Parker Dam Road Byway
Parker Dam Road Byway, the “Thread of Life”, is an 11 mile paved road that begins at Parker Dam and ends at Earp, California. You will parallel the Colorado River as you drive South on the California side of the river. The road is accessible for all vehicle types.
 You will find the best times of year to travel this road are Fall, Winter, and Spring.
Summer is a beautiful time to travel Parker Dam Road Byway but not if you aren’t used to temperatures that can exceed 110 degrees!! Don’t give up on the Summer months… the Colorado River has many irresistible water sports and activities.
As you drive down this 11 mile stretch of paved road you will discover Parker Dam Road Byway leads you on the road to adventure.
You will see all sorts of scenic views, including some wildlife along the way!
Allow a good hour for travel as you use one or many of the public turn offs that are available along this byway. Access to many picnic areas, fishing spots, campgrounds, and OHV recreational areas are scattered along this road. You will want to pull over, step out of the car and enjoy the scenery, wildlife and flowers. Take advantage of the visible markers to lead you to the many picnic areas and day use areas. Some have toilet facilities, others do not. You will also note that many private communities dot the landscape near the water. Some are visible as you drive, others are nestled away from your view. One of the markers you will note is for the historic town of “Cross Roads”. You will find a ghost town when you visit Cross Roads. The only remaining building is the Cross Roads Mercantile Company, to say the least… only the bare bones remain. 
As you drive through the twists and turns of this byway, you will notice that you are traveling through a rock canyon etched by the waters of the Colorado River.
You can see first hand the potential of this “back-country” in the middle of the desert! It is a haven for people who love water, water activities, and camping.
It is no wonder that this corridor of the Colorado River has been nicknamed the “Thread of Life”. Many people are drawn to this oasis in the desert where people and fun thrive because of the access to the water. Enjoy some of the local picnic areas on the Parker Dam Road Byway. Some are free, some require day use fees. - Quail Hollow has picnic areas with shade trees, river access.
- Bullfrog has river access, a swimming beach, picnic areas with shade trees and a pit toilet. $3.00 day use fee applies.
- Empire Landing has river access, tent areas with shade trees, outdoor shower and restrooms. $3.00 day use fee applies.
Pack a lunch, visit the Parker Dam and continue your road trip down the Parker Dam Road Byway.
Location for Parker Dam Road BywayFrom the east end of California State Hwy 62, Parker Dam Road winds north 11 miles along the Colorado River. From Arizona, cross the bridge between Parker, AZ and Earp, CA. Turn right (toward Parker Dam). From Arizona Highway 95, take 95s over Parker Dam, where the road becomes Parker Dam Road.
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