Is Laughlin Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Laughlin, Nevada, has been catering to visitors since the 1940s and still remains a resort destination to this day.

Laughlin (“LOF-lin” not “Laugh-lin”) is 100 miles south of Las Vegas in the Big Bend Region of the Colorado River, while marked the southernmost part of the state.

Bullhead City, Arizona, is just across the state border.

As a former Nevadan, whenever a friend said, “My grandparents are coming to visit,” I would ask, “Are they staying in Laughlin?” 80% of the time, yes, they were.

However, don’t write it off as an “old people” town.

Even though 2022 tourism numbers show 55% of the visitors were 50+, and 75% were 40+, there is still a lot to do here, whether you want a family-friendly adventure or a little more PG-rated than the more daring Las Vegas.

It also has a major river running alongside the town, while Las Vegas doesn’t.

Other benefits to Laughlin include proximity to the Grand Canyon, Mojave National Preserve, and Lake Havasu.

California and Arizona are a door-knock distance away, and the crowds don’t include 20-somethings calling you “Bruh.”

“It’s a miniature Las Vegas,” Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Sgt. Gino Briscoe said with a smile.

“I stay in Laughlin because it’s a great environment.

You have the river, great people, and you really get to know everybody in the community.

So you can help.

And that’s the key.”

More than 1.2 million people visiting in 2022 can’t be wrong, so let’s explore Laughlin, Nevada, safe things to do.

We’re also going to touch on Bullhead City.

To learn more about Lake Havasu, check out our travel safety article on this website.

Warnings & Dangers in Laughlin

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low risk here, but a lot of potential if you don't use smart personal safety steps. With so many things to do inside and outside, many of which are accessible for the mobility-challenged, it's a safe place to visit overall.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Check the Silver Ride Transit website to get information about routes in the city and bi-state region. Taxis and rideshares will be everywhere. Rental cars are available. There's a water taxi between Laughlin and Bullhead City. Some of the casinos will book hotel packages that include ground transportation. It's all a low risk, and you have plenty of options.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

Just three purse snatchings were reported in Laughlin in 2022, but there's a huge potential here. Thieves might be more likely to scour the crowd, looking to take advantage of the elderly. Rest assured that if you're in a casino, there's a camera on you at all times. Limit what you carry with you and leave valuables behind when you're exploring outside.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Laughlin is about five degrees hotter than Las Vegas, which makes it an oven during the summer. The extreme heat is especially dangerous for those 65 and older. Severe weather can cause damage, knock out power, or flood roads, mostly during the summer monsoon. High winds are common in this region, and wildfires are possible any time of year. The smoke from other western wildfires can also impact air quality. While most of the time, the weather is sunny and clear, you have to treat it with a medium risk so you're prepared.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Just six robberies were reported in 2022. There's a low risk, but it's not low enough to let your guard down. Stay in public spaces, especially at night. If you feel the slightest bit threatened, ask for a police officer or security guard to help you.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

This is a low risk as Laughlin is a small town surrounded by three deserts. Las Vegas will always be considered a hard target, but that's almost 100 miles away.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

I would urge everyone to read the senior scams report on the Nevada Consumer Affairs website. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (Metro) will post scams on its Laughlin substation social media sites. Don't trust booking sites that aren't secure, and never wire money to reserve a room or attraction. Going directly through the hotels and attractions is the safest bet you'll make in this gambling town.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

This is another low-risk, but you're cautioned to stay on guard. The potential here is just very high. However, this is a town where everyone has each other's back. Don't hesitate to ask a business owner or employee to help you if need be.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

Look for the Big Bend Water Quality Report on the Las Vegas Valley Water District site. That's going to cover the Laughlin area. The major hotels won't have water quality issues and would let you know if there was a larger issue. I would recommend buying bottled water to carry with you since it's so hot here. Don't wait until you get to the casino because water prices are exponentially higher than you'd find at a local grocery store.

Safest Places to Visit in Laughlin

Visit Laughlin is the name of the website for the city.

It might include some things to do in Bullhead City, but check out the Bullhead City Chamber of Commerce website for more information there.

We’ll do a mix of both locations in this article.

Don’t hesitate to tell the hotel desk if you’re celebrating a special event.

Anniversaries, renewing wedding vows, divorce parties – whatever – these special occasions might get you a free upgrade or dinner.

Laughlin runs parallel to the Colorado River.

The main road in the city is Casino Drive.

Laughlin has eight casino resorts, plenty of RV parking on the main corridor, and traditional hotels.

Most of the hotels here don’t have the same fascinating facades as their Las Vegas counterparts.

Even if you aren’t staying at Don Laughlin’s resort, you can still visit the Classic Car Museum.

The Laughlin Outlet is a discount shopping mall with name brands offering off-market and out-of-season items.

