Tent Camping at Lake Havasu in the Summer
Kelsey saw a picture of Lake Havasu on Pinterest and decided we just had to check it out. Since we were on a travel therapy assignment in Arizona, it seemed like a great idea to take a weekend vacation to check out Lake Havasu campgrounds.
The only problem was our assignment was in the middle of summer and it turns out Lake Havasu Weather in July is hotter than we anticipated. We originally planned to spend two days in the area but...spoiler alert, that did not go as planned.
Even though the trip was cut a night early because of the summer heat we don't want anyone to think everything was a complete bust. It gave us the chance to check out Lake Havasu State Park Campground and get a spot right along the shoreline.
Playing in Lake Havasu lake was a blast because the summer heat warms the water and the crowds stay away since it's the hottest place in Arizona.
Even in the summer, there are still a lot of things to do in Lake Havasu including sightseeing at the London Bridge and hikes near Lake Havasu camping sites.
A lot of our blog is wanting others to learn from our mistakes so even though a Lake Havasu Summer Trip was fun we want our followers to be prepared if they follow in our footsteps.
Disclosure: Links throughout the Mindful Nomadics site may make us a small commission at no additional cost to you. See our Affiliate Disclosure for more information.
Contents
Benefits of Visiting Lake Havasu in the Summer
Even if it might not sound like the best idea there are some reasons to visit Lake Havasu in the summer.
Lake Havasu camping is a fan favorite and gets packed quickly. So by going during the summer you get several benefits.
- Fewer People
- Cheaper Prices
- Lake Temperature
- Better Site Selection
Keep in mind that the trade-off is the heat. So by getting the Lake Havasu summer perks, you do get one very hot vacation.
We camped at Lake Havasu State Park with a spot right on the beach. Going during the summer allowed us to pay only $40/night for a guaranteed beachfront campsite which is hard to get if you went during busier times.
You might also be in the same situation as us where that's just the time that worked for your schedule. So even though it might not be the best time to visit Lake Havasu, it's the only way the trip works for you.
Lake Havasu Temperutre
There is one reason why tent camping at Lake Havasu in the summer is not a good idea and it's simple...It's HOT. Okay, OBVIOUSLY Arizona in the summer is hot but we're not sure if you realize just how hot.
When we say the Lake Havasu weather is bad during this time, we mean. Remember, it really is the hottest place in Arizona.
A big thing to remember is it's hot during the day with a bright sun and it does not cool down much at night. We have an Audi that's in great shape and the 6-hour drive to the lake caused our radiator to almost give out because of the hills and the heat.
It was nearly too much for our car and the heat was almost too much for us too!
Our tent is very open without the cover and we still were unable to sleep in it. Instead, we opted to sleep under the stars right on the beach so we could get even the slightest breeze.
It's important to remember that because of the heat you will be sweaty during the day and unless you are actually in the lake there is no place to cool down. So feel free to plan a trip to Lake Havasu in the summer but be ready to be hot the entire time.
Making Your Summer Lake Havasu Vacation Better
If you find yourself going to Lake Havasu in the summer for whatever reason, we have suggestions so your experience can be a good one. Or at the least, a bit less miserable.
Stay at the Lake Havasu State Park Campgrounds
When it comes to deciding where to stay in Lake Havasu the campgrounds are the place to be. Since it's summer, you might be tempted to try different options but we feel it's worth it.
In the summer, it's hot no matter what you do so you might as well be close to the Lake. Plus the campgrounds are close to other activities like hikes and London Bridge.
Bring a Floaty
We ended up buying a floaty while visiting the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City and it helped to elevate our time tremendously. To escape the heat relaxing in the warm green water is the best thing you can do.
Having a floaty helps you stay in the lake for longer while lounging about. Plus floaties are just fun and make everything better.
But remember, the surrounding Lake Havasu temperature makes the water pretty warm. So instead of picturing a chilly dip think relaxing hot tub.
Stay in an RV
When it comes to Lake Havasu camping, RVs are not only allowed but almost encouraged. Each campsite has electrical hookups, and staying in an air-conditioned RV may be the best way to go.
We suggest using a Lake Havasu State Park map to find a spot that's big enough or easily entered if you aren't an RV parking pro. We're pretty sure the spots are all back in but some have more room for maneuvering.
Technically during our trip, we did own a travel trailer but since it lacked AC it wasn't going to work. You want something where you still get to enjoy the lake but can then sleep and relax in a nice cool environment.
Check Lake Havasu Weather
During you're trip to Lake Havasu you'll want to check the weather...a lot. You should be keeping track of the temperature and possible storms...
- When Trip Planning
- On Your Way There
- During the Entire Vacation
We had to deal with both 110* heat and a huge storm that came about very quickly.
You might not be able to prepare for everything but had we known how hot it was going to be we might have prepared better. Likewise, if we knew that storms were on the weather forecast, we probably would have planned ahead and spent some more time in Lake Havasu City.
Be Prepared for Arizona Summer Sun
We cannot stress this part enough. You have to remember you are traveling to Lake Havasu in the summer and it's hot. It will be very easy for you to overheat or get dehydrated, both of which will quickly bring down your vacation.
There are several items you can bring to help make your time camping in the heat a little better.
Plan Activities in AC
Seeing London Bridge was great as it may be the main attraction after the Lake itself but it did not provide a lot of relief from the heat. Planning other sightseeing locations where there's air conditioning may help to restart your energy.
We went into Lake Havasu City a few times to explore the sights and find some free AC. At the very least, maybe plan a decent amount of meals at restaurants instead of cooking at the campsite.
Good Luck With your Summer Trip
Lake Havasu can be a great weekend getaway spot no matter what time of year you go. Going in the off-season means fewer people but warmer weather.
Make sure if you a planning a summer trip to Lake Havasu you are well prepared! Heck if we did it, anyone can do it.
Oh, and did we mention we have one of our favorite travel stories from the trip? Check out our Lake Havasu short travel story HERE.
Click here for our travel video diary!
