Oatman,AZ - Montana Owners Club

richfaa · 01-27-2007, 04:39 AM

Took a day trip up there from Havasu City yesterday.Oatman is a one time Gold mining town, Ghost town and now a tourist attraction.It is on old, unimproved, Rt#66. The town is in bad shape,some of it in ruins, just as it should be. Prices reasonable, Food in the Olive Oatman restaurant and Saloon good. Did you know that Clark Gable and Carol Lombard spent their honeymoon in the local Hotel. The town is in the middle of nowhere and the trip on old Rt 66 is well worth it. Despite the fact that they allow foul smelling, filthy burro's to roam freely depositing their mess everywhere passing it off as "preserving a Western tradition" That would be a western tradition that, to me, does not need preserving.. The trip East out of Oatman on Rt#66 to I-44 is not to be missed..just spectacular..Not a road to be pulling a camper on.This part of the country is breath taking in its stark beauty. We still prefer our Ohio Greenery.

315RLS · 01-27-2007, 06:55 AM

Check out Jerrico if you get a chance while you're out there you might enjoy it.

Ops.. meant Jerome

gojodo · 01-27-2007, 10:51 PM

Oatman, what an interesting place. Not a place to tow. Mules everywhere, sticking their heads in our car looking for food. One shop owner said they were becoming a real pest. This is a town to visit.
Another place to visit is Gerome Az., park the Monty, parking is a bear. We drop up and found it very difficult to park a small rental car. They do have a bus to transport and you can walk around the town. It is a artist community.
Dorothy
Manakin Sabot, Va.

smc · 01-28-2007, 12:41 AM

Do you mean Gerome, the mining town. If it is the same one we went to, it is worth seeing. Definately don't want to tow a trailer up there, from the Prescott side, there are 150 hairpin turns in 30 miles, and there are a couple of turns in town that would challenge a trailer. Some really different stores, one was just kaliedescopes (sp?) all shapes and sizes. Some nice jewellry stores and some unique stuff.

AZCampinfool · 01-28-2007, 11:47 AM

Rich, Gojodo and SMC are talking about Jerome AZ. It is located between Prescott and Clarkdale. Here is a good website that tells all about it. http://www.azjerome.com It is really not close to where you are at, but it is worth a visit if you are in the Verde Valley/Sedona area. Of course, the red rocks of Sedona are awesome and worth their own visit. There are some nice campgrounds that I can recommend if you decide to take a detour and spend a few days on your way to Apache Junction. Also, it would be a long day trip from Apache Junction or a real easy overnighter if you decide to do that once you get to A.J.

scattershot · 01-28-2007, 02:30 PM

I liked the burros, we thought they were cute. They are allowed to roam freely, and most of the stores in town sell carrots for you to feed them. Don't take your trailer!

Rex & Mary · 01-29-2007, 08:00 AM

We spend our winters just 10 miles down the mountain from Oatman, and occasionally the burros venture down to check out our RV park. Don't miss the gunfights in the street at 1:30 PM daily. If you're on a "Road Trip & Cocktails" I'd suggest Hooch's in Golden Shores and the Topoc Marina for a cold one. If you looking for an overnight stop, I'd suggest the Avi Casino, which has a KOA RV park, or a free dry lot for boondocking.

adelmoll · 01-29-2007, 01:02 PM

I also think that the burros is what preserves tradition and I love it. Of course that is just my opinion and I am sorry that Richfaa feels the way he does about a great little city. I hope that doesn't stop any of you from visiting this great area. I took a lot of pictures from there just about a year ago and put them on our blog. I think they are so cute and we had a ball. Sorry Rich.

Helen

richfaa · 01-30-2007, 04:56 AM

"This part of the country is breath taking in its stark beauty." It was not my intent to discourage anyone from visiting this area. It was a "honest" expression of MY experience.

Ozz · 01-30-2007, 05:56 AM

Good report, I wish we would have made it there, glad you two troublemakers are seeing the sights there.
Did you drive to Quartzsite? Have you made it to the Desert Bar yet? We would like a report on that some Saturday or Sunday. (I wouldn't go there because I didn't want to get the underside of my truck dirty...I know.)
It looks neat there on the internet site.
Say hi to Helen for Sue and I.
Ozz

richfaa · 01-30-2007, 08:39 AM

We did drive down to Quartzsite sans the camper and visited the MOC circle..nice trip.Yes on the desert bar..it is indeed a "desert bar". We are out of here in the AM....Helen has become a real good beader.

Debbie Asher · 01-30-2007, 11:37 AM

My husband and I left the day after Christmas for Arizona. Visited Oatman enjoyed it and enjoyed the people in the town. We camped in a Campground called Zane Grey in Camp Verde, AZ. Zane Grey campground is for 55 and older no kids, allows dogs and the people there are great. Also we visited Lake Havasu, Sedona, Jerome along with alot of other places. Came back home on Jan 6th, I messed the last step on the 5th wheel and lost my balance and broke my right wrist in two places on Jan. 2nd. Now in a cast and back to work. Dreaming of the next vacation in March.

jrgwdenner · 01-30-2007, 12:47 PM

Debbie, welcome to the forum. I am sorry about your fall and at the same time I'm thankful you weren't hurt any worse. I've heard horror stories about people falling out of RVs and it is a reminder to all of us to be cautious.

Thanks for the campground hint. We're hoping to see the places you mentioned while we're in Arizona.

Garin1 · 02-21-2007, 08:47 AM

I visited Oatman when I was staying in Havasu.Quaint little town, great buffalo burgers. Visit the gold mine while you are there.

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