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Meandering wild burros, a wild-west shootout, and a dusty village on a desolate stretch of America’s favorite highway. Welcome to Oatman, Arizona – a fun and quirky stop along Route 66 in northwestern Arizona.
Not only is Oatman one of the most unique stops on a southwestern road trip, but it’s also a playground for dozens of wild burros who roam the streets like scruffy vagabonds begging for food. These endearing creatures are just one reason to visit the tiny town of Oatman, Arizona. Believe it or not, we’ve got more!
Oatman was one of our favorite discoveries on our Route 66 road trip through Arizona last year. My dad, who lived in Arizona at the time, had been mentioning Oatman for years, and the only thing that stuck in my head was the troupe of feral burros that live there. Are the scrappy burros worth a trip to the iconic Oatman ghost town? Only one way to find out!
Where is Oatman, Arizona?
I don’t think the answer you’re looking for is in the middle of nowhere, but that about sums it up! Oatman is located in northwestern Arizona, about two hours southeast of Las Vegas. Nearby cities include Bullhead City, AZ (28 miles away), Kingman, AZ (29 miles away), Needles, CA (22 miles away), and Lake Havasu City, AZ (54.2 miles away).
Oatman, Arizona is located right on Historic Route 66, on the section between Kingman and Topock, Arizona that has been designated a National Back Country Byway. This is a beautiful stretch of Route 66, covering about 45 miles. It is narrow and winding in places and suitable for vehicles under 40 feet long. The town of Oatman is nestled in the Black Mountains at an elevation of 2,700 feet in elevation.
How to Get to Oatman, Arizona
The easiest way to get to Oatman is to rent a car and drive yourself. When we visit, we always stay in Lake Havasu City because we have family there and we fly into Las Vegas because the plane tickets are insanely cheap affordable. Car rentals are also fairly inexpensive at McCarron International Airport. I think we paid $250 a week for a subcompact car on our last trip.
Another option for getting to Oatman is to reserve a shuttle from McCarron International Airport to Lake Havasu City for about $50, and then book a tour from Lake Havasu to Oatman. This Oatman tour shuttle will pick you up at your Lake Havasu hotel in an airconditioned bus and take you on a quirky afternoon journey to this fun ghost town in the desert!
A Brief History of Oatman, Arizona
Oatman, Arizona was sparsely settled starting in 1863 when a small bit of gold was discovered in the surrounding Black Mountains. Not much came of the discovery until two lucky prospectors struck it rich in 1915, with a 10 million dollar claim. The town grew rapidly after that, and in the course of a single year, the tiny tent village became a bustling town of 3,500 people. In the 1920s and 30s, the population grew to around 10,000.
In 1921, a fire swept through the town destroying most of Oatman’s buildings. Oatman certainly prospered during a decade-long gold rush, but when the mines dried up, so did everything else. The town’s biggest mine closed in 1924, and by 1941, the government ordered the closing of Oatman’s remaining mining operations as part of the country’s war efforts.
Because of its location on Route 66, local commerce eventually shifted toward accommodating motorists traveling between Kingman, Arizona and Needles, California. From 1926 to 1952, the Mother Road coursed through the heart of Oatman, sustaining a healthy tourism business.
The tourism boom didn’t last long in Oatman, thanks to the interstate highway system. Interstate 40 bypassed Oatman in the early 1950s, and by the early 1960s, the whole area was all but abandoned.
A revitalized interest in historic route 66 saved Oatman from demise, and while it may not be thriving, Oatman has a lot to offer visitors looking for that kitschy slice of Americana. Oatman is often described as a ghost town, but that isn’t quite accurate. The current human population of Oatman, Arizona is 128. The burro population is close to 2,000.
The Best Things to do in Oatman, Arizona
Tourists have fallen in love with this Arizona ghost town, which sees more than 500,000 visitors annually. 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. An afternoon is all you’ll 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, not to mention the gorgeous scenery!
But first, park your car on the street, and take a tour of an iconic Arizona ghost town that refuses to die. Here’s the plan for a perfect day in Oatman, Arizona.
Visit with the Adorable Oatman Burros
The Oatman burros are direct descendants of the beasts of burden used by the gold miners in the late 1800s. When the mines went under, prospectors turned the animals loose to fend for themselves. Today, these wild burros roam the streets during the day and head into the Black Mountains at night to graze.
After years of receiving handouts from tourists, they are extremely friendly and probably the main reason so many tourists still come to town. The Oatman burros are a little too friendly if you want my opinion. During our last visit, one got pushy trying to steal my ice cream cone, which definitely wasn’t appreciated!
