Paddlewheeler Boat-in Campground

Biking

Mountain biking through desert terrain is always fun, and the option is especially great at Picacho SRA. With level track beds that lead into the mountains, bikers of all skill sets can enjoy a nice ride along the badland-esque atmosphere when they take a visit to Picacho SRA.

Boating

As the park is mainly based around the 8 mile stretch of the Lower Colorado River, it makes sense that boating is a popular activity taken among visitors. Shallow draft powerboats are the only type that are allowed (aside from kayaks & canoes), thus is you want more information on boating options along the Colorado within Picacho then check out our Kayaking & Canoeing section below.

Fishing

With fishing available on a year-round basis, Picacho draws a lot of its visitors with great angling opportunities. Come and test your skills on the Lower Colorado River, where guests have lots of luck catching black and striped bass, channel and flathead catfish, and bluegill. Per classic California norm, you’re gonna need that CA Fishing License or an AZ license with a Colorado River stamp.

Hiking

Hikes along the Picacho SRA offer visitors the surreal experience of trekking through magnificent desert terrain. With hikes that take you through old mine-trail rail lines, abandoned mills, and plug-dome volcanoes like Picacho Peak, any trekker is bound to have a crazy time amongst the desert rocks. An account and list of some great hikes in the area can be found on the park website, but don’t be afraid to head out there like the pioneers did way back when and explore for yourself!

Paddling

Floating on a kayak or canoe down the Colorado River is truly an incomparable experience that Picacho offers to its visitors. Seriously, the serenity of gliding through this section of the Colorado River will wash away all worries that may possess your mind, and the best part is that boaters of all difficulties can enjoy the waterway. Autumn and early spring are known as the best time to float down the river, as it gets a little hot to sit unprotected on the water’s surface once summer rolls around. You can find a comprehensive boating guide to the Colorado River here that should tell you everyone you need to know about the area.

Wildlife watching

You’re probably thinking something along the lines of "but it’s a desert, literally a space known for lack of interesting wildlife.” Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if that’s what you were thinking, then you are wrong my friend. One incredible aspect of Picacho SRA is that it sits on one leg of the Pacific Flyway. If you’re an avid bird watcher or avian enthusiast, you’re probably as excited as us about this, as thousands of migratory waterfowl (ducks, geese, ibis, egrets, and blue herons included) gloriously appear in the spring and fall. We love the addition of the Canada goose to the mix, as their unmistakable sound and appearance will be sure to stir up something inside of anyone who bears witness. Other avian friends include bald and golden eagles (yup), quail, woodpeckers, roadrunners, and white-winged doves. Like we said, the bird culture here is no joke. Oh wait, that’s not even all of the awesome wildlife to spot at Picacho SRA? Why yes, there is more! Hikers can come across mule deer, feral burros, bobcats, coyotes, and even the elusive big horn sheep if you are lucky. Closer to the river, visitors can find muskrats and beavers too. While a desert is thought of as a place where plants can’t grow, that common misconception is struck down when you visit Picacho. During the spring, the mountains come alive with wildflowers and blossoming beavertail cactus and ocotillo. The native plants of the area include desert ironwood, palo verde, willows, and mesquite.