[2] Laughlin lies 90 miles (140 km) south of Las Vegas, in the far southern tip of Nevada.

[3] For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Laughlin as a census-designated place (CDP).

It is located on the Colorado River, downstream from the Davis Dam and Lake Mohave, and directly across from the much larger Bullhead City, Arizona.

[7] The townsite of Laughlin was established in the 1940s as South Pointe because of the proximity to the southern tip of the state of Nevada.

The early town consisted of a motel and bar that catered to gold and silver miners, construction workers building Davis Dam, and fishing enthusiasts.

In 1964, Don Laughlin, owner of the 101 Club in Las Vegas, flew over the site and saw its tourism potential.

He offered to buy the land, and within a few years, the Riverside Resort motel and casino, consisting of only 12 slots and two live tables, begun operating.

The $800 million project would have included four hotel-casinos, but construction was halted in 1990 due to financing problems, leaving two unfinished towers.

In 2012, some residents disapproving of Clark County politics made a push to incorporate Laughlin as a city in order stave off additional loss business opportunities, as well as gain local control.

[16] In 2019, Senate Bill 213 failed to pass the Nevada legislature's Committee of Government Affairs, which would have made Laughlin a city without the consent of the voters.

[17] This would have given Laughlin representation on 9 of the 15 entities now providing services to the community[18] In 2021, Senate Bill 79 was introduced to allow for an election for incorporation in 2022.

Some local residents of the community also expressed concern that incorporation would make Laughlin unaffordable for senior citizens during the covid-19 pandemic.

Others viewed it as an excuse to "raid" the Ft. Mohave Development Fund [21] Senator Hardy, explained to community members in the March 9, 2021, meeting that the reason he introduced the bill was to provide better public safety services to a growing Laughlin.

Summers are extremely hot with days frequently exceeding 110 °F (43 °C) in July and August while over-night lows tend to stay between 76–86 °F (24–30 °C).

A September 2013, article in the Las Vegas Review-Journal: Once a boomtown, Laughlin has seen nothing but declines for a dozen years, almost exactly coinciding with the loss of regular airline flights after Sept. 11, 2001.

The contest is held in the third week of September, where qualifying singers compete for the top spot in Male and Female Pop/Rock/R&B and Country/Western.

The Laughlin River Run, held from 1983 to 2019, attracted thousands of avid motorcyclists each spring, usually in late April.

The River Fund, Inc., is a local non-profit agency providing direct emergency and crisis services for individuals and families.

The Laughlin Library has full access to the district's extensive collection of books, periodicals, and videos.

[36] Located in the North Reach of Laughlin is the Colorado River Greenway Heritage Trail park.

It include nine miles (14 km) of trails for bicyclists, pedestrians, and equestrians; restrooms; picnic sites; shade shelters; fishing piers; an extensive playground with water sprays in the summer; and a pedestrian bridge over State Highway 163 which provides access to the Colorado River.

It is open during the summer months, and it includes full locker room facilities, shaded tables, and a large water park-style slide.

This 2,100-acre (850 ha) public recreation area on the west bank of the Colorado River offers boating, fishing, camping, picnicking, and hiking on four miles (6.4 km) of developed trails.

Private shuttle companies connect Laughlin with Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.