Kingman, Arizona, "The Heart of Historic Route 66," lies in the middle of the longest uninterrupted stretch of Route 66. Route 66 nostalgia is showcased in its art deco roadside motels and eateries, neon signs, Route 66 Museum and the community's love of classic automobiles. One of the best ways to experience the area is to take a cruise along the Mother Road, Route66.
Kingman is a city that is proud of its rich history and heritage, beginning as a simple railroad town and later an Army airfield training site and a popular Route 66 stop-trains, planes and automobiles are what built Kingman. Kingman is located in northwestern Arizona and serves as the seat of Mohave County. The city is bordered on the east by the Hualapai Mountains and on the west by the Cerbat Mountains. Kingman's proximity to Nevada, California, the Colorado River region and several other large and small cities in Arizona, has made it an appealing site for industry as well as the perfect base from which to explore the region. In addition, its elevation at 3400' makes for a temperate year-round climate. Many have discovered the ideal location and the city is thriving and growing; yet, it still retains a laid-back, small town charm.
Kingman, Arizona offers a multitude of activities ranging from touring Route 66 and the area history, antiquing and enjoying outdoor recreational opportunities. For more information, click image to the right for a quick guide to Kingman or click on the link below for a free (and very detailed) travel planner.
Activities
Sightseeing
Powerhouse Visitor Center : The first stop and must see for any traveler to Kingman is the Powerhouse Visitor Center . This building dates from 1907 and originally functioned as an electric generating plant to operate equipment in area mines. Today, visitors can pick up information on the area in its visitor center, purchase some souvenirs at the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona gift shop and Old West Store, peruse the photos in the Carlos Elmer Gallery, obtain relocation and business information at the Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce administration office and explore the history of the famous Route 66 roadway in the Route 66 Museum.
Route 66: "Get Your Kicks on Route 66" in Kingman by taking a drive through town and viewing the art deco style architecture, enjoy hamburgers and shakes at a 50s style diner and trace the roots of the Mother Road at the Route 66 Museum. Cruise southwest on Route 66 from Kingman to the Gold Road Mine and take a tour of an old gold mine. Further west lies Oatman , an old mining town where semi-wild burros (descendants of the miners' burros) roam the streets. If you continue west, you will reach Topock /Golden Shores and the Colorado River . If you drive east from Kingman on Route 66, you will pass through the small communities of Hackberry, Valentine and Truxton before entering the Hualapai Indian Reservation and the town of Peach Springs. Grand Canyon Resort Corporation, based out of Peach Springs, offers river rafting trips on the Colorado River as well as tours of Grand Canyon West Rim. Also in Peach Springs, you will find Grand Canyon Caverns, where you can travel 21 stories below ground and view ancient rock formations. Traveling further east will bring you to the quintessential Route 66 town of Seligman with its legendary Snow Cap drive-in and Angel's Barber Shop and Route 66 Gift Shop and Museum. This continuous stretch of Route 66 ends in Ashfork .
Historic District: Kingman boasts more than 60 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places?most located in downtown Kingman and dating from the 1800s and early 1900s?allowing visitors the opportunity to experience a lesson in history just by walking along the streets. Pick up a walking/driving tour map of the historic district at the Powerhouse Visitor Center and spend an couple of hours or a full day meandering through old town. Many of the buildings are still in use today as businesses or government offices. One of the historic sites of note is the Bonelli House. Built in 1916, this house served as the second home for the Bonelli family, early settlers to the area. It was built of locally quarried tufa stone and is an excellent example of the architecture that was popular in the area at the time. Visitors may tour this historic home that houses Bonelli family originals as well as other period pieces, including a large wall clock that at one time was the only clock in Kingman. In Locomotive Park , visitors may climb aboard old steam engine #3759. This steam locomotive was the last to traverse the line to Kingman and was presented to the City in 1957 by the Santa Fe Railroad. The historic district also features a myriad of antique stores and unique shops.
White Cliffs Wagon Trail Park & Camp Beale's Springs: Also in the downtown area, there are two historic outdoor sites: White Cliffs Wagon Trail Park & Camp Beale's Springs. At White Cliffs Wagon Trail Park , you will see part of the old wagon road that was used to bring ore down from the Stockton Hill Mines to the railroad. Camp Beale's Springs was established in 1871 by Company F, 12 th US Infantry out of Fort Whipple to provide continued protection along the Fort Mojave and Prescott Toll Road and to act as a feeding and supply station for the Hualapai Indians. The site has also been used for ranching/farming, a way station hotel, ore milling and mining and a water works, and today, Beale Springs is a water source for Kingman. Visitors may stroll through the area and enjoy the natural landscape as well as some historical remnants of the camp.
Museums: Kingman has three museums: the Mohave Museum of History & Arts, the Route 66 Museum and the Kingman Army Airfield Museum . The Mohave Museum of History & Arts on Beale Street tells the history of the area from the time of the Native Americans. Displays include a Native American history and crafts display, an Andy Devine room showcasing photos and artifacts of the late Western actor who was raised in Kingman, a display of native plants and animals, outdoor mining and railroad exhibits and a library housing historical articles and photos of Kingman. The Route 66 Museum is located inside the historic Powerhouse Visitor Center along Route 66 in downtown Kingman. The Route 66 Museum recounts the history of the famous roadway through photos, artifacts and life-size dioramas, including an emotionally powerful Grapes of Wrath exhibit. During World War II, more than 36,000 gunners trained at the Kingman Army Airfield, and today, you can learn about the history of the airfield at the Kingman Army Airfield Museum located at the Kingman Airport in a historic hangar. The museum houses some of the old airplanes and parts as well as photos and other artifacts from that era.
