If you make the trip, be sure to tag @wildjoyexperiences or use #thejoyclub on Instagram so we can see your photos!! Lots of blind hair pin turns.. CreditsClick on thumbnail map to enlarge. Personally, I would just head back up 93 and save Oatman and the pass for a later trip. The Arizona Route 66 Passport is your guide into the heart of America. Also be alert for motorcycles, this is a great place for touring motorcyles from across the USA and foreign, individual and groups. The turns feel just like radiator springs at Disneyland. Doi Inthanon National Park, Waterfall & Royal Project - Chiang Mai, EcoAdventure Sunset Ziplining in Puerto Rico, Milos daily Semi-Private Cruises Catamaran, Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath Tour from London + Admission, Key Largo Coral Reef Glass Bottom Boat Adventure. The Mother Road crossed the Texas state line at Texola, OK, near Shamrock, Texas, and traveled through McLean and Groom on its way to Amarillo. From there it entered Commerce, Oklahoma, and headed southwest through Miami, Alton, Chelsea and Claremore and Tulsa. We only had time to stop long enough to see the wild burros and we were there early before everything opened. Oatman to Kingman -- Maps of Mojave Desert Route 66 Introduction :: Nature :: Map :: Points of Interest :: Roads & Trails :: People & History :: Ghosts & Gold :: Communities :: BLOG :: :? This remarkable setting, combined with the byway's exciting Western history, creates an feeling of the Old West that cannot be ignored. This opened the way for settlers who used these trails to reach California. To begin at the southern end, exit off Interstate 40 at the Topock/Golden Shores. Copyright 2014 - 2022 Road Trip Journeys, all rights reserved. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Kingman's elevation, at 3,336 feet, provides an ideal southwestern climate -- neither too hot nor too cold! From there it continued west to Glenrio. This is the map of US66 from Kingman through Oatman and onwards to Topock. We stopped at Floyd and Company Real Pit BBQ and ordered their delicious pulled pork sandwiches. Read our, Winding road, sharp bends but great views. Leuchtner had an interest in the old highway and did a little exploring in Arizona. Perla Eichenblat. They were mostly minding their own business, apart from being fed by the tourists. Head up Main Street and visit a Historic Site: Listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Mexico received it from Spain after Don't know if that was just bad timing on my part or if it is has closed.) Oatman | Visit Arizona The burg's most famous residents are its four-legged ambassadors. We left Kingman and travelled through the arid flatland they offered an inviting view of the mountain pass to come. Thank you! I have driving the road 3 times always from Cool Springs towards California and was in awe of the views each time. The rebuilt Cool Springs station is now a gift shop offering Route 66 souvenirs and one of a kind Cool Springs memorabilia. Route 66 Maps at the National Park Service (NPS). There are tours given of the Goldroad Mine which was opened originally in 1900 after Jerezs discovery of gold. Copyright 2023 Route66RoadTrip.com All Rights Reserved. Are you ready to check out other cool places in Arizonas West Coast before the summer heat arrives? Austin Whittall. It is a beautiful desert stretch of Historic Route 66 that passes through 42 miles of Arizona's gorgeous desert terrain. 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. Cruise along the Mother Road, collecting stamps at locations along the way. Will be starting route 66 from Santa Monica and going eastwards. The Historic Route 66 National Back Country Byway begins five miles south of Kingman at the McConnico exit off Interstate 40. Listed below are two of the more popular apps but there are more! The pass is between Kingman and Oatman. Oatman sags in a state of happy repose, casual, picturesque and decidedly weird. at the point where the Gold Hill Grade climb begins, the climb to Sitgreaves Pass, which Rittenhouse calls "Gold Hill Grade". And it is still standing as you can see in the photograph and in the set of "then & now" photos below. Today, the popular small town of Oatman is an interesting stop, with numerous gift shops and small restaurants. Watch the gunfights in the street on weekends. Stop for a snack or lunch at Oatman. Kingman and Oatman, Arizona are located in the northwest part of Arizona, near Bullhead City, Nevada. View of the Tom Reed Mine nowadays; ruins and white tailings: As you drive south towards Topock, 4 miles from Oatman you will meet another unusual craggy peak: Boundary Cone. Kingman is located on Historic Route 66, Interstate 40, U.S. Route 93, and Arizona Highway 68. Jack DeVere Rittenhouse, (1946). He mentioned how he has over 200 apprentices who have turned his craft into their own hobby. Map of Historic Route 66 from Illinois