Begging Burros

Oatman, Arizona

As you walk the sidewalks of this historic old town on old Route 66, you'll probably meet some of the town's most ornery residents -- the dozen or so burros that roam the streets looking for a handout. These are descendants of miner's burros that were long ago released into the wild. And these are no bashful burros; they'll pose for a picture with you, but will also expect something in return. So the town shops offer burro feed, as well as a large assortment of burro-related items. There's also an annual "Burro Biscuit Toss," which is not exactly what it sounds like!

The photos above both show my daughter -- one year old in 1993 (left photo), and 15 years old in 2008!

News Flash!

According to an article in the August 25, 2009 Arizona Republic, the Bureau of Land Management is asking vistors to Oatman to stop feeding the burros! "The burros that wander around the Oatman ghost town are getting fat and sick because tourists are overfeeding them ... BLM Public Affairs Officer Mike Brown said wild burros are healthier than the burros that hang around the old copper mining town. Brown said burros get all the nutrients and sustenance they need from desert vegetation around Oatman ..."

For more photos of Oatman, go to my Old Route 66 in Arizona web page.

Directions: Oatman is 25 miles west of Kingman on Route 66.

Last visited: November 1993, July 2008.

Standard disclaimer: Sites are described for entertainment purposes only, as they were at the time of my last visit. I can not vouch for the current condition of the site or its accessibility.