Sitgreaves Pass
The high point where Old Route 66 crosses the Black Mountains. Steep switchbacks with no guardrails lead to a summit with views across three states’ desert, making it the most thrilling stretch of the road.
Sitgreaves Pass sits at about 1,080 m, the saddle where Old Route 66 crosses the Black Mountains on the way from Kingman to Oatman. It is named after Lorenzo Sitgreaves, an army engineer who surveyed the area in the 1850s. Before the road was realigned in 1952, this “Oatman Highway” was notorious for its steepness. Many vehicles had to climb in reverse, and some drivers even hired locals to tow them up the hill. Today the road is paved, but it still features continuous hairpin bends and steep grades, mostly without guardrails. A small pullout at the summit offers views of the desert mountains where Arizona, Nevada and California meet. It takes about 40 minutes to drive from Kingman, and along the way you can stop at Cool Springs Station. Driving RVs or trailers longer than about 12 m is not recommended.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Cool Springs Station
- Mohave Museum of History and Arts
- Arizona Route 66 Museum
- Locomotive Park
- Mr. D'z Route 66 Diner
- Historic Downtown Kingman
- Bonelli House
- Chloride & Roy Purcell Murals