Outer Clark County, Clark County
Laughlin, Las Vegas
The Colorado River resort town at the county's southern tip
Laughlin is an unincorporated town in the far southern corner of Clark County, sitting on the Colorado River across from Bullhead City, Arizona. It is a river resort town built around a strip of casino hotels, with boating, fishing and water recreation on the river and a much slower pace than Las Vegas.
History & Local Character
Laughlin began in the 1960s when Don Laughlin bought a small motel and bar on the river and built it into a casino resort. Other properties followed, and the town became a regional destination for river recreation, winter visitors and travelers on the way between Las Vegas and Arizona.
Neighborhoods & Communities
Laughlin is an unincorporated town administered by Clark County, with its resort strip along Casino Drive and residential areas set back from the river. It is roughly 90 miles south of Las Vegas.
Housing & Real Estate
Housing is limited and consists mostly of single-family homes, manufactured homes and RV properties, with prices well below the Las Vegas Valley. The market is oriented toward retirees, seasonal residents and hospitality workers.
Restaurants & Shopping
Dining is concentrated in the casino resorts along Casino Drive, with steakhouses, buffets, cafes and casual restaurants serving visitors, river traffic and residents.
Schools & Education
Schools in Laughlin are part of the Clark County School District, serving a small student population. Higher education options require travel to the Las Vegas Valley or Arizona.
Parks & Recreation
Outdoor recreation centers on the Colorado River, with Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area offering a beach, trails and river access, and Grapevine Canyon nearby featuring petroglyph sites on federal land.
Transportation & Accessibility
Laughlin is reached by Nevada State Route 163 from US-93 and by a bridge across the Colorado River to Bullhead City, Arizona. The town has a small airport, and driving is the only practical way to reach it.
Local Businesses
The economy is built on casino resorts, river recreation outfitters, restaurants, RV parks and the services that support visitors and a retiree population.
No businesses are listed in Laughlin yet. Add your business to be the first.
Nearby Attractions
- Colorado River recreation
- Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area
- Grapevine Canyon petroglyphs
- Bullhead City, Arizona
Advantages & Considerations
Advantages
- Riverfront setting with boating and fishing
- Low housing costs and no state income tax
- Mild winters and a quiet, small-town pace
Considerations
- Very hot summers, with temperatures among the highest in the county
- Limited employment and retail beyond the resorts
- Long drive to Las Vegas for major services and the airport
Laughlin FAQs
Is Laughlin part of Las Vegas?
No. Laughlin is an unincorporated town in southern Clark County, roughly 90 miles south of Las Vegas, and it has its own small resort economy on the Colorado River.
What is there to do in Laughlin?
The town's draw is the Colorado River, with boating, fishing and beach access, along with casino resorts, and outdoor sites such as Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area and Grapevine Canyon nearby.