Colorado River - Park Moabi

[QC]

I have been boating on the Colorado for 34 years and have stayed and boated at most of the popular spots between Lake Powell and almost to Yuma. One that I have missed until this last weekend is Park Moabi. It is on the California side about 1/2 mile upriver from the I40 bridge, we boat here a lot, but have never stayed, so I thought I'd do a little review.

It is in a great section of River that you can access both Lake Havasu downriver and Laughlin, NV upriver (hazardous!) by boat. The only real downside here is that the water is very cold (everywhere this time of year, but all year between Laughlin and Havasu) as the water comes out of Davis Dam and Lake Mohave fairly low below the warmer surface. Other than that, great place. Lots of full hookup sites on the Marina side (backwater slough deal thing) and then some more primitive sites that were built by the Army Corps of Engineers a brazillion years ago that now have electricity and water, but no sewer.

I forgot my Camera in the boat when I put it away, so I don't have any pics from this trip yet, but I'll post some soon. Here are some generic ones from the area. The prettiest stuff is Topock Gorge which is described by some as a mini-Grand Canyon (it's not, but still waaaaay cool):

Also the infamous Sand Bar:

And of course down to London Bridge:

 

[a2theb]

Re: Colorado River - Park Moabi

Great write up! It's such a coincidence that I will be tent camping for three days at Moabi in a few weeks. First time to the river and hopefully Havasu, by boat. How was the campground, particularly the tent area? They say its unlimited but looking at Google maps, it doesn't look all that big. Also do they allow overnight beaching or rental slips. I don't want to have to pull the boat out each day.

About how long is the ride from Moabi to Havasu? Any particular hazards to watch out for? We were thinking of heading to Havasu to have lunch (any recommendations?), cruise around the island, check out London Bridge to see that it hasn't fallen and then head back up to camp.

Any advice, recommendations, etc would be greatly appreciated by this newbie boater. Thanks!

 

[QC]

Re: Colorado River - Park Moabi

It's such a coincidence that I will be tent camping for three days at Moabi in a few weeks.

Yup, that's what makes this site so cool. Awesome!

How was the campground, particularly the tent area? Also do they allow overnight beaching or rental slips. I don't want to have to pull the boat out each day

Well I am not completely sure what you are calling the tent area, but I didn't look for that. The inland sites are near the store, nice park, great little marina. New slips going in now. Yes, rentals available. However I recommend the Peninsula sites. Tents will be fine there and it is way more old style river camping. The sites are up on little jetty/bluff things that make great beaches (little coves) in between. You can see your boat from the tent etc.

You can't beach overnight, but not because there is any rule against it. You have to anchor. If you are a first time river boater you'll have to learn about changing water levels. Ask the people at the store what times the water will rise etc. Water seemed to be lowest around 11:00 AM, but rose steadily through the afternoon until a high around 6:00 to 7:00, but I may be off some as the pattern didn't seem normal to me.

The current there is strong too, and if you don't know about eddy currents in small coves, then you'll find out soon when you see your boat float upriver . . . But then you go two feet further out and she starts heading downriver . . . fun stuff to figure out. From the Peninsula sites it is best to boat to the store and showers, but you could take your car as well. We were in MoHos, so we boated, but that's part of the fun there.

About how long is the ride from Moabi to Havasu? Any particular hazards to watch out for? We were thinking of heading to Havasu to have lunch (any recommendations?), cruise around the island, check out London Bridge to see that it hasn't fallen and then head back up to camp.

Great plan, we did that on Monday. It's around 20 miles and give yourself at least an hour if you were to go straight to the Channel/Bridge. I'd plan on two though. There is a wakeless section in the Gorge now that slows you down, but downriver you may want to float through anyway. I recommend Javelina Cantina for Mexican food, beach your boat at the Agave Inn (base of the Island/upriver side of the bridge) and walk up a couple of flights of stairs. Or if you want the real Havasu experience, go to the Nautical Inn and the Naked Turtle Beach Bar in Thompson Bay. Lunch at the bar or upstairs. The Turtle is definitely the home of the Havasu scene. You can beach, or there are courtesy slips. Beach is often packed, and if it is they may require you to be staying there, but the slips are always open.

Yes there are some treacherous areas, the worst is where the Gorge Wildlife refuge dumps into the Lake. Very weird there. I know my way and it freaks me out every time. The best thing is to wait at the buoy line that marks the refuge and follow somebody who knows what they're doing. In fact that would be a good plan for the entire trip through the Gorge both directions. There are some places that are 40 ft. deep in there, but some that are 2 . . .

Have a great trip, keep asking and I'll help. Wish I was going, and I got home Tuesday

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Colorado River - Park Moabi

I've always wanted to canoe that stretch of river. It's on my short list. Lots of really cool nooks and crannies to check out along the way. Was that your Spring break destination QC?