to California, Map showing the approximate route of U.S. Highway 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. This must be the time of the year to visit. Old Route 66 - Oatman Road - Recreation.gov By 1952 mining had dwindled so the Route 66 alignment through Sitgreaves Pass and Oatman was no longer needed. The backside of the pass is covered with Cross at each opportunity point. Go west about 1/8 the mile, turn left on Oatman Highway, Mohave County Highway 10. The pass used by Route 66 across the Black Montains is named after him. Shield on the roadway in front of the Cold Sprig gas station between Kingman and Oatman: At Cool Springs the highway begins to climb the eastern flank of the Black Mountains. Route 66 ran southwest out of Kingman through Cool Springs to Oatman, and onward to Golden Shores and Topock where it turned west to Needles, California. Historic Route 66 at its hairpin turn best. If you wish to make it longer, I suggest staying in an AirBnb in Kingman. Not sure how to get there going through Sitgreaves pass and Route 66. Oatman, Arizona is a real back county road Arizona town. Cross-Country Adventures on America's Two-Lane Highways, If youre looking for great displays of neon signs, mom-and-pop motels in the middle of nowhere, or kitschy Americana, do as the song says and get your kicks on Route 66., Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Cahokia Mounds and the Chain of Rocks Bridge, Acoma Pueblo to Pie Town and the Lightning Field. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Ahead is the summit at Sitgreaves Pass followed by a winding descent with hairpin bends through Goldroad, a Mining Ghost town. Take a road trip on Route 66 across Illinois, Take a road trip on Route 66 across Missouri, Take a road trip on Route 66 across Oklahoma, Take a road trip on Route 66 across Texas, Take a road trip on Route 66 across Arizona, Take a road trip on Route 66 across California. Walk down the plank sidewalk; tour the saloons of which many contain their original storefronts. It also puts the sun behind you for better photo ops. U.S. Route 66 road trip to Oatman, Arizona, with photos, maps, trip Getting there: Oatman is 211 miles northwest of Phoenix. Heading westbound the route traveled through these cites and towns in Missouri: Map showing the approximate route of U.S. Highway 66 across Missouri from St. Louis to Joplin, Take a road trip on Route 66 across Kansas. So glad we drove the Oatman Highway! About two and a half hours later, you'll find yourself on the iconic Route 66. No matter how tame they seem, the burros are wild animals. RELATED: The secrets of Historic Route 66|Route 66: Favorite spots, hidden gems|Native American culture along Route 66. But its quite memorable. 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. Frying an egg on the sidewalk under the searing midday sun is one of the fun things to do in Oatman, and part of the July 4th celebrations too. Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more. West of the pass, Now the good news, if you keep your speed down, this is a spectacular drive in the old west. From here the road winds up the mountainside in a torturous ascent. Check the "Glory Hole" which despite its saucy name is a venerable site: Main and Oatman Topock Hwy. am going from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, leaving early am on 4-3. Departing from Phoenix, this road trip will take just over three hours to reach Kingman, Arizona and another hour to reach Oatman. The animals are the descendants of the domesticated donkeys that worked the mines in 1942. Read Here Are 14 Things You Have To Do On Arizonas West Coast for some fantastic suggestions! There's the Olive Oatman Restaurant & Saloon, specializing in Southwestern comfort foods such as Navajo tacos, homemade chili and peach fry bread. You can sample highly recommended Navajo tacos and have a beer in the downstairs bar (which is thickly wallpapered in years and years worth of dollar bills! Today, Cool Springs operates as a gift shop, snack bar and museum. Kingman, Williams. Along the highway is Boundary Cone, a massive lava plug; and further afield is the lakeside resort at Lake Havasu City with beaches, marinas, nightlife and the original London Bridge!. Location: 34.718, -114.483 (Topock) 35.225, -112.490 (Ash Fork) Seasons: All year. Leaving Springfield, Route 66 traversed Litchfield, Staunton and Hamel, and then continued on to the Chain of Rocks Bridge at St. Louis, where it turned west through Rolla, Springfield, Joplin and into Kansas and Oklahoma. As I climb toward Sitgreaves Pass, toothy, broken country shambles away in all directions. Arizona is one of our favorite Route 66 destinations, with many miles of original roadbeds still open, and minimal congestion on most segments. It took years of effort, but Leuchtner was able to buy Cool Springs in 2001. Credits. Cool Springs and Black Mountains | Route 