Lake Havasu’s Desert Lighthouses

There’s something peculiar about standing in the Mojave Desert, camera in hand, staring at a lighthouse. Even after all these years living in the Southwest, it still catches me off guard. But that’s the magic of Lake Havasu – a place where the improbable becomes reality, where desert meets water, and where lighthouses stand guard over crystal-clear waters surrounded by rugged mountain peaks.

I’ve spent most of my life chasing light through a viewfinder, from the snow-capped peaks of the Rockies to the red rock canyons of Utah. But there’s nothing quite like capturing the golden hour at Lake Havasu, when the sun dips behind the Mohave Mountains, painting the water in shades of amber and purple, with those distinctive lighthouses standing sentinel against the desert sky.

A Ranch Boy’s Introduction to Lake Havasu

I remember the first time I laid eyes on Lake Havasu back in the ’70s. Having grown up on a cattle ranch in northern Kansas, the sight of so much water in the desert seemed like a mirage. The lake, created by the Parker Dam on the Colorado River, stretches out like a blue ribbon cutting through the harsh desert landscape. These days, my trusty Lumix FZ2500 and DJI Mavic Air 3S help me capture its majesty in ways I never could have imagined back then.

The lake itself is a testament to human ingenuity – 45 miles long with 450 miles of shoreline. But it’s the lighthouses that really capture the imagination. Twenty-eight replica lighthouses, to be exact, each one a functioning navigational aid. They’re smaller than their Great Lakes and coastal counterparts, but they serve the same purpose – guiding boats safely through the night.

The Lighthouse Legacy

Let me tell you about these lighthouses while I set up my tripod for a sunset shot. The Lake Havasu Lighthouse Club started building them back in 2000. Each one is a precise replica of a famous American lighthouse, scaled down to about a third of the original size. From the West Quoddy Head Light of Maine to the Cape Hatteras Light of North Carolina, they’re all here, standing proudly along the shores of Lake Havasu.

My favorite time to photograph them is just before dawn, when the desert air is still cool and crisp. The way the first light hits the white-washed walls of the Cape Henry Lighthouse, with the mountains creating a purple silhouette behind it – well, that’s the kind of shot that makes getting up at 4 AM worthwhile.

A Photographer’s Paradise

For fellow photographers and videographers looking to capture Lake Havasu’s unique charm, let me share some insider tips. The best spots for lighthouse photography are scattered around the lake, but some of my favorites include:

The Island: Home to several lighthouses, including the Split Rock Light replica. The morning light here is spectacular, especially when captured with a wide-angle lens. I often set up my DJI Mavic Air 3S here for aerial shots that showcase how the lighthouses dot the shoreline.

Bridgewater Channel: This is where you’ll find the famous London Bridge (yes, the actual London Bridge from England). The channel’s lighthouses make for stunning night photography, their beacons reflecting off the calm waters.

Pittsburgh Point: Home to the East Quoddy Lighthouse replica, this location offers remarkable sunset compositions with the Mohave Mountains as a backdrop.

Getting Out on the Water

You can’t truly appreciate Lake Havasu’s lighthouses without getting out on the water. Over the years, I’ve found the best vantage points are from a boat, especially during the golden and blue hours. There are several marinas and boat ramps around the lake:

Lake Havasu State Park: Offers a four-lane boat ramp and plenty of parking. The morning light here is particularly good for video work.

Windsor Beach: Another excellent launch point, especially if you’re heading toward the northern lighthouses.

London Bridge Beach: Perfect for smaller boats and kayaks, with easy access to the Bridgewater Channel.

Where to Rest Your Head

After a long day of shooting, you’ll need a place to rest. Lake Havasu City offers accommodations for every budget. The Heat Hotel right by London Bridge gives you front-row seats to some of the best lighthouse views. For something more reminiscent of my ranching days, try the camping spots at Lake Havasu State Park – nothing beats reviewing your day’s photos around a campfire under the desert stars.

Local Flavors

Speaking of local experiences, the dining scene here has come a long way since my first visit. Shugrue’s Restaurant & Bar offers panoramic views of the Bridgewater Channel and its lighthouses – perfect for evening time-lapse photography. For something more casual, Barley Brothers Brewery serves up cold craft beers that sure hit the spot after a day of hiking around with camera gear.

Seasonal Considerations

The best time for photography and videography at Lake Havasu depends on what you’re after. Summer brings dramatic monsoon skies but brutal heat – trust an old desert rat, shooting at dawn is your friend during these months. Winter offers mild temperatures and crystal-clear skies, perfect for those long exposure lighthouse shots at blue hour.

Spring and fall are my personal favorites. The mild temperatures make it comfortable to spend all day outside, and the changing angles of the sun create interesting shadows and light plays on the lighthouse structures.

Technical Tips for Capturing Lake Havasu

For those looking to capture the essence of Lake Havasu, here’s what I’ve learned over decades of shooting in the desert:

Always carry polarizing filters – they’ll help cut through water glare and make those lighthouse reflections pop.

A sturdy tripod is essential, especially for blue hour shots when the lighthouses’ beacons create stunning light trails.

When shooting video, consider using ND filters to maintain control over your shutter speed, particularly during the harsh midday sun.

Don’t forget about audio if you’re shooting video – the sound of water lapping against the shore adds wonderful ambiance to your footage.

Conservation and Respect

As someone who grew up with a deep connection to the land, I can’t write about Lake Havasu without mentioning conservation. This oasis in the desert is a delicate ecosystem. When photographing or filming, stick to marked trails, pack out what you pack in, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.

A Desert Legacy

These days, my bones might creak a bit more when I’m climbing around the shoreline for that perfect shot, but the excitement of capturing Lake Havasu’s lighthouses never gets old. There’s something special about these beacons in the desert, standing as symbols of hope and guidance, just like the stars that used to guide me home across the ranch lands of my youth.

For photographers, videographers, and adventure seekers, Lake Havasu offers a unique blend of desert beauty and maritime charm. Whether you’re capturing the first light of dawn hitting the White Shoal Light replica, or filming a time-lapse of storm clouds gathering behind the Wind Point Light, there’s always something new to discover.

As I sit here on the tailgate of my truck, reviewing today’s shots on my camera’s LCD screen, I can’t help but smile. Who would have thought that a ranch kid who grew up chasing cattle would end up spending his golden years photographing lighthouses in the desert? Life has a funny way of charting its own course, much like the boats that navigate Lake Havasu’s waters, guided by these faithful beacons.

So come on out to Lake Havasu. Bring your camera, bring your sense of adventure, and most importantly, bring your appreciation for the unexpected. In a world that sometimes seems to have lost its sense of wonder, these desert lighthouses remind us that magic still exists – you just need to know where to look for it.

And if you see an old timer out there with a camera and a far-off look in his eyes, stop and say hello. I’ve got plenty of stories to share about these lighthouses, the lake, and the desert that’s been my home for all these years.

[About the Author: The author has spent over seven decades documenting the natural wonders of the American Southwest through photography and v ideography. His work has been featured in numerous publications and exhibitions, focusing particularly on the iconic Saguaro cactus and its desert ecosystem.]