Day Trips: Kingman is located near many interesting sites and attractions in the region. Route 66 is a popular day trip activity. In addition, Oatman and Chloride are old mining communities that have several historic buildings and are host to a variety of "Old West" activities, such as gunfight reenactments. The Colorado River region is located only about 35 miles from Kingman at its closest point, enabling visitors to enjoy recreational watersports and fishing. In this region are the communities of Bullhead City , Lake Havasu City and Parker. The Hoover Dam is about an hour-and-a-half drive from Kingman. One of the most popular day trips in the area is a trip to the Grand Canyon . At about 80 miles from Kingman, Grand Canyon West, located on the Hualapai Indian Reservation, offers the closest access to the canyon. The South Rim, a popular stop in Grand Canyon National Park is located 170 miles from Kingman.
Outdoor Recreation
Camping: Several RV parks and campgrounds in scenic desert or mountain locations (such as Hualapai Mountain Park ) offer everything from primitive dry camping to full hook-ups and amenities, such as swimming pools and cable TV.
Golfing: Tee off at one of Kingman's championship 18-hole golf courses. Two courses, one located right in the heart of town and the other off of historic Route 66, feature challenging courses, driving and putting greens and scenic mountain and desert surroundings.
Hiking/Biking/Equestrian/Wildlife Viewing: The recently completed Cerbat Foothills Recreation Area (CFRA) covers 11,300 acres of Mohave Desert grassland and offers 4 different trail systems totaling about 19 miles, which are open to hikers and joggers, equestrian use and bicyclists. Vegetation in the area includes yucca, beavertail, prickly pear, creosote and mesquite, and the CFRA provides habitat for mule deer, Sonoran desert tortoise, coyotes, foxes, Gambel's quail, mourning dove, several types of raptors and many smaller mammals, birds and reptiles. Or head 12 miles east to Hualapai Mountain Park , with elevations ranging from 4984' to 8417', making it a perfect oasis from the heat of summer and a sometimes snowy playground in winter. Hualapai Mountain Park stands as a direct contrast to the desert landscape of Kingman; the park is filled with pine forests and juniper amidst granite rock formations, and visitors can view abundant wildlife that includes several varieties of birds, fox, deer and elk. Hike or bike along miles of trails and enjoy the breathtaking views, or enjoy such activities as camping, picnicking, volleyball, softball and horseshoes. The City Parks and Recreation Department has also completed a series of trails and sidewalks within the city for those who would rather do some walking or jogging in a more urban surrounding.
Offroad Vehicles: There are some trail systems around the Kingman area and in the Hualapai Mountains and Cerbat ranges that are open to use by ATVs and other offroad vehicles. The Bureau of Land Management Kingman Field Office can advise as to which trails are available. The Hualapai and Cerbat mountains both contain the remnants of the old mining operations that took place in the region.
Parks : Play a game of ball, picnic or simply relax in one of the City's 9 parks. There are also two public pools: Downtown and Centennial Park . Lewis Kingman Park has a dog park so that you can let Fido run around and play. The City Parks and Recreation Department offer several activities throughout the year, from pool parties to fitness programs to softball tournaments and sports camps.
Shopping & Dining
Antiquing: Kingman offers many of the modern department stores that we are accustomed to; however, Kingman also gives shoppers a chance to hunt for antiques and more unique gifts. In historic downtown Kingman, a myriad of antiques stores, gift shops and thrift stores abound with everything from quilts and knitting materials to fancy glassware and vintage second-hand clothing.
Dining: Enjoy hamburgers and shakes and homemade root beer in a 50s style diner, sample international cuisine at a Thai, Chinese or Mexican restaurant or opt for elegant French cuisine served in a historic hotel... There is something to satisfy everyone's appetite.
Annual Events
February:
- Wine & Cheese Tasting Extravaganza
- Home & Garden Expo
- Kingman Hog Days & Poker Run
- Historic Route 66 Fun Run
- Festival of the Arts
- Hualapai Downs Horse Races
- Route 66 Race for Hospice (marathon)
- KABAM (Kingman Area Books Are Magic Festival)
- Independence Day Activities & Fireworks Display
- Beale Street Block Party
- Mighty Mud Mania
- Hualapai Mountain Arts & Crafts Festival
- Mohave County Fair
- Napa Racing Kingman Street Drags
- Andy Devine Days Parade & Community Fair & PRCA Rodeo
- Fall Festival & Founders Day Parade
- Dick Tomlin Spirit of Triathlon
- Kingman Cancer Care Arts & Crafts Fair
- Mohave County Veterans Parade
- Very Merry Parade of Lights
Click here for more information on the events listed above and others held in Kingman, Arizona.
Cities and Towns
Kingman. Kingman is the Mohave County seat, located in northwestern Arizona, bordered on the north by Utah, on the northwest by Nevada and the southwest side of the county by California. It is nestled in the far eastern reaches of the Mohave Desert between the Hualapai and Cerbat mountains at an altitude of 3,400 feet.
