Oatman Mining Camp and Burros Route 66 Tour

Oatman is a former gold-mining camp in the Black Mountains of western Arizona, reached by a winding stretch of Route 66 that crests Sitgreaves Pass. Today the town of wooden boardwalks and false-front shops is best known for its wild burros, descendants of animals once used by miners, which roam the main street and expect carrots from visitors. The tour linked here departs from the Laughlin area and combines Oatman with the historic highway, so you see the town without driving the switchbacks yourself. It is a cheerful, slightly quirky stop that suits families, photographers and anyone chasing the Wild West.

The road to Oatman is half the story. Route 66 climbs from the Colorado River valley through the Black Mountains with tight curves, steep drops and wide views over the Mojave desert. The old alignment through Sitgreaves Pass is still driven today, though it is narrow and slow, which is why a tour with a professional driver appeals to many visitors. On the way, guides tell the story of the gold strike that created the camp, the boom and bust that followed, and the revival of the town as a Route 66 attraction.

In town, the main street is the draw. Wooden boardwalks front shops selling souvenirs, rocks and jewelry, and the burros wander freely, nosing at storefronts and posing for photos. Staged gunfights have long been part of the afternoon entertainment, and the historic hotel on the main street trades on the story of Clark Gable and Carole Lombard spending their wedding night there in 1939. Take the time to walk the whole street, step into a few shops and watch the burros before you decide how long you need.

A few rules of the road apply. The burros are wild animals, not pets, and they can bite or kick if startled, so keep a respectful distance, feed them only the approved hay cubes sold in town and never feed them human food. Sunscreen and hats help, because there is little shade on the street, and water is worth carrying.

Summer afternoons can be extremely hot, while winter days are mild and pleasant, so choose the season thoughtfully. Because the town has a small footprint, a tour of a couple of hours here is usually plenty.

If you are driving yourself, the Oatman Highway from Kingman is the more gentle approach, and the road from Needles is steeper. Gas up before the climb and ride the curves carefully. Combine Oatman with the Route 66 Museum in Kingman and the Hackberry General Store for a long day on the old road, or pair it with a cruise on the Colorado River for variety.

For a deeper look at the town, step off the main street for a few minutes. Interpretive plaques and old photographs around the shops describe the Tom Reed and United Eastern mines that once poured gold from these hills, and the Oatman Hotel keeps historic memorabilia that rewards a slow look.

The cemetery above town and the surrounding desert have a quiet, windswept beauty. Cell service can be unreliable, so settle on a meeting time and place with your group. A snack and cold drink in town are a pleasant way to pause before the winding ride back to Laughlin or the interstate.