Things to Do in Laughlin, NV: Riverwalk, Cruises & Outdoors

Laughlin makes much more sense once you realize that the Colorado River, not the casinos, is the organizing feature of the trip.

The resort corridor lines the Nevada bank, the Riverwalk links much of it on foot, boats move visitors between docks, and the best outdoor attractions sit either upriver toward Davis Dam or downriver at Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area.

That gives you several very different versions of Laughlin. You can build a relaxed day around the Riverwalk, a scenic cruise, and a classic car museum.

You can spend most of the day swimming, boating, or picnicking at Big Bend. Or you can use Laughlin as a base for Lake Mohave, Grapevine Canyon, Oatman, or other desert side trips.

Quick guide: the best Laughlin attractions

Attraction	Best for	Time to allow	Cost note
Laughlin Riverwalk	First-time visitors, sunset, resort hopping	1-2 hours	Free
Grand Celebration scenic cruise	River views, families, couples	90 minutes	From $21 adults on weekdays
Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area	Swimming, boating, picnics, camping	2-5 hours	$10 NV vehicle / $15 non-NV vehicle
River Passage Water Taxi	Transportation plus sightseeing	30 minutes to all day	Paid
Don Laughlin's Classic Car Museums	Cars, history, indoor break	45-90 minutes	First-floor exhibit free; main showroom $5
Colorado River Heritage Greenway Park and Trails	Walking, biking, Davis Dam views	1-3 hours	Free
Pyramid Canyon Day Use Area	Families, playground, dam views	1-2 hours	Free
Laughlin Labyrinths	Unusual short stop, photography	30-60 minutes	Free
Resort entertainment	Adults, nightlife, indoor activity	Variable	Varies
Katherine Landing at Lake Mohave	Boating, beaches, longer outdoor day	Half or full day	National recreation area fee

1. Walk the Laughlin Riverwalk first

The Laughlin Riverwalk is the easiest way to understand the town.

It follows the Colorado River beside the resort corridor, giving you water views on one side and casino-resort access on the other.

This is not a boardwalk packed with standalone attractions. Its value comes from connection.

You can use it to walk between resorts, reach boat docks, find riverfront dining, watch water taxis, and stop whenever the view or weather is good.

Visit Laughlin says the Riverwalk connects most of the major riverfront resorts.

That makes it especially useful if you are staying in the casino corridor and want to avoid moving the car for every meal or activity.

The best times are early morning and around sunset.

Summer afternoons can be brutally hot, and the exposed sections are much more pleasant when the sun is lower.

Best use: Make the Riverwalk the spine of your first evening rather than treating it as a separate attraction you need to complete.

2. Take the Grand Celebration scenic cruise

If you want to experience the Colorado River without operating a boat yourself, the 90-minute narrated cruise aboard the Grand Celebration is one of the cleanest choices.

The boat departs from the Aquarius Casino Resort dock and travels the casino span of the river.

The cruise combines river and desert views with narration about Laughlin, Davis Dam, and the Colorado River.

It has an open-air upper deck, a climate-controlled cabin, restrooms, a full-service bar, and optional snacks and light food.

Current published pricing is:

• adults: $21 on weekdays;
• adults: $26 on weekends and holidays;
• children ages 4-10: $14 weekdays and $16 weekends and holidays;
• children age 3 and under: free.

Reservations are strongly recommended even though scenic-cruise walk-ups may be possible.

Do not plan on the USS Riverside in 2026

Many older Laughlin guides recommend the USS Riverside narrated tour.

That boat is currently dry-docked for its required five-year inspection and maintenance period.

Riverside Resort says it anticipates a return to service in 2027.

For a 2026 visit, use the Grand Celebration or another currently operating boat service rather than building an itinerary around the USS Riverside.

3. Spend a beach day at Big Bend of the Colorado

Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area is the best Laughlin attraction for travelers who want the river to feel like a real outdoor destination rather than scenery beside a hotel.