66 Through Arizona - ROAD TRIP USA Alignments of the road changed often over the years, as improved sections of highway were constructed. We stopped at the Cool Springs Station and drove through the town of Oatman. It was not until the railroad arrived in 1883 that mining took off; initially north of Kingman. Joe was going on about how they had the best chai lattes, and as a chai feen myself I had to give it a shot. MENU Free Travel Guide . Right at the top of the pass there is a pull off that you can stop. The gold was running out and United Eastern closed operations in Oatman in 1924. TheRoute-66.com is reader-supported. The narrow road, the many switch backs, no guard rails, steep drop-offs, make it a time when only the passengers can enjoy the scenery. It mentions the Visit our pages with old maps and plenty of maps and information about US 66's alignments: We will tour Oatman, driving west, from Kingman, using the Back Country Byway: Back Country Byway sign. The road winds its way through desert sagebrush and a few sparse homes. Boundary Cone (3,432 ft- 1,046 m) pictured below, is a plug of white colored rhyolite (a type of volcanic rock). Kingman - East >, The 1926-52 alignment of Route 66 at Topock, < Head West Taddock sold his claim which was acquired by the Vivian Mining Co. so the little town was named "Vivian". It feels like I'm hiking from a sitting position. extremely tight switchbacks and many steep drop-offs. From Las Vegas: Oatman Mining Town/Burros and Route 66 Tour A. Whittall, The old Glory Hole Saloon in Oatman. Check your email for magic link to sign-in. The town is just 4 blocks long but filled with Old West charm which attracts nearly 500,000 visitors per year. The hard basaltic plug remains in place while the softer volcanic ashes that form the cone ae weathered away by erosion. Route 66 begins the climb up the Gold Hill Grade towards Oatman, Arizona. Route 66 travel kiosk between Kingman and Oatman . It looks neat, but I don't want to go out of the way to reach it. You can find the route from Kingman to Oatman on this Google Maps link, which will also show you just how curvy the road is! Sitgreaves Pass, elevation 3,550 feet, lies between Cool Springs and Oatman. The original terminus of U.S. Route 66 was at 7th and Broadway in downtown Los Angeles. Watch out for Burros sign near Oatman Arizona. It is published by the The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, a non-profit organization, dedicated to the preservation, protection, and promotion of both the surface, and the memories along Arizonas portion of Route 66. Westbound drivers have it the easiestsimply follow the well-signed Historic Route 66 west from Kingman, exit 44 off I-40. Wide vehicles and vehicles over 30 feet in length should use extreme caution when driving this road. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. 29. On the southern side of town. Save. Welcome to Wildjoy's Ultimate Route 66 Day Trip guide, helping you explore wild west gems in Arizona like Kingman and Oatman! Find a room in neighboring Needles California, just a few miles to the west: Find more lodging & accommodation close to Oatman. The welcome sign for Kingman, which declares it as the heart of Route 66, is not completely accurate, neither geographically (the central point is at Adrian in Texas) nor in terms of the attractions, which should not be underestimated, but they are not as iconic as many others that can be found along the Mother Road. Google Maps After leaving Kingman, you'll pass by Cool Springs Station, a former gas station turned Route 66 museum. And one of the most scenic drives in the state. Sitgreaves Pass (Oatman) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor In 1851, the U.S. Government commissioned Capt. From its beginning in Chicago, Route 66 headed southwest to Joliet, Wilmington, Dwight, Odell, Pontiac, Bloomington, Lincoln and Springfield. I was tempted to have an ice cream cone, but it was a little chilly for a cold treat in my opinion! This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The hotel was renamed in the 1960s as the Oatman Hotel. Kingman Arizona to Oatman Arizona Highway Guide Scenic beauty, history, and the bray of a distant burro await travelers to the area.The opportunities are endless for hours of leisurely recreational driving. Although mining is still going on in Goldroad, it is private property so please don't trespass. My husband will be driving but I hate heights. There were over 10,000 people living inOatmanarea. This brutal terrain once boiled the radiators and broke the hearts of migrant workers making their way to the promised land of California. Heaven help me, I love this ridiculous twisting drive. Since we had a sleeping toddler in the back seat we didn't stop, but just driving through the town at 5 mph was worth it. I suggest stopping in Oatman first, leaving Kingman for the way back for dinner. Below are two old maps