6 Most Beautiful River Towns in Arizona
Comprised of 4 immense desert regions, “Rivertown” is not the first thing that comes to mind when picturing Arizona. That is why, when you find one of these 6 oases, you will be all the more thankful for it. Fed by springs and melting snow as far away as the Rockies, each river possesses unique qualities that soothe and comfort the denizens living along the water’s edge. So, before the blaze of the sun knocks the wind out of you, make a note of each one of these gorgeous towns that can serve as a place of sanctuary on a cross-country tour.
Bullhead City
The Colorado River excels at creating the ideal Arizona River town in Bullhead City. Casinos, boating, and tourism are the bulk of Bullhead City’s economy. However, plenty of parks and trails surround the Davis Dam just north for the restless. Unlike gambling, hiking might not make one rich, but it certainly cannot make them broke! The city owes much of its heritage to steamboat tourism and was originally a modest landing in 1864. It was described as "more of a name than a place" and for almost half a century, was considered a ghost town. The Davis Dam brought the area back to life, where visitors flee from harsh winters and hot summers to the perfect middle ground that is Bullhead City.
Parker
Stuffed into the southeastern tip of Arizona, Parker is situated adjacent to what the Colorado River has left to offer. As it turns out, fifty miles of fertile farmland and water sports are what it has to offer. Rental stores are quick to let travelers know that jet skis move just as fast on a river as they do on a lake, and quieter boat launches are plentiful as well. If you squint, you can look over the border to the west and taste a little Californian heat. A number of old jails and churches still stand in Parker and have been included in the National Register of Historic Places. In March, the La Paz County fair is held nearby and the reviews about the family atmosphere are glowing, which stays in theme with the many neon amusement rides.
Sedona
The mighty Oak Creek makes its mark in the renowned town of Sedona. Red-rock cliffs and canyons are the visual delights that the culture builds its identity on, and the local bird-watching scene is no joke either. Farmers and ranchers first congregated around Sedona at the beginning of the 20th century, and these days the town is rife with music and film festivals. Bluegrass, poetry, and new-age spiritualism are common discussion points among citizens, and the unique turquoise McDonalds is of interest to many. Swimming and picnic areas are common alongside this section of Oak Creek, and local farm stands ensure that luncheon ingredients are fresh for any outing. The Cathedral Rock formation is the highlight of a Sedona visit, which really is a town centered around delivering the perfect sunset.
Pinetop-Lakeside
The merger that everyone celebrated: the resort towns of Pinetop and Lakeside decided to put their heads together to offer Arizonians a heavenly retreat. The creeks that run between Rainbow Lake and Show Low Lake feed into the greenery that gives Pinetop-Lakeside its iconic look, which is why desert residents love to run away here. White Mountain Family Fun Park casts a wide net, welcoming guests to enjoy minigolf, go-karts, arcades, and more. Thanks to recent changes in political thought, the more open-minded often stumble into cannabis vendors located in the area. Subsequently, an excursion to the White Mountain Nature Center may be fitting, where hot air balloons, quiet ponds, and animal exhibitions draw huge crowds over picnic-quality lawns. Clearly, Pinetop-Lakeside is the oasis of desert dreams, but it is no mirage.
Cornville
Like a miniature Nile, Oak Creek winds its way through Cornville, making sure to bless every square meter that it touches. A small town of less than four thousand, Cornville sits in the beating heart of central Arizona between two national forests. Just a short drive away, explorers will find the legendary Montezuma Well. A castle with a sheer cliff above and below, the Sinagua people carved and abandoned this engineering masterpiece before the 1500s. More locally, Cornville is famous for wine crawls and an art scene focused on sculpturing. The history of its settlement is rooted in mountain men and military operations of the 1800s, and the naming is based on either a mispronunciation of ‘Cohnville’ or an early settler from a similar town in Maine. The river will keep the town lush and vibrant for perpetuity, but it is the people who give it the Cornville charm.
Greer
Just across the border from New Mexico, the little town of Greer Arizona encompasses the meaning of “God’s country” camping. The only traffic you can run into here is an ATV meetup, and the kicker is that the main road is not nearly as popular as the offroad. The quality of the craftsmanship here, seen in traditional log cabin lodgings and lantern-dotted split-rail fences, transports visitors to a simple but proud era of western living. Greer is a river-retreat hub for fresh-air seekers and the greenery that the river permits is a lively break from the more arid sections of Arizona. Lazy picnic days have never been so easy to achieve, thanks to the proximity of nearby lakes with ample parking available. The shade is here, so why aren’t you?
The allure of Arizona lies in the question of just how and why society survives and thrives despite the ferocity of unapologetic terrain and arid heat. Humankind’s closest ally, no matter the climate, tends to be river plains; nothing compares to agriculture in bulk when tasked with feeding thousands. In Arizona, that same truth is proven in the success of her charming waterside towns. Some of the people who live in these parts have roots that go back a hundred years, and some, thousands. Therefore, these rivers protect more than just local needs, they protect generations of indigenous culture. In return, the least we can do is appreciate them and preserve those ecosystems diligently.
