3 Best Sights in Northwest Arizona, Arizona

Situated between Needles and Lake Havasu City, this spectacular 37,515-acre refuge is home to wintering Canada geese and other waterfowl, such as the snowy egret and the great blue heron. More than 315 species have been observed resting and nesting here.

You haven't truly hiked in northwest Arizona until you've hiked in Hualapai Mountain Park. A 15-mile drive from town up Hualapai Mountain Road leads to the park's more than 2,300 wooded acres, with 10 miles of developed and undeveloped hiking trails, picnic areas, ATV trails, rustic cabins, teepees, and RV (full hookups) and tent areas. Along the park's trail system, you'll find a striking variety of plant life such as prickly pear cactus and Arizona walnut. Abundant species of birds and mammals such as the piñon jay and the Abert squirrel live here, and pristine stands of unmarred aspen mark the higher elevations. Any of the trails can be hiked in about three hours. Keep in mind the terrain in the park ranges from 5,000 to 8,500 feet above sea level, and snow—sometimes heavy—is common in winter.

Remember the old nursery rhyme "London Bridge Is Falling Down"? Well, it was. In 1968, after about 150 years of constant use, the 294-foot-long landmark was sinking into the Thames. When Lake Havasu City founder Robert McCullough heard about this predicament, he set about buying London Bridge, having it disassembled, shipped more than 5,000 miles to northwest Arizona, and rebuilt, stone by stone. The bridge was reconstructed on mounds of sand and took three years to complete. When it was finished, a mile-long channel was dredged under the bridge and water was diverted from Lake Havasu through the Bridgewater Channel. Today the entire city is centered on this unusual attraction. Walking tours are offered Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 11 am from January through March (and group tours are also offered from October through April); the cost is $10 per person, and reservations are required. These guided strolls leave from the Lake Havasu City Visitor Center at the eastern base of the bridge, where you'll find a colorful re-creation of an English Village that houses a few curio shops and restaurants and offers good views of the channel of cool blue water flowing under London Bridge. On the western side, you'll find a handful of more urbane restaurants as well as the hip Heat Hotel.