For years, tourists have fed the burros carrots and special “burro chow” that they could buy in just about every shop. In recent years, the Bureau of Land Management has started discouraging feeding the Oatman burros. Allowing them to graze in the hills is healthier and safer for both the burros and tourists. It’s yet to be seen if a lack of handouts will keep the Oatman burros out of town for good.
Eat and Drink at The Oatman Hotel
Originally named for its builder John Durlin, the Durlin Hotel is the only historic two-story adobe building in Mohave County. From its famous guests to its otherworldly inhabitants, the Durlin, today known as the Oatman Hotel, is a must-visit attraction in Oatman.
The Durlin Hotel was originally built in 1902 and then rebuilt in 1924 after the fire. The eight-room hotel did a booming business with local miners, who began the practice of covering the hotel’s walls and ceiling with signed and dated one-dollar bills. Clark Gable and Carole Lombard honeymooned at the Durlin Hotel after their wedding in Kingman, Arizona in 1939. The honeymoon suite is still one of the Oatman Hotel’s main attractions, and the owners report that Gable and Lombard loved the hotel so much that they are still haunting it.
Many locals claim that ghosts occupy the Oatman Hotel and are often heard whispering and laughing in empty rooms. One friendly poltergeist known as Oatie is believed to be the ghost of William Ray Flour, an Irish miner who died behind the hotel. In the late 1960s, the Durlin Hotel’s name was changed to the Oatman Hotel.
Unfortunately, you can no longer spend the night in the Oatman Hotel, but you can visit the bar, restaurant, and museum during the day. The Oatman Hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
Indulge in Ice Cream at the Olive Oatman Ice Cream Parlor
Olive Oatman’s is a small restaurant that serves breakfasts, sandwiches, and ice cream. The decor is reminiscent of an old western saloon with lots of wild-west memorabilia. Ice cream is the claim to fame at Olives, probably because every day in Oatman is a perfect day for ice cream to keep you cool in the desert heat.
This is the best place to eat for miles and miles. Just make sure you keep your cones away from the four-legged scavengers. Seriously, those burros will steal your ice cream cone in a heartbeat, especially if you’re under 4-feet tall!
Watch the Gunslingers on Main Street in Oatman
Ready to step back in time? Every day at 1:30 and 3:30 pm, traffic stops in Oatman, Arizona for a wild-west shootout, just like in the movies. The Oatman Ghost Rider Gunfighters are the oldest gunfighter group in Arizona, and they’re not to be missed. After the burros, the Ghost Riders draw the most tourists. If crowds aren’t your thing, consider visiting Oatman earlier in the day.
This is a quick show, lasting maybe a half-hour, and a great combination of history, theater, and comedy that your kids will love. Learn more about the Oatman Ghost Rider Gunfighters on their website.
Buy Some Prickly Pear Gummy Candy at the Gold Rush Candy Shoppe
This little candy shop was one of the highlights of our trip to Oatman. It’s an old-fashioned, wild-west candy shop like you’ve never seen before.
There’s a nice selection of chocolates and penny candies that you can get just about anywhere, plus an array of homemade goodies. The prickly pear candy was unique and we haven’t seen it since. Pick some up for gifts and tell the owners we said hello. I don’t recommend buying chocolate unless you want to eat it ASAP. Ours was a melted mess by the time we got back to the car.
Read more about the Gold Rush Candy Shoppe in Oatman on their Facebook page.
Fry Eggs on the Sidewalk
They say that Oatman, Arizona is so hot that you can fry eggs on the sidewalk. Want to give it a go? Head to Oatman for the annual Oatman Sidewalk Egg Fry, which happens at high noon every Fourth of July. Contestants at the Oatman Egg Fry are given 15 minutes to fry their eggs using solar power only. Prizes are awarded to the winners and everyone is invited to fry.
We haven’t actually visited Oatman in July and because we are cold-weather creatures, I can’t imagine that we ever will. So, if you do make it to Oatman for the annual egg fry, please reach out and let us know how it was!
Where to Stay in Oatman, Arizona
You probably wouldn’t be surprised if I told you that there weren’t any hotels in Oatman. There aren’t. Your best bet is to spend the night in Kingman or Needles and make a day trip to Oatman. The Best Western in Kingman is very family-friendly, with an outdoor pool and free breakfast.
If you use Airbnb, there are a couple of fun campsites you can rent just east of Oatman, AZ. We LOVE this vintage camper near hiking trails that sleeps four and would love to stay there – maybe on our next visit. New to Airbnb? Save $55 off your first trip by using our referral link.
