Phoenix, Dennis & Anne Jex 9/21/2013 Follow the signs for Oatman, 23 miles. Dan & Louise Sexton 2/8/2018 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Keith & Mary Spriggs 10/10/2020 They say that Oatman, Arizona is so hot that you can fry eggs on the sidewalk. Our visits to Laughlin almost always include a man afternoon visit to Oatman. Free: See How You're Listed. @2022 - Back Road Ramblers. Oatman AZ - a staged gunfight in the center of the town. //-->. A Texas historical marker was placed at her grave in 1969. 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. The wood plank exterior and sun-faded saloon sign add to its charm. More, Trail of Governors, Pierre, South Dakota (Jan 16-22, 2023). This is a beautiful stretch of Route 66, covering about 45 miles. More on Living Ghost Town: Burros and Gunfights. One of the "people in charge" said it again (this was time number 8). newimage2 = new Image(); Gunfights are staged on weekends for visitors to Oatman, AZ. Welcome to Oatman, Arizona a fun and quirky stop along Route 66 in northwestern Arizona. Danny & Jeanette DeBeer 8/8/2017 Oatman Az Gunfight Schedule is a small town in Nevada that has had a gold rush. Subscribe, Admin Offices Tyler & Kaitlyn Lowry 9/28/2019, Terry & Joni Great spot, absolutely great people, friendly and fast service. scroll = scroll + ""; The honeymoon suite is still one of the Oatman Hotels main attractions, and the owners report that Gable and Lombard loved the hotel so much that they are still haunting it. Some of them are friendly and will allow you to pet them while feeding them. newimage0.src = "clipart/h1.jpg"; We earn a commission from affiliate links that may be included in this post. Top ways to experience Oatman Ghost Town and nearby attractions. Michael & Samantha Ekebratt A very unique and fun place, in the middle of nowhere! The story behind the gunfighters comes from the 1851 kidnapping of Olive Oatman by a Native American tribe. Jeff & Laurie Keagon 3/15/2014 Ed & Christine Pederson 6/13/2009 #4 of 12 things to do in Oatman Sights & Landmarks, Ghost Towns, Scenic Walking Areas Oatman, AZ 86433 Save Oatman Western Mining Village/Museums & Scenic Route 66 Experience 41 Book in advance from $119.00 per adult Check availability View full product details Brent M Wetaskiwin, Canada 310 177 What? Located at an elevation of 2,710 feet (830 m), it began as a tent camp soon after two prospectors struck a $10 million gold find in 1915, though the area had been already settled for a number of years. The burros became an integral part of the area and thrived in the rugged desert terrain. Be sure your listing is up on all the key local directories with all your important content (social links and product info). 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. Most people in Oatman, AZ drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 26.9 minutes. var MessageText = " Outlaws Gunfighters Shootouts in Oatman & Laughlin!" The story goes that several gas stations and businesses were closed and Oatman became a ghost town. OUTLAW Olive Oatman Fairchild died of a heart attack on March 20, 1903, at the age of 65. 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. In 1851, the Oatman family embarked on a long journey to California to find a better life. While the town is now small, mining continues to be profitable in the area. Cities Kingman Motor into Kingman, Arizona's heart of historic Route 66. Lyndal & Wendy Cooper 12/19/2020, Vincente & Monica Anzu 1/9/2021 Michael & Patsy Shanen 3/19/2016 Doug & Caroline Hennen 02/14/2021 Oatman, Arizona is home to a large burro population. Heres the plan for a perfect day in Oatman, Arizona, one of our favorite small-town vacation spots for families. Oatman is located in northwestern Arizona, about two hours southeast of Las Vegas. Edward & Vivian Yannelli 07/10/2021 Sam & Kathy Becher 3/09/2012 X. newimage6 = new Image(); Oatman-Gold Road Chamber of Commerce in Once everything was said and done, both gunfighters were dead and Fred (the real bad guy) left with the money. Donations are taken up to help maintain Oatmans community facilities (not funded by tax money) and local charities. 