Oatman Mining Village: Burros/Route 66 Scenic Mountain Tour

Oatman’s wild burros are the stars of this half-day trip, but the road getting there is just as memorable. You follow Historic Route 66 through the Black Mountains, stop at Kingman’s museums and Cool Springs, then wind toward an old mining town where burros wander past the shops.

I like the mix of Route 66 history and mountain scenery, and I like that the van group is limited to 12 people. Guides such as Susan, Becky, Brandon, Sue, and Jeff have been praised for safe driving, good stories, and well-timed photo stops. The main drawback is time: some of your six and a half hours is spent driving, so you may want more time in Oatman with the burros and shops.

Key points to know before booking

• The Sidewinder has 191 curves: The Black Mountains drive is scenic and winding, with views from Sitgreaves Pass toward the Colorado River valley.
• You get two Route 66 museum stops: Kingman’s Powerhouse includes the Arizona Route 66 Museum and Electric Vehicle Museum.
• Oatman is more than a burro stop: You can browse Old West shops, watch a high-noon gunfight reenactment, and eat at the Oatman Hotel.
• Cool Springs is a restored classic: This 1920s service station is tied to Route 66 nostalgia and helped inspire the movie Cars.
• The small group matters: With no more than 12 participants, the guide can tell stories, answer questions, and stop at scenic points more easily.
• Bring the right attitude toward the burros: Feed them only approved alfalfa cubes, never sugary food, and do not ride them.

Why this Route 66 day trip works

This tour gives you a compact portrait of western Arizona. In one outing, you see a former power station, classic road museums, a restored service station, a mountain road, an old mining settlement, and free-roaming burros.

That range is the main reason I think the trip is worth considering. Many day tours focus on one large sight and spend the rest of the day getting there. Here, the drive itself has a purpose. Route 66 is not just a line on a map. It connects the stories of American road travel, desert towns, mining, electricity, cars, and roadside tourism.

The tour runs for 6.5 hours and costs $125 per person. That price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, transport, admissions, bottled water, and an English-speaking guide. You are paying more than you would for a self-drive, but you are also avoiding the work of planning stops, finding parking, handling the mountain road, and piecing together the historical context.

The group is capped at 12 people. That is a useful middle ground. You get the ease of a guided tour without the feel of a large coach excursion. Past guides have included Susan, Becky, Brandon, Sue, and Jeff. The praise attached to these guides centers on calm driving, punctual pickups, friendly conversation, and clear information.

Starting from Laughlin, Kingman, Lake Havasu, or Bullhead City

Pickup is included from Laughlin, Kingman, Lake Havasu, or Bullhead City. The meeting point is either the valet area or the main entrance of your hotel, and pickup is confirmed one to two days before the trip.

That confirmation matters in resort areas, where large properties can have several entrances and loading zones. Keep your phone available before the tour, and do not assume the van will use the casino entrance unless that is confirmed.

The day begins with a drive-by of an early 1900s Sears catalog home. The house was built by the family of the tour founder, whose local connections also appear in museum exhibits. This is not a long formal visit, but it gives the opening drive a personal touch. You are not simply being taken from one attraction to another. The guide connects the road with families who helped shape the area.

Expect a full day in a vehicle, with stops that break up the ride. Wear comfortable shoes, bring sun protection, and keep water close. Bottled water is supplied, but desert conditions make it sensible to use it regularly.

Kingman Powerhouse and the Route 66 story

The first main stop is Kingman Powerhouse Visitor Center. The building once supplied electricity to Kingman and the Hoover Dam project, so it carries its own industrial story before you even reach the exhibits.

Inside, you can visit the Arizona Route 66 Museum and the Electric Vehicle Museum. The Route 66 displays trace the road from Native American trade routes through the great age of American road trips. That broad timeline helps explain why the highway matters. It was not only a road for tourists. It followed older paths and later became a symbol of postwar driving, motels, fuel stations, family vacations, and roadside freedom.

