Fort Mohave, Arizona: From Frontier Outpost to Tribal Heartland Along the Colorado River
Set along the east bank of the Colorado River, just south of Bullhead City, Fort Mohave carries a name that reaches back to Arizona’s early military frontier—but its modern identity is shaped just as much by tribal sovereignty, borderland culture, and the enduring strength of the river itself.
Once a remote U.S. Army fort established during westward expansion, today’s Fort Mohave is a growing residential and economic zone that bridges Native heritage, river recreation, and desert living. Its story blends military history with Indigenous resilience, agriculture with modern development, and a geography that continues to shape life at Arizona’s western edge.
The Mojave People and the River’s Lifeline
For thousands of years, the fertile floodplains surrounding Fort Mohave were home to the Mojave (Aha Makhav) people, whose name means "people by the river." The Mojave practiced floodplain agriculture, cultivating corn, beans, melons, and cotton along the banks of the Colorado. Their trade routes extended west into California and deep into the Sonoran desert, making them one of the most prominent cultural groups in the lower Colorado River region.
Mojave society was deeply spiritual and matrilineal, with a complex cosmology and oral tradition that tied them to the river not just for sustenance—but for identity and ancestry.
Fort Mohave and the Military Era
In 1859, at the height of conflicts between U.S. military forces and Native tribes in the West, the U.S. Army established Camp Colorado on the site of a former Mojave village. After several clashes, it was renamed Fort Mohave, and for the next 20 years it served as a military supply depot and enforcement post for controlling movement along the Mohave Road, a key route between Arizona and California.
The fort was also used as a base for forced assimilation policies, including a military-run school aimed at indoctrinating Mojave children into American customs—a painful chapter in the community’s past.
By 1890, the fort was decommissioned, and its lands were later turned over to the Fort Mojave Indian Reservation, where descendants of the original Mojave continue to live, farm, and revitalize traditional lifeways.
Agriculture, Irrigation, and New Beginnings
Following the fort's closure, Fort Mohave evolved as an agricultural settlement, with canals and irrigation projects drawing water from the river to grow cotton, alfalfa, and winter vegetables. The fertile river valley, though narrow, supported both tribal and non-tribal farmers.
In the mid-to-late 20th century, the area saw renewed growth as part of the Bullhead City–Laughlin corridor, with residential developments, schools, and small businesses expanding into what was once open farmland.
Today, Fort Mohave serves as a key residential suburb of Bullhead City and Laughlin, offering river access, affordable housing, and a growing base of amenities while maintaining a connection to its historic and tribal roots.
Fort Mohave Today: River, Culture, and Community
Modern Fort Mohave is a blend of rural desert, tribal governance, and growing development, with approximately 16,000 residents spread across its boundaries.
Key highlights include:
Fort Mojave Indian Tribe: A sovereign nation with lands in Arizona, Nevada, and California. The tribe operates businesses, agricultural enterprises, and supports cultural revitalization efforts, including Mojave language preservation.
Mojave Crossing Event Center: One of the largest arenas in northwest Arizona, used for concerts, rodeos, and community events.
Spirit Mountain Casino and Avi Resort: Tribal-owned entertainment venues that support the Fort Mojave economy and provide local employment.
Colorado River Heritage Trails and Launch Sites: Ideal for kayaking, fishing, and exploring desert flora and fauna.
Valley View Medical Center: Serving the tri-state region with healthcare services and expanding access for rural residents.
Fort Mohave is also home to public and charter schools, veteran services, and retirement communities, creating a diverse and multigenerational population base.
Looking Ahead: Growth Grounded in Heritage
As new housing developments, commercial centers, and recreational facilities appear, Fort Mohave remains anchored by two constants: the Colorado River and the Mojave people. Continued cooperation between tribal and regional stakeholders will be essential in preserving land use, managing water rights, and ensuring responsible development that respects cultural landscapes.
Looking Ahead: Where River Histories and Modern Horizons Meet
Fort Mohave isn’t defined by skyscrapers or sprawling highways. Instead, it is defined by something older and more enduring—a deep relationship to land and water, to heritage and healing. Whether you come for the quiet beauty of the river or to learn from one of Arizona’s most resilient communities, Fort Mohave offers more than a waypoint—it offers perspective.