89 Main Street, Oatman, AZ 86433. I'm gonna kill you! Located at an elevation of 2,710 feet (830 m), it began as a tent camp soon after two prospectors struck a $10 million gold find in 1915, though the area had been already settled for a number of years. The lady across the street saw me checking the door and called out to me so I asked here about the gunfight. Owned and operated by the Patt family, Desert Diamond Distillery invites visitors to take a 20-30-minute behind-the-scenes tour of its Desert Wonder Tours provides specially designed commercial short tours in the Mohave Desert area. Copyright 1996-2023 Doug Kirby, Ken Smith, Mike Wilkins. Robert & Margaret Meeker 4/12/2013 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 burro has become such an integral part of Oatman's identity that the town now plays host to an annual Burro Biscuit Toss, where residents and visitors alike compete to see who can throw a dried-out, gold-painted burro dropping the farthest. Oatman's population grew to more than 3,500 in the course of a year. Ryan & Tina Bishop 3/11/2019 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Oatman is located along the longest continuous stretch of original Route 66 in the US. The Oatman AZ gunfight schedule is full of events that take place daily, starting at high noon. Try My Sights, Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. Oatman is tiny, maybe 150 yards of weathered, ill-favored buildings perched along the one road that you drove in on. - See 628 traveller reviews, 1,107 candid photos, and great deals for Oatman, AZ, at Tripadvisor. John & Judy Lindstedt 12/13/2020 . Oatman started getting lively again. Meadview, Arizona 86444. Buddy & Bertha Skillings 10/23/2020 Nestled in Arizona's rugged and remote wilderness, this tiny town's rich Wild West history comes to life with staged shootouts, wooden sidewalks and a bounty of burros that roam freely. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Bob & Jackie Murray 7/25/2012 Loyal & Martha Arends 02/17/2021 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. Other events occur during the year to entertain, and to thank our veterans for their service to the country. Oatman Az Gunfight Schedule is a small town in Nevada that has had a gold rush. We had been here before but made the trip out of the way with some friends so they could take in the gunfight. There are usually a few foals in this tiny herd of wild burros only referred to as wild as they are never penned in. Tom & Tassie Ogryzek 4/04/2016 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. Leggett 2/15/2014 Tourists have fallen in love with this Arizona ghost town, which sees more than 500,000 visitors annually. I would guess there were 50+ people wandering around which was more than the last time we were there. More on Oatman here:http://www . 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. Michael & Vicki Lalicker 2/1/2015 All content is Copyright SunCruiser Publishing Inc. but we do like to share. While the town is now small, mining continues to be profitable in the area. Mark & Venessa Escalante 12/27/2013 For years, tourists have fed the burros carrots and special burro chow that they could buy in just about every shop. I really enjoyed our visit. Running right through the middle of Oatman is a stretch of the historic Route 66, the famous road that was the main highway route across the United States from the 1920s through the 1950s. It is narrow and winding in places and suitable for vehicles under 40 feet long. During the late 1800s, the Oatman Mountains was rich in gold, silver, and other minerals. The friendly performers ask the crowd to gather around in the street while they act out a heist, complete with loud gunshot blanks. 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. Pahoulis 1/3/2017 newimage9.src = "clipart/og2.jpg"; Richard & Susan Hartford 12/22/2017, Steven & Janell Add your social media links and bio and promote your discounts, menus, events. In the early 20th century, it was the largest producer of gold in the country. A burro population of over 4,000 lives in the Black Mountain Herd Management Area in Mohave County. At high noon, a shot is fired and contestants from all over the world have 15 minutes to fry the most edible looking egg using any solar powered device. Want to give it a go? setTimeout("ScrollInStatusBar()",100); newimage4 = new Image(); Jan 6, 2018 - Oatman AZ - a staged gunfight in the center of the town. The town boomed and produced over 1.8 million ounces of gold. //from www.a1javascripts.com Jones 1/11/2020 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 the United States. Bullhead City Kiwanis Firearms Expo information of gun show by cost maps of these Arizona locations. With the Black Mountains rising all around it, Oatman is surrounded by sharp-toothed ridges and forbidding rock formations. David & Christy Halt 8/24/2019 Oatman was a mining town; in 1915, a gold mine was discovered, which stopped working completely after World War II. Seriously, those burros will steal your ice cream cone in a heartbeat. Roger & Janice Divis 10/26/2020 Gunfights are staged on weekends for visitors to Oatman, AZ. Points of Interest & Landmarks, Scenic Walking Areas, Gift & Specialty Shops, Points of Interest & Landmarks, Monuments & Statues. A great stop along historic Route 66 allows a couple of hours of entertainment for all. Visitors to this area are encouraged to feed them carrots and other food items. 