The Sandbar and Topock Gorge: a day trip north by boat

Most boats on Lake Havasu head south to the coves. Going north is a different kind of day. The lake narrows back into the Colorado River, the water starts moving, and past the Sandbar the river runs through Topock Gorge, one of the last natural stretches of the lower Colorado. Here's what to know before you go.

The Sandbar

North of the city, where the lake turns back into river, the Sandbar is a shallow stretch with a soft sand bottom. The water is ankle to hip deep, and on summer weekends hundreds of boats pull in. Go Lake Havasu puts it about 7.5 miles up.

The river is moving here, so don't just nose onto the sand. Go Lake Havasu's advice is to have your anchor, sand spike and lines ready before you turn the engine off. For years the Sandbar was closed on busy holiday weekends. In 2023 the Fish & Wildlife Service removed the buoys and opened it year-round (Today's News-Herald).

Topock Gorge

Further north, the river runs through Topock Gorge, part of the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge. The Fish & Wildlife Service describes it as one of the last natural stretches of the river. The refuge has recorded 318 bird species, and desert bighorn sheep live in the surrounding hills. The gorge can only be reached from the river.

For the best chance of seeing wildlife, go early in the morning, before the boat traffic builds (USFWS).

Picture Rock

On the Arizona side, about 2 miles in from the southern end of the gorge, Picture Rock has petroglyphs left by the people who lived along the river. They're visible from the water. Go Lake Havasu notes swift currents here, so keep a hand on the wheel if you slow down for a look (Go Lake Havasu).

Refuge rules

The gorge and its backwaters are inside the wildlife refuge, which has its own rules:

• 25 mph maximum unless posted otherwise.
• About 17 miles of the river in Topock Gorge is closed to towing: no skiing, tubing or wakeboarding.
• Jet skis aren't allowed in the refuge backwaters or on Topock Marsh, and the backwaters are no-wake zones.
• No overnight mooring, and no camping on land or water.
• No glass containers anywhere in the refuge.
• No open wood fires.

Fuel on the way

It's a long run, so plan fuel before you go. Go Lake Havasu lists these fuel docks north of the city. It recommends calling ahead to check they're open:

• Topock 66 Resort: at the I-40 bridge on the Arizona side, about 21 miles north. Open 24 hours, pay by card. 928-768-2325.
• Pirate Cove Resort: just north of the I-40 bridge on the California side. 760-326-9000.
• Havasu Landing: on the California shore across from the Island. 760-858-4592.

How long it takes

There's no official figure for a private boat. For a sense of scale, Blue Water Jet Boat Tours runs London Bridge to Topock Gorge and back as a 50-mile round trip in about two and a half hours, in a fast jet boat. In a rental pontoon, plan on a full day, and leave early.

Check the wind forecast before you leave, and read our guide to Lake Havasu boating rules for the rest of the rules on the water.