Laughlin

Gold Butte National Monument, Nevada

Gold Butte National Monument, Nevada
RuggyBearLA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A compact desert resort town along the Colorado River known for its casinos, riverfront activities, and easy access to nearby outdoor recreation.

General Information
Elevation:
~600 ft
Population:
About 8,000
Best For:
Casinos, river activities, nearby hiking
Hours:
Open year-round (business hours vary)
Fees:
No general entry fee (individual attractions may charge)
Pet Policy:
Varies by location (generally allowed outdoors on leash)
Closest cities with hotels:
Laughlin (on-site), Bullhead City, AZ (across river)
Seasons:
All year (best in fall, winter, and spring)
Location:
Laughlin, NV 89029
Website:
visitlaughlin.com

From Las Vegas (95 mi): Drive south on US‑95 toward Searchlight, then take NV‑163 east down into Laughlin.

From Kingman, AZ (35 mi): Take AZ‑68 west, cross the Colorado River into Nevada, and follow signs along Casino Drive.

The town of Laughlin sits along a bend of the Colorado River, where the stark beauty of the Mojave Desert meets the lively energy of a resort destination. Though much smaller and quieter than Las Vegas, it offers a similar blend of entertainment with a more relaxed pace. A line of casinos and hotels stretches along the riverfront, connected by a scenic walkway where visitors can move easily between resorts while enjoying views of the water and surrounding mountains.

Beyond its gaming and entertainment scene, Laughlin serves as a gateway to outdoor exploration. The Colorado River provides opportunities for boating, jet skiing, fishing, and riverside relaxation, while nearby destinations like Grapevine Canyon, Davis Dam, and the surrounding desert trails invite hiking and sightseeing. With warm winters, striking desert landscapes, and a mix of recreation and leisure, Laughlin offers a unique balance between natural adventure and resort-style escape.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Laughlin, Nevada, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.

Gold Butte National Monument desert landscape with red rock formations Nevada
RuggyBearLA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons ; Image Size Adjusted
Gold Butte National Monument rocky desert terrain and scenic formations Nevada
RuggyBearLA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons ; Image Size Adjusted
Gold Butte National Monument wide desert view with mountains and open terrain
US Bureau of Land Management, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons ; Image Size Adjusted
Gold Butte National Monument rugged landscape with desert vegetation and rock formations
US Bureau of Land Management, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted
Gold Butte National Monument scenic desert terrain with layered rock formations Nevada
US Bureau of Land Management, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons ; Image Size Adjusted
Gold Butte National Monument remote desert area with mountains and open landscape
US Bureau of Land Management, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons ; Image Size Adjusted
Gold Butte National Monument panoramic desert landscape with colorful rock formations
TRylander, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons ; Image Size Adjusted
Gold Butte National Monument natural rock formation known as the Throne Nevada desert
TRylander, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons ; Image Size Adjusted
Virgin Peak in Gold Butte National Monument with desert mountains Nevada
TRylander, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons ; Image Size Adjusted