Parker is a quiet community and the county seat of La Paz County, Arizona. The city was originally founded in 1908 and named for Ely Parker, who was the U.S. government's first Native American commissioner. Because Parker was originally planned as a railroad stopover, a railroad track was laid out through the center of the new town. Early in its history, Parker's economy was primarily based on agriculture. The town was officially incorporated in 1948, and it remains a small community to this day.
As of 2020, the population of Parker was roughly 3,400. These days, the town is primarily known as a gateway to the popular Lake Havasu region of Arizona. The surrounding area is frequently used by visitors for water-based recreational activities like Jet Skiing, fishing, boating and waterskiing. If you want to have outdoor fun in the Parker area, you could head to Buckskin Mountain State Park for an afternoon of hiking, picnicking or boating. You could also stop by La Paz County Park for some kayaking or to check out the breathtaking Parker Dam. Alternatively, you could work on your stroke in a gorgeous setting at Emerald Canyon Golf Course.
If you want to learn about the area's cultural history, head to the Colorado River Indian Tribes Museum. You could also explore the lovely scenery of the Ahakhav Tribal Preserve or take an exciting hot-air balloon ride through Wanderlust Balloons. If you feel like gambling, you could play slots and other games at the bustling Bluewater Casino. There are some fantastic restaurants to try around Parker as well. While you're there, you could grab some tasty pizza at La Piazza before having a couple of drinks at the Nellie E Saloon.
One of the many excellent campgrounds near Parker is Islander RV Resort, 50 minutes north of Parker. You can rent an RV campsite with 30- or 50-amp electricity and enjoy the numerous amenities provided. You'll have access to a heated pool, a spa, a golf course, a clubhouse with various activities, laundry facilities, a fitness room and much more. Plus, there are sandy beaches and great swimming areas located near the campground.
Also 50 minutes north of Parker is Campbell Cove RV Resort, which has 113 full-hookup RV campsites available for $34-$42 per night. During your stay, you'll enjoy beautiful lakefront views and superb nearby opportunities for fishing and boating. There's also a convenience store located beside the park. If you need it, the campground offers RV and boat storage for as little as $50 per month as well.
Crazy Horse Campgrounds, 50 minutes north of Parker, features 616 RV campsites for $45-$60 per night or $270-$420 per week. Located conveniently close to a championship golf course, the campground boasts a convenience store, shuffleboard, horseshoe lanes and other amenities. While you're there, you can rent a Jet Ski, fishing boat or speedboat from the campground. You'll also have convenient access to a variety of nearby shops and restaurants.
One of the most popular outdoor areas in Parker is Buckskin Mountain State Park, which is known for its scenic views and many recreational opportunities. Situated near the Colorado River, the park is a great spot for boating, swimming and fishing. Visitors can also hike the many miles of peaceful trails and observe the local wildlife, which includes foxes, lizards and various bird species. The park also features several on-site volleyball courts and playgrounds and serves as a wonderful camping destination.
Cattail Cove State Park lies near the Arizona-California border, a half-hour northeast of Parker, and is revered as a tranquil oasis. Visitors to the park can enjoy stunning mountain views and gorgeous sunsets over nearby Lake Havasu. The lake is a very popular destination for activities like fishing, boating, swimming and water sports, and if you don't have your own watercraft, you can rent a kayak or paddleboard at the park. If you decide to partake in some angling, you can potentially reel in catfish, bluegill and bass, all of which are abundant in the lake.
Another state park located near lovely Lake Havasu is Lake Havasu State Park, 50 minutes north of Parker. The park is one of the most popular destinations for water-based fun in the state, offering excellent opportunities for boating, swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding and water sports. If you'd prefer to stay dry, you can, instead, explore the many miles of hiking trails that surround the lake. During your visit, be sure to stop by the Arroyo-Camino Interpretive Garden, where you can learn about the park's unique flora and fauna.
One of the coolest national sites in the Parker region is the Castle Mountains National Monument, which is most known as the home of the majestic Castle Peaks. The mountains, which are in California, two hours and 45 minutes northwest of Parker, are surrounded by Joshua trees and junipers in the Mojave National Preserve. During your visit, you can hike through the unique area and observe some of the local wildlife, including bobcats, bighorn sheep and golden eagles. You can also partake in off-road vehicle driving while surrounded by picturesque desert scenery.
