Nestled in the Palo Verde Valley, Blythe is a desert-dwelling city on the border between California and Arizona. It is named after the Welsh-born businessman Thomas Henry Blythe, who developed the area and obtained the rights to harvest irrigation water from the Colorado River.
Things to do in Blythe
Take to the air for a scenic flight above the Blythe Intaglios, a series of geo-glyphs marked on the ground to the east of the Big Maria Mountains. They are the most famous of the more than 200 intaglios that have been discovered in the Colorado Desert and depict both human and animal figures. While their age and creators remain unknown, they are believed to have been used by Native American groups in the area.
A short drive west of Blythe is the Hauser Geode Beds, where you can dig for geodes lined with colourful crystals. Combine your visit with a stop at the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, which provides important habitat for migratory birds on the Pacific Flyway. In addition to Canada geese, sandhill cranes and snowy egrets, you can spot bobcats and coyotes along the banks of the Colorado River.
Golfers can enjoy a round on the fairways and greens of the Blythe Municipal Golf Course, which was originally established as a 9-hole course in 1968. Based on the designs of William Francis Bell, it was expanded into an 18-hole course in 1973. After your game, you’ll be treated to views across the Palo Verde Valley from the club’s laid-back sports bar.
Getting around Blythe
Blythe is around 2.5 hours’ drive from Phoenix and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Long-distance buses connect to Blythe, although renting a car will give you greater freedom to explore the area.