Hollingsworth Properties

Kingman AZ Area Guide

“The Heart of Historic Route 66”
Famously located on the longest remaining stretch of Route 66, Kingman recently received recognition as a National Scenic Byway. Kingman is an easy commute to Las Vegas, Laughlin, Phoenix and the Grand Canyon; its location makes it an excellent place for trade within the region. It is a popular service and distribution center for northwestern Arizona. The increase in trade between the United States, Canada, and Mexico has positioned Kingman as a hub for international trade.

The City of Kingman is the county seat of Mohave County, which is the fastest growing county in Arizona. Between 1990 and 2000 the city’s population increased by over 57%, from approximately 13,208 to 20,069 residents. The current population estimate is over 26,000 and is expected to rise as the demand for new products and services continues to attract new businesses to the area. With an elevation around 3,300 feet, new residents are attracted to the city’s temperate climate and its bustling commerce.

Along U.S. Highway 93 the Hoover Dam Bypass project is being completed; the project will open doors for areas like Kingman and position it as an affordable alternative for commuters from Las Vegas. The lower housing prices coupled with the new bypass project have spurred Las Vegas land developers to buy property in Kingman for residential use. Residents are drawn to the city’s natural beauty, and homes can be found that suit any family’s needs and budget. In addition to quality housing, other factors that attract residents are excellent schools, a low crime rate, clean environment, a variety of recreational activities and natural resources that are open to the community.

The Birth of Beale Springs
Founded in 1882 as a railroad siding near Beale’s Springs, Kingman is located in the scenic Hualapai Valley between the Hualapai and Cerbat mountain ranges. The area was home to the Hualapai Indians for centuries before Lt. Edward Beale visited the area in the 1850s and constructed a wagon road; in 1865 Beale Springs became a toll stop between Prescott and Hardyville.

The area became a temporary Army outpost during the Hualapai War between 1866 and 1870. Following the war Camp Beale Springs was officially established by Company F, 12th U.S. Infantry in Fort Whipple in 1871. The camp was a supply station for the Hualapai Indians and provided continuous protection along the Prescott Toll Road until the Hualapai Indians were forced to leave the area and relocate to the Colorado River Indian Tribes Reservation at La Paz (near Parker, Arizona). Camp Beale Springs became inactive on April 6, 1874.

Since then, the site has been used for agriculture, ore milling, and mining operations. A way-station hotel and a water works facility were also built. The Springs became a water source for the growing city of Kingman, and a reservoir was constructed which is still partially standing today. With the land no longer being used for residential purposes, the people of Kingman were free to use the land for picnics, swimming, and hiking as they still do today.

Locomotive Park
Engine No. 3759, a “Northern-type” coal burning steam locomotive was built in 1928 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Eddystone, PA to transport passengers between Los Angeles and Kansas City. The engine ran for over 20 years before it was finally retired by the Santa Fe Railroad after traveling 2,585,600 miles over its lifetime. Engine No. 3759 was rebuilt and converted to run on oil fuel in 1941; it was later presented to the City of Kingman by the Santa Fe Railroad as a historical monument in 1957 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On May 9, 1987 the engine was moved 30 feet by 1,200 Kingman residents and two 100-yard ropes to accommodate a new red caboose; the event was named Kingman’s Great Locomotive Pull.

Since Kingman was originally founded as a railroad settlement, a monument in the park was built to pay tribute to the settlers who forged the route. Today, visitors can examine the design and engineering of the early locomotives while listening to modern trains traveling on nearby railroad tracks. The shady park is also a great spot for rest and relaxation for both tourists and Kingman residents.

Kingman Recreation and Local Attractions

The City of Kingman is nestled between the Hualapai, Cerbat, and the Black Mountains, and thus offers a variety of outdoor activities. Hiking, picnicking, and camping are popular here due to the peaceful shade beneath the towering pine trees. The nearby rivers and lakes offer a wide range of recreational opportunities such as boating and fishing, and there are nearby ghost towns that are unique historical attractions to visit as well.