More Fun on Historic Route 66
Oatman is just one of the fun places to explore on historic route 66 in Arizona. If you just can’t stop back road adventuring, here are some more places to check out near Oatman Arizona.
- The Route 66 Museum in Kingman, Arizona – Learn about the fascinating history of the “Mother Road” at this cool museum. Open daily from 9-5.
- Flagstaff, Arizona – Flagstaff is an awesome college town with a lot going on — good restaurants, shopping, and lodging. We explored Flagstaff on a day trip and can’t wait to go back.
- Rock Art Ranch – Located in Joseph City, this is a privately owned canyon and ranch with one of the most extensive petroglyph collections in the whole world.
Oatman is definitely one of our favorite back road adventures and one of our favorite small towns to visit in the United States. Here are a few more ideas for your Arizona vacation:
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44 comments
I really enjoyed your article!! My best friend from high school and I turned 66 last year and so we decided to do a small Route 66 trip….didn’t have time for the whole thing?? we missed Oatman but I will definitely get there one day soon!! I have had three burros in my life…great animals! We enjoyed a loop of Route 66 that started in Kingman (where we spent the first night….neat town, lots to see there!) really enjoyed the stop in Hackberry, we had lunch in Peach Springs (great Indian Fry Bread…tacos) then on to The Grand Canyon Caverns…interesting tour! Seligman is a must! Lots of hotels there and lots of interesting places to see…Williams was full of Route 66 memorabilia and cool buildings and places to eat….we stayed two nights in Flagstaff…..we definitely got our “kicks” on Route 66….great way to celebrate birthdays!!
Hi Denise,
That sounds like an amazing trip, and even though you skipped Oatman, it’s great that you got to see Kingman, Peach Springs, and the other stops. I’m intrigued by the Indian fry bread tacos. They sound so yummy.
Please remove the portion about feeding the Burros carrots. The BLM has come down on the town over the wieght of our Burros. We do sell alfalfa cubes at some of the stores all carrots do is get the Burros aggressive and then turns to fat as they do not require sugar.
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for the information about the carrots! This is not something that I was aware of. I will be sure to change that info on my site.
are the gunfighters everyday im planning on coming tomorrow
Hi Bev,
Yes, they do the gunfight every day at 1:30 and 3:30. Occasionally they cancel the 3:30 show if it is too hot.
I am doing a cross country trip this April and would love to stop here! Do you know if it’s dog friendly at all? We are moving and will have our dog on the trip but I really don’t want to mis this place.
We definitely saw dogs when we were there, but we didn’t bring our own. The burros aren’t always friendly, so I would definitely be careful around them with your dog. I do remember seeing a bowl of dog water out in front of one of the stores, but I don’t know how many of the stores or restaurants allow dogs. Have a great trip. We visited Oatman in April. It is a great time to be in the southwest.
We are planning to drive Route 66 this fall with our new minivan turned camper. Thanks for the tip! We love animals too so will definitely put this on our list of stops.
I think you will find Oatman delightfully quirky! It’s fun to stay for the shoot out in the middle of the day.
We were here in February 2016. Many of the burros had computer-type labels stuck on their foreheads saying “do not feed me” which was both funny and sad. If you go, don’t give them your chips, cookies, carrots, etc! It’s unhealthy for them, they are still wild animals. Much fun to be had in there, be sure to get an ice cream cone at Olive Oatman’s! Plus, it’s on Historic Route 66!
Oatman looks like a fascinating town, I love the old saloon signs. Think you should return to fry eggs on the sidewalk in July!
A road trip through the US is high on my list!
I am going there this year and I am really excited! I have no image of how Arizona is but this is a good reference. Thanks for sharing!
This is a great post. I love the part anecdote, part guide style! When I hiked Havasu Canyon a few years ago, I stopped in Seligman, AZ (off Route 66 as well) and had a blast doing some of the silly, kitschy things there too. However, it looks like you had a lot more fun and got to see a lot more! I LOVE the burros in the street! This just got added to my must-visit when I head back to the SW next fall! Cheers!
As someone who grew up in Arizona, my first thought was, “Somebody’s been to Oatman?” Let alone writing about it! When I was younger, the town seemed on death’s doorstep, so it’s great to see that it survives. It’s a fun slice of yesterday! #wkendtravelinspiration
Route 66 is definitely a huge bucket-list item for me. I haven’t researched it too much yet so I’d never heard of Oatman but I’ll add it to my list. I love the “Wild West” vibe I’m getting from the photos.