The Electric Vehicle Museum adds another angle. Instead of treating transportation as a straight line from old cars to modern cars, it shows that electric vehicles belong in the wider story of changing technology. Classic cars, murals, and hands-on displays make this a useful stop for adults and children alike.

I would give the museum enough attention to understand the story, but do not expect a long museum morning. The tour has several stops still ahead, and the day is built around variety rather than a single extended visit.

This stop is especially useful if you are comparing the tour with a simple drive to Oatman. A self-drive can get you there, but it may not give you the same sense of how Route 66 developed or why Kingman became part of that story.

Cool Springs Service Station and old roadside America

Next comes Cool Springs Service Station, a restored 1920s landmark along Historic Route 66. The station captures the period when a roadside stop needed to be practical, welcoming, and memorable all at once.

Cool Springs is linked with the movie Cars, which gives the place an extra hook for families and film fans. Even if you have never seen the movie, the stop works because it shows the character of old Route 66 in a small, easy-to-understand form.

This is a good photo stop. The restored building, desert setting, and road itself create the kind of scene that makes Route 66 feel less like a museum subject and more like a place you can still see and touch.

The visit also provides a break before the more winding mountain drive. You can stretch your legs, take photographs, and listen to the guide explain how service stations supported long-distance driving.

Do not expect a large attraction with hours of exhibits. Cool Springs is valuable because it is small and specific. It is one preserved roadside stop that helps you picture the highway in its golden era.

The Black Mountains and 191 curves on the Sidewinder

From Cool Springs, the van follows the Black Mountains stretch of Historic Route 66 known as the Sidewinder. The road has 191 curves as it climbs toward Oatman, so this is both a scenic section and a practical consideration.

If winding roads make you uncomfortable, tell the guide early and choose a seat that helps you feel settled. The guide team has been praised for calm, safe driving, and the small van allows for a more personal ride than a big bus. Still, the road is genuinely curvy. This is not a smooth straight transfer between attractions.

The reward comes in the views. At Sitgreaves Pass, you can look across the Colorado River valley and see parts of three states. The high point gives you a reason to stop, get out, and take photographs rather than simply watch the scenery through a window.

Photo stops are one of the better features of the trip. Guides have been praised for stopping at useful viewpoints instead of rushing past every scenic bend. You will want a camera ready, but keep your attention on where you are walking. Comfortable shoes are important, especially at roadside viewpoints.

The mountain section also gives the tour its sense of place. Kingman explains the road’s past, while the Sidewinder shows the dry, rugged setting that made this route challenging for early motorists. The combination is far more satisfying than a quick arrival in Oatman by the easiest modern road.

Arriving in Oatman, Arizona’s old mining town

Oatman is the final main stop and the emotional center of the outing. The town began as a mining settlement and now draws people with its Old West character, small shops, historic buildings, and famous burros.

The burros are descendants of animals connected with the mining era, and they roam through town. You may see them near the streets and storefronts, which makes Oatman feel different from a normal museum town. The animals are part of the local character, but they should be treated with care.

You may buy alfalfa cubes approved for feeding. Do not give the burros anything with sugar, and do not ride them. Pets are not allowed, although assistance dogs are allowed. These rules are simple, but they matter. The best burro encounter is one that lets the animals remain calm and free to move away.

Oatman also offers time to browse distinctive shops and watch a high-noon gunfight reenactment. The reenactment adds theatrical Old West fun, while the shops give you a chance to look for souvenirs connected with Route 66, mining, and the town’s burros.

The main limitation is time. Six and a half hours includes the pickup, museum visits, road stops, and return journey, so you may wish you had longer to shop or spend time near the burros. Plan your priorities before you arrive. If feeding the burros matters most, buy the alfalfa cubes early. If shopping matters more, note the location of the stores you want to revisit.

Lunch at the Oatman Hotel

Lunch is optional and is not included in the $125 price. The usual choice is the Oatman Hotel, a distinctive restaurant known for dollar bills stapled from ceiling to floor.