Grand Canyon Caverns
Located 210 feet underground, the Grand Canyon Caverns are made of limestone and make up the largest dry caverns in the United States. The caverns can be easily entered by elevator so no climbing is required. 45-minute guided walking tours are offered (3/4 mile) along with horseback riding on the surrounding ranches and swimming beneath waterfalls with brilliant blue green waters. Camp grounds are also available, and RV and camping guests have full access to a heated pool, disc golf course, and miles of nature trails. Grand Canyon Caverns consists of 800 acres of land so there is always plenty to do!

Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is located on the Colorado Plateau in northwestern Arizona; it consists of 1,218,375 acres of natural, semi-arid land. The area boasts large, raised plateaus, basins, and several steep-walled canyons below the dense forests.

Due to its sheer size, the Grand Canyon is one of the most studied geological landscapes in the world. The diverse fossil record found here encompasses three of the four eras of geological time, not to mention a vast array of rock formations and caves that house many paleontological, archeological, and biological resources. The canyon is incised by the Colorado River which is 4,000 feet deep on average and spans 277 miles; it is 6,000 feet deep at its deepest point and 15 miles across at its widest point. The Canyon is considered to be one of the best examples of arid-land erosion in the world.

In addition to the fossils and rock formations that can be found here, the Canyon is also home to several major ecosystems. The diversity is attributed to the amount of space the Canyon spans: five of the seven life zones are present here (Lower Sonoran, Upper Sonoran, Transition, Canadian, and Hudsonian) as well as three of the four desert types in North America (this is equivalent to traveling from Canada to Mexico in a biological sense). The Park also serves as an ecological refuge for shrinking ecosystems such as Boreal Forest and Desert Riparian communities. It is home to numerous rare, endemic, and protected species; there are over 1,500 plant, 335 bird, 89 mammalian, 47 reptilian, 9 amphibian, and 17 species of fish found here.

There has been continuous occupation of the park by humans since the Paleo-Indian Era and the oldest human artifacts that have been found here are nearly 12,000 years old. Researchers have identified over 4,800 archeological resources within the Park alone.

White Cliffs Wagon Trail
Visitors can explore a unique piece of history traveling down an authentic wagon road that once brought ore to the railroad from the Stockton Hill Mines. The old ore wagon route dates back to the late 1800s and the tracks have been cut deep into the stone. The depressions along the sides of the roadbed were used for stubbing posts and ropes (used to assist heavy wagons up the grade) and can still be seen today.

Hualapai Mountain Park
First established by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930s, the roads, trails, and stone cabins are still much like they were when they were first constructed 50 years ago. The park has its own unique character which has been preserved through its buildings and architecture over the years. The mountains stay green year-round and are covered in Pinion Pine trees. The land consists primarily of forests and natural springs, and a variety of animals can be found here including bear, elk, mule, deer, mountain lion, javelina, and many others.

The Colorado River
The Colorado River flows from the southwestern United States to northwestern Mexico and is approximately 1,450 miles long (2,330 km). The river drains the dry regions on the western slope of the Rockies and flows into the Gulf of California. The lower course of the river in Mexico does not consistently reach the sea due to heavy use of the river for irrigation of the Imperial Valley.

Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend is a segment of the Colorado River near Page, Arizona which is located slightly downstream from the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell. Only accessible by a ¾ mile hike down U.S. Route 89, the bend can be viewed from a steep cliff above it which forms a breathtaking vista.

For a complete list of attractions in the area click here

For more information on recreation in the area click here

Kingman Events

Annual Home and Garden Expo: March 7-9
At the Mojave County Fairgrounds experts team-up to give information on home renovations and landscaping to the residents of Kingman. There are booths and exhibits, and carnival rides are also available for children.

Laughlin River Run
Since 1983 thousands of motorcycle riders flood Laughlin every year to attend the largest motorcycle event on the West Coast, the Laughlin River Run. The ride takes place on the banks of the Colorado River, and riders spend days getting acquainted with the city’s scenic roads and popular attractions. The parking lot of the Laughlin Casino fills with vendors selling all kinds of motorcycle gear and supplies. There are also numerous bikes on display by motorcycle dealers and enthusiasts.

For a complete list of events in the area visit the events calendar by clicking here

For more information on Kingman AZ visit the official website by clicking here

For the Kingman AZ Chamber of Commerce website click here

For the Kingman AZ Tourism & Visitors Bureau website click here