Nevada State Parks lists about two miles of sandy shoreline, along with swimming, boating, fishing, picnicking, hiking, bird watching, and camping.

Because the recreation area is downstream from Davis Dam, the river stays clear and cool year-round.

Current day-use entrance fees are:

• $10 per Nevada vehicle;
• $15 per non-Nevada vehicle.

The boat launch costs extra. The campground has 24 sites with water, electric, and sewer hookups, and reservations are required for camping.

The park also has roughly four miles of trails through developed areas, with additional undeveloped canyon terrain nearby.

Big Bend or the resort beach?

Choose Big Bend when you want several hours outside, a picnic, swimming, boating, or a more natural river setting.

Choose a resort beach or pool when convenience matters more than space and you do not want to leave the hotel corridor.

During the hottest part of summer, plan shade, water, and a shorter outdoor block.

The clear river can make the setting look milder than the surrounding Mojave Desert actually is.

4. Ride the River Passage Water Taxi

The River Passage Water Taxi is both transportation and sightseeing.

Small boats run between several of Laughlin's riverfront resort docks, letting you move along the casino corridor without retracing the Riverwalk on foot.

A recent Visit Laughlin guide describes one-way, round-trip, and all-day pass options.

The service is weather and water-level dependent, so check the current dock schedule and fare board when you arrive rather than assuming an old timetable still applies.

The water taxi is most useful in three situations:

• the weather is too hot for a long walk;
• you want to turn resort hopping into part of the outing;
• you are staying at a property that is awkward to reach from the continuous Riverwalk.

Some docks require ramps, stairs, or longer walks between the boat and resort interior.

Travelers with limited mobility should check the specific dock arrangement before buying an all-day pass.

5. See Don Laughlin's Classic Car Museums

Don Laughlin's Classic Car Museums are one of the better indoor breaks in town because they are inexpensive, easy to reach from the resort corridor, and substantial enough to justify a stop even if you are not a hardcore collector.

The collection is split into two exhibit areas at Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort.

The first-floor showroom features desert-racing vehicles and other exhibits. Admission is free.

The main showroom is on the third floor of the South Tower.

It spans roughly 30,000 square feet and is part of a rotating collection of more than 80 antique, classic, and unusual vehicles.

Current hours for both areas are:

• Sunday-Thursday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.;
• Friday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

The main showroom costs $5 per person without a King of Clubs Players' Club card and is free with the card.

Last tickets are sold 30 minutes before closing.

Allow about an hour unless your group is especially interested in automotive history.

6. Hike or bike the Colorado River Heritage Greenway

The Colorado River Heritage Greenway Park and Trails, often called the North Reach, is where Laughlin starts to feel more like a desert recreation base than a casino town.

Clark County says the project includes about nine miles of trails for pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrian users, along with trailheads, picnic sites, shade shelters, restrooms, fishing areas, and river access.

Visit Laughlin describes multiple trail entry points and free parking locations.

The trail system leads north toward Davis Dam and works well for:

• an early morning walk;
• a bike ride;
• a family outing with frequent stopping points;
• river and dam views without paying an attraction fee.

In hot weather, go early. A paved trail does not make summer desert temperatures harmless.

7. Stop at Pyramid Canyon Day Use Area

Pyramid Canyon Day Use Area is a practical family stop near Davis Dam rather than a major destination that needs half a day.

Clark County lists views of Davis Dam, a playground, splash pad, restrooms, and walking paths.

It connects naturally with the Heritage Greenway trail system, so it is most useful as a rest point, picnic stop, or family add-on during a morning around the dam.

If your children need something more active than scenic overlooks, this is a better choice than simply driving to see the dam and turning around.

8. See the Laughlin Labyrinths

The Laughlin Labyrinths are a set of large stone walking designs in the desert above the resort corridor.

Visit Laughlin describes nine labyrinths arranged in two groups, with individual designs ranging roughly from 25 to 55 feet across.

They are best treated as an unusual short stop rather than a major attraction. Walk one or two, take photos, look across the desert, and move on.

