Boating

YEAR-ROUND WATER FUN ABOUNDS!

No Boating Restrictions! - Almost.

Boaters' affectionately refer to it as the "Parker Strip," quite possibly the finest 16-mile stretch of water for recreational boating on the face of the earth. Because of its ideal sunbelt climate, Parker boating and outdoor recreation begins at the first hint of spring, often as early as mid-March, extending all the way to November's Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Whether it's a canoe, wave runner, jet ski, jet boat or family speedboat, the Parker Strip welcomes you ! No two-cycle engine bans, or low water problems affect this great stretch of river. Hungry? Just pull up to the restaurant and enjoy some great food and hospitality of our many river front establishments. You can only do that on this stretch of the river!

For those nine months, the Colorado River is alive with boaters, water skiers, wakeboarders, personal watercraft riders and fishermen, all enjoying the natural beauty of this desert oasis. Without question, Parker genuinely deserves its recognition as the boating capital of the Southwest.

Stretches of the river that are suitable for paddle craft are below Parker Dam.


Speed Limit

Posted speed limits along the Colorado are rare, but California law restricts speed under certain conditions. Boats must slow to 5 mph when passing within 100 feet of any bather and when within 200 feet of any bathing beach, swimming or diving platform, or landing float in use. Since the Colorado River is one of the state’s most crowded waterways, boaters should always travel at a safe peed and maintain a proper lookout to avoid other watercraft, water-skiers, or swimmers on the river.

Water-Skiing

California boating law requires that:

One U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III, or V life jacket must be carried for each person on board. Personal watercraft riders, skiers and anyone being towed behind a vessel must wear their life jackets. (Exceptions: performers skiing on a marked course, or barefoot, jump or trick water skiing, may instead wear a wetsuit designed for the activity and labeled by the manufacturer as a water ski wetsuit. However, for each skier who elects to wear a wetsuit, an approved Type I, II, III, or V life jacket must still be carried on board. Persons using any underwater maneuvering device are exempt from wearing a life jacket. An underwater maneuvering device is any towed or self-powered apparatus designed for underwater use that a person can pilot through diving, turning and surfacing maneuvers.)
Note: Inflatable personal flotation devices are not approved for use in California while water-skiing.

  • The water-ski flag must be displayed to indicate any of the following conditions:
  • A downed skier.
  • A skier in the water preparing to ski.
  • A ski line extended from the vessel.
  • A ski in the water in the vicinity of the vessel
  • Skiing after sunset and before sunrise is prohibited.
   
Arizona boating law requires that:
  • A skier must wear a life-saving device while skiing.
  • The observer must display a red or orange flag, no less than 12 by 12 inches and mounted on a handle, any time a skier is down in the water. Watch for signs or buoys on the river marking areas where water-skiing is prohibited. Within the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, skiing is permitted on the main channel but not on the Old River Channel or back water area near Walter’s or Mitchell’s Camps. Water-skiing is not allowed in the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, except for an eight-mile strip through the Picacho State Recreation Area and a four-mile section at the southern end of the refuge near Martinez Lake. Water-skiing is also not permitted in the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge. The restricted zone is marked with buoys from the Santa Fe Railroad Bridge (at the Interstate Highway 40crossing) south to Clear Bay. Never ski around blind bends. An approaching vessel or other hazard may endanger a skier.

For More Information ... Download the 'Colorado River Guide'

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