I know I would love Oatman, it is so fascinating, being a lover of the Wild West and who as a boy devoured books about Cowboys(The Sudden series), I am fascinated by this place.
I’d never heard of Oatman, but it sounds like a cool place to visit. Route 66 in itself is pretty cool, as you said. I was able to travel a bit on it during a road trip for my 30th birthday. It’s so iconic and a great place to spend a weekend.
All sounds good but the swim in the icy water 😉 Great place, Arizona! We want definitively visit the Grand Canyon National Park, too #wkendtravelinspiration
Yeah, it was pretty cold for swimming, but still lots of fun.
Well trust me…………….. As someone who Loves Lake Havasu, when I hear you say icy waters at Lake Havasu, I gotta Laugh! Maybe in April………… But wait another 2 months to around June or July, and you Wont Want To Get Out of the Water…… LOL-
Hi Tim – I have been to Lake Havasu in June, and you’re right, it’s not so cold then, but usually I visit in April, or even January when the water is very icy. Plus I’m a wimp and don’t love swimming unless I’m super hot.
I love the way you described this place – “kitschy slice of Americana” and “a ghost town that refuses to die.” The gunslinger at noon sounds so cool! My dad lives in AZ and I’ve never been on route 66 before so many next visit I will go here!
I have never heard of this place! This cute little town looks like a western movie set. I love animals too, so I would have been so excited to feed the burros. If I ever do a road trip in this area, I’ll definitely stop by.
I’ve never heard of Oatman, but I would love to make it a stop on a roadtrip and feed the donkeys!
Route 66 would be such a cool road trip. I hope to get the chance to do it one day. Oatman will definitely be a stop if I get the chance! And ice cream!!! I haven’t bee to Arizona, but I hear such great things about it.
What a fun town! It reminds me of a small village in the French Alps where goats roam the streets pestering visitors for food. I think I would prefer to see the burros though!
There are so many interesting towns on Route 66! Oatman definitely looks like one of those towns. Plus, you get to meet burros!
Wow, you had me at feral burros! I love a good ghost town and if there are donkeys wandering around, all the better!
I had never heard of Oatman until this time – but I would love to go and meet a burro in the street!
No, I have never heard of Oatman until now but I love the fact that the burros just hang out and you can enjoy them. 😉 How fun!
Oatman sounds like a pretty cool place! I have been to a few of those small ghost towns in Arizona, but none where you should feed the donkeys carrots! That sounds like a lot of fun! I’ll have to keep this town in mind the next time I visit my grandparents in Arizona 🙂
I haven’t been to the States but travelling along part of Route 66 is something that I have always wanted to do. Oatman looks, to me, like it could have been a film set for a cowboy town in a studio somewhere, beautiful in its own way and just waiting to be discovered.
We enjoyed Oatman as well and we were greeted by a group of burros about a mile from Oatman on the road so had to slow down and stop to make sure we didn’t hit them. We did the full Route 66 route and this is definitely the most popular (and crowded) stretch of it. Oatman is definitely a town kept alive by tourism and the fact it is on Route 66 (tour buses stop daily over this stretch of the AZ Route 66) which also meant it was quite crowded and we found the Wild West show very loud. We ended up staying longer than planned because the gunfight started and the road was closed. The road heading east climbing up into the mountains is quite scenic although twisty!
Thanks for stopping in, Jessica. We also got stuck in town during the gunfight! It was a bit of a zoo, but the quirkiness of it all made it kind of fun. We loved heading into the mountains on either side of the town. The cars and crowds seem to disappear into the air.
It makes me so sad to know that Route 66 is just a shadow of its illustrious beginnings. But knowing that little places like this still exist make me smile. I love wandering around such places.
Must say that you have convinced me to add this to our list. Love the photos.
I love this post. It’s my dream to one day travel this country on the open road and see all these amazing sights this nation has to see. All I lack currently is the money to do so but I’m working on getting out of debt and making this a reality. I’m glad I came across this because now I can add yet another awesome town to my itinerary 😉 thanks so much for sharing
I’ve never visited Arizona before!! Would love to go sometime. I love the visual of what it’s like!
I have to say I loved Oatman. I stopped there in my route to Flagstaff once. The burros are so sweet. We watched the gunfight they do every day and while I cringe at the loud, fake gunshots, the burros stood there calmly. I guess they are used to all the craziness.
What a neat place!!! I need to put this on my “places to visit” list.
It’s kind of comical to see burros on the streets of the town., isn’t it? But so much fun!!
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Cool article! We’ve got a few ghost towns up this way too. Montana is full of abandoned gold mining towns. We don’t have the burros though, that would be neat to see.