Oatman Mining Village: Burros/Route 66 Scenic Mountain Tour

Oatman’s wild burros are the stars here, but the real treat is reaching them by way of Route 66’s Sidewinder, a narrow, twisting road through the Black Mountains. You’ll pair old highway lore with mountain views, restored roadside stops, and a small Arizona mining town that still feels tied to its rough-and-ready past.

I like the way this tour connects several pieces of local history instead of treating Oatman as a quick photo stop. I also like the small group, capped at 12 people, and the guides who take the driving seriously. Becky is praised for calm, safe driving and well-timed photo stops, while Susan, Brandon, Jeff, and Sue are all noted for clear, friendly guiding.

The main drawback is time. Six and a half hours covers a lot of ground, so you may want more time for shopping in Oatman or standing with the burros. Lunch at the Oatman Hotel is optional and not included, so plan your spending and expectations accordingly.

Key points to know before booking

• 191 curves on the Sidewinder: The road to Oatman winds through the Black Mountains, with major views from Sitgreaves Pass.
• Two Kingman museums in one stop: The Powerhouse contains both the Arizona Route 66 Museum and the Electric Vehicle Museum.
• Wild burros in town: You may buy alfalfa cubes for them, but sugary food is not allowed.
• Cool Springs Service Station: This restored 1920s stop is linked to the look and feel of the movie Cars.
• Small-group transport: Van service, hotel pickup, bottled water, admission, and an English-speaking guide are included.
• Oatman Hotel lunch is extra: The old hotel is known for dollar bills stapled across its walls, ceiling, and other surfaces.

Why this Route 66 tour works so well

This is not just a ride to a town where burros wander the street. It is a full-day road story, moving from Kingman’s transportation history to the old service stations and mining roads of the Black Mountains.

I like that the day gives you several kinds of scenery. You get museum exhibits, old buildings, desert mountains, the Colorado River valley, and Oatman’s Old West storefronts. That variety helps the six and a half hours pass without making the day feel like one long drive.

The tour departs from Laughlin, Kingman, Lake Havasu, or Bullhead City, with hotel pickup and return included. Pickup is arranged at either the valet area or the main entrance, and the provider confirms the details one to two days before departure.

Since the group is limited to 12 people, you should have a better chance to hear the guide and ask questions than you would on a large coach. The van also makes it easier to stop for photos, which matters on a route where the scenery changes quickly.

A family-built home and the first stories of the area

The day begins with a drive-by of an early 1900s Sears catalog home. The detail that makes this more than a passing curiosity is its connection to the tour founder’s family, whose local roots also appear in museum exhibits.

You do not stop for a long house tour, so keep your expectations in check. Still, it gives the morning a personal touch before the larger Route 66 history begins. You are not simply being shown famous roadside signs. You are also hearing how one family fits into the area’s story.

This kind of introduction works best if you enjoy local details that do not appear on every standard sightseeing route. It may be less important to you if your main goal is time in Oatman or close contact with the burros.

Kingman Powerhouse: Route 66 and electric cars

The first major stop is the Kingman Powerhouse Visitor Center, home to the Arizona Route 66 Museum and the Electric Vehicle Museum. Admission is included, so you do not need to budget an extra museum fee.

The Powerhouse itself once supplied electricity to Kingman and the Hoover Dam project. That gives the building a useful connection to the region’s working past, rather than making it just a shell for displays.

Inside, you can see classic cars, murals, and exhibits covering Route 66 from Native American trade routes through the famous era of American road trips. The Electric Vehicle Museum adds another angle, showing how transportation history is not only about gasoline-powered cars.

I find this stop especially useful because it gives context to the road you are about to travel. Oatman makes more sense after you have seen how roads, cars, power, and tourism shaped this part of Arizona.

Allow enough attention for both museums. If you rush through the Powerhouse because you are eager to reach the burros, you will miss one of the tour’s strongest historical stops. On the other hand, anyone who prefers outdoor scenery to indoor exhibits should know that this is a substantial museum portion of the day.

Cool Springs brings Route 66 back to the roadside

Next comes Cool Springs Service Station, a restored 1920s landmark along Historic Route 66. This is the sort of stop that gives the road its character: a small roadside business preserved as a reminder of when long-distance driving depended on regular fuel and service stops.

Cool Springs is also associated with the inspiration for the movie Cars. You will have time to take photos and appreciate the setting before the route becomes more dramatic.

I like the change of pace here. Kingman’s Powerhouse is a formal museum, while Cool Springs lets you stand beside the road and picture the practical side of an older road trip. The stop is compact, so it does not swallow the day.

Bring comfortable shoes. The tour includes several stops and sightseeing points, and you will enjoy them more if you are not worrying about sore feet.

Crossing the Black Mountains on the Sidewinder

The drive from Cool Springs toward Oatman is the visual centerpiece. Historic Route 66 climbs through the Black Mountains on a winding stretch known as the Sidewinder, with 191 curves on the route to town.

This is not a highway where you simply watch the miles pass. The road itself is part of the attraction. You will want to look out for changing views, dramatic rock forms, and the way the road curls through the mountains.

Sitgreaves Pass provides one of the major photo stops. From here, you can see three states and the Colorado River valley. The exact view depends on conditions, but the stop gives you a broad sense of how much ground you have climbed above the surrounding desert.

The winding road may be uncomfortable for anyone prone to motion sickness. The van driver’s skill matters, and Becky receives particular praise for driving smoothly and calmly. Guides also make planned photo stops, so you are not expected to take pictures while the vehicle is moving.

This portion rewards patience. The road is slower than a direct route, but taking the direct route would remove much of what makes the tour worthwhile.