of the area close to Oatman between Topock and Kingman: Thumbnail of the 1935 Arizona highway map. This comedic gun show is completely free, and occurs everyday at 1:30 and 3:30pm in the center of town. Don't miss its score if vintage motels such as the famous "El Trovatore" or the "Hill Top", its vintage cafs and diners. My family drove Rte 66 in 1953, from St. Louis to Albuquerque, when we moved there from Charleston W.V.! The highest point is Mount Since this locale can be disappointing after the long journey from Chicago, the Route 66 Alliance partnered with the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation in 2009 to mount an unofficial End of the Trail sign on the pier, seen below in 2020. Map. It is a curvy road, so take your time and enjoy the beauty. Sitgreaves Pass, Oatman: Address, Phone Number, Sitgreaves Pass Reviews: 4.5/5. This does, however, make for a thrilling ride. Filming for "How the West Was Won" was done there in 1962. We hope you enjoy! As could be expected in a roudy mining town of the "Old Wild West", there were plenty of gunfights in Oatman. Now it is abandoned, with the ruins of some buildings visible among the bushes, it is a real ghost town. Built in the 1920s, abandoned in the 1960s, and brought back to life in 2005, Cool Springs is a nice place to stop, buy a soda, and soak up the Route . "The Mother Road" was established on November 11, 1926, and ultimately stretched 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles. No fog or rain please. That's what you'll find at Sitgreaves Pass, a particularly curvy section of Route 66 that leads you from Kingman to Oatman. Also, it's best to leave your dog at home. I'm going to Oatman. All rights reserved. We decided to join in on the fun, and purchased a bag of feed pellets for one dollar. I am unsure of where you are headed for in the Grand Canyon, but Oatman appears to be out of the way as Oatman is halfway between Kingman and the CA border. They were the largest gold mines in the US at that time. There are plenty of lodging options in the cities and towns along Route 66; click on the links below to find your accommodation in these towns: >> Check out the RV campground in neighboring Topock, Location of Oatman on U.S. Hwy. July 20, 2022 6 minutes read. Sigreaves Pass on Route 66. And that should have been the end of it. www.Route66CoolSpringsAz.com and Cool Springs on Facebook, Green pickup truck ready to roll on Route 66 between Kingman and Oatman, Sitgreaves Pass on Route 66, elevation 3,550 feet, between Cool Springs and Oatman, Arizona. But first there's a scrap of civilization that defies the odds. This is where your Route 66 road trip begins. There's a 3:30 showdown if there's enough of a crowd. It just waited for the world to come back around. From the capitol city, it ran southwest thru Albuquerque and Grants to Gallup near the Arizona border. Stay the course, off the phone, drive it slow. (Cool Springs Station looked closed on my trip a year ago. The road is legally accessible by any vehicle under 40 feet in length. There are views around every corner on this stretch of route 66. The gold mining towns glory days had long faded by the time I-40 passed it by way back in 1952. It's a great little town to visit! All the information you will need on the best travel destinations, attractions, hotels, motels and restaurants on U.S. Route 66. Route 66 was built across the Black Mountains instead of following the route adopted by the railroad, which had easier gradients because it followed the National Old Trails For more information, visitthe Oatman Hotel on Facebook, The Classy Ass Jewelry and Gifts, downtown Oatman, Arizona. In 1940 the first freeway in Los Angeles was included as part of U.S. 66, the Arroyo Seco Parkway, later known as the Pasadena Freeway. Population reached 10,000 during that period, now it is less than 50!. This is often referred to as the official ending point of Route 66. It may sound crazy, but many times I miss much of those years, the 50's & 60's, was a teen ager, and life was so much calmer, less stress, slower, more polite, respect, considerate, joyful! To get to it, you do have to drive through a fairly long and straight flat part of Route 66 where you'll pass a lot of Uncle Eddie's (think Vegas Vacation). Perla Eichenblat Looking east, to the right of the old Soda Fountain, along the ridge that runs with a north to south course beyond Oatman is an unusual rock formation with a white tint, the Elephant's Tooth Mountain (3,666 ft). Oatman, Route 66 Arizona Route 66: Seligman to Kingman to Las Vegas - FeelingVegas You'll find a comfortable collection of gift shops, modest galleries and casual restaurants. We were told by other travelers that people spread their loved ones ashes and memorialize it. Very little guard rails give you no lee-way for error. Route 66 Alignments From Kingman to California - Legends of America Route 66 then took a southwest alignment from Oatman on its way to Needles, California. Traffic is thin, a whisper of engine noise that barely dents the expanse and is gone as soon as the vehicle rounds the next bend. