A Stroll Through Oatman, Arizona: Burros, Boardwalks, and Route 66 Charm

The downtown “sidewalks” are wooden boardwalks and wild burros roam the streets. Oatman, Arizona feels like stepping right into a scene from an old western movie except it’s real, it’s dusty, and it’s still kicking right along historic Route 66. Tucked away in the rugged mountains, this little ghost town has all the quirky charm and wild energy you could want from an authentic old west experience. You can’t miss the roaming wild burros. If you’re road-tripping Route 66, Oatman is one of those stops you just can’t skip.

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Last time we visited during bike week in Laughlin, Nevada. The town is a popular day drive so there were a lot of bikes lining the street on our visit. This tiny town has over a half a million visitors a year. Even with all the visitors, the burros don’t seem to mind. They casually stroll between the bikes and cars.

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Where is Oatman, Arizona?

Oatman is about 225 miles from Phoenix in the northwest corner of Arizona. It is less than an hour from both the Nevada and California border. The nearest largest cities are Kingman, Arizona and Laughlin, Nevada.

What Happens When a Mining Town is Abandoned?

When the mining days dried up and the miners packed up and left, they released their burros into the wild. Those hardy little donkeys survived out there in the desert and their descendants are the ones you meet today in town. With so many visitors passing through year after year, the burros are pretty used to humans.

Things to Do in Oatman

Right in the heart of town, the Oatman Mine Museum gives you a glimpse into the rough-and-tumble life of a gold miner. The displays are rustic, a little dusty, and totally authentic — just the way they should be. It’s a small museum, but it’s packed with history and charm. Plus, it’s the perfect way to cool off for a bit if you’re visiting during those hot desert months. Have fun exploring the Mine Museum.

Watch & Feed the Burros

Visit with the local burros. They wander the street and they are curious. You can buy burro-approved treats at many shops. The burros know exactly where the snacks are, and they aren’t shy about asking for a handout.

Shop

Oatman has no shortage of little shops where you can pick up Route 66 souvenirs, handmade jewelry, old-time candy, or wild west memorabilia. Stop in the shops lining downtown or one of the several art galleries.

Visit a local bar. The Oatman Hotel Restaurant & Saloon has been a part of the town’s history since the early 1900’s. Stop by to see the famous money covered walls.

Oatman’s Wild History

Oatman’s story kicks off in the late 1800s, when hopeful prospectors start staking claims in the rocky hillsides. Gold fever hits hard, and by 1915, this once-quiet patch of desert turns into a full-blown boomtown. Thousands of people pour in, chasing dreams of striking it rich. Millions of dollars in gold are pulled from these rugged hills.

But like a lot of gold rush stories, the good times don’t last forever. By the mid-1920s, the biggest employer in town packs up and shuts down operations. And by 1941, mining in Oatman is pretty much just a memory.

Lucky for Oatman, it sits right smack along historic Route 66 between Kingman, Arizona and Needles, California. That little twist of fate keeps the town alive for another good stretch of time. For about 12 more years, Oatman thrives as a quirky stop for folks cruising America’s most famous highway.

Then 1953 rolls around, and with it comes the dreaded bypass and the steady flow of visitors dries up almost overnight. The town’s population shrinks, the sidewalks get quieter, and the old buildings start weathering under the Arizona sun.

Today, what was once a booming mining town now lives on as a lively and beloved stop along old Route 66. With its wild burros roaming free, its wooden boardwalks, and its old west spirit alive and well.