Planning a Weekend in Parker, Arizona? What to Do + Travel Guide

Planning a weekend in Parker, Arizona? We recently spent a few days there enjoying the Colorado River, sunshine, and time together as a family, and it quickly became one of our favorite easy getaways from San Diego.

Whether you’re heading out on the water, relaxing at a river house, or just looking for a fun desert escape, Parker is such a great spot to unwind and enjoy the outdoors.

My in-laws live in Twentynine Palms, about 3 hours from San Diego. Parker is just another 1.5 hours from there, making it a perfect add on trip or long weekend destination.

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 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 where to stay in Parker, Arizona, but our favorite has always been renting a house right on the water, especially in the Moovalya Keys. It’s the best way to fully enjoy the river, with easy access for boating, floating, and relaxing all day.

River houses book up fast (especially in summer), so I recommend checking availability early: 👉 Browse available river houses in Parker >

If you’re looking for more of an outdoorsy, laid back experience, camping is also a great option. The Parker Strip / Colorado River KOA Holiday offers RV sites, cabins, and tent camping right along the river, making it a fun and family friendly choice. We’ve stayed at the San Diego KOA before and loved how easy and well set up it was for families.

Another popular option is the Bluewater Resort & Casino which we’ve also stayed at and enjoyed. It’s right on the river with a marina (perfect if you’re bringing a boat), and they have great, casual dining options including really good breakfast specials.

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 handful of fun, casual restaurants right on the river in Parker, and they’re honestly part of what makes a trip here so much fun! Being able to pull up by boat, grab lunch, and hang out for a bit is such a cool experience.

Some of the most popular spots along the Parker Strip include:

Roadrunner Floating Dock Bar & Grill – One of our favorites! They have a pool right next to the river, which makes it a perfect place to cool off and take a break from being out on the water.
Pirate's Den Resort – Great for a casual meal right on the water, with a relaxed, family friendly vibe.
Sundance Saloon – Another solid stop for food and drinks with that classic river energy.
Fox's Floating Bar – A classic river stop with a laid back, fun atmosphere and easy dock access.

These spots are especially fun during the day for lunch and drinks, and they’re all set up for boaters, which makes hopping from one to another part of the experience. We always love stopping at Roadrunner, the pool right on the river is such a fun bonus and makes for the perfect afternoon break.

Pirate's Den

We always have a great time at Pirate's Den Resort, which often has live music playing a mix of classic rock and fun, tiki-style songs. The atmosphere here is especially lively and family-friendly.

The menu is easy with a lot of options like burgers, pizza, and steak, along with tropical drinks and fun bucket cocktails. There are also some really cute areas for kids to play, including a pirate ship playground, and the beach bar opens up to a sandy area right on the water where kids can splash and play.

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.

Local Spots to Try off the Water

In addition to the restaurants along the river, we also found a few local spots in Parker that are definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re heading out on the boat for the day and want to bring food with you.

Big Bellie Subs – This was one of our favorite finds! They make super fresh, hearty sandwiches that are perfect for packing in a cooler and taking out on the boat. Don’t skip the cookies! They have a great selection of fresh baked options that are so good.
Lily's Mexican Food – We grabbed breakfast burritos here and loved them. They even cut our burritos in half and individually wrapped them when they heard we were sharing, which was such a thoughtful touch. They also have amazing tres leches cakes in a variety of flavors that are definitely worth trying.

A House on the River

We enjoy the comfort of staying at an Airbnb or Vrbo for many of our trips. 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.