Willow Beach Exploring

[joyjoy]

Hi everyone! My husband and I will be renting a boat from Willow Beach marina to explore the Colorado River - it will be on a Sunday where motor boats are restricted from going north. Unfortunately, we only have Sunday and Monday available for the lake, and both days have restrictions. South of the river I see Cottonwood Marina and Lake Mohave among other many small coves along the way.

This will be out first time boating, so I had a couple of questions that I'm hoping those in this community might be able to help with:

1. It seems it's about 65-70 miles roundtrip (Willow Beach marina - Lake Mohave), with a 26 gallon gas tank, will I need to refill? We're looking to rent a 17' Champion.

2. Are we able to dock at Cottonwood marina or would this require a fee or permission of some sort? Just thinking about food/drinks, might be easier to stop and eat instead of packing a meal.

3. I've read online that the waterways near Cottonwood can be rough - should a first timer avoid the area?

4. Are there any suggested stops on this route or is the scenery the highlight?

5. Is alcohol permitted? I was thinking a few cold ones would be nice for the trip - but not sure if this is a big no-no.

Thank you in advance for any advice.

 

[t&y]

Oh man.. where to start.

The area between Willow beach and Cottonwood is beautiful. You will be able to find some nice little coves where the water is a little warmer the closer you get to Cottonwood. I have Verison cell service, and it was pretty spotty in the area near Willow beach. It was pretty good south towards Cottonwood.

There are a couple large basins just north of Cottonwood that can get very choppy. You can generally gauge that by the wind. Conditions can change rapidly so just keep an eye on it.

You can dock and get fuel at both Cottonwood or Willow Beach. I'm not sure what food is available at Cottonwood. I would always suggest a cooler with water and food just in case.

If it gets real choppy, just slow down and take your time. You guys will have a blast.

 

[mash on it]

1. Willow Beach is about 32 miles north of Cottonwood Cove, and 53 miles north of Katherine's Landing. Gas is available at both marinas. I used 14 gallons from Katherine's to Cottonwood, and only hold 22. (Sbc & Berk pump)

2. There is courtesy docks at both marinas. I believe the restaurant at Cottonwood Cove is seasonal. Check before your trip.

3. Cottonwood Cove and south (the basin) could be smooth water, or 4 ft white caps, proceed accordingly.

4. Plenty of beaches and coves to explore between Willow Beach and Cottonwood Cove. The area around Nelson's Landing is a nice area to explore.

Wind is the major factor on Lake Mohave. Check the forecast.

Good luck.

Dan'l

 

[joyjoy]

Oh man.. where to start.

The area between Willow beach and Cottonwood is beautiful. You will be able to find some nice little coves where the water is a little warmer the closer you get to Cottonwood. I have Verison cell service, and it was pretty spotty in the area near Willow beach. It was pretty good south towards Cottonwood.

There are a couple large basins just north of Cottonwood that can get very choppy. You can generally gauge that by the wind. Conditions can change rapidly so just keep an eye on it.

You can dock and get fuel at both Cottonwood or Willow Beach. I'm not sure what food is available at Cottonwood. I would always suggest a cooler with water and food just in case.

If it gets real choppy, just slow down and take your time. You guys will have a blast.

Thank you so much for your response. It's looking like we'll just spend the day between the two marinas. I'm excited!

 

[stephenkatsea]

Keep an eye on the bluffs. Huge Big Horn Sheep Rams can often be seen on the shores of upper Lake Mohave. T&Y and mash on it have each offered excellent remarks and suggestions.

 

[joyjoy]

1. Willow Beach is about 32 miles north of Cottonwood Cove, and 53 miles north of Katherine's Landing. Gas is available at both marinas. I used 14 gallons from Katherine's to Cottonwood, and only hold 22. (Sbc & Berk pump)

2. There is courtesy docks at both marinas. I believe the restaurant at Cottonwood Cove is seasonal. Check before your trip.

3. Cottonwood Cove and south (the basin) could be smooth water, or 4 ft white caps, proceed accordingly.

4. Plenty of beaches and coves to explore between Willow Beach and Cottonwood Cove. The area around Nelson's Landing is a nice area to explore.

Wind is the major factor on Lake Mohave. Check the forecast.

Good luck.

Dan'l

Thank you Dan'l, I'll be sure to check on the weather and the restaurant at Cottonwood Cove.

 

[joyjoy]

Keep an eye on the bluffs. Huge Big Horn Sheep Rams can often be seen on the shores of upper Lake Mohave. T&Y and mash on it have each offered excellent remarks and suggestions.

Thank you - this forum is so helpful! I posted another question that I had forgot to ask, maybe you could help? What is the rules on alcohol? I assumed it was the same as driving a car, in where it isn't allowed. But I figure I'd ask. ;-)

 

[wzuber]

regarding alcohol..passengers can drink but not the driver.
Question for you, do you or anyone participating in this trip have any boating experience?