Oatman’s burros and its Old West main street

Oatman is a former mining town with a strong Old West feel. Its main draw today is the group of wild burros that wander around town, a reminder of the animals once connected to mining life in the area.

You can see the burros at close range, but you must follow the feeding rules. Do not give them anything with sugar. Alfalfa cubes are available for purchase and are the approved food mentioned for feeding them.

The rule is simple and important. Do not bring treats from your own bag, and do not assume that a friendly animal should be touched or ridden. Riding the animals is not allowed.

The burros add charm, but they are not a controlled animal encounter. Their behavior and location can change, so you should not book this expecting a staged presentation or a guaranteed moment with a particular burro.

Oatman also offers souvenir shops, old storefronts, and a high-noon gunfight reenactment. The town is small enough to explore on foot, but the available time is one point to watch. One portion of the day may leave you wishing for longer to shop or spend time with the burros.

That tradeoff is common on a six-and-a-half-hour tour. The benefit is that you get Oatman plus Kingman, Cool Springs, and the mountain road in a single outing. The cost is that no one stop receives an entire afternoon.

Lunch at the Oatman Hotel

Lunch is optional and is not included in the $125 price. The Oatman Hotel is the notable choice, especially if you want to see its unusual interior, where dollar bills are stapled from ceiling to floor as part of an old mining-era tradition.

The hotel is more than a place to eat. It is one of the town’s recognizable pieces of roadside character. Still, the tour information does not promise a set meal or fixed lunch duration, so ask your guide how the timing will work on your date.

I recommend carrying some extra money if you want lunch, souvenirs, or alfalfa cubes. Bottled water is included, but meals and personal purchases are not.

The guides make a practical difference

A scenic route is only as good as the person explaining it and handling the road. This tour uses English-speaking guides, and the named guides associated with the experience include Susan, Becky, Brandon, Jeff, and Sue.

Becky is praised for punctuality, safe driving, and stopping at useful photo points. Brandon is described as especially informative and friendly. Susan is singled out for making the day enjoyable, while Jeff and Sue are also noted for clear information and a pleasant approach.

That range of names matters because the tone of your day can depend on who is behind the wheel. You should expect local stories, explanations at the museums, and help with the stops rather than a silent transfer service.

The strongest praise focuses on two things: guides who know the area and drivers who handle the mountain road with care. Those are exactly the qualities I would want on a trip with so many curves and stops.

Is $125 a fair price?

At $125 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Oatman, but the price covers more than transportation. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, admission and fees, bottled water, a tour guide, and the van ride.

The value improves if you are staying in Laughlin, Kingman, Lake Havasu, or Bullhead City and would otherwise need to arrange your own route, parking, museum admission, and driving on the Sidewinder. You also avoid giving up a rental car driver’s attention to a twisting road.

The price is less attractive if you only want a brief look at Oatman and do not care about Kingman’s museums or the Route 66 stops. In that case, the six-and-a-half-hour format may feel longer than necessary.

For most people interested in road history, desert scenery, and a guided day out, I think the package is reasonable. The small group and included admissions help support the cost.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this tour if you want a broad introduction to Route 66 between Kingman and Oatman without planning every stop yourself. It suits couples, families, and older visitors who prefer a guided van to navigating the mountains alone.

The tour is also wheelchair accessible, though you should confirm pickup details and any personal requirements when booking. Comfortable shoes remain a good idea because the day includes museum visits, town walking, and outdoor photo stops.

You should think twice if you dislike winding roads, need a long lunch, or want several uninterrupted hours in Oatman. The route is the point, but the route also limits how much free time you get at the destination.

Smoking is not allowed in the vehicle or indoors. Weapons, sharp objects, pets other than assistance dogs, alcohol in the vehicle, littering, and riding the animals are also prohibited.

Booking flexibility and practical planning

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying at once. Starting times vary, so check the available departure when you book.

Pickup is included from the stated service areas, with the exact meeting point at the valet or main entrance. Confirmation usually comes one to two days ahead, so keep an eye out for that message.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring room in your schedule for several photo stops. You may also want money for lunch, souvenirs, and alfalfa cubes.

Should you book the Oatman tour?

Book it if you want Oatman to be part of a larger Route 66 day rather than a quick standalone stop. The best reasons are the Sidewinder drive, Sitgreaves Pass, the Kingman museums, Cool Springs, and the chance to see Oatman’s burros without handling the planning yourself.

Skip it if your only goal is shopping or a long, unhurried visit with the animals. The schedule covers a lot, and the town time is limited.

For a first look at this stretch of Arizona, I think the balance is very good. You get local history, a memorable mountain road, and an unusual small town, all with a driver who can concentrate on the curves while you watch the view.

FAQ

How long is the Oatman Mining Village tour?

The tour lasts 6.5 hours, including the drive, museum visits, scenic stops, and time in Oatman.

Where does the tour depart from?

Pickup is available from Laughlin, Kingman, Lake Havasu, or Bullhead City. Pickup takes place at either the hotel valet area or main entrance.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off, transportation, bottled water, admission, and tour guide service are included.

What museums are included in Kingman?

The tour visits the Kingman Powerhouse Visitor Center, which contains the Arizona Route 66 Museum and the Electric Vehicle Museum.

Can I feed the Oatman burros?

You can buy alfalfa cubes to feed the burros. Do not give them anything with sugar.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is optional and is not included in the price. The Oatman Hotel is a notable place to eat and is known for dollar bills stapled across its interior.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is listed as wheelchair accessible. The tour is conducted in English and is limited to 12 participants.