Blythe California

On the Colorado River

 

 

Vital Statistics

Location / Description

Agriculturally based but heavily influenced by tourism, Blythe is located on the California-Arizona border where Interstate 10 crosses the Colorado River. Blythe's population more than triples during the winter months with the arrival of visitors seeking relief from their cold climate home states during that season.

In the summer, in spite of extreme high Sonoran Desert temperatures, Blythe is a center for water sports along the Colorado River. Blythe is a small town and the people are very warm and friendly. Blythe's educational system offers students facilities from pre-school through community college.

 

Population / Elevation

8,428 people / 207 feet above sea level

Weather / Climate

Blythe has a classic low desert climate with extremely low relative humidity and very high summer temperatures. On the average, it receives less than 4 inches of precipitation a year. Stores, shops, restaurants, theaters and homes are air-conditioned much of the year.

 

 

Blythe, California - Monthly Climate Normals
   Year Jan. Feb. Mar Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Step Oct. Nov. Dec.
High °F 88 67.4 72.8 79.3
87.5
95.4
103.7
108.4
106.7
101.9
90.5
76.4
67.6
Low °F 55
38.1
42.4
46.9
53.2
60.3
67.4
76.2
75.8
68.1
55.9
44.1
38.4
Avg °F 72 52.8 57.6 63.1 70.4 77.9 90.0 92.3 91.3 85.0 73.2 60.3 53.0
Rain " 4
0.48
0.46
0.36
0.12
0.03
0.03
0.17
0.73
0.43
0.28
0.26
0.55



 

Hotels/Motels


Camping & RV Parks

There are many camping and RV accommodations in and around Blythe including:

  • Mayflower Regional Park Destiny McIntyre RV Resort -
  • Destiny Riviera RV Resort-

For more information, contact:

  • Blythe Chamber of Commerce
    201 S. Broadway
    Blythe, CA. 92225
    760-922-8166

 

History


Centuries ago, prehistoric cultures living along the Colorado River created gigantic figures on the surface known to archaeologist as "Intaglios." Also known as the Blythe Geoglyphs, archaeological dating suggests that these particular features are about 1100 years old. Since then, the Colorado River-dwelling Mojave peoples occupied the area.

The city of Blythe was named for English developer/financier Thomas Blythe, who first came here in 1877 and established primary water rights on the Colorado River. It was incorporated on July 21, 1916. Blythe came to California hoping to turn the Colorado River Valley into another Nile River Valley. For the most part, he succeeded. Modern irrigation methods have allowed the desert to become a rich farming and recreational area. Some mining still occurs in the Palo Verde Valley.

Six miles north of Blythe is the site of the original Blythe Intake, where the first legal claim for Colorado River Water was made. Water was transported from here to the nearby, desert Palo Verde Valley which is now lush farmland.


Things To Do

Hiking, off-road vehicle sports, hunting, exploring ghost towns, rockhounding and prospecting are just a few of the recreational activities available in the neighboring desert around Blythe.

The Colorado River Recreation Area extends from Yuma, Arizona to Lake Powell, about 650 miles. It offers boating, fishing, hunting and other water sports. There is almost 95 miles of navigable water to use for your enjoyment between Blythe and Imperial Dam in Yuma.

Events Calendar

Popular events, such as the Colorado River Country Music Festivals, Miss Blythe Pageant, Family Fair, Street Festivals, Fireman FunMusters, and Stock Car Races provide year round entertainment for all ages. There are many swap meets, Gem and mineral shows in nearby Quartzite, Arizona.

 

Resources & Nearby Attractions

Resources


Cities & Towns

Parks & Monuments

  • Joshua Tree National Park: 69 miles west.
  • Mayflower Regional Park: 6 miles north.
  • McIntyre Regional Park: 6 miles south.
  • Lake Havasu State Park: 79 miles north.
  • Alamo Lake State Park: 71 miles northeast.

Recreation & Wilderness Areas

  • Imperial Sand Dunes: 56 miles southeast.
  • Kofa National Wildlife Refuge: 35 miles east.
  • Cibola National Wildlife Refuge: 23 miles south.
  • Imperial National Wildlife Refuge: 50 miles south.
  • Picacho Peak State Recreation Area: 56 miles south.

Historic & Points of Interest

 

Related DesertUSA Pages

 

 

 

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