Large sandy beaches lake or upriver?

[pkrrvr619]

A group of us are looking for the largest Sandy beaches we can throw a hangout at. Either on lake or up river before pirates.

We have done the small sandbar before but when the water was high it was problematic.

What do yall recommend?

 

[QC22]

The lake is up so what sand beaches we do have are smaller for sure. What you describe is limited and people will be all over those spots. Sounds like 3 Dunes area would be your best bet for decent sand.

We often hang out at one directly across from the Island. We call it Neapolitan because the point out front is striped horizontally. It’s super close so it’s easy, but the beach is more broken up shale than sand. The boats are able to beach reasonably softly. You can get 10 boats in there.

 

[ChrisV]

There’s a section before the no wake zone into topoc.

 

[pkrrvr619]

The lake is up so what sand beaches we do have are smaller for sure. What you describe is limited and people will be all over those spots. Sounds like 3 Dunes area would be your best bet for decent sand.

We often hang out at one directly across from the Island. We call it Neapolitan because the point out front is striped horizontally. It’s super close so it’s easy, but the beach is more broken up shale than sand. The boats are able to beach reasonably softly. You can get 10 boats in there.

View attachment 1505057

That was on my list and we have hung out in the coves over by site six.

May need space for like 40 boats.

 

[pkrrvr619]

There’s a section before the no wake zone into topoc. View attachment 1505058 View attachment 1505059

Yep that’s on the list as well. Thanks!

I’m trying to review any and all options.

 

[JFMFG]

That was on my list and we have hung out in the coves over by site six.

May need space for like 40 boats.

How early are you trying to launch lol

 

[ChrisV]

40 boats is a grip. Sounds like you need to block off the channel.

 

[QC22]

When are you talking about?

 

[pkrrvr619]

How early are you trying to launch lol

Early as needed.

 

[pkrrvr619]

40 boats is a grip. Sounds like you need to block off the channel.

Yes. Yea it does

When we did this last year we ran outta room so trying to figure out a good next spot.

 

[Todd Mohr]

I think the big sandbar is the only spot to get 40 boats in, the back side is much nicer and plenty of room for a big group if you get there early.

 

[2Driver]

The lake is up so what sand beaches we do have are smaller for sure. What you describe is limited and people will be all over those spots. Sounds like 3 Dunes area would be your best bet for decent sand.

40 boats, Id get everyone moving early and do Normandy landing style take over on 3 Dunes. you'll still need to double park probably with 40 boats.
There are some long stretches of beach on the cali side above devils elbow. Haven't the reeds taken over the sand bar at Blankenship bend?

 

[dirtslinger2]

honestly, the beach up river before the no wake zone, on the Cali side is probably the longest beach on the river, and I think you could fit 40 boats, if you include that little mini sandbar thats connected to it. You can also drive around the back side of it and take advantage of more space. You just gotta read the water there so you enter at the deep side, which is right up against the reeds.
FWIW, that pic that Chris V posted is with the water pretty low, it's usually driveable around the back side.

 

[PRIMO]

Three Dunes / Both Sides of the Land Mass /
The Gestapo will be along to collect $5.....

 

[SoCalDave]

There’s a section before the no wake zone into topoc. View attachment 1505058 View attachment 1505059

That's called Grandpa's Beach. My grandkids always yell out when we go up river let's stop at your beach grandpa.
Also north of pirate's headed toward Needles are some very nice long stretches of pure sand beaches with very little traffic. It is one of my best areas to Cruz up river.

 

[Tank]

Three Dunes / Both Sides of the Land Mass /
The Gestapo will be along to collect $5.....

We had the opportunity to meet those guys during desert storm. A few of us beached on the back side of 3 dunes and two rangers walk over. I’m like hey what’s up. lol. Had no clue you have to pay there. They were super cool. My buddy was making cracks that I was a liberal (I assure you, I am not) and they were talking shit. $20 for the day. nice picnic benches, grounds and cleanish bathrooms. Whatever.


