12/10 Willow Beach Campground

I have been saving all of the photos I have taken of the campground area for this single and last post on this place.  I've been here for two lovely and relaxing weeks, but am heading to Death Valley in the morning, after a few stops for gas and a few groceries on the way.  

I'll try to present these in a logical order, which will not necessarily be in the same order as they were taken.  

First, Willow Beach Campground is part of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, so it is a federal campground but run by a concessionaire.  You get to this campground by driving about 13 miles south of Hoover Dam on US 93.  Or you can drive north from Kingman or Davis Dam, which is south on the Colorado River.  Both routes are on the Arizona side of the river, with very little access to this part of the river.  

The part of the Colorado River from the dam to Lake Mohave is referred to as the Black Canyon of the Colorado because the steep mountains keep sunlight from the river.  It is mostly a wilderness area, so hiking is allowed, but ATVs are allowed and there are not even very many hiking trails available.  The best way to travel that area is by renting a kayak or boat.  There are companies that will drop you off at various points and pick you up later, if needed. 

You can catch a couple of glimpses of the river as you drive on US 93, by stopping at either of two scenic pullovers just north of the entrance to the Willow Beach area.  The next three photos were taken from the northbound viewpoint when I went there to get some cell service when the internet service at the campground was down for three days. 

 

Willow Beach Marina and campground are just behind the hill at the very bottom of the river area in this photo.  

 

And a closeup of the river from the scenic viewpoint.   You can just barely see a tiny portion of the marina parking lot. 

 

I posted photos of the 4-mile-long entrance road a few days ago, but below are two views of the road that goes from the store and visitor center at the marina to the campground.  You can see in these photos that the road to the campground was built in a wash, which means that it is dry 95% of the time, but becomes a raging river during heavy rains.  Which also means that if you are camping here in a heavy rain, you might not be able to leave until the flood stops, so you may be stuck here for a couple of days. 

 

 

The campsites here are large and modern, with full hookups, meaning you have electric, water, and sewer at each site.  There are also about 10 tent-only sites available, with a bathhouse and even small laundry room available.

 

 

This view is looking up at the mountains, towards the highway, four miles away.  Being so far away from the highway, makes the campground very peaceful.

This view is looking down toward the river, though my rig is blocking the view of the river.  

 

 

The rangers' homes are past the campground, farther away from the river and even higher than the campground in elevation.  

 

 

This was my second campsite.  I prefer it because it is a back-in site, so more private and with a slightly better view.  

 

 

 

 

I managed to catch a few photos this morning of a small flock of Gambel's Quail.  These cute little birds seldom fly, but are constantly running around on the ground looking for seeds.  They are always in flocks and stick together for safety. 

 

You can tell the males from the females because the males are slightly more brightly colored and have bigger topknot feathers.  The bird on the lower left of the first photo is definitely a male. 

 

 

These two are apparently a pair. 

I decided to walk the half-mile downhill to the store to pick up a couple of camping toys I had seen yesterday that were 75% off.  I thought they would make good gifts.  There was a very nice hiking path to walk on instead of walking on the roadway.  You can see the small ditch for rainwater along the path.

 

 

This view is looking downstream through the canyon.  If you headed this way, you would eventually make it to Lake Mohave.  

 

 

 

And upstream is the marina and the fishery in the distance.  It is about 12 miles to the Hoover Dam via the river.  Many people rent kayaks and just paddle in the area, but others rent them from companies that will drop you off below the dam and pick you up here.   

 

 

Onward tomorrow to my next stop--Death Valley.