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Arizona
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State of Arizona Parks

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Arizona
West Coast Region
Cattail Cove State Park
Cattail Cove State Park © Homer Edward Price / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Taken in Cattail Cove State Park, California.
Cattail Cove State Park © Homer Edward Price / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Found in Cattail Cove State Park, California.
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CATTAIL COVE STATE PARK
CATTAIL COVE STATE PARK
P.O. Box 1990
Lake Havasu City, Arizona   86406
(lat:34.3506 lon:-114.17) map location

Phone: 928-855-1223
The beach, boat ramp, and 61 campsites at Cattail Cove State Park offer a broad spectrum of activities for all to enjoy. Whether you're interested in swimming, fishing or just lounging and relaxing, Cattail Cove State Park offers you and your family a chance to get away and enjoy tranquility along Lake Havasu. The 2,000-acre park has been operated by the Arizona State Parks Board since 1970.

Lake Havasu was formed when the Colorado River was dammed near Parker. The 45-mile long lake creates a haven for all kinds of water sports. Fish for largemouth and striped bass, channel & flathead catfish, bluegill and crappie. Boat on the blue waters, sail into quiet coves, or water ski or jet ski out on the open lake.

If campgrounds are not your style and you have your own boat, you can motor out to one of the 28 campsites along the water's edge. You can also rent boats and campsites with trailers at Sandpoint Marina and RV Park, as well as have dinner at Sandpoint's cafe.

The area surrounding the park is also a rock hound's paradise. Volcanic rock, geodes, jaspers, obsidian, turquoise and agate can be found outside Lake Havasu City.

Nature of the Area
located along the Colorado River, north of Buckskin Mountain State Park and south of Lake Havasu State Park. Like the other state parks in the area, it is characterized by hot, dry, sunny weather with extreme summer temperatures and mild winters.

Plants common in the Cattail Cove State Park riparian areas include Fremont Cottonwood (Populus fremontii), Willow tree (Salix gooddingii), Seep Willow (Baccharis salicifolia), and Arrowweed (Pluchea sericea). Farther away from the water, you will find Mesquite (Prosopis sp.) and Saltbush (Atriplex spp.). The Cattails (Typha spp.) the park is named after were used in the past as food (rootstocks were eaten) and the fluff was used for bedding (Epple 19). They also provide excellent habitat for birds.

Avian species found in the park include Sandpiper (Actitis macularia), Mallard Duck (Anas platyrhynchos), Canada Geese (Branta canadensis), Snowy Plover (Charadrius hiaticula), Avocet (Recurvirostra americana), Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon), and Osprey (Pandion haliaetus). Several toads and lizards are found in Cattail Cove State Park. A band of Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis) is sighted occasionally in the park, and Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) and Raccoon (Procyon lotor) are commonly found.

Like many areas of Arizona, Cattail Cove State Park is also home to non-native plants and animals. These non-native species arrive in a variety of ways; some species have been accidentally introduced and humans introduced some purposefully. Tamarisk or salt cedar (not a true cedar) is a good example of a plant that was introduced purposefully. It was originally brought to Arizona as erosion control to stabilize stream banks.

History of the Area
Established in 1970, the park is located on Lake Havasu's shore. It offers camping sites and boat ramps for visitors. The area was once inhabited by Mojave Indians before European settlement. Today it provides a habitat for diverse wildlife species including burros, coyotes and various bird types.

Passes
Arizona offers a non-commercial standard pass for weekday use at all parks, including weekends at most parks and the non-commercial premium pass which includes weekend and holiday access to the parks. Boyce Thompson Arboretum is not included in either annual park pass. You can find additional Arizona Annual State Park Pass informataion and order online by visiting the ARIZONA ANNUAL STATE PARK PASS web page.
Camping
61 camping & RV sites. Maximum stay is 2 weeks. 8 people maximum per campsite. First come first served, saving sites is not allowed. Potable water is located in the campground. Fires are allowed in the fire rings at each site from October to April, unless other fire restrictions are in effect. Maximum RV length at this park is 40 feet.

57 sites offer 30 amp service. 4 sites offer 50 amp service.

Swimming
Swimming is allowed in the roped off swimming area off the sandy beach. No lifeguard on duty. Swimming is at your own risk.

Boating
A spacious 4-lane boat ramp with 10-minute courtesy dock can accommodate any size boat, at various lake levels. Please call ahead to get permission from Rangers to launch any boat 35? or longer.

Non-motorized watercraft may launch at the boat ramp.

Fishing
Catch the limit with Strippers, Bass, Catfish and Crappie. The park has a fish cleaning station. You may buy an Arizona fishing license at the Sandpoint Campground & Marina located next to the park.

A valid Arizona fishing license is required for anglers fourteen and older.



Picnicking
Enjoy a picnic in a Ramada on a beautiful, sandy beach front.

Trails
Whytes Retreat Trail: This is a 1? mile hiking trail with a difficulty rating of easy. The trail begins at Cattail Cove State Park and follows the shoreline of Lake Havasu, providing an excellent view of the lower portion of the Colorado River, the Whitsett Pumping Station and Parker Dam. The shoreline portion of the trail ends at Whytes Retreat, one of the boat-in campsites provided by the Bureau of Land Management. The McKinney Loop portion of the trail returns to Cattail Cove through low desert hills and a shallow gorge with bluffs on both sides. To reach the trail follow the entrance road to the boat launch ramp where the trail begins on the south side.


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Area Campgrounds
Islander RV Resort
751 Beachcomber Boulevard
Lake Havasu City, AZ
928-680-2000
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
Starting from Phoenix, Arizona:

1. Begin on I:10 W.
2. Take exit 112 for AZ:85 S toward Buckeye/I-8/El Centro/San Diego.
3. Continue onto AZ:95 N/W Riverside Dr in Parker.
4. Turn right at the intersection of Rio Vista Rd and Riviera Blvd into Cattail Cove State Park.

From Flagstaff, Arizona:

1. Start by getting on I40:W.
2. Take US93:S to Pierce Ferry Road.
3. Follow until you reach Diamond Bar Road then turn left.
4. Continue straight ahead till Grand Canyon West Airport road where you will take a slight right turn.
5. Turn Left onto Stockton Hill Rd/AZ66:E continue down this route.
6. Then make another left towards Chloride rd/N Oatman Hwy/Az66E.
7. Afterwards get back unto US93S via ramp heading towards Kingman E/Bullhead city/Las Vegas NV.
8. Merge with Az68W which is located off your first exist after entering Golden Valley.
9. Arrive at destination when reaching junction between Highway 95N & London Bridge.

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Arizona
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State of Arizona Parks

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