As far as the original question.

Only place I can think of is anchoring up river side of the old sand bar, get to the new sand bar a little further up river early or the best place would be the place @ChrisV posted. We call it “chromium Beach” lol. It’s a looong stretch of super soft sand and it’s good for scenery as everyone haulin ass right out front.

 

[Bpracing1127]

Pirates would be my choices no waves to worry about pure sand and lots of fun

 

[SOCALCRICKETT]

We had the opportunity to meet those guys during desert storm. A few of us beached on the back side of 3 dunes and two rangers walk over. I’m like hey what’s up. lol. Had no clue you have to pay there. They were super cool. My buddy was making cracks that I was a liberal (I assure you, I am not) and they were talking shit. $20 for the day. nice picnic benches, grounds and cleanish bathrooms. Whatever.


As far as the original question.

Only place I can think of is anchoring up river side of the old sand bar, get to the new sand bar a little further up river early or the best place would be the place @ChrisV posted. We call it “chromium Beach” lol. It’s a looong stretch of super soft sand and it’s good for scenery as everyone haulin ass right out front.

View attachment 1505108 View attachment 1505109

I believe that if you have a AZ state park pass you don't have to pay right?

Same with 3 dunes and a couple other spots on the lake

 

[Tank]

I believe that if you have a AZ state park pass you don't have to pay right?

Same with 3 dunes and a couple other spots on the lake

Yep! They explained that and we talked about ramps etc. they were actually super cool.

 

[SOCALCRICKETT]

That's why I always keep the card pass on the boat

 

[LuckyStrike]

Lake Mohave

 

[ChrisV]

Truely is a nice spot. @Tank is right. People leave the no wake zone and haul ass.

 

[Englewood]

Grandpas beach for sure!

 

[RiverDave]

Grandpas beach for sure!

That’s where I’d do it.. 40 boats isn’t that much and it’s pretty easy there.

RD

 

[pkrrvr619]

Thanks guys! Grandpas beach may be the ticket here.

 

[stephenkatsea]

3 Dunes - It was at its best when Tom, the Park Ranger from Cattail, was the patrol guy. We were all old friends. Somehow his jet ski would occasionally end up hidden in the reeds while he was walking the beach gathering payments from the boats.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

40 boats, Pirates all day. Grandpa's Beach is cool but wouldn't be my choice for a large gathering.

 

[ChrisV]

Where’s grampas beach?

 

[FlyByWire]

Where’s grampas beach?

 

[RiverDave]

Thanks guys! Grandpas beach may be the ticket here.

There is also speed alley / the new sandbar is what a lot of people are calling it..

I was under the impression grandpas beach was that kinda island on the California side up past the sandbar a ways.. you could Stack 40 boats on both sides of that no problem.

If you are out here I can run you up to where I’m talking about in my Hallett real quick.

RD

 

[pkrrvr619]

There is also speed alley / the new sandbar is what a lot of people are calling it..

I was under the impression grandpas beach was that kinda island on the California side up past the sandbar a ways.. you could Stack 40 boats on both sides of that no problem.

If you are out here I can run you up to where I’m talking about in my Hallett real quick.

RD

Thanks Dave! Not going to be in town for another week or so or I would definitely take you up on that offer!

Speed Alley is cool but since this is a "boats and brunch" hangout we set up tables and bring in food/libations for everyone so having dry land is imperative. when we did it at the sandbar last year the water started rising and the current and water level wreaked havoc with the food tables.

we had more people come by than the sandbar would handle and the bigger dcb's couldn't find space either so we are looking for dry land that can accommodate.

 

[JFMFG]

There is also speed alley / the new sandbar is what a lot of people are calling it..

I was under the impression grandpas beach was that kinda island on the California side up past the sandbar a ways.. you could Stack 40 boats on both sides of that no problem.

If you are out here I can run you up to where I’m talking about in my Hallett real quick.

RD

I’ve never been to speed alley not exactly sure where it is either. Is it the entrance on the right once you get through the mouth of the river and the buoy section?

