A Weekend in Parker, Arizona

We spent a weekend in Parker, Arizona and had a great time on the Colorado River! We recently got a boat and have been taking it out for adventures. My in-laws live in Twentynine Palms, about 3 hours from San Diego. Parker is just another 1.5 hours from their house making it a great destination to explore. Parker, Arizona is an awesome spot to enjoy the river, the sunshine and time with family.

Why Travel to Parker, Arizona?

If you're looking to enjoy time on the river, Parker Arizona is a great spot to stay. The main opening weekend to head out to Parker is Memorial Day weekend. We've been going since late April to enjoy some time before the crowds arrive. Parker is about 4-4.5 hours from San Diego and is on the border of California and Arizona.

Where to Stay in Parker?

There are a lot of options for staying in Parker. Visitors can stay in an Airbnb, hotels, campgrounds or the casino. We rented a really nice Airbnb right on the water with our family. I loved the river views, the bright decor inside the house and the amazing river front deck.

River Days

One of my favorite moments of our trip, was waking up early to have a cup of coffee on the patio. Mark and I sat there over looking the water while the kids and Lucy played around by the water. My in-laws and brother-in-laws also joined us for the weekend making it extra fun for everyone. The kids love having the family around to play with and spend time together.

Places to Eat and Drink on the River

There are a few restaurants on the water in Parker including Road Runner, Fox’s, Pirate's Den, Sundance and Big Bend. My favorites so far are Pirates Den Beach Bar and Road Runner. These spots are both super fun in the daytime and great for lunch. We all love that there’s a pool at Road Runner right on the river. It makes for a great afternoon break from being on the boat and river.

Pirate's Den

Pirates Den had a band with classic rock and tiki type music which everyone enjoyed. The menu includes burgers, pizza, steak, plus tropical and bucket drinks. There's really cute areas for the kids to play like this pirate ship playground. The beach bar has a sandy area right out front so kids can play in the water.

We’ve been launching the boat at Pirate's Den since they have a nice open ramp for $15 per launch. They also have a big lot to keep the truck, two restaurants, a gift shop and a campground.

A House on the River

We enjoying the comfort of staying at an Airbnb for this trip. It’s always a great option when traveling with more than 4 people to get together and split a home. This allows for a kitchen to cook at least a few meals plus gives everyone their own sleeping space. Our spot had the best view and 2 patios. We also had a boat dock so we could stop by the house anytime to take a break.