One of the most desolate but satisfying stretches of the old Route 66 to drive, climbs from I-40 along the Colorado River, beginning just east of the California border and rejoining the freeway at Kingman. Be sure you and your car are prepared for the rigors of desert driving because this 50 mile stretch of the highway through the desert is narrow and roughly surfaced with few signs of life. Driving east from Needles ,the first town of interest you will get to in Arizona is Oatman, considered to be one of the top stops along Route 66.
Oatman is another old mining town where the film “How the West Was Won” was filmed. Another claim to fame is the landmark Oatman Hotel where it’s reported that in 1939 Clark Gable and Carol Lombard spent their honeymoon night here. |
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The celebrated residents of Oatman, are the wild burros. They seem to have the run of the town. They wander about and stop in the middle of the road which stops traffic dead, creating gridlock in a ghost town! |
Saloons and rock shops line Main Street, where on weekends and holidays Wild West enthusiasts act out the shoot-outs that took place here only in the movies. Oatman does get a considerable tourist trade. There is very little parking in Oatman and really no place to park a RV, so best bet is to make this a day trip and plan to park in Kingman.
East of Oatman the road passes the recently reactivated gold workings at Goldroad before climbing up and over the Black Mountains. Steep switchbacks and 15-mph hairpin turns make the 2,100-foot change in elevation over a very short eight miles of blacktop; the route then continues for another 20 miles into Kingman, which seems like a bustling metropolis after this hour-plus roller coaster of a drive
There is a lot left of old Route 66 because Kingman celebrates its Route 66 heritage. There are colorful motor courts and cafes still in operation along this stretch of the famous highway.
The old powerhouse in Kingman has been converted into a Route 66 Museum and visitor's center. Another attraction you may want to take in with the kids is the Kingman Museum and Planetarium. |
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If you happen to be driving through Kingman don't forget to stop at Mr. D's Diner across the street from the Powerhouse and Kingman City Park. They have some pretty fine burgers - but bring your appetite! |
There’s also a steam locomotive in the city park that hints of the wild, old railroad days here. Kingman was established as a railroad stop in 1883, and the town grew from there. It became Mohave County's most important city and was selected as county seat in 1887. Kingman is located on the last leg of the thirty-fifth parallel line in Arizona. |
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There are plenty of places to consider for parking your RV in Kingman.
Adobe RV Park is located just 15 minutes outside of Kingman in the desert setting of Golden Valley, Arizona with mountain ranges on each side. Elevation there is 2800’.
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Open year round, there are 75 full hookup sites with 30/50 amp service at each site. The recreation room has a book exchange and there are limited grocery and RV supplies available in the store. Phone service is available at select sites and there is WiFi service. Also included are private restrooms, showers and a modern laundry facility. The park is close to several major attractions like Hoover Dam, Lake Havasu and the Grand Canyon Sky Walk. |
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f you want to stay in Kingman, consider Zuni Village RV Park, where there are 128 level sites, 18 of which are pull-throughs with 30/50 amps. There is a swimming pool, showers, cable TV and laundry plus a sewer dump site. It’s located close to old Route 66 and makes a perfect base for exploring the area. |
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Rocky Mountain RV & Marine is located on “Old Route 66” at 12700 Central, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. So if you’re ever traveling this iconic highway, be sure to stop by and say Hello!