But to the vacationer, the outdoorsman, the avid sportsman, it means that 17-mile stretch of the Colorado winding south from Parker Dam to Headgate Rock Dam, just one mile north of the town of Parker, Arizona. On this controlled stretch of the Colorado, recreational possibilities include jet skiing, boating, water skiing, fishing and desert exploring. Vacation resorts grace both shores of the river, as do public and private campgrounds, restaurants, stores, and homes. The strip seems to offer extra excitement. As dawn breaks and the river is calm, the shorelines slowly come alive.
Ignition switches on, boat engines catch, and soon the rumble of many fills the air.
Instantly the calm waters are split by racing boats and weaving skiers. Lively and exciting, casual and carefree, with the evenings as fun-filled as the days, the Parker Strip can indeed be a highlight of any visit to the Colorado River. The Colorado River is a mecca for recreationalists from Parker downstream to Yuma, Arizona. Fishing, boating, waterskiing, camping - all of this and more is available to those who enjoy the outdoors.