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The view from Kingman in the morning is stunning. It also is an Amtrak stop. Here is the turn under I-40 outside of Kingman to take Route 66 (Oatman Road), the older alignment of 66 that goes through the mountains and through the town of Oatman, home to the burros! its independence in 1821 but lost it to the U.S. during the 1846-1848 War. From inside the Museum, you can safely watch the real thing just feet away outside the large glass windows and enjoy . You'll receive your first newsletter soon! If you do take the road, the pass is really a beautiful place to see the beauty of the AZ desert. The Mother Road crossed the Texas state line at Texola, near Shamrock, and moved on to Amarillo. From Seligman on Route 66 will take you to Kingman. Kingman: A Strategic Stop along Route 66 in Arizona - Travel in USA The Oatman Hotel, full-service restaurant and saloon. Our travels along historic Rte 66 took us over the Sitgreaves Pass. It was replaced by a new one, that was safer and straighter; it ran along level ground, through Yucca. Here, you can check out the little shops, visit the town's jail and museum, stop for a drink at the old saloon, and get up close with the Oatman's famous tiny donkeys. When the mines closed, the burros were set free and they took to the hills. Perkins with 5,456 ft. (1.663 m). Arizona Route 66 road trip: Kingman to Oatman - azcentral.com This is a brilliant route to explore which passes through the small town of Oatman. Lake Havasu City, the lake and London Bridge. The Arizona Hotel has also been lost. Home > Travel the section of Route 66 named sidewinder, and see the Oatman Burros on a tour from Vegas. Nestled in the shadow of Thimble Butte, Cool Springs opened as a gas station in 1927 and later expanded to include tourist cabins. In 1930, it was estimated that 36 million dollars worth of gold had been mined around Oatman. If youre hoping to head out on a relaxing, scenic drive through Arizona, then youre in luck because Arizona is home to dozens such roads. Topock, Head East > The sights, sounds, and flavors of America come alive on this old highway and bring you closer to the country's small town living. Map showing cities and towns along an early alignment of U.S. Route 66 across New Mexico, from Glenrio to Gallup, Route 66alignment in central New Mexico in 1926 and post-1937. From the Arizona state line to San Bernardino U.S. Highway 66 followed the old National Old Trails Highway. Not towing also allowed for some relaxed viewing of the scenery. The hairpin curves and steep drop-offs so intimidated early travelers that many hired locals to drive their cars up the grade, or had them towed to the summit. Each passport comes with a free Traveler's Guide. It's not just the pass, it's the entire road that is amazing. 66 will go through Kingman and the Oatman Highway signs will continue you on 66 and over the pass to Oatman. It looks like the building materials used here were for the most part "found" or salvaged from other structures. #1. Oatman Mining Village/Museums & Scenic RT66 Experience Small Grp, Grand Canyon West/Skywalk/Historic Ranch/Joshua Tree Forest SmGrp, Horseback Ride, Joshua Tree Forest, Buffalo, Singing Cowboy SmGrp, Desert Wine, Distillery Tastings, Grand Canyon Brewery, RT66 Tour, Keepers of the Wild Nature Park, Route 66 Tour in Crozier Canyon, Emerald Cave Clear-Bottom Kayak Half-Day Guided Tour with Optional Shuttle, Private Sunset Cocktail Cruise on Lake Havasu's Paddle Wheeler, Machine Gun Shooting Experience Major Package, Grand Canyon West Helicopter Tour with Boat Ride and Optional Meal, Half-Day Kayak Tour in the Black Canyon from Las Vegas, 1.5 Hour Guided Raft Tour at Base of Hoover Dam, Tom Devlin's Monster Museum Self-Guided Tour, Kayak Hoover Dam with Hot Springs in Las Vegas. As the road climbs, you will notice some steps cut in the rock, on the left side of the road, in the middle of a curve: Shaffer Fish Bowl Springs (Street View); park with care and go up the steps to the "fish bowl". The conservative libertarian bent of most of the local population ensures that nothing is likely to change Oatmans crusty charms. A handful of historical buildings fronted by wooden sidewalks are strung along the highway. From the Arizona state line to San Bernardino U.S. Highway 66 followed the old National Old Trails Highway. In 1936 U.S. 66 was extended from downtown Los Angeles to U.S. 101, at Santa Monica. laid its route from California to Kansas, it chose the road through Oatman. Route 66, the Mother Road, ran southwest out of Kingman through Cool Springs to Oatman, and onward to Golden Shores and Topock where it turned west to Needles, California and San Bernardino County.