Right down the road from the historic town of Oatman, our house offers a once in a lifetime experience of small town, western living. Oatman miners were then ordered to excavate minerals for use in World War II, instead of mining for gold. Try searching for places within 4 hours of Yuma. There are 787 active homes for sale in Oatman, AZ. A compass or even a At the Oatman Mine Museum, youll learn about the history of the town. If you would like to stay nearby, the closest lodging is in Bullhead City, 19kms away. Locals claim that they have often heard whispers and laughs of ghosts in the empty rooms. Make sure you check road conditions They were the largest gold mines in the US at that time. Plenty of history and burros. Oatman was one of our favorite discoveries on our Route 66 road trip through Arizona last year. Camping along the way? For the next half a century, mining had its ups and downs, until the opening of the Tom Reed Mine and a $10 million gold find in 1915. The decor is reminiscent of an old western saloon with lots of wild-west memorabilia. died of hunger- survived. Oatman is about 13 miles (or 21 km) down the road. Search for RV campgrounds. It is . So, hubby sits on a bench in front of the Post Office with the dog, staying out of the way of humans and donkeys alike while I go check out the town. I dont recommend buying chocolate unless you want to eat it ASAP. The towns biggest mine closed in 1924, and by 1941, the government ordered the closing of Oatmans remaining mining operations as part of the countrys war efforts. Great place to visit. @Tiffany, I worked in Arizona twice, further south. suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it At 3,595 ft (1.096 m) it offers a great view east and west. I'd give this place zero stars if I could. Dirty, signs are fading and the whole place needs a bath. Mural at The Ore House, Oatman AZ. Answer 1 of 11: We are passing through Oatman from Prescott on the way to stay in Laughlin. She currently blogs at Back Road Ramblers and Vermont Explored, where she shares travel tips, adventure destinations, and vacation ideas for the wanderer in everyone. He took care of them and included them in his household as domestic slaves. Dazzo's Country Store & RV Pk So take a day and drive to Oatman either from the east side, Kingman Arizona or from the west side. Magical Candlelight Show st Las Vegas Magic Theater 810 S Las vegas blvd. Austin Whittall. Learn more about: cookie policy, Fairytale Destinations: 22 Magical Places To Visit In Nature, Enchanting Eze Village In The French Riviera Is A Must-See. The road winds downwards, and two miles west of the sumit, according to Rittenhouse there was only a mechanic: "garage, no cabins, cafe or other facilities here." Only Olive Ann Oatman (1837-1903) and her sister Mary Ann -who later Marker can be reached from Oatman Road, 8.8 miles north of Agua Caliente Road. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. They say that Oatman, Arizona is so hot that you can fry eggs on the sidewalk. Population 43 (2020).Time zone: Mountain (MST): UTC minus 7 hours. Maybe try typing in a faraway location like London, Hong Kong, Directions to Oatman, AZ - MapQuest Shopping Coffee Grocery Gas Advertisement Directions to Oatman, AZ Get step-by-step walking or driving directions to Oatman, AZ. The Oatman Highway is a very demanding drive. Bing Maps has a collection of great trails with directions to trail heads as well as photos. Heres the plan for a perfect day in Oatman, Arizona, the best place to eat for miles and miles. Kathy Weiser -Dave Alexander/ Legends of America, updated January 2020. The hotel was renamed in the 1960s as the Oatman Hotel. 6:31 pm arrive in Oatman (Arizona) driving 4.5 hours. Although Historic Route 66 is no longer the Main Street of America, it is full of iconic sights to explore. Oatman is a former mining town in the Black Mountains of Mohave County, Arizona, United States. With its geographical location, it provides access to the gambling destinations of Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nevada, as well as the Grand Canyon, California, the Colorado River, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Lake Mohave, and Lake Havasu. on the Next Route 66 Segment? Seriously, those burros will steal your ice cream cone in a heartbeat. But fortunately Route 66 was aligned along the N.O.T. When we visit, we always stay in Lake Havasu City because we have family there and we fly to Las Vegas because the plane tickets are insanely cheap affordable. Horseback Riding Tours. Oatman Gold Road Chamber of Commerce Website is made It was the steepest gradient along the whole of Route 66, with hairpin turns and an even steeper grade on the western side. And it is still standing as you can see in the photograph and in the set of "then & now" photos below. