$268,398Average Value$146Average Price per Sq Ft6Homes For Sale
A semi-private, waterfront community
Set along the banks of the Colorado River, the aptly named Big River is a popular Southern California vacation spot next to the Arizona border. The area's residents, whether part-time or full-time, tend to be retirees. “A lot of snowbirds come out for boating during the winter,” says Julie Bruckner, a local listing agent with Havapad Realty Group. “It’s a part of the Colorado River Indian Reservation, so many folks here do not own the land. They rent out homes with boating docks for months at a time.” Winter and spring are the most active seasons here, as summer and fall temperatures often top 100 degrees.
A remote area with a Baptist church, some camping areas and a couple of casual restaurants, Big River receives a CAP Index crime score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4. Everyday essentials are found about 7 miles away in Parker, Arizona, while the closest schools are about 50 miles away in Needles, California.
Land owned by the Colorado River Reservation
The community's partially paved, sidewalk-less streets are lined with single-story homes built between the 1970s and mid-'80s and set on spacious lots of a half acre to 2 acres. These homes are either ranch-style or manufactured and generally have two or three bedrooms; common features include attached two-car garages, wooden split-rail fences and rock landscaping with the occasional tall palm tree. Prices for both styes typically range from $100,000 to $150,000, but those set on the riverfront range from $230,000 to $400,000 and often include private boat launches. "Most of the land is lease only," notes Larry Hunt, a Broker with Keller Williams Realty who has 5 years' experience in the area. "To buy any property here, you have to pay cash or have an owner carry-back. You can't get a mortgage on the reservation." An owner carry-back, also known as owner financing, is a mortgage loan provided by a home's owner to a home's new buyer.
Big River's ranch-style homes offer the best of both comfort and nature.
Discover the simple elegance of ranch-style homes in Big River.
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The closest schools are 50 miles away in Needles, California
The closest schools are about 50 miles away in the city of Needles, California; the Needles Unified School District earns an overall rating of B from Niche. Kids can start school at the B-minus rated Vista Colorado Elementary, then continue to Needles Middle, which earns a C. The B-minus rated Needles High offers a handful of lunchtime and after-school clubs for activities like knitting, hiking and gaming.
A view of the Needles High School buildings from the street.
A view of the Needles Middle School buildings from the street.
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Seasonal events at Western Park
The Big River RV Park offers public boating access, as well as riverside picnic areas. For more green space, the roughly 8-acre, dog-friendly Western Park is about 13 miles away in Parker, with basketball courts, a baseball field and a playground that was renovated in 2022. Western Park also hosts seasonal events like a winter holiday tree lighting and a local bazaar selling crafts, clothing and more.
Big River RV Park provides access for public boating and features picturesque riverside picnic areas.
Challenge your friends to a game of basketball at Western Park.
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Casual sit-down dining on the river
Neighborhood gathering spots include The Dock, a waterfront spot for hearty meals like ribeye and fried fish, and Dumas Walkers Restaurant & Bar, which serves cocktails and casual bar fare. Most shopping is done about 7 miles away in Parker, which includes a Bealls department store, a Safeway and a Walmart Supercenter, as well as fast-food chains like McDonalds and Taco Bell.
Dumas Walkers Restaurant and Bar is a Big River staple, where good food and community meet.
For a taste of Big River's charm and exceptional cuisine, The Dock Restaurant is the place to be.
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Cross the state on the 62
Highway 62 runs northeast along Big River, leading to Parker, Arizona in about 7 miles. Highway 95 connects to Old Parker Road, leading to Blythe in about 50 miles. With no sidewalks and no public transit options, residents here rely on cars to get around the city. Palo Verde Hospital is around 47 miles away, and the Colorado River Medical Center is 64 miles away. The Yuma International Airport (YUM) is a 124-mile trip.
Written By
Braxton Chea
Photography Contributed By
Karl Le
Video By
Melinda Anselmo
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Laura Ford,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Big River, CA sell after 274 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Big River, CA over the last 12 months is $138,500, up 20% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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