Overview
Laughlin is a town in Southern Nevada. It is known for its gaming and water recreation. In 2010, the population was 7,000. Laughlin is the third most visited casino and resort destination in the state after Las Vegas and Reno, and is one of the top five destinations for American recreational vehicle enthusiasts.
1 sights · 5 things to do · 2 places to eat · 11 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Laughlin
Grapevine Canyon Petroglyphs
Prehistoric rock drawings dating back between 1100 and 1900 AD.
Mountain View Park
In the center of Upper Laughlin, next to the Spirit Mountain Activity Center, and one block from the town library. It has two softball fields, a playground, exercise trail, tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball co…
Laughlin Event Center
Hosts live music concerts and special events.
Mojave Resort Golf Club
Colorado River Greenway Heritage Trail
The park is in the North Reach of Laughlin. It includes nine miles of trails for bicyclists, pedestrians, and equestrians; restrooms; picnic sites; shade shelters; fishing piers; an extensive playground with water sprays…
Laughlin Aquatic Center
At the south end of Upper Laughlin is the town pool which is open during the summer months. It includes full locker room facilities, shaded tables, and a large water park-style slide.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Nov–Apr. Summer highs reach about 110°F; winter lows dip to about 45°F. Very hot (May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby Needles)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- HII Lake Havasu City Airport, Lake Havasu City — 42 mi away. Directions
- BLD Boulder City Municipal Airport, Boulder City — 57 mi away. Directions
- LAS Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas — 72 mi away (major hub). Directions
Interstate 515, US 93/95 south through Las Vegas towards Boulder City. After passing through Henderson and the Railroad Pass, take ramp and turn right onto US 95 south toward Searchlight/Laughlin for 55 mi miles. Turn left onto NV 163. Head east for 19 mi miles. Turn right on Casino Drive.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $5–$20 a night (typical $10), from 5 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$50, mid-range ~$80, comfortable ~$190.
Options are grouped as Camping in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Grapevine Canyon Petroglyphs, Mountain View Park
- Lunch The Range Steakhouse
- Afternoon Mojave Resort Golf Club
- Dinner Saltgrass Steak House
Day 2
- Morning Laughlin Event Center, Colorado River Greenway Heritage Trail
- Afternoon Laughlin Aquatic Center
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
The casinos offer a variety of dining options, ranging from buffets to simple cafes to gourmet restaurants.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Laughlin is in the southernmost tip of Nevada at the bank of Colorado River (bordering Arizona), 90 mi (140 km) south of Las Vegas. The town got its name from Don Laughlin who purchased an old motel in the area in 1964 and opened the first casino. It is the third most visited casino and resort destination in the state after Las Vegas and Reno.
Tourist information
Website: Laughlin
Climate
Laughlin has a hot desert climate, with under 6 in of precipitation per year.
Summers are extremely hot with days frequently exceeding 110°F in July and August while overnight lows tend to stay between 76°F and 86°F.
Winters are mild with days typically seeing temperatures between 65°F and 75°F and corresponding overnight lows between 43°F and 52°F. It is one of the United States' hottest cities during the summer. Heat waves involving temperatures going over 120°F are not unusual.
Visitor information
Get in
By car
From Las Vegas
Interstate 515, US 93/95 south through Las Vegas towards Boulder City. After passing through Henderson and the Railroad Pass, take ramp and turn right onto US 95 south toward Searchlight/Laughlin for 55 mi miles. Turn left onto NV 163. Head east for 19 mi miles. Turn right on Casino Drive.
Approximately 98 mi from Las Vegas; 2 hours
From Phoenix
US 93 north to I-40 west through Kingman. Take the Bullhead City / Las Vegas exit and turn right at the signal at the end of the exit ramp. Continue west taking the Highway 68 ramp toward Bullhead City / Laughlin. Highway 68 merges into Arizona Highway 95. Turn right at the Laughlin Bridge.
Approximately 225 mi from Phoenix; 4 hours.
From Southern California
I-15 north to Barstow; I-40 east to Needles, California. Exit on River Road cutoff, turn north for 22 mi miles on Needles Highway to Casino Drive, turn right.
Approximately 283 mi from Los Angeles; 5 hours. Approximately 335 mi from San Diego; 6 hours.
By plane
There are charter and seasonal flights from some American and Canadian cities to (IFP) in Bullhead City, Arizona across the river.
The airport is not served by any major airline.
Las Vegas has (HSH)
and (LAS).
Go Harry Reid International Airport
Vegas Airporter offers direct shuttle service to/from Las Vegas airport and Laughlin.
There is also (PHX) in Phoenix, Arizona.
Go Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
By bus
By train
One can travel on Amtrak's Southwest Chief (from Chicago, Kansas City, or Albuquerque) to Laughlin. Passengers are transferred to an Amtrak Thruway motorcoach at Kingman, Arizona.
By tour
There are guided one-day tours from Las Vegas by bus.
Get around
There are no freeways that pass through Laughlin. The Southern Nevada Transit Coalition provides bus service on two routes in Laughlin, one of which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
See
- Don Laughlin’s Classic Car Museum, 1650 S Casino Dr (inside the Riverside Resort Hotel and Casino). It's the city founder's car collection. +1 702-298-2535
Do
Laughlin has nine major hotel-casinos that line the Colorado River, and also is home to the Laughlin River Walk. This walkway runs between the row of Laughlin's casinos and the Nevada shore of the Colorado River. The casino-hotels are similar to the ones in Las Vegas with slot machines, gaming tables, restaurants and shopping.
Do Colorado River Greenway Heritage Trail
The park is in the North Reach of Laughlin. It includes nine miles of trails for bicyclists, pedestrians, and equestrians; restrooms; picnic sites; shade shelters; fishing piers; an extensive playground with water sprays in the summer; and a pedestrian bridge over State Highway 163 which provides access to the Colorado River.
Do Mountain View Park
In the center of Upper Laughlin, next to the Spirit Mountain Activity Center, and one block from the town library. It has two softball fields, a playground, exercise trail, tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball court, shaded picnic tables, a dog run, and a skateboard park.
Buy
Many of the casinos include shopping areas with souvenirs and other merchandise such as used playing cards and crap dice.
Eat
The casinos offer a variety of dining options, ranging from buffets to simple cafes to gourmet restaurants.
Eat The Range Steakhouse
Steakhouse at Harrah's Laughlin.
Eat Saltgrass Steak House
Steakhouse at the Golden Nugget.
Drink
Free drinks are offered to all gamblers actively playing games on the casino floor. You should tip the waitress at least $1 per drink. Failure to do so will most likely result in the waitress visiting you less often, and visiting those more often who do tip.
Sleep
Camping
Go next
- Searchlight – About 40 mi to the northwest of Laughlin on the SR-163 and then US-95. A former mining town, Searchlight maintains its heritage with its own museum, which while small is also educational. The town also has two casinos both run by Terrible's and two motels. Searchlight Airport has no commercial flights, and is uncontrolled, unmanned, and unlighted.
- Bullhead City – About 6 mi to the east of Laughlin over the Colorado River is Bullhead City, serving as an entry-point to and from Arizona.
Nearby
Bullhead City
City / town · 5 listings · 3 mi away
Oatman
City / town · 15 listings · 15 mi away
Needles
City / town · 13 listings · 21 mi away
Searchlight
City / town · 23 listings · 28 mi away
Topock
City / town · 8 listings · 30 mi away
Chloride
City / town · 3 listings · 30 mi away
Kingman
City / town · 58 listings · 34 mi away
Lake Havasu City
City / town · 15 listings · 48 mi away
My experience
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