Laughlin

Laughlin is a town in Southern Nevada. It is known for its gaming and water recreation. In 2010, the population was 7,000. Laughlin is the third most visited casino and resort destination in the state after Las Vegas and Reno, and is one of the top five destinations for American recreational vehicle enthusiasts.

Understand

Laughlin is in the southernmost tip of Nevada at the bank of Colorado River (bordering Arizona), 90 mi (140 km) south of Las Vegas. The town got its name from Don Laughlin who purchased an old motel in the area in 1964 and opened the first casino. It is the third most visited casino and resort destination in the state after Las Vegas and Reno.

Climate

Laughlin has a hot desert climate, with under 6 in (150 mm) of precipitation per year.

Summers are extremely hot with days frequently exceeding 110 °F (43 °C) in July and August while overnight lows tend to stay between 76 °F (24 °C) and 86 °F (30 °C).

Winters are mild with days typically seeing temperatures between 65 °F (18 °C) and 75 °F (24 °C) and corresponding overnight lows between 43 °F (6 °C) and 52 °F (11 °C). It is one of the United States' hottest cities during the summer. Heat waves involving temperatures going over 120 °F (49 °C) are not unusual.

Visitor information

Get in

From Las Vegas

Interstate 515, US 93/95 south through Las Vegas towards Boulder City. After passing through Henderson and the Railroad Pass, take ramp and turn right onto US 95 south toward Searchlight/Laughlin for 55 mi (89 km) miles. Turn left onto NV 163. Head east for 19 mi (31 km) miles. Turn right on Casino Drive.

Approximately 98 mi (158 km) from Las Vegas; 2 hours

From Phoenix

US 93 north to I-40 west through Kingman. Take the Bullhead City / Las Vegas exit and turn right at the signal at the end of the exit ramp. Continue west taking the Highway 68 ramp toward Bullhead City / Laughlin. Highway 68 merges into Arizona Highway 95. Turn right at the Laughlin Bridge.

Approximately 225 mi (362 km) from Phoenix; 4 hours.

From Southern California

I-15 north to Barstow; I-40 east to Needles, California. Exit on River Road cutoff, turn north for 22 mi (35 km) miles on Needles Highway to Casino Drive, turn right.

Approximately 283 mi (455 km) from Los Angeles; 5 hours. Approximately 335 mi (539 km) from San Diego; 6 hours.

By plane

There are charter and seasonal flights from some American and Canadian cities to 🌍 Laughlin-Bullhead International Airport.  (IFP IATA) in Bullhead City, Arizona across the river. The airport is not served by any major airline.

Las Vegas has 🌍 Henderson Executive Airport.  (HSH IATA) and 🌍 Harry Reid International Airport.  (LAS IATA). Vegas Airporter offers direct shuttle service to/from Las Vegas airport and Laughlin.

There is also 🌍 Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.  (PHX IATA) in Phoenix, Arizona.

By bus

By train

One can travel on Amtrak's Southwest Chief (from Chicago, Kansas City, or Albuquerque) to Laughlin. Passengers are transferred to an Amtrak Thruway motorcoach at Kingman, Arizona.

By tour

There are guided one-day tours from Las Vegas by bus.

Get around

There are no freeways that pass through Laughlin. The Southern Nevada Transit Coalition provides bus service on two routes in Laughlin, one of which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

See
  • 🌍 Grapevine Canyon Petroglyphs. Prehistoric rock drawings dating back between 1100 and 1900 AD. (updated Oct 2017)
  • Don Laughlin’s Classic Car Museum, 1650 S Casino Dr (inside the Riverside Resort Hotel and Casino). It's the city founder's car collection. +1 702-298-2535

Do

If you win...

Chances are that, if you win it big in Laughlin and you are not a U.S. citizen your winnings will be subject to a 30% withholding tax from the Internal Revenue Service. That $10,000 slot winning can dwindle quite quickly if that is taken off the top. Not to worry though you can reclaim your gambling winnings tax through a 1042-S form. You should get this from the casino so don't lose it: it is your starting ticket to getting your gambling winnings back.

Laughlin has nine major hotel-casinos that line the Colorado River, and also is home to the Laughlin River Walk. This walkway runs between the row of Laughlin's casinos and the Nevada shore of the Colorado River. The casino-hotels are similar to the ones in Las Vegas with slot machines, gaming tables, restaurants and shopping.

  • Laughlin Event Center. Hosts live music concerts and special events. It is located just west of Casino Drive, behind the Laughlin Outlet Center shopping mall. (updated Jul 2022)
  • 🌍 Mojave Resort Golf Club, 9905 Aha Macav Parkway, ☏ +1 702 535-4653. (updated Oct 2017)
  • Colorado River Greenway Heritage Trail. The park is in the North Reach of Laughlin. It includes nine miles of trails for bicyclists, pedestrians, and equestrians; restrooms; picnic sites; shade shelters; fishing piers; an extensive playground with water sprays in the summer; and a pedestrian bridge over State Highway 163 which provides access to the Colorado River. (updated Jul 2022)
  • Mountain View Park. In the center of Upper Laughlin, next to the Spirit Mountain Activity Center, and one block from the town library. It has two softball fields, a playground, exercise trail, tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball court, shaded picnic tables, a dog run, and a skateboard park. (updated Jul 2022)
  • Town Pool. At the south end of Upper Laughlin is the town pool which is open during the summer months. It includes full locker room facilities, shaded tables, and a large water park-style slide. (updated Jul 2022)

Buy
  • 🌍 Laughlin Outlet Center, 1955 S Casino Dr (across the street from the Aquarius Casino Resort), ☏ +1 702 298-4497. M-Sa 9AM to 8PM, Su 10AM to 7PM, closed Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Outlet shopping with more than 60 merchants, indoor food court and market, and 8 acres of indoor parking. 

Many of the casinos include shopping areas with souvenirs and other merchandise such as used playing cards and crap dice.

Eat

The casinos offer a variety of dining options, ranging from buffets to simple cafes to gourmet restaurants.

Drink

As at Las Vegas, free drinks are offered to all gamblers actively playing games on the casino floor. You should tip the waitress at least $1 per drink. Failure to do so will most likely result in the waitress visiting you less often, and visiting those more often who do tip.

Sleep

Camping

Connect

Go next
  • Searchlight – About 40 mi (64 km) to the northwest of Laughlin on the SR-163 and then US-95. A former mining town, Searchlight maintains its heritage with its own museum, which while small is also educational. The town also has two casinos both run by Terrible's and two motels. Searchlight Airport has no commercial flights, and is uncontrolled, unmanned, and unlighted.
  • Bullhead City – About 6 mi (9.7 km) to the east of Laughlin over the Colorado River is Bullhead City, serving as an entry-point to and from Arizona.
Routes through Laughlin
Las Vegas ← Searchlight ←  N  S  → Needles → Blythe
Ends at ←  W  E  → becomes → Bullhead City


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