This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Jack & Diane Gardner 01/21/2021 I dont think the answer youre looking for is in the middle of nowhere, but that about sums it up! Categories Destinations, Southwestern United States, United States, Western United States. The historic hotel today houses a bar and restaurant on the ground level and a museum on the second floorincluding the Clark Gable/Carole Lombard honeymoon suite. Mike & CJ Waggoner 10/25/2009 Come down to Oatman as teams of five haul a metal-framed bed on wheels (one member rides on the bed) down a dusty stretch of the center of town to a station where a waiting bed must be made up with sheets and pillow cases before racing the original bed on wheels back to where [], Join us in Oatman, AZ for the internationally acclaimed Route 66 Bike Week This rally, now in its third year, is the official motorcycle rally for Oatman, and the entire stretch of Route 66 from Needles CA to Seligman AZ. One friendly poltergeist known as Oatie is believed to be the ghost of William Ray Flour, an Irish miner who died behind the hotel. Peach Springs, Arizona 86434. There are many things to do in Oatman, Arizona, and one of them is to go to regular Wild West gunfights. Though surrounded by towering rock vistas, it hardly resembles the neat, spacious, fake Wild West towns or precious antiques destinations most people visit nowadays. There are plenty of burros waking around and maybe even a ghost or 2. Address: Route 66, Oatman, AZ Directions: I-40 exit 44. Elizabeth Gollnick 1/14/2010 Some tastier treats like carrots contain sugar and like us, these burros dont get enough exercise to work it all off the extra calories. Tourists have fallen in love with this Arizona ghost town, which sees more than 500,000 visitors annually. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. During our last visit, one got pushy trying to steal my ice cream cone, which definitely wasnt appreciated! Great views going up and down. Joshua & Maegan Ondrik 5/12/2012 Tristan & Charlotte Guindon Roy & Lisa Woolard 9/18/2019 Their hairy descendants still live in the hills around Oatman, and come into town to beg for food whenever tourists arrive. Cloud, Minnesota. The gold is still there and in 1995 the Gold Road mine was reopened and about 40,000 oz of gold a year is being taken out of it. TV schedule for Oatman, AZ from antenna providers. 2001-2018 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. They are so friendly and adorable! Oatman Western Mining Village/Museums & Scenic Route 66 Experience. Apple maps says it takes about 2.5 hours. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. The drive will take you through Joshua tree-dotted ridges and needle-topped peaks before arriving at the marshy banks of the Colorado River. Donations are taken up to help maintain Oatmans community facilities (not funded by tax money) and local charities. The Oatman (Durlin) Hotel is one of the town's most popular attractions. Roger & Janice Divis 10/26/2020 Advertisement Where are the wild burros in Arizona? We took our dog with us and there were at least 8 or 9 other dogs as well. This is a beautiful stretch of Route 66, covering about 45 miles. Oatman Az Gunfight Schedule is a small town in Nevada that has had a gold rush. scroll = scroll + ""; Oatman Gold Road Chamber of Commerce Website is made The encircling crowd stands within 10 or 15 feet of the action, and these are real guns going off, albeit loaded with blanks. Every day at 1:30 and 3:30 pm, traffic stops in Oatman, Arizona for a wild-west shootout, just like in the movies. newimage8 = new Image(); Jason & Erica Brazelton 09/03/2021 Luis & Tonya Viant 5/28/2011 So we went to the saloon and there was no piano player. Then in 1942, the US federal government needed metals other than gold for the Second World War effort and the miners were sent away and the gold mines closed. How either myself or my small dog are threats I have no clue. Robert & Margaret Meeker 4/12/2013 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. Olive eventually won her freedom and became a local legend. We are currently in Lake Havasu City so decided to go to Oatman, AZ. The decor is reminiscent of an old western saloon with lots of wild-west memorabilia. Oatman Chamber of Commerce P.O. POTUS landmarks, oddities. Stephan & Renee Robert & Crystal Jones 6/24/2009 The story behind the gunfighters comes from the 1851 kidnapping of Olive Oatman by a Native American tribe. We explored Flagstaff on a day trip and cant wait to go back. Improve Your Listing. The wood plank exterior and sun-faded saloon sign add to its charm. The first month of the summer, June, is a very hot month in Oatman, Arizona, with temperature in the range of an average low of 74.3F (23.5C) and an average high of 97.7F (36.5C). A 1921 fire destroyed most of the town. Tom & Terri Mahoney 2/04/2012 The gold dried up in the 1920s and the miners left. The Tri-State Home, Garden & Lifestyle Show. Johnny & Jacqulynn Hawkins David & Jessie Myers 03/15/2021 Points of Interest & Landmarks, Scenic Walking Areas, Gift & Specialty Shops, Points of Interest & Landmarks, Monuments & Statues. Note: When we arrived before lunchtime in the summer, there was only one burro, surrounded by scores of tourists. They returned quite often to enjoy the peace and solitude they wanted until the unfortunate death of Lombard in a plane crash just 4 years later.The locals are very friendly and the Burros will accompany you into the shops. Her book is available by calling the Oatman Chamber of Commerce at (928) 768-6222. The towns history dates back to the 1860s, when Johnny Moss staked claims to two mines in the area. Oatman Ghost Town: What? Outlaws Gunfighters performing wild west shootouts daily in Oatman Arizona Friday, July 29, 2022 The Outlaws. All content is Copyright SunCruiser Publishing Inc. but we do like to share. Richard & Nancy Tejchman 10/10/2017 It has a small population but still retains the charm of the Old West. Its an old-fashioned, wild-west candy shop like youve never seen before. If weddings arent your thing, you can visit several working artists shops and a couple of museums. History buffs can learn all about Oatman's mining boom days at the Oatman Hotel (formerly the Durlin). newimage7 = new Image(); Be sure your listing is up on all the key local directories with all your important content (social links and product info). newimage8.src = "clipart/og1.jpg"; In the late 1960s, the Durlin Hotels name was changed to the Oatman Hotel. Dennis & Anne Jex 9/21/2013 Kipp & Pam Smith 10/8/2017 During the late 1800s, the Oatman Mountains was rich in gold, silver, and other minerals. Arizona Ghost Towns and Wild-West Day Trip from Las Vegas. Long wheelbase vehicles should approach Oatman via hwy 95 from I-40 at the Topock exit at the AZ/CA border. Hear the tales of lawmen like Wyatt Earp and Wild Bill Hickok and the Texas Rangers; outlaws like Jesse James and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; Native American leaders like Red Cloud, Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse; and rowdy towns like Deadwood, Tombstone and Dodge City. Dave & Shela Hogan 10/08/2016 How To Find The Advantages Ardex Grout Home Depot. We had been here before but made the trip out of the way with some friends so they could take in the gunfight. Today, the town survives on tourism and burros. Box 294 I said thank you but we understand and will watch her and it's not necessary to keep saying it. 191 Main St Oatman, AZ 86433 CLOSED NOW 2. Tom & Patricia McCartney 9/27/2013 This blacktop looks as if it hasn't been maintained since the right-of-way was moved south in the 1950s. Leather Shop. From its famous guests to its otherworldly inhabitants, the Durlin, today known as the Oatman Hotel, is a must-visit attraction in Oatman. Don & Victoria Perfect 6/10/2016 WEsley Teresa Fly 7/10/2010 newimage10 = new Image(); Brett & Mary Cohen 12/28/2013, Chris & Melissa Barron 1/6/2018 X. The discovery of a rich ore body led to a gold rush. RoadsideAmerica.comYour Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions. Cities Kingman Motor into Kingman, Arizona's heart of historic Route 66. Great spot, absolutely great people, friendly and fast service. Loyal & Martha Arends 02/17/2021 Though guests no longer stay the night here, there is a museum on the top floor and a bar and restaurant on the bottom floor. Answer 1 of 4: We are planning to visit Oatman in Aug. We will be leaving from Twentynine Palms. More and more came to find work during the 1940s war effort and Oatman became an important stop before crossing the Mohave Desert. They have a gunfight in the street and we caught just the end of it but what we saw was very entertainingYou wont be disappointed with your trip through this small mining town but be sure to have your phone ready and something for the nosey burros to eat, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Hong Kong. Buddy & Bertha Skillings 10/23/2020 The town is home to many wild burros that wander around. - See 649 traveler reviews, 1,141 candid photos, and great deals for Oatman, AZ, at Tripadvisor. We had been here before but made the trip out of the way with some friends so they could take in the gunfight. Gunfights are staged on weekends for visitors to Oatman, AZ. Through photographs, dioramas and displays, the museum encompasses the history of the Bullhead City area from steamboats on the Colorado 1239 Highway 95 var DisplayLength = 50 We checked the times for the gunfights with both "official websites" and were sure it would be at 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm so we decided to take in the 3:30 show as it was January so it wouldn't be so hot they would have to cancel it. Fireworks, parades and barbecues: The following July 4th events may share some similarities with more traditional celebrations, but do so in At Arizona boat rentals we work hard to offer the best quality boat and jet ski rentals on the market at any lake in the state. The last 23 miles from Cool Springs to Oatman is the really windy part. The Oatman Ghost Rider Gunfighters is the oldest group of cowboys in Arizona. In the 1950s, with the rise and growth of Route 66, it resurfaced a bit, but when the route deviated, it declined again. And don't forget to pick up a souvenir or twofrom biker gear and mining memorabilia to donkey puppets and Southwestern art, you can find it all in the shops that line the towns main drag. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the authors. Not only is Oatman one of the most unique stops on a southwestern road trip, but its also a playground for dozens of wild burros who roam the streets like scruffy vagabonds begging for food. Kingman, Arizona 86409. More, Trail of Governors, Pierre, South Dakota (Jan 16-22, 2023). Box 423 Oatman, It's free; during our stop they were passing the hat for a local charity. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Oatman has about 20 that come to Oatman daily to enjoy the company of visitors. Oatman, Arizona, bills itself as a throwback to the Old West, a "living ghost town." Took the Route 66 trip and going to Oatman was a must. I would guess there were 50+ people wandering around which was more than the last time we were there. Visitors to this area are encouraged to feed them carrots and other food items. These gunfights are scheduled for noon, 1:30.2:15, and 3:30 depending on how many visitors are in town. Pete & Tamie Luchetta 7/16/2016 Terry & Dawn Pratt 10/20/2012 Brent & Kim Hoffeld 5/16/2016 A great stop along historic Route 66 allows a couple of hours of entertainment for all. Dan & Louise Sexton 2/8/2018 Interstate 40 bypassed Oatman in the early 1950s, and by the early 1960s, the whole area was all but abandoned. Richard & Angelique Daniels Today, these wild burros roam the streets during the day and head into the Black Mountains at night to graze. We came to watch the show and have lunch at the hotel. More on Living Ghost Town: Burros and Gunfights. 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. (My dog was over 7 feet away with my dad.). Michael & Vicki Lalicker 2/1/2015 Start here.Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip. Phoenix, Try My Sights, Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. This old hotel renamed the Oatman Hotel in the 1960s, is the only historic two-story adobe building in Mohave County. Pick some up for gifts and tell the owners we said hello. We were simply enjoying our walk. newimage5.src = "clipart/dl2.jpg"; An afternoon is all youll 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! OUTLAW newimage7.src = "clipart/w2.jpg"; Visit our privacy policy to read more. The show is free and will collect donations to help local charities. So, if you do make it to Oatman for the annual egg fry, please reach out and let us know how it was! An afternoon is all youll 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, But first, park your car on the street, and take a tour of an iconic Arizona ghost town that refuses to die. The noise of the day's first gunfight seemed to draw them out of the hills, and soon a dozen or more were wandering the main street. We know the donkeys are wild and unpredictable. We would stay in Lake Havasu and come up from there. Despite this setback, the town managed to rebuild and eventually thrive. scroll = scroll + MessageText.substring(0, DisplayLength - i + 1); Head to Oatman for the annual Oatman Sidewalk Egg Fry, which happens at high noon every Fourth of July. Back when Oatman was a gold boom town, the miners hauled their supplies with faithful burros. Mike & Jennifer Basgal 8/24/2014 David & AnnaNora Newman 10/11/2018 This rally, now in it's second year, is the official motorcycle rally for Oatman, and the entire stretch of Route 66 from Needles CA to Seligman AZ. Street Gunfight. John & Nickie Scott 12/29/2018, Russell & How To Using Sanded Or Unsanded Grout For Mosaics? Alberto & Brittany Garcia 11/05/2011 But then in the 1970s Laughlin, NV started to grow and in the 80s Route 66 became a popular destination for people from all over the world to see the real America. We help people connect with the world and each other by stepping out their front door and embarking on journeys big and small. While its not advisable to feed these creatures, you can buy treats from a local shop. The Burros roam the streets, sticking their heads inside your car to eat out of your hand.The Oatman Hotel is said to be haunted and is also where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard stayed on their wedding night in 1939. Do you dare go for the Haunted Tours of Jerome (39.95 USD) Source Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Marine 69-71 used under CC BY-SA 4.0. We got to town about 3:00 pm and I asked a shop keeper about the gunfight and I was told to check with the Making Memories store becuase the gunfight only goes if there "is enough money in the street" (enough tourists to make some decent tips) The store was locked but the sign on the door said that they may be closed while the gunfight was on so I felt confident our friends would get to see it. Receptions