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Click the button below to explore more questions One friendly poltergeist known as Oatie is believed to be the ghost of William Ray Flour, an Irish miner who died behind the hotel. The Complete Guide to Exploring Wilmington, Vermont, Unique and Affordable Things to Do in St. uk breakdown; european breakdown; motorbike breakdown; report a breakdown; insurance; car insurance; home insurance . States > Arizona > Ours was a melted mess by the time we got back to the car. to double check the weather. WEATHER. All the information you will need on the best travel destinations, attractions, hotels, motels and restaurants on U.S. Route 66. In 1992 the Addwest Minerals reopened it. The Route 66 stretch from Kingman to Oatman starts out flat and fairly straight. Proceeds from the sale of Passports benefit this cooperative marketing initiative. What a wonderful article. Kruger National Park: A Safari Guide This page contains affiliate links. Homes similar to 1749 N Oatman Rd are listed between $28K to $350K at an average of $295 per square foot. Click for St. view. It was originally named after John Durlin, who built it in 1902, but razed by the 1921 fire that destroyed most of Oatman's buildings. Oatman More to Discover Near Oatman Get Your Kicks Arizona's Route 66 Whether heading west to east or east to west on the Mother Road, be sure to check out the quirky landmarks and destinations of Arizona's Route. We earn a commission from affiliate links that may be included in this post. Also on EVERY BUILDING. We then left Oatmen after being there only about 35 minutes, It was terrible, uncomfortable and not worth the drive in. We have sent you an activation email The burros in town today are descendants of the donkeys that were used as mining workers back in the early 1900s. Population reached 10,000 during that period, now it is less than 50!. Copyright 2023 RoadTravelAmerica.com & Route66RoadTrip.com All Rights Reserved, The Oatman Hotel, full-service restaurant and saloon. Most donkeys are very friendly and well-looked after. Winters and summers are cooler than those of neighboring Laughlin, NV or Needles, CA. Each county page contains full color Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation guide mentioned that it had "Stores, hotels, garages and camp grounds the largest undeveloped gold mining field in the U.S.". Its yet to be seen if a lack of handouts will keep the Oatman burros out of town for good. 5 out of 5 stars (1,475) . Watch out for Burros sign near Oatman Arizona. By the mid 1930's, the boom was over and in 1942 the last remaining mines were closed as nonessential to the war effort. About This Home. By the way, the Gila River is the only one that crosses the entire state of Arizona. Not only does the website compare prices from various rental companies, but it also allows you to filter options based on features like automatic transmission or GPS availability. The burros were vastly outnumbered by the Trump signs, Confederate flags and derogatory Biden signs. Laughlin Labyrinths. The origin of its name is unclear because it never marked any demarcation point. The Drulin Hotel, built in 1902, did a brisk business to the area miners. Being an, Follow @WorldAdventurists if you love the ear, Life is better when its LIVED Main Street through Oatman, AZ is tiny, with just a handful of souvenir stores, restaurants, and gift shops that are entirely dependent on tourist dollars. Explore different ways to experience this place. Many locals claim that ghosts occupy the Oatman Hotel and are often heard whispering and laughing in empty rooms. Olive Oatman, notice the ritual chin tattoo. from MapQuest! This tradition was started when miners would sign and attach their money to the walls, to be used in the future when they were short of cash. Today, the popular small town of Oatman is an interesting stop, with numerous gift shops and small restaurants. Back Road Ramblers shares practical and in-depth road trip itineraries, small-town travel ideas, and easy outdoor adventures for the wanderer in everyone. From California, its about 30 miles east of Needles. An afternoon is all youll need to explore thoroughly, but if you have time, I recommend meandering along the back roads, which will give you a glimpse of the hardscrabble life that existed here in years past, But first, park your car on the street, and take a tour of an iconic Arizona ghost town that refuses to die. and answers related to Oatman (Arizona). Oatman Weather Forecasts. The Black Mountains to the east of Topock are part of the Warm Springs Wilderness Area. Route 66 is such a fun road trip, with so many quirky sights that are sure to bring a smile. Click the button below to explore more questions The steep grade from east to west began at the foot of the mountains at 2,268 ft. and climbed up to Sitgreaves Pass (3,595 ft) over a distance of 9 miles. Search. Fast Fannie's shop is filled with quality merchandise including whimsical wind chimes and authentic Native American jewelry all at reasonable prices. Inside, youll find the walls covered with signed one-dollar bills. TheRoute-66.com is reader-supported. Good eats and drinks, as well as museum information on Clark Gable. A second N.O.T. No fun for them! I dont think the answer youre looking for is in the middle of nowhere, but that about sums it up! Facts Administrative classification world atlas region Subregions n/a South 34 41' 16" N North 35 12' 23" N West 115 9' 0" W In the early years, this road was a challenge to navigate. Nine months in Yuma---I headed out as soon as summer hit!---and 18 months in Bowie. In the early years, this road was a challenge to navigate. Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions **. Wide vehicles and vehicles over 30 feet in length should use extreme caution when driving this road. Credits, The resort town of Lake Havasu City on Lake Havasu has beaches along the lake's scenic shoreline, an active nightlife and the original London bridge (you can take a Tour to visit it). Are the scrappy burros worth a trip to the iconic Oatman ghost town? This section could be endless, so rather than trying to On. 380 days on Zillow The staff there were completely rude and wouldnt help us with a table for 8, even though they were only a quarter full. Also as soon as you park there is a sign warning you about the donkeys not liking dogs. Oatman is located in northwestern Arizona, about two hours southeast of Las Vegas. 10 Things to See on Route 66 in Arizona. RE/MAX PREFERRED PROS. The Arizona Office of Tourism launched in late August of 2022 the Digital Route 66 Passport. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. One of the only places you can stay in Historic Oatman, Arizona, let alone right on Route 66! Tripadvisor. Keep in mind that feeding wild burros outside of Oatman is not legal. Baths. Tucked away on the northwestern corner of Arizona, to the south of Kingman, the road is very narrow and makes a number of hairpin turns. 10.96 acres of Patented Mining Claim in the Historical Town of Oatman Arizona! We left with out eating. Your email address will not be published. How either myself or my small dog are threats I have no clue. next trip! Believe it or not, weve got more! Sq. It's okay, you can start planning your stay for about 1 hour and leave at 6:28 pmdrive for about 49 minutes, Wickenburg Trippy is where The Oatman Massacre is truly a fascinating story about early pioneer life in Arizona. Featured in the show, with a comedy spin, are cowboys insulting each other, the theft of loot, and one of the gunslingers falling. What is good about Oatman is that it is actually a living village and not just a tourist destination ghost town. Enter a city to drive through, or find all, distance from Phoenix to Oatman (Arizona). Scenic Drives By stotty24 Take your time and enjoy this part of the historic Route 66. sorry oatman .. somewhere in the last 20yrs you made the wrong choice to attract visitors. Elevation 2,710 ft (826 m). Planning a Road Trip on Route 66? GPS to accompany it to ensure you'll make it to your Between Cool Springs and Oatman, old Route 66 twists and turns past recently reactivated gold mine workings while climbing up and over the angular Black Mountains. Contestants at the Oatman Egg Fry are given 15 minutes to fry their eggs using solar power only. Pick some up for gifts and tell the owners we said hello. Would have been more to review had me made it for the show at noon and 2:15pm but ended up arriving close to 5pm when everything was shutting down. Slow down too much and they come right over to your car. Breakfast at Olive Oatman Restaurant and Saloon. The "people in charge " targeted me and my family and followed us around the park telling us to keep our dog away from the donkeyswhich we were. Although most of the town burned to the ground during the 1921 fire, some buildings survived. Lt. A. W. Whipple visited this area during his expedition in 1854 to find a route for a transcontinental railroad along the 35th parallel. 16 year old Olive had her face tatooed with blue ink as was the native's custom. She made the choice not to. by calculating the distance from Phoenix to Oatman (Arizona). Box 423 Oatman, Gold was re-discovered north of Oatman in 1901 at Goldroad and this led to the construction of better roads both west (to Kingman) and east (to Needles and Topock). The Arizona Hotel has also been lost. Oatman, Arizona, is a great blast from the past and is well worth the visit. For years, tourists have fed the burros carrots and special burro chow that they could buy in just about every shop. You can click each direction to see them in the map. The landscape along the way is dotted with mining remnants of more prosperous times. Taddock sold his claim which was acquired by the Vivian Mining Co. so the little town was named "Vivian". open-ended. 0 Garnet, Oatman, AZ 86433. This is a great family activity. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. Full service restaurant and bar located in the historic gold mining town of Oatman, AZ. The "locals" are horrible peopleone followed me and took photos of my butt. And there still are! First I want to address one of the reviews (ghost town..really) first I happened to be there when you were there. A classic since 1902. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. This is the fastest route from Oatman, AZ to Kingman, AZ. Allowing them to graze in the hills is healthier and safer for both the burros and tourists. Driving directions between Laughlin, NV and Oatman, AZ. The road on the right side of the picture is the original N.O.T. For aviation fans, be sure to make a stop at the Kingman Airport on the north side of town. Long wheelbase vehicles should approach Oatman via hwy 95 from I-40 at the Topock exit at the AZ/CA border. Although mining is still going on in Goldroad, it is private property so please don't trespass. Don't miss Oatman's Gunfights and Burros, visit the Glory Hole Soda Fountain, and The historic Durlin (Oatman) Hotel. After we made the 3-1/2 hour drive to get to Oatman WITH the family dog, several locals informed us that the donkeys have been known to pick up dogs in their mouths and shake them to death.