Jack Smith Park & Launching Facility — Attraction in Needles

Jack Smith Park & Launching facility was just what the Dr. ordered, for a family fun day in a calm protected area of the Colorado River, off River Rd. in Needles, CA.

The first day my family came here, the weather was darn near perfect- in the low 80's, with abundant sunshine. My grandkids were frothing at the bit to get in the water, & this park was ideal, for what they needed.

This area consists of a fairly wide, secluded semicircle of calm water, off the main flow of the Colorado River, plus it has a nice wide concrete boat launch ramp, as well as, a buoyed off swimming area, with a soft sand bottom, which tapers very gradually. I was curious, so I began slowly walking backwards, to see how deep the swim area water got. I made it 2ft. from the back buoy line, standing up, without my head going beneath the surface, & I'm 6 ft. tall.

My 2nd youngest grandson, who is average height, for an 8 year-old boy, felt comfortable walking around, within a portion of the buoyed off swim area. He still hasn't mastered swimming, but there's such a gradual taper to the bottom within the swim area, that he had no trouble playing in this cold, 50 degree water, within a distance of approx. 10ft., from the bank, with the water hitting him at mid belly heighth.

There are quite a few large shade trees near the cusp of a hill that overlooks the swimming area, so the kids played their little hearts out, & the adults sat in chairs, shaded by these trees. We kept a good eye on them, as there is no Lifeguard on duty here, which is posted on signs, along the bank.

One thing to be aware of...there are these three-pronged spikes, which are both attached, & have dropped from weeds, growing on this hillside. I took my sandals off at the top of the hill, & walked barefoot down to the water. While doing this, I stepped on one of these abominable little spikes, & it penetrated my heel, drawing blood. Therefore, I advise you to leave your sandals on, until you reach the swim area water's edge, before kicking them off.

I saw several nice boats launch from here. The sign on the entrance shack notes its $17 for a Day Boat Launch Pass, & $7 per car, for a Day Use Pass.

There's also a nice playground area, at the top of the hill here, plus plenty of semi-shaded picnic tables, as well as restroom...

4th July weekend 2021 Thursday, Friday Saturday.. 4 lanes, small beach area in a calm cove. The dock is about useless once your boat is floating. But the beach was good clean sand to pull the boat up on. We have a crew cab long bed truck with a 28ft Baja. I would think with a boat much bigger you would want a different launch area, especially on a holiday weekend. Thursday and Friday we were in and out no issues Saturday at sundown it was a hour wait to get the boat out of the water! But again 4th July weekend!! The fees were a bit high in my opinion 18$ a day, with no option for a multi day/ week pass. At the end of the trip we decided we would definitely use jack smith park in the future. If your worried about rock bars I would not go up river past the AZ/CA Bridge. And if your going down river I seen one rock bar a couple miles down stream and I stayed to the AZ side on plane, had...

Good place for launching boats. Has a playground, but it's usually too hot for that in summer. If you fish, have a licence on hand for fish and game Warden. Good small mouth bear the points. Has a pond SW of main parking lot. good large mouth back there. Swimming is good. Just be careful near the 3rd point. The swirl and current is horrendous. I've had to save a couple people stuck in a swirly current. Make sure your kids have life jackets. That way you don't lose them underwater. My kids were raised swimming and understand currents through experience. If your new to currents and reading waters. Id suggest keeping your party close and accounted for. Other than that. It's worth a...