Cathy Ott

Kingman AZ Area Guide

Kingman is a city in Mohave County, Arizona, United States. Kingman is best known for as being “the heart of historic route 66” because it lies along the longest remaining preserved stretch of Historic Route 66. Known as an all American highway; Kingman’s stretch of this historic route recently received national recognition as a National Scenic Byway. Visitors from all over the globe visit Kingman to get their “Kicks on Historic Route 66.” Kingman is also known as being a gateway to the gambling destinations of Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nevada, as well as its proximity to the Grand Canyon, California, the Colorado River, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and many other national parks and forests. The city of Kingman is the County seat of Mohave County located in northwest Arizona. Mohave County is the fastest growing county in Arizona.
Kingman is an area for opportunity. Homes that suit any family’s needs and budget can be found throughout Kingman. It is an important regional trade, service and distribution center for northwestern Arizona. Growth in U.S. trade with Canada and Mexico, combined with Kingman’s location on national transportation routes, provides an excellent opportunity for Kingman to be a center for international trade. As the city continues to attract additional new residents each month and new businesses each year, a great demand for new products and services makes Kingman an ideal place for exciting new opportunities.
Residents enjoy the area’s natural beauty and inviting climate. Kingman’s quality housing, excellent schools including community college with extended learning through Northern Arizona University, clean environment, several parks, 2 public golf courses, regional attractions, available land and natural resources, and the pleasant year-round weather are just a few of the positive factors that have attracted new residents and businesses to our community.

History of Kingman

Beale Springs

Kingman was founded as a railroad settlement and a monument in the park pays tribute to those who forged the route, such as the wagon trails of the early settlers and the surveys of Lt. Edward Beale. Today, visitors may get up close and examine this marvel of earlier locomotive structure and design while listening to the modern trains whizzing by on the nearby railroad tracks. The beautiful shady park is also a popular relaxation spot for both tourists and Kingmanites.

Recreation and Local Attractions

Our city straddles the scenic Hualapai, Cerbat and Black Mountains, which offer hiking, picnicking, camping, and other outdoor activities in the cool pines. The Kingman and Colorado River areas offer a unique range of recreational and historical attractions as do several ghost towns in the area. The rivers and lakes offer fishing along with boating and other forms of water-oriented recreation.

Grand Canyon Caverns
Grand Canyon Caverns is a natural limestone cavern 210 feet underground and the largest dry cavern in the U.S. You enter and leave the caverns by means of an elevator. We offer a 45 minute, 3/4 mile guided walking tours. You can go horseback riding, camping, and even swimming under the thundering waterfalls. RV and camping guests have full use of our big heated pool, disc golf course and miles of nature trails..

Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon lies on the Colorado Plateau in northwestern Arizona and is well known for its geologic significance. The Grand Canyon is one of the most studied geologic landscapes in the world. It offers an excellent record of three of the four eras of geological time, a rich and diverse fossil record, a vast array of geologic features and rock types, and numerous caves containing extensive and significant geological, paleontological, archeological and biological resources. It is considered one of the finest examples of arid-land erosion in the world. The Canyon, incised by the Colorado River, is immense.

The Park contains several major ecosystems. The Park also serves as an ecological refuge, with relatively undisturbed remnants of dwindling ecosystems. It is home to numerous rare, endemic (found only at Grand Canyon), and threatened/endangered plant and animal species. Over 1,500 plant, 355 bird, 89 mammalian, 47 reptile, 9 amphibian, and 17 fish species are found in the park. The oldest human artifacts found are nearly 12,000 years old and date to the Paleo-Indian period. There has been continuous archeological use and occupation of the park since that time.

White Cliffs Wagon Trail
Explore a piece of history along the wagon road that was once used to bring ore from the Stockton Hill Mines to the railroad. The wagon tracks have been cut deep into the stone and there are depressions along both sides of the roadbed, which were used for stubbing posts and ropes to help get the heavy wagons up and down the grade.

Please click here for the Mohave County Parks Department

Hualapai Mountains
is a mountain range near Kingman, Arizona. Hualapai Mountain Park was first developed during the early 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The roads, trails, picnic and camping areas, along with the stone cabins and pavilions, are still much as they were 50 years ago, helping to give the park it's own unique and solid character.
The name is derived from the name of the Indian tribe that once called these mountains home until they were relocated by the military in the 1870's. The Hualapai Mountains is mainly covered in forest, and has many natural springs. Bear, Elk, Mule Deer, Mountain Lion, Javelina, and many other animals can be found here.

Colorado River
The Colorado River is a river in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately 1,450 mi (2,330 km) long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The natural course of the river flows into the Gulf of California, but the heavy use of the river as an irrigation source for the Imperial Valley has desiccated the lower course of the river in Mexico such that it no longer consistently reaches the sea.

Mohave Museum of History and Arts
The Mohave museum is dedicated to the purposes of preserving the heritage of Northwestern Arizona and of presenting the history to the public.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area
is located in southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona. The centerpieces of the National Recreation Area are it's two large reservoirs: Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, These lakes cater to boaters, swimmers, sunbathers, and fishermen while the surrounding desert rewards hikers, wildlife photographers, and roadside sightseers. This seemingly barren area contains a surprising variety of plants and animals, some of which may be found nowhere else in the world. The Hoover Dam, which was completed in 1935 creating Lake Mead, is located within Lake Mead NRA. Tours of the dam and the Hoover Dam Visitor Center are managed by the United States Bureau of Reclamation.

Laughlin NV
An oasis bordered by rugged desert and the Colorado River, Laughlin welcomes 4 million visitors a year. Our stages regularly play host to Debbie Reynolds, Jeff Foxworthy, and the Beach Boys, just to name a few. A variety of lounges and bars offer live entertainment.

Big Bend State Recreation Area
The park offers dramatic views of the river and surrounding mountains. Popular activities are picnicking, boating, fishing and swimming. Located five miles south of Laughlin on the Needles Highway.

Kingman Events

Kingman is home to many spectacular events that take place throughout the year. A visit to Kingman wouldn’t be complete without checking out these great events that are perfect for everyone in the family to enjoy. To list a few: Route 66 Fun Run, Mohave County Fair, Summer in the Pines, Classic Hot Rod & Car Show, Andy Devine Days, Annual Festival of the Arts, Kingman Street Drags, and the Cancer Care Arts & Craft Fair. Click here for a complete list of events in the area.

Laughlin River Run
West Coast's Largest Motorcycle Event On The Banks Of The Colorado River. Thousands of motorcycle riders congregate in Laughlin, Nevada and the surrounding areas including Kingman. Many riders spend the days riding in the area and exploring the scenic countryside. Laughlin casino parking lots fill with vendors selling a wide variety of motorcycle parts, gear and accessories. Bikes are on display by MC dealers & many more. This annual even started in 1983.