01
Best overall pick
Cottonwood Cove Beach, Lake Mohave
Lake Mohave South Shore Near Searchlight • Laid-Back Desert Lake Beach • Closest Full-Service Lake Beach To Shoshone
A broad sandy cove on Lake Mohave with clear water, a marina, and a relaxed desert resort vibe.
From Shoshone, Cottonwood Cove is one of the most straightforward ways to swap dust for sand and open water. The main swimming beach sits in a sheltered cove with a gentle slope, making it comfortable for wading, floating, and paddlecraft. There’s a small resort, marina services, and shaded picnic areas, so you can easily make a full day of it.
02
Best river swim
Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area
Colorado River South Of Laughlin • Wide Sandy River Beach • Best For Simple River Swimming And Picnics
A curving stretch of Colorado River shoreline with real sand, clear water, and easy walk-in access.
Big Bend offers an honest-to-goodness sandy riverbank, a rarity in this stretch of the Colorado. The water runs cool and clear, with shallower edges that work well for careful wading and short swims. Shaded ramadas, grills, and nearby parking make it an easy base for a low-key day of river time between Shoshone and the Arizona border towns.
03
Best marina scene
Katherine Landing, Lake Mohave
Lake Mohave North Of Bullhead City • Busy Recreation Beach With Marina • Good For Groups And Boat Rentals
A lively marina hub on Lake Mohave with a roped-off swim area, boat rentals, and plenty of space to spread out by the water.
If your idea of a beach day includes boats, buzzing docks, and activity, Katherine Landing is the better fit. The designated swimming area gives you a safe place to get in the water while still being close to rentals for kayaks, paddleboards, or powerboats. It’s a bit farther from Shoshone than Cottonwood but pays off with more services, shade options, and a classic lake-weekend feel.
04
Best big-water views
Boulder Beach, Lake Mead
Lake Mead Near Boulder City • Long Shoreline With Desert-Mountain Backdrop • Great For Campers And Sunrise Swims
A long, pebbly-sand shoreline on Lake Mead with open views, easy lake access, and nearby campgrounds.
Boulder Beach gives you that wide-open, big-reservoir feeling, with long views across Lake Mead and rugged mountains framing the water. The beach itself is a mix of coarse sand and small pebbles, so sandals help, but the payoff is easy walk-in access and plenty of space to find your own patch of shoreline. Pair a night in the campground with an early-morning swim before the desert heat kicks in.
05
Best full-day destination
Windsor Beach, Lake Havasu State Park
North Lake Havasu City Shoreline • Developed Lakefront Beach Park • Best For Classic Beach-Day Amenities
A long sandy beach on Lake Havasu with palm trees, grass, and the kind of facilities that make a full day by the water easy.
For a more traditional beach-day setup, Windsor Beach delivers: soft sand, marked swim areas, shaded picnic spots, and lawns just off the water. It’s a longer haul from Shoshone, but people make the drive for the combination of warm water, social energy, and in-town conveniences. After a few days in Death Valley country, its palm-lined shoreline and evening breezes can feel like a small desert vacation within your trip.