Adventure Touring New Game in Laughlin

By Bobbie Green

Laughlin offers tourist more than gaming and boating. The surrounding area is an experience waiting to happen. Yet not many people realize the day trips and experiences awaiting them if they choose, including family friendly outings.

We chose to learn some of the area history by taking a fun Sand Rail Tour, with Laughlin Adventure Tours, taking us back in time through “Secret Pass” located on the Arizona side of the river. “Imagine its early 1900’s” our tour guide is saying as we drive through the narrow pass viewing the Native American lookout posts in the cliffs. It seems a tribe of Hualapai hid their village in this canyon not wanting to be found and put on a reservation.

The Secret Pass tour is given only during dry weather as you may be standing at the bottom of hopefully dry waterfalls and able to see the Indians escape routes. Slot canyons and seasonal water falls are a memorable part of the tour. The pass ends in the spot where the village stood. The sand rails are safe and accessible to everyone, even to the limited handicapped. No problem for seniors. There is walking involved at Secret Pass if you choose to do it. If you want to walk through the slot canyons wear closed toe tennis or hiking shoes. Tourists have a choice of driving a 4×4 or sand rail, beginners will receive instruction.

In stark contrast, breakfast or lunch which is included in the tour is at the modern luxurious Laughlin Ranch Clubhouse overlooking the beautiful award winning golf course, the clubhouse itself won the 2007 Clubhouse of the year in Golf Inc.

Another tour being offered is to the old mining town of Oatman. Of course you may drive your own car and see it on your own as many do or you may choose to add a little adventure and get there off road on a 4×4 or sand rail, with a guide of course, either way the town is worth a visit. When gold and silver was discovered in 1863 in what is now Mohave County, the mining camps sprang to life. The Blue Ridge Camp, later renamed Oatman has survived the mine closings, the road by-passing and progression of wild burros that have made Oatman their home. Today it is an authentic ghost town with a population of approximately 150 folks catering to tourist who have made the fun little town the number one tourist attraction in the Tri-State Area. The community has endeared themselves to the wild burros who still roam the streets, taking care of them and preserving the town, its history and spirit. The shop owners and operators are artists creating their own products, writers and historians, keeping the Wild West alive through their live performances of gunfights and costumed dancers. The local population are not people who were born and raised in Oatman , but come from all parts of the world each with their own knowledge and expertise and have chosen to live in Oatman. While in the area, Oatman is a definite not to be missed stop and fun for all ages. During the hot summer months Laughlin Adventure tours takes visitors to Oaman in an air conditioned van instead of the sand rail, the driver still takes back roads giving area info to passengers.

While in Laughlin we stayed at the newly refurbished Aquarius Hotel and Casino in their wonderful Sunset Suites with floor to ceiling windows providing a great view of the river and the strip. We dined in their restaurants and found them all to be very recommendable. Who can resist Outback’s Blooming Onion? The buffet room has large windows providing a river view-we found it a pleasant place to dine.

Golfers are not left out, there are six nearby courses four of which are championship courses. The Riverside Resort offers a shuttle to all the courses except Rivers Edge.

Highway 95 from Boulder City through Searchlight, with the exception of a very short stretch has been widened to 4 lanes making the drive much more appealing. Midweek travel offers the best prices and least crowds.

Laughlin is holding their annual “River Regatta” August 28 and 29^th. Grab inter tubes or any type of raft, don’t forget your water gun, and float down the river with hundreds of others, sounds like terrific fun to me, the Aquarius Hotel is offering package deals including the inner tubes and life jackets.

IF YOU GO

Laughlin Visitors Bureau

1800-452-8445

www.visitlaughlin.com

Oatman Chamber of Commerce

928-768-6222

www.oatmangoldroad.com

Laughlin Adventure Tours

702-298-2345

www.laughlinadventuretours.com

Aquarius Casino Resort

800-662-luck

www.theaquarius.com