 

[Track Man]

I don’t know why you guys called this place speed Alley. I call it ski alley that’s where I water ski. The old Speed Alley was just up the river from there on the right. That got shut down because of the kayaks. This place you guys now called speed Alley where I water ski has a lot of kayaks coming through there. It is definitely not a safe place to be speeding. Water most times is only 3 to 4 feet deep. This area got shut down 10 years ago. It took two years and act of Congress to get it open back up so we could water ski there. The jet boat guys are the ones calling at speed Alley now. Yes a lot of people at the end are parking up there now.

 

[hallett21]

I don’t know why you guys called this place speed Alley. I call it ski alley that’s where I water ski. The old Speed Alley was just up the river from there on the right. That got shut down because of the kayaks. This place you guys now called speed Alley where I water ski has a lot of kayaks coming through there. It is definitely not a safe place to be speeding. Water most times is only 3 to 4 feet deep. This area got shut down 10 years ago. It took two years and act of Congress to get it open back up so we could water ski there. The jet boat guys are the ones calling at speed Alley now. Yes a lot of people at the end are parking up there now.

We’ve been getting “looks” when we make the turn up river the last few summers.

We were skiing there a long time before people started parking there.

Speed alley is another 1/4 mile up river.

 

[hallett21]

I’ve never been to speed alley not exactly sure where it is either. Is it the entrance on the right once you get through the mouth of the river and the buoy section?

Red is speed alley. People used to drag race there back in the day.

Yellow is Ski alley. At the top there’s a sand bar that people have been gathering the last few years. What makes it special is that you’re below the no ski buoys but get the protection from the Toolies.

 

[JFMFG]

Red is speed alley. People used to drag race there back in the day.

Yellow is Ski alley. At the top there’s a sand bar that people have been gathering the last few years. What makes it special is that you’re below the no ski buoys but get the protection from the Toolies.
View attachment 1505383

So it’s before the buoys? I’ll have to roll in there sometime with someone who has been there I’m sure if I asked some buddies they’ve been there lol.

 

[hallett21]

So it’s before the buoys? I’ll have to roll in there sometime with someone who has been there I’m sure if I asked some buddies they’ve been there lol.

It’s super shallow with alligators and great whites.

 

[JFMFG]

It’s super shallow with alligators and great whites.

Love me a little risk in the water.

 

[FlyByWire]

Red is speed alley. People used to drag race there back in the day.

Yellow is Ski alley. At the top there’s a sand bar that people have been gathering the last few years. What makes it special is that you’re below the no ski buoys but get the protection from the Toolies.
View attachment 1505383

My house is in this screen shot and I can see and hear that part of the river. Never knew there’s a sand bar back in there.

 

[ChrisV]

Red is speed alley. People used to drag race there back in the day.

Yellow is Ski alley. At the top there’s a sand bar that people have been gathering the last few years. What makes it special is that you’re below the no ski buoys but get the protection from the Toolies.
View attachment 1505383

Been wanting to go there on weds with the outboard crew. Heard it’s pretty poppin for a weds.

 

[CoolCruzin]

$20. I would just leave and anchor out

 

[QC22]

I don’t know why you guys called this place speed Alley. I call it ski alley that’s where I water ski. The old Speed Alley was just up the river from there on the right.

We have friends that remind us of this every time we go in there. I swear I’m gonna get a sign made to stick in the mud, “Not Speed Alley”.

 

[rpmsrup]

I would say pirates or the OG sandbar as its big and sandy, Grandpas beach gets slammed by waves all day long, What date are you thinking?

 

[Jay Dub]

We have friends that remind us of this every time we go in there. I swear I’m gonna get a sign made to stick in the mud, “Not Speed Alley”.

agree, its ski alley. we wakeboard there. shhhh

 

[Todd Mohr]

I was at speed alley on Sunday, huge buoy that said no waterskiing right by the sand bar everyone hangs out at. So that is not speed alley?