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. Some tastier treats like carrots contain sugar and like us, these burros dont get enough exercise to work it all off the extra calories. There are plenty of burros waking around and maybe even a ghost or 2. Flagstaff is an awesome college town with a lot going on good restaurants, shopping, and lodging. Jack & Diane Gardner 01/21/2021 This town if full of toxic people with no redeeming qualities. Learn more about the Oatman Ghost Rider Gunfighters on their website. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. newimage9 = new Image(); Categories Destinations, Southwestern United States, United States, Western United States. About 400,000 visitors a year come to Oatman so it is better for burros if everyone does not feed them. Long wheelbase vehicles should approach Oatman via hwy 95 from I-40 at the Topock exit at the AZ/CA border. 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. Oatman has a colourful history and named in honour of Olive Oatman, a young lady who was travelling west with her family. Anyone driving through has no choice but to stop and watch. Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in Arizona. Whether heading west to east or east to west on the Mother Road, be sure to check out the quirky landmarks and destinations of Arizonas Route Motor into Kingman, Arizona's heart of historic Route 66. Be sure to drive extra slowly through town. Bullhead City Kiwanis Firearms Expo. Leslie & Jewel Carroll 11/13/2014 Michael & Christine Stone 9/5/2015 Seriously, those burros will steal your ice cream cone in a heartbeat, especially if youre under 4-feet tall! Box 294 Kingman, Arizona 86409. It has a small population but still retains the charm of the Old West. Gary & Cheryl Parsons 4/30/2017 9/18/2010 While its not advisable to feed these creatures, you can buy treats from a local shop. When the mines were mechanized the burros were turned loose. Upon entering the town, you'll notice that the streets are filled with donkeys, who might be the new sheriffs in town. While visitors can't book a room at the hotel anymore, they can enjoy a meal fit for a hungry miner and take a peek at the honeymoon stop of Clark Gable and Carole Lombard after their wedding in Kingman on March 18, 1939, preserved inside the historic adobe building. She is buried at the West Hill Cemetery in Sherman, Texas. var scroll = "OUTLAW WILLIE"; Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. William & Jeanette Rose 5/13/2017 The prickly pear candy was unique and we havent seen it since. Robert & Jolene Burke 4/05/2009 We had been here before but made the trip out of the way with some friends so they could take in the gunfight. Daniel & Shelley Lujan 4/21/2018 We spend about two hours in this little town, but enough to make great memories!We really enjoyed strolling through the place, and petting the burros. Their show lasts approximately thirty minutes and combines theater, history, and comedy. Absolutely worth the drive there. Brett & Mary Cohen 12/28/2013, Chris & Melissa John & Rhonda James & Brenda Dean Brent & Kim Hoffeld 5/16/2016 for (var i=1; i<=Math.abs(pos); i++) P.O. 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. If crowds arent your thing, consider visiting Oatman earlier in the day. Oatman Ghost Town: What? Donations are taken up to help maintain Oatman's community facilities (not funded by tax money) and local charities. For directions or more information, contact the Oatman Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 423, Oatman, AZ 86433 or visit www.oatmangoldroad.org. Your best bet is to spend the night in Kingman or Needles and make a day trip to Oatman. Geogia Santos 2/19/2019 This Oatman tour shuttle will pick you up at your Lake Havasu hotel in an airconditioned bus and take you on a quirky afternoon journey to this fun ghost town in the desert! This herd is a descendant of gold miners pack animals. The area is also located on Route 66, an ancient route that connected the east and west. The shops offer a wide selection of Route 66 souvenirs. It grew to over 10,000 residents, 2 banks, 7 hotels, and 20 bars. No gunfight as scheduled? Richard & Nancy Tejchman 10/10/2017 So we went to the saloon and there was no piano player. The encircling crowd stands within 10 or 15 feet of the action, and these are real guns going off, albeit loaded with blanks. // Scrolling message settings Its an old-fashioned, wild-west candy shop like youve never seen before. 