are memorable at the Oatman Hotel (which by the way, does not rent rooms at present). You can catch a rousing show for free every day at noon or 3:30 pm. More, Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. The prickly pear candy was unique and we havent seen it since. John & Judy Lindstedt 12/13/2020 ScrollInStatusBar() Clark Gable and Carole Lombard honeymooned at the Durlin Hotel after their wedding in Kingman, Arizona in 1939. //Scrolling speed newimage0.src = "clipart/h1.jpg"; Box 423 Oatman, Arizona 86433 Phone: 928-577-9139 or 928-234-0344 Saturday, January 07, 2023 For General Information & Special Events or Brochure Requests Please Call 928-577-9139 THE OATMAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Oatman, Arizona was sparsely settled starting in 1863 when a small bit of gold was discovered in the surrounding Black Mountains. Oatman is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in the Black Mountains of Mohave County, Arizona, United States, located at an elevation of 2,710 feet (830 m). If you advertise a gunfight then you have a commitment to have a gunfight. Follow the signs for Oatman, 23 miles. newimage1.src = "clipart/h2.jpg"; 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. Believe it or not, weve got more! The Oatman burros are a little too friendly if you want my opinion. Back Road Ramblers shares practical and in-depth road trip itineraries, small-town travel ideas, and easy outdoor adventures for the wanderer in everyone. Events and Games in Oatman Arizona on Historical Route 66. setTimeout("ScrollInStatusBar()",100); //-->, Rod & Sultana Hall 5/27/2019 The Oatman burros were brought by the Spanish explorers to be used to work the mines. } Want to try something a little different? The easiest way to get to Oatman is to rent a car and drive yourself. Donations are taken up to help maintain Oatman's community facilities (not funded by tax money) and local charities. But Oatman provides a good sense of what the frontier West was really like: rough, shabby, and naturally chaotic. 9/18/2010 newimage11 = new Image(); 1110 W Washington St, #155 Two shootout groups, the Bitter Creek Outlaws and the Ghostriders, simply walk out into traffic, block the street with tourist onlookers, and loudly blow each other away several times daily (only on weekends in the off-season). newimage3 = new Image(); Add your social media links and bio and promote your discounts, menus, events. One of the more colorful shopkeepers is known as Betty the Bead Lady, who for many years, drilled beads and sold them to the Navajos for their jewelry making. Oatman is definitely one of our favorite backroad adventures and one of our. Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Street gun fight at Oatman, Arizona Ghost town #gunfight #oatman #arizona #oatmanGhosttown #streetshow #cowboy #lasvegasghosttown #arizonaghosttown MacIntyre 3/25/2009 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. Oatman AZ - a staged gunfight in the center of the town. AU$192.03. Alan & Michelle Dinkin 3/22/2014 Charles & Eileen McDonald 5/17/2019 Apple maps says it takes about 2.5 hours. Oatman is definitely one of our favorite backroad adventures and one of our favorite small towns to visit in the United States. Wed 26 April 26 - April 30 Route 66 Bike Week 2023 Oatman Historic Ghost Town and Mining Camp Join us in Oatman, AZ for the internationally acclaimed Route 66 Bike Week This rally, now in it's third year, is the official motorcycle rally for Oatman, and the entire stretch of Route 66 from Needles CA to Seligman AZ. When the mines were mechanized the burros were turned loose. If the wild past really intrigues you, then drive west to Oatman on old Route 66 from I-40, exit 44. This town if full of toxic people with no redeeming qualities. Why FNU Moodle Is Very Important For The Students? Larry & Tari Piel 5/1/2018 Jerry & Mary Santana 10/03/2009 This little candy shop was one of the highlights of our trip to Oatman. 11/28/2009, Steve & The Ghost Rider Gunfighters have been putting on gunfight reenactments daily for over 25 years. 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). It's a drive that should purge you of any nostalgia that you may have for "The Mother Road," and will help you to realize that the interstate highway system really isn't such a bad thing after all. The gunfighters' brief, improvised narratives are not sophisticated drama ("You slept with my daughter! Oatman is full of bigots and racists. Answer 1 of 4: We are planning to visit Oatman in Aug. We will be leaving from Twentynine Palms. Theyre descendants of pack animals used by prospectors in the 1800s. We havent actually visited Oatman in July and because we are cold-weather creatures, I cant imagine that we ever will. | Bamboo on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Tourists have fallen in love with this Arizona ghost town, which sees more than 500,000 visitors annually. The two main annual events are the Bed Races every January, when teams of five hardy souls push and ride a bed down the