Jack Smith Park & Launching Facility

"We love this place because it's close to our house and we avoid the Havasu zoo boat launches. A busy day here is 8 boats waiting to launch. With 4 lanes. We are able to make quick business of getting in and out and more time time having fun and making memories. Make sure your pass is visible. Otherwise, there's a 100% chance you will get a ticket."

"arrived an hour early to check-in to my hotel, so it was suggested to come here to chill out. Your greeted with signs saying you have to "pay to use the park" and signs saying "your on camera" but the little hut was closed so a local said its free during off season...water looked a little murky for swimming?"

"Easy launch with plenty of parking even on a weekend. Best part, its free outside of the season!! Weather was 100 degrees and launching was free? Yea that's an easy 5 star location. Go 5 minutes across the bridge and gas is $2/gallon cheaper in Nevada too. Great spot to launch from and ride to havasu through topock."

"We're traveling through the area and wanted a quick picture of the Colorado River. Google Maps directed us to Jack Smith Park via a rough dirt road and we almost got stuck in soft sand. But we eventually found the place driving on paved roads. The park looks like a great spot for boaters, and many were launching their vessels at the dock on this hot September day. There are a few covered picnic tables available and a couple restrooms. But the draw of this place isn't families wanting to enjoy a picnic. It's the boaters. And there's nothing wrong with that. It is what it is, and for what it is, it serves its clients well."

"Jack Smith Park & Launching facility was just what the Dr. ordered, for a family fun day in a calm protected area of the Colorado River, off River Rd. in Needles, CA. The first day my family came here, the weather was darn near perfect- in the low 80's, with abundant sunshine. My grandkids were frothing at the bit to get in the water, & this park was ideal, for what they needed. This area consists of a fairly wide, secluded semicircle of calm water, off the main flow of the Colorado River, plus it has a nice wide concrete boat launch ramp, as well as, a buoyed off swimming area, with a soft sand bottom, which tapers very gradually. I was curious, so I began slowly walking backwards, to see how deep the swim area water got. I made it 2ft. from the back buoy line, standing up, without my head going beneath the surface, & I'm 6 ft. tall. My 2nd youngest grandson, who is average height, for an 8 year-old boy, felt comfortable walking around, within a portion of the buoyed off swim area. He still hasn't mastered swimming, but there's such a gradual taper to the bottom within the swim area, that he had no trouble playing in this cold, 50 degree water, within a distance of approx. 10ft., from the bank, with the water hitting him at mid belly heighth. There are quite a few large shade trees near the cusp of a hill that overlooks the swimming area, so the kids played their little hearts out, & the adults sat in chairs, shaded by these trees. We kept a good eye on them, as there is no Lifeguard on duty here, which is posted on signs, along the bank. One thing to be aware of...there are these three-pronged spikes, which are both attached, & have dropped from weeds, growing on this hillside. I took my sandals off at the top of the hill, & walked barefoot down to the water. While doing this, I stepped on one of these abominable little spikes, & it penetrated my heel, drawing blood. Therefore, I advise you to leave your sandals on, until you reach the swim area water's edge, before kicking them off. I saw several nice boats launch from here. The sign on the entrance shack notes its $17 for a Day Boat Launch Pass, & $7 per car, for a Day Use Pass. There's also a nice playground area, at the top of the hill here, plus plenty of semi-shaded picnic tables, as well as restroom buildings on-site."