There is little reason to visit in the hottest part of the day. Early morning and late afternoon give you better light and a more comfortable walk.

9. Use the resorts for more than gambling

Laughlin's riverfront resorts contain a surprising amount of non-gaming entertainment.

Depending on the property and schedule, you may find cinemas, bowling, arcades, laser tag, live music, comedy, pools, spas, and ticketed concerts.

Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort is the clearest example: its current entertainment listings include Riverside Cinemas, Riverside Lanes, arcades, laser tag, live shows, lounges, pools, and the classic car exhibits.

That matters for families and mixed-age groups.

A Laughlin trip does not have to become a choice between gambling and sitting in the hotel room once the outdoor temperature climbs.

Check the live event calendar rather than relying on a static attraction list. Concerts and show schedules change frequently.

10. Make Lake Mohave a half-day or full-day side trip

Lake Mohave belongs in a Laughlin guide because it is so close, but it should not be mislabeled as a downtown attraction.

Katherine Landing, on the Arizona side of Lake Mohave, is about 7.5 miles from Laughlin.

The National Park Service lists boat ramps, boat and equipment rentals, a marina, beaches, picnic areas, a fishing pier, lodging, camping, food service, and hiking access.

Two hiking options illustrate how different a Lake Mohave day can be:

• Fisherman's Trail is less than a mile and leads to Turkey Cove, a sandy area used for swimming and picnicking.
• Lake View Trail is a moderate 4.7-mile round trip with access to several coves.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area charges an entrance fee and is cashless. Current standard passes range from $15 to $25 depending on entry type.

In summer, treat the heat as a planning constraint.

The National Park Service closes several strenuous trails in the recreation area seasonally from May 15 through September 30, with additional temporary closures possible when temperatures are forecast to become dangerous.

11. Consider Grapevine Canyon for petroglyphs, but plan it like a desert hike

Grapevine Canyon, northwest of Laughlin near Christmas Tree Pass, is one of the area's most interesting cultural and outdoor side trips.

Clark County identifies it as a popular hiking area in the Spirit Mountains with Native American petroglyphs along the canyon walls.

This is not a shaded city attraction.

Bring more water than you think you need, avoid peak heat, and do not touch, trace, chalk, or climb on petroglyph panels.

If you are visiting during extreme summer heat, save Grapevine Canyon for another season and use the Riverwalk, museums, or a boat-based activity instead.

Best free things to do in Laughlin

You can fill much of a day without paying an attraction fee:

1. Walk the Laughlin Riverwalk.
2. Explore the Colorado River Heritage Greenway trails.
3. Stop at Pyramid Canyon Day Use Area.
4. See Davis Dam from the public recreation areas.
5. Walk the Laughlin Labyrinths.
6. Visit the free first-floor Classic Car Museum exhibit.
7. Browse the riverfront resorts and public areas.
8. Use Mountain View Park for playgrounds, sports courts, a dog run, and its seasonal splash pad.

The main tradeoff is weather.

In summer, the free outdoor attractions are best early or late, while indoor attractions become much more useful in the middle of the day.

Things to do in Laughlin with kids

Laughlin is more family-friendly than its casino image suggests, but the strongest options are spread between resorts and outdoor areas.

Younger children

A good combination is Pyramid Canyon Day Use Area, the first-floor classic car exhibit, a short Riverwalk stroll, and a resort arcade, bowling alley, or movie.

School-age children and teens

Add a scenic river cruise, water taxi, Big Bend swimming, Lake Mohave, or a longer Greenway ride.

Older kids who enjoy vehicles may also spend more time in the main Classic Car Museum.

Low-cost family day

Start early on the Heritage Greenway, stop at Pyramid Canyon, return to the resort corridor for the free car exhibit and lunch, then walk the Riverwalk near sunset.

Things to do in Laughlin if you do not gamble

You can easily fill a two-day trip without spending meaningful time on a casino floor.

Day 1: Riverwalk, classic cars, scenic cruise, dinner by the river.

