Route 66, Oatman, Nelson Ghost Town SmallGroup Tour from LasVegas
Description
Discover historic Route 66, Oatman, Kingman, and Nelson Ghost Town on a small-group tour from Las Vegas. Travel comfortably in a modern SUV, minivan or van, with ample time in Oatman to see the famous wild burros, explore classic Route 66 stops, and walk through one of Nevada’s most authentic ghost towns. This full-day experience is ideal for travelers who want scenic desert landscapes, history, and relaxed pacing — without large buses or rushed stops. Pickup and drop-off from select Las Vegas hotels are included, along with a knowledgeable local guide who handles driving, navigation, and timing so you can enjoy the journey stress-free. With small groups and carefully planned stops, this tour offers a more personal and immersive way to experience the Southwest beyond the Strip.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your day begins with a scenic drive through the Nevada desert to Nelson Ghost Town, a once-booming gold mining settlement set in the rugged landscape of Eldorado Canyon. Spend about an hour exploring at a relaxed pace, walking among well-preserved historic buildings, vintage vehicles, and old mining equipment that offer a glimpse into the area’s Wild West past. This atmospheric ghost town is especially popular with photographers and history enthusiasts. Guests who wish may also optionally visit the Techatticup Mine for a guided underground tour, where stories of mining life and frontier history bring the town’s past to life.
Leaving Nelson, travel south into Arizona and join a scenic stretch of the iconic Route 66, where desert landscapes and classic roadside views capture the spirit of the American road trip. Continue to Oatman, a historic mining town set in the Black Mountains and best known for its friendly wild burros — descendants of the donkeys once used by miners. Enjoy up to 90 minutes of free time to explore at a relaxed pace. Wander the wooden sidewalks, see the burros roaming through town, browse souvenir shops, and grab lunch or snacks if you wish. With its Old West charm and laid-back atmosphere, Oatman offers one of the most memorable stops along Route 66 without feeling rushed.
After Oatman, continue to Kingman, one of the most important towns along historic Route 66. Visit the Arizona Route 66 Museum, located inside the restored Powerhouse Visitor Center, for an engaging look at the road’s history and cultural impact. Spend about 30–45 minutes exploring exhibits that showcase classic cars, vintage road signs, and historic photographs, offering a nostalgic glimpse into America’s golden age of road trips. This stop provides context and storytelling that brings the Route 66 experience full circle.
Just steps from the museum, make a brief stop at Locomotive Park to see the impressive Santa Fe Steam Engine No. 3759, a fully restored 1940s-era locomotive on public display. Spend about 15–20 minutes getting up close to this iconic piece of railroad history, with time for photos and a closer look at the engine’s details. This easy, outdoor stop adds a memorable touch to the Route 66 experience without extending the day.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
-We will make stops along the way to use the bathroom and buy coffee and snacks -We will make a stop for lunch -Departure details will be sent the day before the trip by 1 pm. -We pick up from any location in Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder City metropolitan areas.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(46)
Great Tour. Great tour Guide. This tour was very good but because of what happend with our tour to area 51, I would not want to book a tour again through Viator. Disappointed with Viator, if you have a problem you can not talk to them. Very bad business
The tour was good. Wish we had a little more time at Oatman. I really enjoyed the whole trip. The tour guide really tied everything together.
We had a wonderful time on this tour with Matthew as our tour guide and driver. The places we visited were all wonderful and we loved having free time in Oatman to wander. The icing on the cake for us though was driving on the historic route 66, and Matthew was awesome at taking pictures for our group. He also played great music to go with the nature of the tour.
This was a an Amazing experience that took us to Nelson that started our great time traveling and the Oatman motel was very enjoyable and to finish at the Kingsman museum. Highly recommend and Matthew was very informative and an excellent Host.
Excellent trip, great views of Nevada and Arizona. Mathew was very informative and gave great insight throughout the day. A very enjoyable trip.
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re happy to hear you enjoyed the trip, the views of Nevada and Arizona, and Matthew’s information and insights throughout the day. Thank you for choosing Forventura Tours. We hope to welcome you again soon!
My Route 66 tour with Matthew was truly unforgettable. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and made the entire experience enjoyable from start to finish. Along the way, he shared fascinating stories and local insights that brought the history of Route 66 to life. The tour was well organized, relaxed, and full of memorable stops. Matthew’s enthusiasm and passion made a real difference and turned a great trip into an amazing experience. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Las Vegas and looking for a unique and memorable day. Thank you, Matthew, for an unforgettable adventure on Route 66!
Thank you so much for your amazing review! We’re very happy to hear that your Route 66 tour with Matthew was such an unforgettable experience from start to finish. It’s wonderful to know that his knowledge, stories, local insights, and enthusiasm helped bring the history of Route 66 to life. We’re also glad you enjoyed the relaxed pace, organization, and memorable stops along the way. Thank you for recommending Forventura Tours to others visiting Las Vegas!
The Route 66 Ghost Town tour was everything and then some. Matthew, our Forventura guide was quite pleasant and extremely knowledgeable on history of the Nelson and Oatman Mines. The ride along Route 66 to Kingman, AZ was quite an experience. He was very accommodating to everyone in our group making necessary and scenic stops along the way. If you’ve already visited the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and the Vegas strip, I highly recommend this tour. 
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re very happy to hear that the Route 66 Ghost Town tour exceeded your expectations. Matthew will truly appreciate your kind words about his knowledge, hospitality, and scenic stops throughout the day. Nelson, Oatman, and the drive along Route 66 to Kingman are such special parts of the experience. Thank you for choosing Forventura Tours and for recommending this tour to visitors looking to see something beyond the usual Las Vegas attractions!
Matthew has been a amazing tour guide today, if you take a tour with him you definitely won't regret it
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re happy to hear that Matthew made your tour such a great experience. We truly appreciate your recommendation and are glad you had a memorable day with Forventura Tours!
This was a great day trip lead by driver/guide Matthew. We visited Nelson ghost town and had an eerie walk round, then Oatman on Route 66 and saw the burros wandering through the town. A real old western friendly town and then onto Kingman on Route 66 and spent time in the amazing Route 66 museum. A highly recommended day trip out of Las Vegas!.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re happy you had a great day with Matthew exploring Nelson Ghost Town, Oatman, the burros, Kingman, and the Route 66 Museum. It’s great to hear you enjoyed the old western atmosphere and the trip out of Las Vegas. Thank you for recommending Forventura Tours!
If you have the chance to travel with the Brazilian dude, let me tell you that his conversation about " Origins" is stressful. More than 1 people including me have felt not very please after listening to his "cliche" point of view of nationalities and facial features a person should have.
Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that this part of the conversation made you uncomfortable. Native American history, local origins, migration, and the cultural background of the Southwest are important parts of the history we discuss on this tour, as they are deeply connected to Western American culture. That said, we always want our conversations to feel respectful and enjoyable for everyone, and we appreciate you bringing this to our attention.
