Oatman Arizona Route 66 Road Trip, a Day in the Wild West
Oatman Arizona Route 66
The wild west ghost town of Oatman Arizona is a popular Route 66 road trip stop famous for its burros roaming the streets. Approximately 500,000 people visit Oatman each year.
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Oatman Arizona’s Gold Mining History
Oatman is an old gold mining town founded in 1906. The town boomed and produced over 1.8 million ounces of gold. It grew to over 10,000 residents, 2 banks, 7 hotels, and 20 bars. The gold dried up in the 1920s and the miners left. The town was briefly brought back to life when Route 66 was directed through its center. It was all but abandoned when traffic was redirected to the new highway in the 1960s.
Things to Do in Oatman Arizona
Like Jerome Arizona, the remaining residents of Oatman turned their focus to tourism. You will find Wild West facades, boardwalks, an old-time saloon, candy and souvenir shops, an old mine tour, and, of course, a gunfight. As with all good ghost towns, Oatman has a haunted hotel. Stop in the Oatman Hotel to say hello to Oatie, the resident ghost. Do not miss the dollar bill-covered walls worth an estimated $300,000 and check out the honeymoon suite of Clark Cable and Carole Lombard. Tour the mine, watch the gunfight, and grab a burger at Olive Oatman Restaurant and Saloon before continuing your Route 66 adventures.
Be sure to check the Oatman Chamber of Commerce website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
The Wild Burros of Oatman Arizona
What makes Oatman special, and is the star of the show, is the wild burros roaming the main street. The burros worked the mines and were released when the mines closed. Today around 2000 burros are living in the surrounding hills. A few hungry burros visit the town during the day and return to the Black Mountains in the evening. Although technically they are wild, they are used to people and will not hesitate to give a nudge for food (or steal your ice cream cone). The city monitors what the burros eat and sells feed pellets. This is not only for their health but also to avoid the burros fighting over things like carrots.
Oatman Arizona Route 66 Road Trip
Oatman is not to be missed on a Route 66 road trip. The town is located 45 minutes southwest of Kingman and is the first Arizona Route 66 stop heading east. It is also a great day trip destination from Flagstaff, Bullhead City, Needles, and Lake Havasu City.
When to Visit Oatman Arizona
Oatman is in the desert; it is hot (100+ degrees) dusty and crowded in the summer. In fact, it is so hot the city holds an annual Fry an Egg on the Sidewalk Festival every Fourth of July. Visit October through April for cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. Beware, there is burro poop throughout the main street, do not wear good shoes.
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