Did you know there is actually an Arizona State Park that has an amazing beachfront campground? Cattail Cove State Park Campground has an impeccable white sandy beach, boat ramp, and 61 RV campsites right on Lake Havasu. This picturesque Arizona State Park campground offers a broad spectrum of outdoor activities for all to enjoy!
There are also boat-in campsites along the lake shoreline within the park. Whether you enjoy hiking, swimming, fishing, kayaking or just lounging on the beach, Cattail Cove State Park offers a chance to get away from it all to enjoy quiet tranquility along Lake Havasu.
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Cattail Cove State Park Campground – Lake Havasu, Arizona
Campground/RV Park: Cattail Cove State Park
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405 – 15 mi. S of Lake Havasu on Hwy 95
Phone: (928) 855-1223
Reservations
We made our reservations six months prior to our check-in through online reservations (January 2020).
If you don’t have internet access, you can also make reservations by calling our camping specialists at the Arizona State Parks Reservations Desk at 1-877-MY PARKS (877-697-2757). You can call seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Arizona time.
Be aware, there is a $5 non-refundable reservation fee per reserved campsite.
Reservations are recommended as same-day unreserved sites become available to arriving campers on a first come, first served basis. Saving sites for others is not permitted.
According to their website, from April 1 through September 30, there is a two-night minimum stay for weekend camping. You must reserve both Friday & Saturday night.
For Memorial, Labor and Columbus Day Weekends, there is a three night minimum stay for weekend camping. You must reserve Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights on those weekends.
There is an additional fee for second vehicles. The fee will be paid upon arrival at the park. The fee does not apply to toad vehicles towed behind a motorhome. However, additional vehicles will incur that $15 per night fee.
Cattail Cove State Park Hours & Fee Info
Cattail Cove State Park is open 24 hours, year-round
Visitor Center/Park Store: Open 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily
Day Use Fee: Boat launch, parking, and beach use only – 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- Per Vehicle (1-4 Adults): $10 (Mon – Thu) and $15 (Fri – Sun and holidays)
- Oversize Parking/Day Use (55′ or longer): $10 additional per day
- Individual/Bicycle: $3
Overnight Parking Fee:
- Per Vehicle (overnight parking is for unoccupied vehicles at boat accessible campsites only): $15 (Mon – Thu) and $20 (Fri – Sun)
Arrival & Check In
Arriving at Cattail Cove State Park Campground entrance booth right at check-in time of 2:00 p.m., we were promptly greeted and checked in promptly.
However, if the Ranger is off-duty or not present, campers and/or attendees need to fill out a pay envelope at the kiosk adjacent to the entrance booth. Anyone using any of the campground facilities are required to pay for facilities such as day-use, dump station, overflow parking, and campsites.
Road leading into the Campground
The road leading into the campground was curvy and scenic. The roadway is paved in excellent condition. Be aware, there are no shoulders to pull off. During dawn and dusk, be aware of wildlife. And, watch for pedestrians and bicycles.
Campsites
Of the 61 camping and RV sites at Cattail Cove State Park Campground; 57 sites offer 30 amp service and 4 sites have 50 amp service. The maximum RV length at the campground is 60 feet.
Electric and water is available in all sites. There is a sewer dump station before you exit the park.
Only one RV and one vehicle is allowed at each site. Fires are allowed only in the fire rings at each site all year, unless fire restrictions are in effect.
You are permitted to keep your kayaks, paddle boards, and canoes at your site. However, boats, jet skis and water bikes and trailers must be parked at the overflow parking. Day-use and campsite visitors must park in the overflow parking lot also.
Campground Amenities
- 61 Camping and RV sites
- Picnic tables & permanent wood burning fire pits
- Beach with picnic tables (sorry, no dogs allowed)
- Swimming area
- Kayaking, paddle boarding and canoeing
- Boat ramp to launch power boats
- Life jacket lending station
- Hiking trails
- Wildlife viewing
- Dog walk area and separate dog beach
- Amphitheater – presentations and education
- Educational gardens
- Restrooms and showers (private and handicap accessible)
- Filtered drinking water bottle filling stations
- Dish washing stations
- Camp store – souvenirs, DVD movie rentals & ice cream treats
- Firewood and ice for purchase
- Fish cleaning station
- Book exchange
- Boat-in campsite
The 45-mile long lake creates a haven for all kinds of water sports. Fish for largemouth and striped bass, channel and flathead catfish, bluegill and crappie. Boat, water ski or jet ski out on the open lake or sail, kayak or paddle board into quiet coves.
Boat-in Campsites
There are a couple primitive boat-in campsites are first come, first served. These sites have stand-up BBQ grills, picnic tables, and access to pit toilets. Trash cans are available but the Rangers suggest you pack out and take your trash with you. No fire pits or campfires at boat-in sites are not permitted, however propane stoves are allowed.
Boating campers can park their vehicle and boat trailer in the overflow parking lot (fee). Find an unoccupied boat-in campsite and pay for camping at the site using the “Iron Ranger.” The maximum length of stay at the boat-in campsites are 14 nights.
Paddleboard and Kayak Rentals
Cattail Cove now offers paddleboards and sit-on-top kayaks for hourly rental! Contact the ranger station when you’re in the park or make your reservation at (928) 855-1223. All rentals require a $300 deposit.
| 2-hour Rental | $35 |
| 4-hour Rental | $65 |
| 6-hour Rental (7 a.m. – 2 p.m.) | $85 |
| 24-hour Rental (7 a.m. – 7 a.m.) | $150 |
| Additional hour fee | $45 |
State Park Events
During the busy season, the Rangers, staff and volunteers oftentimes host Star Parties and Fridays by the Fire at the amphitheater, Full Moon Hikes on the trails and Yoga on the Beach. Check out their updated list of events at Cattail Cove State Park.
What we thought of Cattail Cove State Park Campground?
Cattail Cove State Park Campground was simply amazing! We give it 4.75 stars out of five! The grounds and sites were impeccable. The volunteers do a very good job at keeping the grounds picked up and tidy. They even rake the beach, public areas and vacant campsites nightly.
The bath houses were clean and we loved the filtered water stations outside of the bath house entrances. Dumpsters were never overflowing.
The Rangers and volunteers on duty were quite friendly and always busy with their work beautifying the grounds.
One important note if you’re going to use the potable water fill and dump station only. Usage of water-fill-or-dump-station-only does not allow trash/refuse disposal or shower usage which we found odd considering it cost using the dump station costs $15. Arizona State Parks seemingly has fees for everything.
Final thoughts of Cattail Cove State Park Campground
We loved Cattail Cove State Park Campground. It’s now one of our favorites and we will camp there again! Perhaps you should check it out too because we think it will be one of your favorite Arizona State Park campgrounds too!
Check out our video Cattail Cove State Park Campground Review!
Check out our other Campground and RV Park Reviews!
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