Route 66 Scenic Drive Through Crozier Canyon with Lunch

Crozier Canyon is the long, shallow desert valley that carries old Route 66 between Truxton and Peach Springs, one of the emptiest and most atmospheric sections of the highway in Arizona. The tour linked here is a day trip from Las Vegas centered on that drive, with lunch included and a pace slow enough to enjoy the scenery. It suits travelers who want the feel of the old road more than a list of attractions. Expect cattle country, railroad tracks, old bridges, weathered buildings and the long blue shapes of the Hualapai Mountains and Grand Canyon plateau on the horizon.

After the Hoover Dam corridor and the interstate, the old highway comes as a change of mood. The road narrows, traffic thins out and the scenery opens into broad, low desert with the Santa Fe railroad line running beside the pavement. Crozier Canyon was one of the paths travelers used before the interstate bypassed the towns, and it still reads like a time capsule. The tour brings context to what you see, from the history of the railroad and the Hualapai Nation to the road's heyday as the Mother Road of westward migration.

Because the tour is described as a scenic drive with lunch, the emphasis is on the experience of the road rather than checking sights off a list. Stops along the way typically include photo pauses at old signs and bridges, and a meal at a roadside spot or ranch-style restaurant. The details can change between operators and seasons, so check the itinerary when you book for the current plan before you travel. The route also tends to link naturally with Grand Canyon Caverns, so some itineraries pair the two.

The scale of the country is the thing most visitors remember. From the car you can watch the horizon for tens of miles, with only a few mileposts, dirt roads and ranch gates to mark distance. On clear days the colors are spectacular at either end of the day, with warm light on the rock walls and long shadows across the grass. Spring brings flashes of wildflowers after wet winters, while summer is hot and bright, and winter mornings can be crisp.

If you plan to drive the stretch yourself, fill the tank in Kingman or Seligman, because services are scarce and cell coverage can drop out. The old pavement is generally in decent shape but speed limits and passing zones deserve respect, and livestock sometimes wander near the roadway. Pack water, snacks and a paper map or downloaded offline map. For those who prefer not to drive, a guided tour solves logistics and lets everyone enjoy the views. Either way, give the drive time, because this section is meant to be savored.

To get more from the day, talk to your guide about the railroad and the ranching families who shaped this country. Freight trains still thunder along the tracks beside the road, and the sound carries for miles across the open land. Bring binoculars if you enjoy birds, since raptors often circle over the canyon and roadrunners cross the pavement.

Photographers should pack a polarizing filter for the big skies, and everyone should carry a hat. Because the scenery is the point, resist the urge to rush, and let the long gaps between stops become part of the pleasure of the trip.