main street, make a bed at the end and race back to the finish line. This is the best place to eat for miles and miles. The friendly performers ask the crowd to gather around in the street while they act out a heist, complete with loud gunshot blanks. Located in the Black Mountains of Mohave County, Arizona, Oatman is in northwest Arizona, about two hours southeast of Las Vegas. AZ Robert & Jolene Burke 4/05/2009 Henry & Elizabeth Brown 10/20/2018 The history of Oatman is a story of give and take, from a turn of the century boomtown to todays small but unique and memorable tourist destination. Oatman started getting lively again. With the Black Mountains rising all around it, Oatman is surrounded by sharp-toothed ridges and forbidding rock formations. The Best Western in Kingman is very family-friendly, with an outdoor pool and free breakfast. We are looking forward to having the pleasure of visiting the cool little town of Oatman in late April and would like to experience one of the gun fights. Oatman, Arizona is home to a large burro population. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - See 663 traveler reviews, 1,166 candid photos, and great deals for Oatman, AZ, at Tripadvisor. 15K. We checked the times for the gunfights with both "official websites" and were sure it would be at 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm so we decided to take in the 3:30 show as it was January so it wouldn't be so hot they would have to cancel it. I'd give this place zero stars if I could. Dont miss the chance to step back into history with a visit to this historic Wild West boomtown. Attraction status, hours and prices change without notice; call ahead! The burros became an integral part of the area and thrived in the rugged desert terrain. Oatman is an old gold mining town founded in 1906. The Oatman's joined a group of Mormons in 1850 who were on their way to the Yuma area to establish a Mormon colony. And apparently there's demand for soy candles. Paul & Lucinda Homer 6/21/2015 Quaint historic town - always a great afternoon. Learn more about the Oatman Ghost Rider Gunfighters on their website. Copyright 1996-2023 Doug Kirby, Ken Smith, Mike Wilkins. Rick & Dorothy Cathers 10/30/2009 I'm sorry this happened to you, Veronica! Bullhead City Kiwanis Firearms Expo. When we visit, we always stay in Lake Havasu City because we have family there and we fly to Las Vegas because the plane tickets are insanely cheap affordable. These endearing creatures are just one reason to visit the tiny town of Oatman, Arizona. If you have time to venture even farther afield, continue south on Route 66 for another 25 miles or so. In 1924, the main mine in Oatman closed. newimage2 = new Image(); But first, park your car on the street, and take a tour of an iconic Arizona ghost town that refuses to die. Hawkins 3/17/2013 It carries traveler research ideas and information. When you step into Olive Oatman Restaurant and Saloon, you'll feel like you're stepping back in time. "), but the tourist families around us didn't seem to mind. Oatman was one of our favorite discoveries on our Route 66 road trip through Arizona last year. Doug & Caroline Hennen 02/14/2021 Slow your car down and burros are likely to stick their heads in the windows searching for handouts. While the town is now small, mining continues to be profitable in the area. It's a small village in the Black Mountains of Mohave County, Arizona. I dont recommend buying chocolate unless you want to eat it ASAP. This is a quick show, lasting maybe a half-hour, and a great combination of history, theater, and comedy that your kids will love. In 1851, the Oatman family embarked on a long journey to California to find a better life. var pos = 1 - DisplayLength; Results are instant and can confirm the information you are searching for. Ted & Alicia Irwin 4/5/2014 She said she didn't know because she was going in for surgery the next day but I should ask the piano player in the saloon. 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. Roger & Linda Bartkowicz 6/30/2016 She repeated what I was told before about "enough money on the street" but there was a show at 1:30 so she thought there would be a show. You can even buy hats to help support local charities. Tyler & Kaitlyn Lowry 9/28/2019, Terry & Joni A very unique and fun place, in the middle of nowhere! Phoenix, Arizona 85009. P.O. per adult. newimage9.src = "clipart/og2.jpg"; Which brings us to the burros and the gunfighters. Type in your Search Keyword(s) and Press Enter Memories That Won't Melt Away - Snowman Picture Frame, Super Bowl Viewing Party at The Fan Zone Harrah's Laughlin, Super Bowl Viewing Party At El Burro Borracho Harrah's Laughlin, Super Bowl Viewing Party At Tangos Tropicana Laughlin, Super Bowl Viewing Party At Brew Brothers Tropicana Laughlin. What You Need To Know About Balboa Inn Tripadvisor, What You Know About Deetjens Big Sur Inn, ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT Rhobh Recap Vulture. Car rentals are also inexpensive at McCarron International Airport.