Lake Havasu Balloon Festival RV Rental Guide

Lake Havasu City hosts one of Arizona's most scenic balloon festivals — hot air balloons launching at dawn over the Colorado River with the reconstructed London Bridge in the foreground. January timing makes it peak snowbird season in western Arizona: temperatures in the 65–70°F range, clear Mojave Desert skies, and the full complement of winter visitors who base camp along the Colorado River corridor. Lake Havasu City has developed strong RV infrastructure for its permanent winter visitor population — full-hookup parks within walking distance of the waterfront and the festival grounds.

VenueRotary Community Park, 1000 McCulloch Blvd, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403 — near London Bridge and the Colorado River
DatesTypically third weekend of January. Verify at the Lake Havasu Tourism Bureau or city events calendar.
Book Your RV8–10 weeks. January is peak season in Lake Havasu — snowbirds fill sites months in advance.

RV Tips for Lake Havasu Balloon Festival

  1. Lake Havasu State Park (Windsor Beach Unit) is the most scenic camping location — reserve at recreation.gov well ahead for January
  2. Islander RV Resort and Havasu RV Resort are full-hookup parks within a mile of the festival grounds
  3. The London Bridge waterfront (Bridgewater Channel) is the heart of the festival viewing area — easily walkable from lakefront RV sites
  4. Dawn balloon launches start at first light (around 7 AM in January) — overnight camping on-site means no morning commute
  5. January Lake Havasu mornings are 40–45°F — bring warm layers for the dawn launch
  6. Combine with the Parker Strip (30 miles south) — Arizona's Colorado River camping corridor with extensive BLM free camping
  7. Kayaking or paddleboarding under the balloons on the Bridgewater Channel is a unique experience — rentals available lakefront

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the London Bridge doing in Lake Havasu City?

The original London Bridge (built 1831, spanning the Thames) was sold by the City of London in 1968 when it was sinking into the riverbed. Arizona developer Robert McCulloch purchased it for $2.46 million, had it disassembled stone by stone, shipped to Arizona, and reconstructed in Lake Havasu City between 1968 and 1971. An artificial channel was then dredged underneath it to make it a functional bridge. It remains the second-most visited tourist attraction in Arizona after the Grand Canyon.

Is Lake Havasu City good for RV camping in January?

Excellent. January is peak season in Lake Havasu City. Daytime temperatures run 65–70°F with abundant sunshine — warm enough for water activities but cool enough for hiking and outdoor events. The Colorado River waterfront, London Bridge Channel, and Havasu National Wildlife Refuge are all accessible from campgrounds. The region's flat terrain is easy for RV navigation, and Arizona State Parks and BLM sites provide a range of hookup and dispersed options.

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