Laughlin, Nevada, a casino community along the banks of the Colorado River, was first settled in the 1940s. Originally, the town was just a small hotel and bar that catered to construction workers for the Davis Dam, which was completed in the early 1950s and formed Lake Mojave about 3 miles north. Today, Laughlin is home to a set of nine casino resorts providing more than 10,000 hotel rooms, restaurants, lounges and theaters, surrounded by rugged desert and an abundance of protected natural resources. Each spring, the Laughlin River Run motorcycle rally and festival draws more than 50,000 bikers for a long weekend full of adventure and events.
Festival Facts
- Laughlin, set in the Colorado River Valley near where Arizona, California and Nevada meet, is just across the Colorado River from Bullhead City, Arizona. One of the area's biggest annual events is the Laughlin River Run, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2012 and is typically a five-day gathering held in late April. An official event pass includes an event T-shirt and pin, as well as admission to some River Run events and contests. Accommodations are available at Laughlin's casinos and at a number of RV parks in Bullhead City.
River Run Fun
- The Laughlin River Run is headlined by the namesake motorcycle ride on historic U.S. Route 66, which winds alongside the Colorado and through the desert hills from Kingman to Oatman, a pair of Arizona towns with numerous Old West attractions. However, the festival also has a number of other associated events and live performances held at various casinos to attract bikers and non-bikers alike. A charity poker run benefits U.S. veterans in the region, and the Ms. Laughlin River Run Contest determines the belle of this annual biker ball. Other attractions include motorcycle exhibits, a custom bike show, stunt performances and a collection of vendors selling custom motorcycle parts and accessories, leather wares and all types of apparel.
Live and On Stage
- A number of musical concerts, including some with nationally known performers, are held at several casino theaters throughout River Run week. Performers often include country music singers as well as tribute bands for popular musical groups such as Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bad Company and Blood, Sweat & Tears. Tickets to individual concerts are available through the Laughlin River Run website.
Laughlin's Natural Side
- If you're planning a visit to Laughlin for the River Run, take time to enjoy some of the area's natural attractions. Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area in Laughlin, a short drive south of casino row, is home to about 2 miles of Colorado River shoreline and provides the opportunity to view scenic canyons and washes, cactus and wildlife such as cottontail rabbits, coyotes, fox, roadrunners and perhaps even a bobcat or bighorn sheep. Activities and amenities include a boat ramp, fishing, 4 miles of hiking trails and a 24-site campground with full hookups. Just north of Laughlin is Lake Mojave, which has more than 200 miles of shoreline and is part of Lake Mead Natural Recreation Area, which includes several campgrounds, marinas and activities such as boating, fishing, hiking and scuba diving.
