City: Laughlin, NV
County: Clark County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 35.11286481, -114.64016808
Air Temp: --
Location
Live Webcam
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Runs on Colorado River
20 runs (1 nearby)Difficulty Classes
I Easy
II Novice
III Intermediate
IV Advanced
V Expert/Extreme
VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site:
Put-in at this location
This location is on the run
Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
Downstream from here Upstream from here
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
III-IV
78 mi away
19. Lee's Ferry to Lake Mead
300.0 mi
9 ft/mi
IV-V
349 mi away
18. Colorado/Green Confluence to Hite Marina (Cataract Canyon)
48.6 mi
16 ft/mi
II
391 mi away
17. Moab to Green River Confluence
65.0 mi
I-III
425 mi away
16. Cisco (Rose Ranch) to Moab
46.7 mi
5 ft/mi
III-IV
457 mi away
15. Westwater to Rose Ranch (Westwater Canyon)
17.6 mi
9 ft/mi
II
470 mi away
14. Loma launch to Westwater launch
24.9 mi
7 ft/mi
I
490 mi away
13. Grand Junction Town
31.6 mi
8 ft/mi
I
522 mi away
11. New Castle to Cameo
61.9 mi
III
521 mi away
12. Big Sur
1.2 mi
15 ft/mi
I
579 mi away
10. South Canyon to New Castle
6.7 mi
15 ft/mi
II(III)
586 mi away
09. Two Rivers to South Canyon
5.3 mi
15 ft/mi
II+(III)
590 mi away
08. Grizzly Creek to Two Rivers Park
5.9 mi
19 ft/mi
III-IV
595 mi away
07. Shoshone Power Plant, Exit 123 (I-70) to Grizzly Creek, Exit 121 (I-70)
1.7 mi
39 ft/mi
IV-V(V+)
597 mi away
06. Hanging Lake Exit 125 (I-70) to Shoshone Power Plant Exit 123 (I-70)
2.5 mi
83 ft/mi
II(III)
609 mi away
05. Burns to Dotsero
24.9 mi
II(III)
628 mi away
04. State Bridge to Burns
20.6 mi
III
641 mi away
03. Pumphouse campground to State Bridge
15.0 mi
15 ft/mi
IV-V
654 mi away
02. Gore Canyon
9.7 mi
35 ft/mi
IV
679 mi away
01. Hot Sulphur Springs to Hwy 40 bridge
2.7 mi
42 ft/mi
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
Big Bend State Recreation Area in Laughlin offers a well-developed boat launch facility on the Colorado River with a two-lane ramp that accesses the water through a protected man-made lagoon. This sheltered entry point is ideal for launching kayaks, canoes, and motorboats, as it provides a buffer from the river's main current. The site features ample trailer parking, ADA-accessible facilities (with proper permits), and day-use amenities including shaded picnic ramadas and a sandy beach area.
The Colorado River at this location is a major waterway with an average flow of 2,240 cubic feet per second and velocities around 7.75 feet per second. Paddlers should be prepared for a significant current and plan accordingly for their skill level. The river's 3.2 ft/mile average gradient means it maintains steady flow characteristics throughout this section.
Beyond the launch facility, Big Bend provides excellent day-use and camping options, including group campsites suitable for RVs and tents, with some sites directly along the riverbank. Katherine Landing Campground is located nearby for additional overnight accommodations. The surrounding area offers scenic views of the Dead Mountains and access to the broader Laughlin recreation area.
The Colorado River at this location is a major waterway with an average flow of 2,240 cubic feet per second and velocities around 7.75 feet per second. Paddlers should be prepared for a significant current and plan accordingly for their skill level. The river's 3.2 ft/mile average gradient means it maintains steady flow characteristics throughout this section.
Beyond the launch facility, Big Bend provides excellent day-use and camping options, including group campsites suitable for RVs and tents, with some sites directly along the riverbank. Katherine Landing Campground is located nearby for additional overnight accommodations. The surrounding area offers scenic views of the Dead Mountains and access to the broader Laughlin recreation area.
Nearby Campgrounds (1 within 10 miles)
Katherine Landing Campground
On-site
Nearby Recreation Areas
Camp Ibis-Patton
Located within
Dead Mountains Wilderness
Located within
Nearby Boat Facilities
Katherine Landing RV Park
On-site
Katherine Landing Campground
On-site