 

[QC]

Re: Colorado River - Park Moabi

Yeah, joined an annual trip that my neighbor across the street does every year for Easter. We don't really camp much, so we usually stay where we can get a room. I have another friend with a Motorhome that he forces me to borrow (literally), so we thought we'd try this trip with the neighbors and let my friend loan us his coach. Last couple of years I've done a no-Moms-allowed tent camping deal on Havasu (iboats West) and this was the replacement trip for that. I prefer the river with women, so this may be the new annual trip

Actually the stretch between Laughlin and the I40 bridge is my least favorite as it is all diked off, very few natural stretches and the water is so cold. The Gorge is awesome though and we see a lot of Canoers in there.

 

[a2theb]

Re: Colorado River - Park Moabi

Thanks again QC! We originally wanted to stay on the peninsula but they have a vehicle minimum requirement for tent campers. That leaves us in the general campground. I'm hoping to get a spot deep into the inlet (farthest from the marina) because it looks like a good place to anchor off the beach. If not I'll rent a slip. The general tent area is next to the pavilions and parking lot. Probably the area you thought was the park. I'm guessing this all by Google Earth!

Is the sandbar on the north end of the lake, where we would be entering from?

If I have any more questions, I will definitely ask.

 

[QC]

Re: Colorado River - Park Moabi

Yes, the sandbar is about the middle of the Topock Wildlife refuge which starts at the I40 bridge and ends at the north end of the lake. It is nowhere near that crowded these days. On Sunday there was only 10 - 15 boats there when we checked in. Crowds are bigger of course on bigger weekends for boaters, but they literally close it now on Memorial Day. It can be crazy there, but it can also be OK for a family depending on the time and Calendar. A great place to let a dog run around etc. The upriver end is usually the quietest with the biggest party zone toward the center and downriver side.

I am strongly recommending you follow a bigger boat both in and out. The north side is harder to screw up, but if you don't know how to look for deep water and avoid shallow on a river, then don't fly in there and think you're gonna be OK . . . You might get lucky, but that's what it would be . . . luck

 

[a2theb]

Re: Colorado River - Park Moabi

Hey QC - Do you by any chance have any GPS coordinates that may be of interest or help to me? Wife just got me a new Lowrance H20C! Also found out that a friend of my cousin that is coming has a boat too and has been up and down that stretch of river, so most likely I'll be following him. We're taking off tomorrow afternoon and can't wait! Thanks!

 

[QC]

Re: Colorado River - Park Moabi

Sorry I missed this a2theb. Yes, I have GPS coordinates, but since you're gone, well, uh . . . good luck!!

Please fill us in when you get back.

 

[a2theb]

Re: Colorado River - Park Moabi

Ok, got back from Moabi yesterday afternoon, here's a recap.

The original idea of setting up camp along the beach area of the inlet never happened. Winds were gusting around 20mph and it was impossible to setup our tent. So we ended up heading inland in a more secluded area. Launched the boat uneventfully and headed to check out the area. Went south to just before Devil's elbow, then back up to check out the peninsula sites. The sun was starting to set so we headed back. I decided to rent a slip for the night because I didn't want to have to pull the boat out each day. $20/day but brand new slips, just a bit out of the way from the campground.

Saturday morning we head south all the way to Havasu, found the shallow areas, and sandbars QC mentioned and head into the channel to check out Havasu City. It was pretty crowded already for around 11am. Lots of really nice boats out. Almost felt like a parade of shame with my little Bayliner!

I decided to get some gas at Lake Havasu Marina just to be safe on the return trip. $4.30/gal My good friend wanted to take over on the way back so we went back into the channel to head back up to the gorge and attempt to do some fishing and finding a beach to hang out.

The water was a bit choppy on the lake but the river stretches were smooth. My only problem was dealing with the wakes from the big muscle boaters flying up and down the stretch. All I could do was throttle down a little until I could get a good handle on it.

All in all it was a great first trip of the year and first time out on the Colorado river. I will say that from my general observations, there was a good amount of boaters that need to take a boater safety class. We did our best to steer clear from them.

We'll be definitely returning to Moabi, the peninsula sites look like the place to be, just gotta round up a big enough group for a spot.

Here's a few pictures from the trip. Not many turned out right. My 11 year old took most of the pictures and was bounced around a lot.

Leaving Moabi towards Topock Gorge, I-40 in the background:

London Bridge Resort:

Agave Inn and Javelina Cantina recommended by QC:

 

[a2theb]

Re: Colorado River - Park Moabi

More Pics...

This is the only good shot of the infamous sandbar. There was at least 40 boats out there and it was only just after noon.

Our own little beach for the day:

Moabi launch ramp. 5 lanes, nice ramp:

 

[a2theb]

Re: Colorado River - Park Moabi

And a few more...

