La Paz County resource guide: safety, health care, parks, travel

La Paz County's mix of riverfront recreation, desert camping and seasonal draw events makes practical planning essential for residents and visitors. Know where to call, where to go and what to pack before you set out — especially during January event season when public lands and roads see extra use.

For life-threatening emergencies dial 911 and state your exact location: town, nearest highway marker or river access point. Non-emergency public safety in unincorporated areas is handled by the La Paz County Sheriff’s Office based in Parker. Municipal calls go to the Parker Police Department or the Quartzsite Police Department within their town limits.

La Paz Regional Medical Center in Parker is the county’s primary acute-care hospital. For non-emergencies, local clinics and telehealth options can reduce long drives to the hospital. County public health nursing services provide immunizations, TB testing and maternal and child health outreach; check county public health pages for schedules and outreach locations.

County government services are centered at La Paz County Administration in Parker, which handles the tax assessor/treasurer, public works, planning and zoning, elections and records. Town-level services and event information are available at Quartzsite Town Hall and the Parker Town Office. Local chambers — the Parker Area Chamber and Quartzsite Area Chamber — publish event calendars and vendor and parade rules, including staging maps for major shows.

Outdoor recreation hubs include Buckskin Mountain State Park near Parker, which offers year-round river access, camping and boat ramps; reserve campsites in peak months. Alamo Lake State Park remains a major county attraction for fishing and camping beyond the Parker-Quartzsite corridor. BlueWater Resort & Casino and the Parker riverfront act as a major business and entertainment anchor for the Parker Strip economy.

Much of the open desert around Quartzsite is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Respect designated camping areas, closures and temporary restrictions; BLM posts temporary closures for races and events in January. On the Colorado River, use life jackets, float with a buddy, plan for stretches with limited cellphone coverage and check state park and marina postings for launch and water-condition updates.

Fuel, groceries and basic services are concentrated in Parker and Quartzsite, so plan refueling and resupply stops when traveling between small towns. Expect winter surges during Quartzsite shows and special events; allow extra travel time and plan parking ahead. Internet and phone coverage can be spotty in remote areas; fiber and broadband rollouts are on local roadmaps for 2026 in phased deployments, but do not assume high-speed service at every rural address.

Bring ID, emergency contact info and vehicle registration; boaters should have life jackets and required registration paperwork. Pack extra water, sun protection and a first aid kit, and pack out trash or use authorized dump stations for RV gray and black water. For permits, records, non-emergency safety contacts and reservations, call county offices, the Parker Police Department, the La Paz County Sheriff’s Office, the Quartzsite Chamber and Arizona State Parks.

The takeaway? Prepare like a local: fill the tank in Parker or Quartzsite, reserve campsites for busy weekends, carry water and life jackets, and check BLM and state park postings before you go. Small steps save time, money and headaches on the river and in the desert.