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. 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. Oatman Highway is a stretch of the original Route 66 O atman, AZ is one of those towns that motorcycle riders always seem to talk about, particularly if you live in the southwestern United States. Sure, the town has its share of antiques stores, tourist saloons and junk shops; t-shirts seem to be the big seller, if judged by the amount of signs and advertising banners for Beefy T sales. Attraction status, hours and prices change without notice; call ahead! The name Oatman comes from the young Illinois girl who was captured and enslaved by an unknown tribe after her family was massacred, her name was Olive Oatman. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! This ghost town was a gold rush town, but it is also known for its burro population and its regular Wild West gunfight schedule. One of these mines was named after Olive Oatman. After their supplies were about exhausted, some in the group decided . There are only about 100 people who live there year around. In fact, seeing burro poop along the road is a reliable sign that you're approaching the town. Sorry to say that there was never time for just traveling or sightseeing or having fun. OUTLAW GUNFIGHTERS Start here.Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip. The Tri-State Home, Garden & Lifestyle Show. This is the longest uninterrupted stretch of Route 66 that still remains today. Then the lady from the Making Memories store caught up with me so I asked her about the gun fight. 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 Outlaws Gunfighters performing wild west shootouts daily in Oatman Arizona Friday, July 29, 2022 The Outlaws. The Durlin Hotel was originally built in 1902 and then rebuilt in 1924 after the fire. During its heyday, it was home to over 10,000 people. Oatman and it's sister town, Gold Road, a few kilometres north, were the largest gold producers in Arizona. FnuMoodle is a place that helps our people on their travels. But Oatman provides a good sense of what the frontier West was really like: rough, shabby, and naturally chaotic. If you just cant stop back road adventuring, here are some more places to check out near Oatman Arizona. Oatman, Arizona, bills itself as a throwback to the Old West, a "living ghost town." So we went to the saloon and there was no piano player. Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch is located in northwest Arizona in the Mohave Desert, one hour away from the nearest town.We welcome 19985 S Doc Holliday Rd 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. Oatman Ghost Town: What? 11, Sign up for our newsletter to receive all the latest news, travel tips and special offers. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Mark & Jennifer Easterday 4/07/2012 The Oatman burros are a little too friendly if you want my opinion. window.status = scroll; We even have pony and wagon rides for children! It's a small village in the Black Mountains of Mohave County, Arizona. Arizona Ghost Towns and Wild-West Day Trip from Las Vegas. var DisplayLength = 50 Some people may call them burros, which is just the Spanish term for "donkey." They are one and the same. The town is home to many wild burros that wander around. Justin & Abigail Briggs 11/15/2013 She currently blogs at Back Road Ramblers and Vermont Explored, where she shares travel tips, adventure destinations, and vacation ideas for the wanderer in everyone. David & Jessie Myers 03/15/2021 In the 1950s, with the rise and growth of Route 66, it resurfaced a bit, but when the route deviated, it declined again. Ernie & Chrissy Martin 10/10/2020 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). The Oatman Ghost Rider Gunfighters is the oldest group of cowboys in Arizona. | Bamboo on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Tourists have fallen in love with this Arizona ghost town, which sees more than 500,000 visitors annually. Store Clothing store. Gary & Marilyn Livermore 5/08/2010 Fri 12/23. Oatman, Arizona is an old west mining town on the old Route 66 highway. The town gained popularity during the gold rush. The tourism boom didnt last long in Oatman, thanks to the interstate highway system. It is estimated that miners extracted more than $36 million from these mountains during this period. Oatman Map Oatman is a former mining town in the Black Mountains of Mohave County, Arizona, United States. Oatman's gunfights are staged on weekends for visitors. David & Anne Brin 3/6/2020 Satkowiak 1/01/2011 Thomas & Venessa Smith 12/03/2014, Kelly & No gunfight as scheduled? 