Oatman Arizona Ghost Town: A Day Trip To The Wild West

Oatman, Arizona, is a popular tourist destination that feels surprisingly lively despite its “ghost town” label. You can be sure to enjoy Wild West fun, replete with wild donkeys, wooden sidewalks, staged gunfights, unique souvenir shops, and quirky annual events when you visit Oatman. An easy drive from Laughlin, Nevada, or Bullhead City, Arizona, Oatman Ghost Town is a fun place to spend the day. Here is a list of things to see and do when visiting Oatman Ghost Town.

Wild Burros of Oatman Ghost Town

When driving into Oatman Ghost Town, you notice the wild burros; they are everywhere. Descendants of the pack animals used by prospectors in the 1800s, the wild burros of Arizona, have found a home in Oatman. Feeding is discouraged even though most of the donkeys are friendly. The town folk have given the burros many friendly names, but caution is advised when approaching them as they have been known to nip.

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Oatman Wild West Outlaw Shootout

Oatman Ghost Town is known for being a Wild West town, and what better way to experience the Wild West than to witness a shootout in the middle of the street? The show is held at noon and 3:30 pm during the tourist season. These fun cowboy gunfights are not to be missed. The shows are free, but the actors collect donations from local charities. Watch out, and don’t get in the way of these cowboys who take their jobs seriously.

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Oatman Hotel Restaurant & Saloon

The Oatman Hotel was built in 1902; this adobe landmark is the oldest two-story building in Mohave County. In addition to serving a delicious buffalo burger, the hotel is well-known for the honeymoon suite of famous actors Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, whose stay in 1939 propelled the hotel to new heights. The suite is on the second floor, and you can check it out through a window in the door. There is also a large gift shop upstairs. Don’t forget to sign a dollar bill and tape it to the bar’s ceiling at the hotel.

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Souvenir Stores & T-Shirts

During the boomtown years, Oatman’s street was lined with saloons. Today, there are quirky Souvenir Stores with just as strange names: Jackass Junction, Outlaw Willies, The Classy Ass, Oatman General Store, Yellow Hammers Place, Bucktooth Burro, Jack Ass Treasures, Fast Fannys, and Saving Your Ass. Souvenir T-shirts can be found in every store. Tip: We discovered that the further up the main street you go from the main parking lot, the cheaper the T-shirts get.

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Making Memories Old Time Photos

Making Memories is a photo studio that lets you dress up like a cowboy or cowgirl. Choose a Western outfit and a background, and get an Old Time Photo from this studio. What’s more, if you suddenly need to get married, the owners are licensed ministers and can get you hitched up. The shop is at 88 Main Street, Oatman, Arizona.

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What’s cooking in Oatman Ghost Town

If you are craving southwestern comfort food, the town has a few eateries with you covered. Try out Olive Oatman Restaurant for some great chili and peach fry bread. For prickly pear candy, visit the Oatman Candy Shop. Judy’s Saloon and the Oatman Hotel serve breakfast and lunch for a relaxed drink visit.

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Oatman, Arizona History

Oatman is an Arizona boom town that dates back to the 1860s. The discovery of a rich ore body in 1915 sparked a gold rush that lasted for ten years. The town attracted miners and prospectors from far and wide, growing to a population of over 3,500 residents. However, in 1924, the town’s main mine shut down, and while some mining continued until 1944, the last mines eventually closed. In the 1980s, a resurgence of interest in Route 66 and nearby Laughlin, Nevada’s growth, revitalized the town. Today, Oatman attracts over half a million visitors annually.

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Route 66 Beyond Oatman: Cool Springs Station

The main road through the town is Oatman Road, which is part of the historic Route 66. This two-lane highway stretches 42 miles, climbing steep grades and winding through the beautiful Arizona desert. A must-see stop along Route 66 is Cool Springs Station, a former service station that now serves as a museum dedicated to Route 66. Built-in the 1920s, it originally featured a gas station, cabins, and a restaurant.

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Getting to Oatman, Arizona

Located about 28 miles from Laughlin, Nevada, and 29 miles from Kingman, Arizona, Oatman is an easy day trip. The drive offers rugged beauty—think Joshua trees and jagged peaks like Elephant’s Tooth—but the road isn’t for the faint-hearted, with sharp curves and no guardrails. Vehicles over 40 feet are prohibited.

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Summary: Oatman Worth a Visit

Oatman isn’t a typical ghost town with crumbling ruins; it’s a living relic that blends history, kitsch, and natural charm. Whether you’re feeding a burro, watching a mock shootout, or soaking in the Route 66 nostalgia, it’s a quirky detour that captures the spirit of the American Southwest. Just be prepared: the burros might stick their heads in your car window if you’re not quick enough to roll it up!

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Chloride, Arizona: A Historic Mining Town

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Tombstone Arizona: Wild West Tourist Town

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