LAUGHLIN

AVisit Laughlin, NV: technically Nevada, but let’s be honest—if you’re on an “Arizona adventure,” you’ll probably end up here anyway because it’s basically Arizona’s riverside casino annex. It’s like Vegas decided to retire early and live in a trailer by the River. You’ve got casinos, cheap buffets, an endless parade of Harley riders. The riverwalk views that range from “surprisingly nice” to “that person definitely just had bottomless mimosas at The Pioneer.” We rode our quad down a wash that absolutely wasn’t meant to be a loop. Wildlife showed up in places it definitely shouldn’t be. And you can feed giant river fish that lurk under the docks like prehistoric swamp monsters. Sure, it’s not in Arizona—but trust me, it counts.

Jump To Section

Thumb Butte – Off Road

Off-roading Thumb Butte near Laughlin: because nothing says “rugged adventure” like bouncing your way up a giant rock formation that, let’s be honest, looks a lot less like a thumb and a lot more like… a different finger entirely. The trail is classic desert chaos: loose rock, steep climbs, sudden drops, and the occasional donkey that got loose from the mine. You’ll question your suspension and your sanity, but the views almost make up for it. Bring plenty of water, a sense of humor, and maybe a moment of gratitude that the trail isn’t called Middle Finger Butte, even though it absolutely should be.

Secret Pass nothing screams “adventure” like following a rugged off-road trail that promises epic views, only to end up at the top of a bone-dry waterfall looking 20ft straight down, where the wash you were following suddenly ends. Spoiler: it wasn’t meant to be a loop, but turning around felt like admitting defeat, so naturally we made it a loop—by bushwhacking, rock-crawling, and questioning every decision that led us there. Somewhere between the sunburn, the dead end, and the mysterious tire tracks that definitely didn’t lead anywhere helpful, we achieved that perfect mix of frustration and pride only a “shortcut” can provide. Honestly, I’m not sure we found Secret Pass… but we definitely found a secret way out.

Secret Pass Trail Info (aka “what could possibly go wrong?”):
• Difficulty: Starts “moderate,” escalating to “oops”
• Length: 12 miles of “just a little further” lies.
• Terrain: Sandy washes, slot canyons, rocky chaos—pick your struggle.
• Technical Sections: Includes fun obstacles like rock gardens, dry waterfalls, and surprise boulder puzzles.
• Features: Old mines, scenic views, and a 3-foot rock waterfall that doubles as a dead end.
• Best Time to Visit: Fall, winter, spring—basically anytime it’s not surface-of-the-sun hot.
• Vehicle Recommendations: High-clearance 4WD with lockers… or just pure stubbornness.
• Safety: Expect tight turns, water crossings (or suspiciously muddy not-water crossings), and slot canyon drama.
• Additional Notes: The technical part is on private land—so don’t ruin it for everyone. Also, it’s not a loop… unless you make it one.

Oatman

Definitely in Arizona, not Nevada. Oatman is basically the setting of a western themed reality show, complete with tourists who spend more time petting burros than, you know, actually exploring the town. It’s kitschy, it’s dusty, and it’s definitely not in Nevada but we still consider it part of the Laughlin experience. If you’re into historical oddities, Oatman’s got you covered with the legend of Olive Oatman, a woman who was kidnapped by the Yavapai Indians and later returned with distinctive blue tattoos on her face, making her the original tough chick long before it was cool.

Emerald Cave

Emerald Cave is that super popular spot everyone kayaks to. Because nothing says “relaxing day” like paddling miles upstream in 100-degree heat. It’s a natural grotto where, if the sunlight hits exactly right, the water glows a magical Instagram-approved green… for about five minutes. Otherwise, it’s just a small shady cave full of other sweaty kayakers. All of them awkwardly taking selfies and wondering why they paid for a guided tour to sit in a damp hole.

Use this link below to see what time the sun will be hitting the cave so you time it right:

                  Sun Calculator

Info:
• Location: Arizona side of the Colorado River—yes, Arizona, even though everyone assumes it’s Nevada.
• Access: Only reachable by water, because apparently walking was too easy.
• Distance: Just a “quick” 2.2-mile paddle upstream from Willow Beach… emphasis on upstream.
• Part of: The Black Canyon National Water Trail, because nothing says adventure like fancy names for places you’ll accidentally sunburn.
• How to Get There: Kayak, kayak tour, or kayak rental—basically, hope you like kayaking.