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. It is estimated that miners extracted more than $36 million from these mountains during this period. Located in the Black Mountains of Mohave County, Arizona, Oatman is in northwest Arizona, about two hours southeast of Las Vegas. Ken & Ginny Resser 10/05/2013 newimage3.src = "clipart/ow2.jpg"; var pos = 1 - DisplayLength; Car rentals are also inexpensive at McCarron International Airport. DIAMOND LIL'S There really isn't anything special about Oatman that makes it conducive for the motorcycle lifestyle, except that the original Route 66 runs through it. United Eastern Mines stopped operating in the town three years later. Oatman Ghost Town: What? Robert & Crystal Jones 6/24/2009 from. 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. On Yahoo, Yelp, SuperPages, AmericanTowns and 25 other directories! In the late 1960s, the Durlin Hotels name was changed to the Oatman Hotel. Steven & Ashley Hilton 10/7/2017 newimage10.src = "clipart/l1.jpg"; When they entered the Arizona Territory, the Oatmans and other members of their party met with all kinds of difficulties. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Edward & Laura Dominguez 5/23/2009 Great spot, absolutely great people, friendly and fast service. Meandering wild burros, a wild-west shootout, and a dusty village on a desolate stretch of Americas favorite highway. newimage11.src = "clipart/l2.jpg"; Points of Interest & Landmarks, Scenic Walking Areas, Gift & Speciality Shops, Points of Interest & Landmarks, Monuments & Statues. It's 28 miles east of Kingman and 22 miles from Needles on the west side. Box 423 Oatman, You can catch a rousing show for free every day at noon or 3:30 pm. You probably wouldnt be surprised if I told you that there werent any hotels in Oatman. Her book is available by calling the Oatman Chamber of Commerce at (928) 768-6222. We came to watch the show and have lunch at the hotel. Receptions are memorable at the Oatman Hotel (which by the way, does not rent rooms at present). Store. Today, the town survives on tourism and burros. 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 86401. She gets rude and threatens me and threatens to "lock me up because I'm a threat and so is my dog" The Gunfighters perform shoot-outs daily at High Noon and 2:15 PM MST in Oatman, Arizona on Historical Route 66 and they have performed at the Pioneer Hotel and Casino in Laughlin, Nevada. Douglas & Shari Harrison 1/08/2011 Tristan & Charlotte Guindon In 1921, a fire swept through the town destroying most of Oatmans buildings. newimage3 = new Image(); Dave & Pauline Gale 2/22/2014 After the fire, the construction of Route 66 brought the mining industry back to the town. Im glad you came to visit Oatman, please check back again as new shops and renovations of old historic buildings are ongoing! We waited on the street for about 10 minutes and finally gave up and went for a bite to eat.Had we known there was not going to be a gunfight we may not have driven the hour out of the way to disappoint our friends, it's not that the gunfight is the only thing to do in town but I'm not a big fan of being lied to. Arizona desert tours are offered year-round to historical locations, natural wonders, and cultural museums. This is a quick show, lasting maybe a half-hour, and a great combination of history, theater, and comedy that your kids will love. 85007 Believe it or not, weve got more! We would like to thank everybody who came, Johnny & Jacqulynn Hawkins If you didn't know about Oatman, and just happened to drive into town, and burros were coming up to your car to beg for food, guns were blasting, and bodies lay in the street, it would seem pretty strange. The lady across the street saw me checking the door and called out to me so I asked here about the gunfight. Recommended. However, some mining continued until 1944, when the last mines closed. Phoenix, Arizona 85009. At first glance, the wild burros of Oatman seem to steal the show but dig a bit deeper and you'll discover the town's raucous mining history and a vibrant main street that plays host to various events throughout the year. The gold dried up in the 1920s and the miners left. I think we paid $250 a week for a subcompact car on our last trip. If you take Route 66 in either direction from town, you'll be greeted by a plethora of otherworldly viewswatch for Thimble Mountain to the west and Elephant's Tooth to the east. If the wild past really intrigues you, then drive west to Oatman on old Route 66 from I-40, exit 44. Quaint historic town - always a great afternoon. { These gunfights are scheduled for noon, 1:30.2:15, and 3:30 depending on how many visitors are in town.