Quechan Park and Marina sits along the west bank of the Colorado River where I-10 crosses the state line between California and Arizona.
The county park offers covered picnic areas, boat and paddlecraft launch areas, lawn area, and a dirt embankment that slopes down to the water's edge, with a stillwater cove that offers a refuge for birds and waterfowl.
A palm-lined walkway borders the park's edge just above the water. Campfires are permitted, and locals frequently enjoy parking their cars on the sandy embankment and grilling beside the water.
Quechan Park might offer the best chance to birdwatch within the town of Blythe. The downside is that the park can feel extremely dirty and rundown. Broken glass and goat heads were scattered in the dirt, there were dump piles of trash, and in general, while not feeling unsafe, the park also didn't feel all that inviting.
Day use visitors are asked to self pay upon entrance, however on our trip there was no place to pay. But the park asks for $12 for use of the boat launch ramp.
Park hours are 8am to 10pm daily. There are bathrooms here, but those were also dirty and heavily vandalized on our last visit.
Combined with the highway noise lingering in the area from the interstate that sits on the other side of a narrow road, Quechan Park offers a low-visited escape for those in the Blythe area, however those looking to experience a more natural feeling park should probably make the drive a little bit further to one of the more well-maintained park areas.
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