This is also a great place to pick up sunglasses or a new swimsuit without paying the high casino prices.

Many options are available on the water, and there are just as many vendors vying for your dollars.

Water skis, boat rentals, yacht cruises, kayaks, SUPs – the list goes on.

To get the best value, rent from the resort where you’re staying.

Ask about senior discounts if you’re of age.

Just nine miles south of Laughlin is the Big Bend of the Colorado (river) State Recreation Area.

With two miles of sandy shoreline, water rentals, and hiking trails, you can’t beat this escape from casino crowds.

Much like Hoover Dam created Lake Mead near Las Vegas, Davis Dam created Lake Mohave (“mo-hahvee”).

They are both part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Places to explore near Laughlin are Willow Beach, Katherine Landing, and Cottonwood Cove.

There is no easy way to get between the two lakes along the river unless you’re on a boat, but you can drive between them in 90 minutes.

NOTE: Lake Mohave and Mojave National Preserve are spelled differently, but neither is wrong.

In general, everything west of the Colorado River spells the word “Mojave,” while east of the Colorado River, it’s “Mohave.”

It’s especially important for your mapping because there is a Lake Mojave in California that is a dried-up ancient lake.

Don’t get the two confused.

Tours here can be booked to the Grand Canyon and Lake Havasu.

Laughlin Tours is the name of one of the top tour companies.

Across the river in Bullhead City, don’t be disappointed.

There is no gambling allowed in this part of the state, so there’s much less action.

You can explore the Colorado River Museum.

The Trail of Memories at Arizona Veterans Memorial Park is a somber but patriotic walk honoring service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Places to Avoid in Laughlin

For all the big attractions, Laughlin is a very small town.

You won’t find a bad neighborhood here, and it’s hard to get lost.

Pretty much, if you hit the open desert, you’ve gone too far.

Many hiking activities are discouraged in the summer, especially after 10 am, just because of how hot it gets.

Even those cooling off in the river should avoid overexerting themselves or underestimating the power of the river.

If you look for Laughlin drownings or ski accidents, you’ll see many results come up.

Some were children, others were experienced swimmers who were overpowered.

Stick to swimming areas only.

Also, don’t try to sneak into another resort’s pool.

They have security looking out for that at all times.

Trust me on this.

I’ve tried (as a younger tourist, of course).

If you book at Avi Resort & Casino, you should know that’s 16 miles south of the Laughlin main part of town.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing since it has the largest beach in the region (only open to hotel guests); it’s just good to know you’ll be away from the main attractions.

This seemed to be the section where this fits best, but please know it’s not a place to avoid.

It’s a place you might want to avoid if you don’t want to be secluded.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Laughlin

So... How Safe Is Laughlin Really?

Since Laughlin’s crime data is lumped into the entire Clark County region, which includes Las Vegas, we can’t get an exact number of crimes officially released to the FBI.

However, I did use the LVMPD crime mapping technology to get the listed data from 2022.

If you just use the raw violent crime data and the population to get the “crimes per 100,000,” that shows a violent crime rate nearly three times the national average.

However, it doesn’t take into account the 1.2 million people who visited there.

When I did that math, the violent crime rate is 50 times lower than the national average.

The same misleading crime data can be found in the property crime category.

I can tell you that of the 230 thefts reported, 30% were from car break-ins or car accessory thefts.

About one car a week was stolen as well.

You might hear people talk about the dangers of the Laughlin River Run after the “riot.”

That was more than 20 years ago, and it seems to be a reputation Laughlin can’t shake.

It was a fight between two rival biker gangs.

The River Run is safe and fun (albeit loud).

How Does Laughlin Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

International guests coming to Laughlin need a passport and a visa or visa waiver. The same applies whether you're flying in or coming across the Mexican border. Up to 6% of Laughlin's annual guests are international visitors. You should start the process on the U.S. State Department website to see what the latest updates are about processing your application.

Currency

You can only use the U.S. Dollar here. Exchange currency at the airport if you didn't do it at your home bank. There's at least one Travelex location at the international terminal. If you're planning to use your credit card at the ATM, know that the casinos raise the surge up to $7 per transaction, and that's in addition to what your bank charges.

Weather

Laughlin's summer heat is worse than Las Vegas, with July having an average high of 108°(F). The summer lows only get into the 80s. Bring whatever you need to stay cool and sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A spray bottle filled with water will be helpful to cool off. Winter is mild, but bring jackets just in case of a cold spell.

Airports

Harry Reid International Airport is 93 miles north of Laughlin. For those coming up from Arizona, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a 230-mile drive. Laughlin does have an airport, but it's for charter services only.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is the best idea since it covers your belongings, air travel, and road travel. For those who are seniors, you can usually get a good senior discount on travel insurance.

Laughlin Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Nevada - Safety by City