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Lake Mohave Guide For First Time Visitors

Date: September 23, 2020
Category: Blog Things to do

Lake Mohave offers stunning canyon views, beaches, plenty of camping sites, and lots of fun water activities for the whole family to enjoy. It’s the perfect place to kick up your feet and forget about your worries, even if it’s just for a weekend.

At Cottonwood Cove Resort and Marina, we encourage first-time visitors to get out there and experience Lake Mohave to its full potential. From what to do, where to stay, and how to get there, here’s a Lake Mohave guide for first time visitors.

Overview of Lake Mohave

Lake Mohave, which is actually a man-made reservoir, was formed in 1951 after the creation of Davis Dam. Located on the border of Arizona and Nevada, Lake Mohave extends 67 miles between Hoover and Davis Dams. This reservoir is quite narrow and shallow, with its widest point only four miles wide. Although it’s much smaller than its neighbor, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave offers some of the best scenic views due to the narrow stretches between steep canyons. This lake is also a scuba diving hot spot because of its clear water and many hidden treasures that lie beneath the surface, including a 38-foot tow barge that sank in 1946.

What to Do

Boating

When visiting Lake Mohave for the first time, we recommend renting a boat. It’s the best way to get around, especially if you want to travel more than a few miles up or down the reservoir.  At Cottonwood Cove and Marina, we offer a 17’ Fishing Boat, 26’ Deck Boat, and a 44’ Patio Pontoon Boat as well as six models of houseboats.

Hiking

There are plenty of desert hiking trails near and around Lake Mohave. For easy hiking trails near the water, we recommend Fishermen’s and Lake View Hike near Katherine Landing. If you’re looking for more of a challenge, check out Grapevine Canyon Trail near Laughlin, Nevada, where you’ll witness waterfalls and 1,000-year-old petroglyphs.

Fishing

Striped bass fishing is incredibly popular at Lake Mohave. Anglers from all over travel to cast their reels into the clear waters below. Lake Mohave is one of the best fishing spots in the Southwest because of its many coves where fish tend to congregate. Keep in mind though, since Lake Mohave covers two states, you’ll want to make sure you stay on the side where you have a fishing license.

Water activities

Up for a midday swim? How about a float on an inner tube? At Lake Mohave, there are lots of water activities to enjoy, including;

  • Stand-Up Paddleboarding
  • Wakeboarding
  • Water Skiing
  • Tubing
  • Kayaking
  • Canoeing
  • Jet Skiing
  • Wake Surfing

Don’t own a paddleboard or personal watercraft? Rent one from Cottonwood Cove Resort and Marina.

Camping

Cottonwood Cove Resort and RV Park is the premier camping destination at Lake Mohave. It features 72 full RV hook-ups, as well as access to a cafe, marina, restroom and laundry. In total, there are 145 campsites at Cottonwood Cove, and campers can stay on location for as long as 30 days.

Scuba Diving

As we mentioned before, Lake Mohave provides the right conditions for scuba diving. We do, however, recommend that all of our first-time guests take scuba diving lessons before they venture off themselves, as inexperienced divers could potentially put themselves in danger. If you’re an experienced diver, check out Cabinside Point to view the resting place of two wrecked boats.

Where to Stay

Cottonwood Cove Motel 

Just steps away from the shores of Lake Mohave, Cottonwood Cove Motel offers incredible views as well as a comfortable place to stay while visiting the reservoir. Each room has its own patio with a table and chairs and is located near the marina’s cafe and gift shop. It’s also just steps away from recreational activities such as the sand volleyball court and shuffleboard games.

Houseboat

Nothing beats renting a houseboat at Lake Mohave. It’s the perfect combination for those who enjoy camping and those who prefer the comforts of home. Cottonwood Cove Resort and Marina has an expansive list of available houseboats ranging from 50 to 70 feet. Each houseboat comes with private bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a gas BBQ grill, a canopy top, and a water slide. Reserve your floating vacation home today.

Cottonwood Cove Resort RV Park and Campsite

As we mentioned before, when you stay at Cottonwood Cove Resort RV Park and campsite you have access to a marina, cafe, picnic area, running water, restrooms, laundry facility, fire rings, volleyball court, shuffleboard, and a horseshoe pit. Stay as long as you’d like!

How to Get To Lake Mohave

From Las Vegas

Approximate travel time: 1 hr 17mins

To get to Cottonwood Cove Resort and Marina from Las Vegas, you’ll want to hop on the I-515 S towards US-95 S. Continue on the US-95 S to Searchlight, which is approximately 57 miles away. Once you reach Searchlight, you will follow Cottonwood Cove Rd for about 14 miles until you reach your destination.

From Phoenix

Approximate travel time: 4 hrs 29 mins

From Phoenix, get on I-10 W. From I-10 W. take AZ-303 Loop N/Arizona State Rte 303 N for about 14 miles and then take exit 119 for US-60 W. Continue on for 28 miles until you reach US-93 N. Take the US-93N exit and continue for 102 miles. The US-93N will merge into I-40 W and in 22 miles take exit 48 to merge onto US-93 N/W Beale St toward AZ-68 W/Las Vegas. For 47 miles, follow AZ-68 W and NV-163 W to US-95 N in Laughlin. Once you reach US-95, take a right and drive 19 miles until you enter Searchlight. Take a right on Cottonwood Cove Rd to your destination.

From Los Angeles

Approximate travel time: 4 hrs

From Los Angeles, get on US-101 S. Follow signs for I-10 E/San Bernardino Fwy and continue on for 39 miles. Take exit 58A to merge onto I-15 N/Ontario Fwy toward Barstow/Las Vegas. Continue on I-15 for 154 miles until you reach exit 286 for Nipton Rd. Follow Nipton Rd and Cottonwood Cove Rd to your destination.

As a first time visitor to Lake Mohave, you’ll want to take advantage of every moment you spend. To get that unique experience, consider renting a houseboat at Cottonwood Cove Resort and Marina. Visit our website or give us a call at 877-262-8212 to reserve your boat today.