Oatman & Route 66: Mining Town Day Trip from Laughlin

Summary

Route 66 history, Oatman burros, mountain roads & roadside tales

You’ll step straight into Old West Arizona on this day trip from Laughlin: walk through Kingman’s Route 66 museum, wind up mountain roads to Oatman’s wild burros and gunfights, grab lunch where miners once ate, and pick out rocks dug from desert hills. Expect laughter, small surprises, and a few moments that stick with you long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

We rolled out of Laughlin just after sunrise—still shaking off sleep when our guide, Mike, handed out bottled water and pointed us toward the Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman. I’m not usually a museum person, but there was something about seeing those old photos and battered license plates from travelers who’d crossed Route 66 decades before. The air inside smelled faintly of oil and dust; I caught myself running my hand along a hood ornament on one of the vintage cars. Mike told us how people used to order entire houses from Sears catalogs back then—imagine building your home from a kit that showed up by train.

Next up was Cool Springs Station, this squat little building pressed right up against the Black Mountains. The wind there had a bite to it, and you could hear it rattling the tin roof while we picked out shirts—mine says “Sidewinder” in faded red letters. The road started twisting after that, climbing higher until my ears popped. Somewhere past a sharp bend, we stopped at Sitgreaves Pass for a view I didn’t expect: California haze off to one side, Arizona’s jagged hills on the other. It was quiet except for someone’s camera shutter clicking and the crunch of gravel under boots.

Oatman itself is pure Wild West chaos—wooden sidewalks creaking under boots (and hooves), shop windows full of old mining gear and postcards nobody sends anymore. The burros wander wherever they want; one tried to nose into my backpack looking for snacks. There’s even one they call “mayor” Walter—I still laugh thinking about that title. We caught the high noon shootout in the street; honestly, I flinched when they fired those blanks (louder than you’d think). Lunch wasn’t included but I grabbed chili at a bar where dollar bills covered every inch of wall.

On the way back we ducked into the Route 66 Rock Shop—a jumble of agate and dinosaur bone pieces piled in crates. The owner told me how he finds some of them himself in the Black Hills nearby. My hands came away gritty with rock dust. By then it felt like we’d been time traveling all day, jumping between stories and scenery and oddball moments—like trying to remember which parts were real and which were just good storytelling.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Route 66 and Oatman Town

• Visit Powerhouse Visitors Center
• Explore Arizona Route 66 Museum
• Stop at Cool Springs Station
• Drive through Black Mountains
• Enjoy Sitgreaves Pass views
• Visit Route 66 Rock Shop
• Experience Oatman High Noon shootout
• Shop antiques and meet burros

Top questions

How long does the Oatman & Route 66 tour from Laughlin take?

The tour lasts approximately one day with morning departure from Laughlin and return in the afternoon or early evening.

Are meals included during this Route 66 day trip?

No, lunch is not included. You’ll have free time in Oatman to buy food at local restaurants or bars.

Is hotel pickup available for this tour?

The tour includes pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle from designated locations in Laughlin.

Can children or people with limited mobility join this tour?

Yes, it’s wheelchair accessible and suitable for infants or small children in strollers or prams.

What are some highlights of the Oatman Mining Camp & Burros tour?

You’ll visit Kingman's Powerhouse Museum, Cool Springs Station, Sitgreaves Pass for scenic views, historic Oatman with wild burros and gunfight reenactments, plus a stop at a local rock shop.

Do you get to interact with wild burros in Oatman?

Yes! The wild burros roam freely through town—you can see them up close as you explore Oatman.

Is bottled water provided during the tour?

Bottled water is included for all guests throughout the day.

Are entry fees or taxes included in this Route 66 trip?

All entry fees and taxes are covered as part of your booking price.

What’s included

Your day covers pickup from Laughlin in an air-conditioned vehicle (with plenty of bottled water), all entry fees to museums along Route 66—including Kingman's Powerhouse Visitors Center—and hand sanitizer for stops along the way before returning you back after exploring Oatman’s mining streets.