 

[joyjoy]

regarding alcohol..passengers can drink but not the driver.
Question for you, do you or anyone participating in this trip have any boating experience?

Hi there - no boating experience, it's just my husband and I. Any helpful tips?

 

[STV_Keith]

Everything mentioned here is spot on. If you look at a chart of Lake Mohave, you'll find that the turn at Owl Point is where the water will start to get nasty if the wind is up. Owl Point sticks out from Owl cove, which is a protected cove with a large beach. There is currently a partially sunken houseboat there as well. That's about 26 miles South of Willow Beach if memory serves. So even on a somewhat windy day, it's a nice ride down to that point. If it's really windy, you can go a little past no-ski point and not have any issues at all usually. It is not marked on the image below, but right below the Lake Mohave name in the image, where it opens up, is no-ski point. There is no water skiing North of there. Stopover Beach is where my friends and I frequently stop during our cruises on that stretch. It's actually named Dolly Hill Cove and is just North of Nelson's Landing, but on the AZ side.

 

[evantwheeler]

Hi there - no boating experience, it's just my husband and I. Any helpful tips?

Everyone has to start somewhere, but your are much more likely to have a fun experience by either hiring a guide to drive your rented boat, or to hire a guide in their own boat. I'd opt for #2. At minimum, you both should take and pass a boaters safety course so you know the general rules of water transportation. As was stated, wind will be your biggest adversary on the Lake. Be very mindful of the transition from the river to the lake while heading down river. If the wind is blowing up river, the swells could be as large as 3-4'.

 

[joyjoy]

Everything mentioned here is spot on. If you look at a chart of Lake Mohave, you'll find that the turn at Owl Point is where the water will start to get nasty if the wind is up. Owl Point sticks out from Owl cove, which is a protected cove with a large beach. There is currently a partially sunken houseboat there as well. That's about 26 miles South of Willow Beach if memory serves. So even on a somewhat windy day, it's a nice ride down to that point. If it's really windy, you can go a little past no-ski point and not have any issues at all usually. It is not marked on the image below, but right below the Lake Mohave name in the image, where it opens up, is no-ski point. There is no water skiing North of there. Stopover Beach is where my friends and I frequently stop during our cruises on that stretch. It's actually named Dolly Hill Cove and is just North of Nelson's Landing, but on the AZ side.

Thanks for the great tips and map! I appreciate it!

 

[joyjoy]

Everyone has to start somewhere, but your are much more likely to have a fun experience by either hiring a guide to drive your rented boat, or to hire a guide in their own boat. I'd opt for #2. At minimum, you both should take and pass a boaters safety course so you know the general rules of water transportation. As was stated, wind will be your biggest adversary on the Lake. Be very mindful of the transition from the river to the lake while heading down river. If the wind is blowing up river, the swells could be as large as 3-4'.

We are in the process of completing our boating safety course. I've been watching the forecast and it looks like it should be 5-10mph winds, so I hope it'll stay that way! If worse comes to worst, we'll just return the boat and find a place on the shoreline to dip our feet in and enjoy the scenery. Thank you for the tips!

 

[Wizard29]

Mojave is my home lake and we will be up there this weekend. Weather is looking pretty decent and we may take the boat out on Sunday. We launch at Cottonwood. If we do and you'd like some help, we might be able to show you around a bit.

 

[jet496]

I remember stopping at Willow around 1990 on our way up to the bottom of Hoover Dam & only an old couple watching over the place were there. It was deserted & closed for decades due to flash floods. It was 120 outside & the water from the bottom of Hoover was freezing ass cold. It's Gods country up there. Brings back fond memories.

 

[SoCalDave]

That north 15 or so miles of the lake/river area to the Dam is some of the best scenery around and only accessible by boat. This being your first experience take all the courses available to be prepaid and make this an enjoyable life experience to further endeavors.

 

[stephenkatsea]

Yes, the water in the Willow Beach area is very cold. That water is drawn from the bottom of Lake Mead at Boulder Dam. It remains very cold until it reaches the broader lake width at Owl Point. Current is a factor when manouvering your boat at Willow Beach. Typically only slight, if any, current at Cottonwood Cove Marina.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Wouldn’t matter regardless of day of week, the north stretch is closed Labor Day through Memorial Day.

 

[jet496]

We have video of park rangers yelling on a bullhorn "please turn around now, you are in a restricted area, I repeat..." and we kept driving closer to the damn, the water swirling like whirlpools, not a care in the world. Today we'd be freaking shot if we didn't turn around.

 

[Ziggy]

Wouldn’t matter regardless of day of week, the north stretch is closed Labor Day through Memorial Day.

65hp or less can go up there except Sunday/Mondays.