The Mojave National Preserve is a vast natural area encompassing more than 1.5 million acres in California, an hour and 40 minutes northwest of Parker. The preserve is home to a variety of strange and unique features, including abandoned mines, historic homesteads and breathtaking sand dunes. While you're there, you can check out the fascinating Lava Tube, go off-roading on Mojave Road or explore the amazing Kelso Sand Dunes. You may also want to navigate popular trails such as the Barber Peak Loop Trail and the Mid Hills to Hole-in-the-Wall Trail.
The Grand Canyon–Parashant National Monument is another massive natural site covering over 1 million acres across parts of Arizona and Utah. The monument, which is approximately seven hours and 10 minutes northeast of Parker, contains most of the north face of the Grand Canyon as well as other notable landmarks, like Mount Trumbull and Lake Meade. Visitors can check out interesting sites, like the Grand Gulch Mine and the Oak Grove Dairy, or explore hiking routes, like the Grand Canyon via Whitmore Canyon Trail.
Located near the city of Prescott, Arizona, two hours and 40 minutes northeast of Parker, Prescott National Forest is a diverse natural area featuring lush woodlands, sparse deserts and towering mountains. Comprising approximately 1.25 million acres in total, the forest provides a lovely setting for activities like fishing, bird-watching, geocaching, boating and stargazing. Hikers visiting the forest should navigate popular trails like the Baby Granite Loop and Surprise Spring Trail #350.
In California, four hours southwest of Parker, Cleveland National Forest is known not just for its natural beauty, but also for its fascinating Native American history. Some of the groups that once lived within the forest's boundaries include the Cupeno, Cahuilla, Kumeyaay and Luisenos Native Americans, who survived thanks to the area's many animals, acorns and plants. If you visit the forest today, you can explore several serene trails that were originally navigated by ancient Native Americans. While hiking through the area, you should watch for bobcats, coyotes, opossums, mule deer, wild pigs, badgers and other interesting creatures.
Another diverse natural haven worth exploring is California's San Bernardino National Forest. The forest, which is about three hours west of Parker, is a superb hiking destination featuring top-tier trails such as the Bonita Falls, Bear Lake Woodland and Bertha Peak trails. If you enjoy activities like skiing and snowboarding, you can visit one of the forest's four separate winter resorts. You can also go fishing in one of the area's many streams, visit one of the 42 peaceful campgrounds or take a kayak or canoe out on one of the seven scenic rivers. Stargazing, geocaching, bird-watching and wildlife viewing are all great options for visitors to enjoy as well.
One of the nearest national parks to Parker is Joshua Tree National Park, a beautiful stretch of desert in southeastern California a mere hour and 50 minutes southwest of Parker. The park is located where the Mojave and Colorado Deserts come together and is famous for its many Joshua tree plants. These strange plants, which are actually a species of yucca, are scattered throughout the park, giving the area a very distinctive landscape. Along with viewing the park's interesting vegetation and towering rock formations, visitors can partake in a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking and bird-watching. If you're a stargazing enthusiast, you should take advantage of the incredibly dark skies in the area during your visit.
Grand Canyon National Park, four hours and 15 minutes northeast of Parker, is one of the world's most famous natural landmarks, and there's a good reason for that. The park is named for its unfathomably large gorge, which the Colorado River carved out over thousands of years. Simply standing near the edge of the canyon and gazing into it is an unforgettable experience, although many bold adventurers opt to go backpacking down into the gorge. There are other opportunities for adventure as well, such as taking a rafting trip along the river or hiking along the many scenic trails. The park regularly hosts events for visitors, including wildlife talks, guided hikes and geological lectures.
Located in southwestern Utah, seven hours and five minutes northeast of Parker, Zion National Park is home to the magnificent Zion Canyon. Although it isn't as large as the Grand Canyon, Zion Canyon is still a very impressive landmark worth seeing in person. The rugged park is also home to various other canyons, crags and cliffs, providing numerous hiking opportunities for individuals of all ability levels. Perhaps the most famous part of the park is The Narrows, a narrow section of Zion Canyon that visitors can wade through. During your visit, you can also enjoy activities like canyoneering, biking and rock climbing. Alternatively, you could attend an interpretive program, nature talk or educational hike.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Parker, AZ, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Parker?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Parker from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Parker?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
