After visiting the site, you can head back to Laughlin where you can grab a shower and a steak before trying your chances at the slots or tables. Following a first-class breakfast the next morning, you're ready to tackle the longer trip to Swansea, which is southeast of Lake Havasu City, about 110 miles from Laughlin.
Swansea is arguably the best known, the most visited, and the best kept ghost town in Arizona, and it's well worth a visit. The BLM has taken it upon itself to maintain the buildings in Swansea in a state of what's called "arrested decay." The BLM has also erected several "cabanas" (covered picnic tables) around the townsite , so be sure to take picnic supplies with you - and don't forget your camera. In fact, the two-lane (for the most part) dirt road leading to Swansea is sufficient for an RV if you drive slowly, and the area around Swansea is great for extended exploring either with ATV or SUV (and Alamo Lake is nearby for quick dips to remove the dust of riding).
To reach Swansea, eat well and leave early because you'll be visiting three states today. Head south out of town on the Needles Highway, turn east on Interstate 40 in Needles, California. About 20 miles on I-40 into Arizona, take the offramp to Lake Havasu City (Arizona S.R. 95). Take a breather in Lake Havasu City to top off your fuel tank (it has the cheapest fuel prices in the tristate area) and continue south on S.R. 95 toward Parker.
The only major remains are that of the Golden Gem Mill and the Golden Gem's head frame.
Very near the Parker Dam (which holds back the waters of Lake Havasu), you'll turn left (east) on Planet Ranch Road, which is a dirt road (clear your trip odometer here). Even though it becomes an unnamed road, you continue on this road for 6.7 miles and turn right on Mineral Wash Road for 2.9 miles then left on Swansea Road. You'll stay on this road right into the center of "town."
Swansea is different than most other Southwestern ghost towns, it wasn't founded in the 19th century. It dates to 1908 and boasted electric lighting, an automobile dealer, and, naturally, several saloons. However, its mines closed in 1937. Perhaps because of its later birthday - and the lack of a nearby forest - many of the town's buildings were built of concrete or adobe rather than wood. For this reason, Swansea boasts some of the best preserved buildings in Arizona. In one of the buildings, you can see ceiling and flooring wood and even fixtures for electric lights. A wind storm in 1993 played havoc with some houses, but many other buildings remain at the site.
We feel another warning should be issued here. There are many open vertical mine shafts are in the area, so again watch your kids and dogs. The BLM guidebook indicates that some of the shafts are over 1,000 feet deep with eroded shaft collars and unstable, loose gravel around the edges. Be careful!
Concrete foundations and a large slag hill are all that remain of the Swansea mill.
In addition to the cabanas, the BLM has set up an information board and guest log in the center of town. The board has a pretty good map and information on the buildings around you. The adobe miners' quarters now have tin roofs (the old ceilings and floorboards were exposed to the elements), which protect the artwork on the stucco walls. There are several outhouses in the area, and the railroad station appears to have repairs in progress to stucco and structure.
Cerbat and Swansea are just two high points in an area that shouts, "Come and see me!" During the warm months, you can play in the river and lakes; during the cool months you can wheel and explore the countryside.
If you visit Laughlin in the week of January 24-27, you can add SCORE's annual first off-road race of the season to the mix. The Laughlin Desert Challenge kicks off the year with two full days of racing. You can get up close and personal with the racers and with the track and enjoy all the excitement of the world's best high-speed racing.