That tradition is tied to the old mining days and gives the meal a strong sense of place. The hotel is not just a place to grab food between stops. It is part of Oatman’s unusual character, and the dollar-covered interior makes it worth seeing even if you are deciding how much time to spend eating.

Because lunch is optional, budget separately and listen carefully to the guide’s timing for the return. If you want a relaxed meal, shopping time, and a close look at the burros, the schedule may feel tight. If you prefer to keep moving and focus on the road and scenery, you can make the most of the included stops without treating lunch as the main event.

What the guide adds to the experience

The guide is the difference between a scenic drive and a useful tour. You can drive Route 66 alone, but you would need to research Kingman, Cool Springs, the Sidewinder, Sitgreaves Pass, and Oatman in advance.

The guides on this experience have earned praise for being friendly, punctual, safe, and well informed. Becky, for example, was praised for calm driving and stopping at strategic photo points. Brandon was singled out for giving clear information, while Susan and Sue were noted for making the day pleasant and personal. Jeff was also praised for helping make the trip enjoyable.

Those details matter because the route has several moving parts. You need a driver who takes the mountain road seriously, a guide who watches the clock, and someone who can explain the difference between a restored site and a living town.

The small-group format helps here. With no more than 12 people, it is easier to hear the guide, ask questions, and get in and out of the van at stops. It also means the day may feel more social than a private tour, since you share the ride with a limited group.

Price, comfort, and who should book

At $125, this is a fair price if you want an organized Route 66 day with several admissions, hotel transport, bottled water, and a guide. It is especially good value if you are staying in Laughlin, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu, or Kingman and do not want to rent a car or plan the route yourself.

The price is less compelling if your only goal is to spend several hours shopping in Oatman. The itinerary covers a lot, and the tradeoff is limited free time at the final stop. You are buying a broad, guided experience, not an unhurried day in one town.

I think the tour suits first-time visitors to western Arizona, families who want a mix of museums and animals, Route 66 fans, and anyone who enjoys scenery but does not want to drive a twisting mountain road. It also works well for visitors who value local stories and personal guiding over a checklist of major attractions.

The tour is wheelchair accessible, though the supplied details do not specify how every individual viewpoint or shop is arranged. If you use a wheelchair, confirm the vehicle and stop details when booking.

The main restrictions are practical: no weapons or sharp objects, no smoking in the vehicle or indoors, no alcohol in the vehicle, no littering, and no pets except assistance dogs. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later.

Should you book the Oatman tour?

Book it if you want the complete route: Kingman’s museums, Cool Springs, the Sidewinder, Sitgreaves Pass, and Oatman’s burros. The strongest part is the way the stops build on one another, turning a simple drive into a story about roads, mining, technology, and desert towns.

Skip it if you mainly want a long, leisurely afternoon in Oatman or prefer to control every stop yourself. For most visitors based in the listed pickup areas, though, the $125 fee buys a sensible mix of transport, history, mountain views, and local character. Bring comfortable shoes, save room for alfalfa cubes, and leave enough energy for the 191 curves home.

FAQ

How long does the Oatman Mining Village tour last?

The tour lasts 6.5 hours, including transportation, sightseeing stops, museum visits, and time in Oatman.

Where does the tour pick up?

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

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the tour price.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $125 per person.

What is included in the price?

Transportation, hotel pickup and drop-off, admission fees, a live English-speaking guide, and bottled water are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is optional and is not included. The Oatman Hotel is the suggested place to eat.

Can I feed the Oatman burros?

Yes, but only with approved alfalfa cubes. Do not feed them anything containing sugar.

Can I ride the burros?

No. Riding the animals is not allowed.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes. You may also want a camera for the many scenic photo stops.

Is the tour suitable for a small group?

Yes. The group is limited to 12 participants.

What language is the tour offered in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve without paying immediately?

Yes. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you hold a place and pay later.