Big Bend of the Colorado attractive to outdoors lovers

Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area, the newest addition to Nevada's state park system, nestles in the southern tip of the state adjacent to Laughlin. The recreation area offers year-round picnicking, camping, boating, fishing, hiking and wildlife watching. It protects two miles of shoreline and many acres of marshland, washes and rugged desert arroyos. It keeps intact natural habitat that is home to many desert creatures and attractive to a wide variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds and avian hunters.

Big Bend of the Colorado lies 100 miles from Las Vegas. Drive south on U.S. Highway 95 through Searchlight to the Laughlin turnoff onto state Route 163. The scenic route twists through a mountain pass to descend toward Laughlin at the river's edge. Just before you reach the resort town's hotel-casinos along the Colorado, turn south on the highway to Needles, Calif. Watch for signs for the recreation area, which lies within Laughlin's boundaries one mile south of Casino Drive.

The cooler months of the year are the most appealing time to visit Big Bend of the Colorado, where winters are mild and spring and fall are mellow. Summers are scorching, frequently reaching 120 degrees and bearable only if you are in the water or soaking wet. Never visit the area without packing a can of bug repellent. Unless a stiff breeze is blowing, black flies, gnats and other winged pests may harass you, especially in spring and early summer.

The recreation area commands beautiful views of the Colorado. The river rolls by dark green, cold and majestic, swirling with currents from its release from Lake Mojave through the hydroelectric plant at Davis Dam. Laughlin lies out of sight upstream. Across the river in Arizona, Bullhead City spreads out along the highway near the river and climbs into rugged foothills. The river carries busy boat traffic with all kinds of watercraft, including a replica riverboat.

Big Bend is a Nevada recreation fee area, and Nevada residents get a $2 discount on the $9 entrance fee. Popular with boaters and fishermen, it offers a two-lane boat launching area with a paved parking area, space for boat trailers, shaded picnic areas and restrooms. Watercraft launched there have safe access to the river through a man-made lagoon that protects the shore from boat wakes. Boaters pay a $15 per-day fee. Frequent users should consider purchasing annual entrance permits and boat permits, available at entrance stations, Nevada State Park district offices and online at parks.nv.gov. Since Big Bend provides access to the Colorado in Nevada, Arizona and California, those who frequent the area should be aware of the water use and fishing requirements and regulations for all three states.

The recreation area's 24-unit campground opened in 2008. It offers sites suitable for RVs and tents on a first-come basis. Overnight camping fees are $20, with a $10 surcharge for utility hookups. Campsites have pull-through access to accommodate RVs of most sizes. Restrooms in the campgrounds also include shower facilities. Campsites and picnic sites have tables, grills and fire pits.

In 2009, four miles of hiking trails along six short routes were completed in the developed area of the park. The trails provide walking access to shoreline and riparian areas as well as adjacent state park land that remains undeveloped. Hikers are encouraged to explore the recreation area's open desert, washes and small canyons. Use of off-road vehicles is prohibited.

Big Bend of the Colorado is considered an outstanding wildlife viewing area, since birds and wildlife are drawn there by the water, food sources and varied habitat. Visitors to Big Bend find the best observation times are early or late in the day. Those who walk quietly or wait patiently at a likely spot will have more success. Since many desert creatures are nocturnal, the best signs of their presence may be found in daylight in the form of tracks left overnight in the sand or damp banks of the river or wetlands.

— Margo Bartlett Pesek's Trip of the Week column appears on Sundays.