hikers and mountain bikers.

River Landscapes and Grand Canyon Experiences

If water and river landscapes are part of your travel plans, Davis Camp is an important point of reference. The Mohave County park is located within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, north of Bullhead City on the Colorado River. It has a launch and take-out point for paddlecraft and small boats. Arizona’s West Coast also offers opportunities for freshwater activities as well as hiking trails through riparian landscapes in western Arizona.

In Peach Springs, Diamond Creek Road provides direct public access to the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. Grand Canyon West offers a culturally immersive experience with the Hualapai Tribe; Mohave County is home to Grand Canyon West, which is owned and operated by the Hualapai Tribe. At Hualapai Point, a zipline runs 1,100 feet above the canyon walls. The range of experiences therefore extends from scenic views and culture to a special activity experience.

History as Part of the Journey

The Arizona Route 66 Museum traces the history of Route 66: from its origins as a prehistoric trade route and its role as an escape route for Dust Bowl refugees to its revival in American culture. Together with the historic routes in the wilderness areas, this creates an approach to the region that encompasses not only nature but also its transportation and cultural history.

When choosing your holiday apartment in Mohave, you can therefore make your preferred travel rhythm the starting point: river and Grand Canyon experiences, culture and history, or extended days in the mountains and protected areas. For further orientation, you can also visit the pages on Lake Havasu City, Kingman, Bullhead City, Colorado City, Peach Springs, Mohave Valley, Yucca, Dolan Springs and Meadview.

To the higher-level travel overview: Arizona.