Day 2: Big Bend of the Colorado or Lake Mohave, followed by an evening walk and live entertainment.

Add Grapevine Canyon in cooler weather or the Heritage Greenway if you prefer hiking and cycling to water recreation.

The resorts still matter because they contain restaurants, entertainment, boat docks, and indoor activities, but gambling does not need to be the point of the trip.

A one-day Laughlin itinerary

For a first visit, keep the day centered on the river.

Morning: Walk part of the Riverwalk before temperatures rise.

Late morning: Visit Don Laughlin's Classic Car Museums.

Lunch: Stay in the resort corridor.

Afternoon: Take the Grand Celebration narrated scenic cruise.

Late afternoon: Use the water taxi or continue along the Riverwalk.

Evening: Dinner with a river view, then see the resort lights, live entertainment, or the casino district after dark.

If your priority is swimming rather than sightseeing, replace the museum and cruise with several hours at Big Bend.

A two-day Laughlin itinerary

Day 1: Riverfront Laughlin

• Laughlin Riverwalk
• Classic Car Museums
• Grand Celebration scenic cruise
• River Passage Water Taxi
• Dinner and evening entertainment

Day 2: Outdoor Laughlin

Choose one main outdoor anchor rather than trying to do everything:

River day: Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area.

Trail day: Colorado River Heritage Greenway + Pyramid Canyon + Davis Dam area.

Lake day: Katherine Landing and Lake Mohave.

Cool-season desert day: Grapevine Canyon + Heritage Greenway.

Laughlin side trips that are worth doing, but are not Laughlin attractions

Oatman, Arizona

Oatman is a Route 66 mining-town side trip known for its historic main street and free-roaming burros.

It works best as a half-day outing rather than a quick detour between Laughlin activities.

Bullhead City, Arizona

Bullhead City sits directly across the Colorado River from Laughlin.

It is useful for shopping, services, parks, and access to Arizona-side river recreation, but it is a separate city.

Lake Havasu City

Laughlin River Tours currently offers a six-hour jet boat excursion to London Bridge with a two-hour stop in Lake Havasu City.

This is a full excursion, not something to stack on top of a normal Laughlin sightseeing day.

What to know before you go

Summer heat changes the itinerary

Laughlin's river setting can make summer feel deceptively manageable.

Schedule walks and desert stops early, use air-conditioned attractions in the afternoon, and save the Riverwalk for sunset when possible.

The river is cool even when the air is extremely hot

Big Bend is downstream from Davis Dam, and Nevada State Parks notes that the Colorado River there remains clear and cool year-round.

Treat swimming and boating as real water recreation and use appropriate flotation and boating safety gear.

Laughlin and Bullhead City are in different states

Crossing the river means crossing between Nevada and Arizona.

That matters for things such as boating rules, fishing licenses, and some service locations.

Check live operating status for boats

Water levels, weather, maintenance, and minimum-passenger requirements can affect cruise and taxi operations.

The USS Riverside closure through 2026 is a good example of why an old itinerary can fail.

Is Laughlin worth visiting?

Yes, if you want a compact Colorado River getaway with gambling available rather than required.

Laughlin is strongest for travelers who like the combination of water, desert scenery, inexpensive or free sightseeing, and resort conveniences.

It is less compelling if you expect the scale of Las Vegas nightlife or a dense urban attraction district.

For a first trip, choose one river experience, one outdoor block, and one indoor or evening activity.

That gives you a better picture of Laughlin than spending the whole day moving from casino to casino.

Sources and further reading

• Visit Laughlin - Official Destination Guide
• Nevada State Parks - Big Bend of the Colorado
• Clark County - Colorado River Heritage Greenway Trails
• Clark County - Laughlin Quality of Life and Attractions
• Laughlin River Tours - Scenic Cruise
• Riverside Resort - Don Laughlin's Classic Car Museums
• Riverside Resort - USS Riverside Tours
• National Park Service - Katherine Landing
• National Park Service - Lake Mead Fees and Passes