Golden Shores, AZ

Golden Shores is a quiet desert community of around 2,000 residents tucked along the Colorado River in western Arizona. Because it shares a mailing address with neighboring Topock, locals often speak of the two places in the same breath. The town sits about four miles north of Interstate 40 and fifteen miles south of Mohave Valley, right where open desert terrain meets the water and the scenic curves of historic Route 66.

ATTRG. Edward Johnson / CC BY 4.0

Daily life revolves around outdoor recreation, from boating and fishing on the river and Topock Marsh to exploring miles of off-road trails in the surrounding hills. A handful of casual diners, a community center, and local post office give the area an easygoing, small-town atmosphere. Younger students attend Topock Elementary before moving on to Colorado River Union High School, while the nearby Oatman Highway offers scenic drives up into the Black Mountains. It provides a relaxed, sun-soaked lifestyle for anyone looking to live close to the river with plenty of room to roam.