 

[a2theb]

Re: Colorado River - Park Moabi

Sorry I missed this a2theb. Yes, I have GPS coordinates, but since you're gone, well, uh . . . good luck!!

Please fill us in when you get back.

If you can post up them up that would be awesome. I guess it would've helped reading the manual on my GPS. At least I was able to set a trail and follow it back.

 

[loneranger84]

Re: Colorado River - Park Moabi

Sorry to reopen an old thread here, but since this thread was so useful to me, I thought I'd append it.

I'm planning on renting a boat at Pirates Cove Resort (just above the I-40 bridge next to Park Moabi) and riding down to Lake Havasu.

My question concerns Topock Gorge. How much of it is a No Wake zone?

From this document about the Havasu NWR (http://library.fws.gov/Refuges/havasu.pdf)

"Boats cannot create wakes in the harbor of Five Mile Landing concession on Topock Marsh and the entrance and harbor at Golden Shores Marina. The backwaters off the main channel in most of Topock Gorge are No Wake zones."

To me, that sounds like you can speed through most of the River. Am I reading it wrong? Is the information newer or outdated or...?

Thanks, guys! And great thread!



EDIT: Oh, and I'd love some GPS coordinates to guide me. The more I read QC's warnings, the more terrified I am to make this trek! (My boating experience is very limited.)

 

[QC]

Re: Colorado River - Park Moabi

Sorry to reopen an old thread here, but since this thread was so useful to me, I thought I'd append it.

I know we sometimes frown on opening old threads here, but when we are talking about a specific location it seems to enhance the data base, so don't worry about it and welcome aboard!!

My question concerns Topock Gorge. How much of it is a No Wake zone?

I am guessing about a mile right in the middle of the gorge in addition to the other spot you note. It is in the section known as Devil's Elbow which is the narrowest and most scenic. Has been dangerous, so I reluctantly support the change. It is dead slow upriver for sure. Probably net 3 MPH max at true wakeless in an 18 - 25 footer.

EDIT: Oh, and I'd love some GPS coordinates to guide me. The more I read QC's warnings, the more terrified I am to make this trek! (My boating experience is very limited.)

Well first thing . . . My GPS got stolen so my entrance coordinates are gone forever However, I think I can duplicate them so I'll give that a whirl. Be patient, might take me a while.

Don't let my comments freak you out too much. The solution is always to hang around and follow another boat. Best to follow someone that appears to have confidence, however that looks You just need to learn the main channel through the southern part of the refuge. Down the middle is safe from the I40 bridge to the sandbar, and some of it is 30 ft' deep (the Elbow). From the Sandbar south things are also decent down the middle except just after the marker buoys. From there to the lake proper there is another sandbar absolutely dead center. Many people head down the CA side which appears OK, but I don't trust it. I see way too much of the bottom The AZ side in some ways looks scarier from the helm, but that's the way I see most big boats go, so I've stuck to that approach for years. There is a debris field that develops where the current dumps things into the lake. Be careful in there for submerged branches etc. In fact, from the lake into the refuge/gorge, I head straight for the debris field and then pick my way around the AZ side of it, and then bear more west as as I head towards the buoys. Like I said, I'll see if I can post something to straighten that out for you. I'm sure I'm making little solid sense for you with text only . . .

 

[loneranger84]

Re: Colorado River - Park Moabi

No, I think I am understanding what you are saying.

I have been looking at the route with Google Earth-- and with that tool, you can get a sense of the depth of the water via its color.

You can also (I think) see the sandbar where the gorge meets the lake.

My plan was, indeed, to go CA side. There appears to be a channel ~400 feet wide directly north of Catfish Bay. Is this the tough spot? Or are you talking further north?

One other question: If the ride up is that slow, how much time should I allow for getting back to Pirate Cove Resort from the Sandbar?

Anyhow, thank you very much. I'm sure your coordinates will be most helpful!

 

[QC]

Re: Colorado River - Park Moabi

My plan was, indeed, to go CA side. There appears to be a channel ~400 feet wide directly north of Catfish Bay. Is this the tough spot? Or are you talking further north?

Interestingly enough, if you look at the Google Earth pics you can see a couple of boat wakes going in the way I go on the AZ side. It looks a lot more shallow on that side, but you can see that it looks the same all of the way south to the Channel, so some of that is reflections, not actually the bottom. The Catfish Bay side is the one I avoid. Looks way better from the air for sure. Heck, you could idle through first time and get a feel on your depth sounder.

The AZ side has been the way I have done it for years after getting the crap scared out of me heading by Catfish bay. I just saw way too much bottom. It could simply be that the water is clearer on that side and makes it look worse than it is. I stay on plane and run through the AZ side fairly fast to minimize draft. Depth sounder shows 5 ft. some spots. I have never been completely comfortable on that side either, but I have always seen way more boats going the way I do.