The drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon can be a short trip or a full day packed with desert scenery, historic highways, and natural wonders. Traveling from the West Rim to the South Rim gives you a blend of modern stops and classic Route 66 towns. Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and Oatman still draw road-trippers who want to see old and new Arizona meet. Travelers heading for the Skywalk can loop back toward Williams for an overnight stop near the South Rim. Use this list to plan a flexible route that fits any schedule and offers more than just a long desert drive.
1. Hoover Dam (US-93/I-11)
Start your journey at Hoover Dam, a 726-foot concrete giant that holds back the Colorado River. Built in the 1930s, it remains one of America’s great public projects. Visitors can walk across the top, take a powerplant tour, or view the dam from the bypass bridge for a higher angle. Restrooms, exhibits, and shaded lookouts make it a comfortable stop. Arrive early to avoid security lines and midday heat. If you visit in summer, carry water and wear a hat because temperatures climb fast. The overlook on the Nevada side gives the best photo of the entire curve.
2. Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail (Lake Mead)
The Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail follows an old supply line that once carried materials to build Hoover Dam. The five tunnels cut through volcanic rock and open to wide lake views. The path is smooth enough for bikes, strollers, and pets on leashes. Interpretive signs explain how the trains ran 24 hours a day to move concrete and steel. The trail is most popular at sunrise and sunset when shadows stretch across the cliffs. Bring water and sunscreen because the desert sun is direct all year. Parking fills quickly on weekends, so arrive before 9 a.m. for an easier start.
3. Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Lake Mead covers more than a million acres of canyons, coves, and beaches. The drive from Boulder Beach to Echo Bay offers great photo stops with short side trails. Marinas rent kayaks and boats for visitors who want to explore quiet inlets. Anglers can fish for striped bass or catfish, and swimmers use marked areas near Boulder Harbor. Entry fees apply at the main gates, and conditions change by season, so check water levels before visiting. Spring and fall bring mild weather, while summer travel requires early starts. Cell service is limited beyond the main highway.
4. Boulder City Historic District and Museum
Built in the 1930s to house Hoover Dam workers, Boulder City still shows its early charm with low buildings, shaded sidewalks, and vintage neon. The Boulder Dam Hotel holds a free museum with photos, worker tools, and models of the dam. Shops, galleries, and cafés line the streets, giving visitors an easy lunch break before returning to the highway. Every second Saturday, a small street market fills the main block with art and food stands. Staying overnight here offers quieter lodging than Las Vegas and a short morning drive back toward the desert trails near Lake Mead.
5. Grand Canyon Railway, Williams, Arizona
Departing daily from downtown Williams, the Grand Canyon Railway turns a 60-mile drive into a scenic two-hour journey through pine forests and open plains. Passengers ride in restored vintage cars while staff share facts, play live music, and stage a lighthearted train “robbery.” It’s a fun and relaxing way to reach the South Rim without parking hassles. The station has a museum, gift shop, and café for travelers waiting to board. Round-trip tickets return by late afternoon, leaving time to stroll Williams before dinner. Booking early is wise, especially in summer or around holidays.
6. Chloride, Arizona
Chloride is Arizona’s oldest continuously inhabited mining town, sitting quietly along US-93. Founded in the 1860s, it once supported hundreds of miners working the nearby silver veins. Today, visitors find small shops, a few cafés, and friendly locals who keep its history alive. The highlight is the colorful murals painted on nearby hills by artist Roy Purcell in the 1960s. They remain visible after decades of sun and wind. The town hosts weekend craft markets and mock gunfights on holidays. Stop here to stretch, refuel, and see one of the last living mining settlements in the Mojave Desert.
7. Oatman, Arizona
Oatman is situated high in the Black Mountains on a winding stretch of Historic Route 66. Once a gold rush boomtown, it now draws travelers for its free-roaming burros descended from miners’ pack animals. Wooden boardwalks and vintage storefronts line the main street, where actors stage lighthearted shootouts each afternoon. Shops sell local crafts, fudge, and Route 66 souvenirs. The drive from Kingman takes about 45 minutes, and the sharp curves make for dramatic desert views. Arrive early to find parking and time to explore side alleys filled with history and small art galleries run by residents.
8. Kingman Powerhouse Visitor Center and Route 66 Museum
Kingman’s Powerhouse building once supplied electricity to the region. It now houses a modern visitor center and the Arizona Route 66 Museum, which traces the highway’s story from Native trade routes to mid-century road trips. Exhibits include classic cars, vintage photos, and a gift shop stocked with local maps. Staff can suggest side trips or dining options before you continue toward Hackberry or Seligman. Public restrooms, shaded seating, and nearby cafés make it a smart stop for lunch or fuel. Kingman also offers several motels for travelers who want to spend a night on Route 66.
9. Hackberry General Store, Arizona
Halfway between Kingman and Seligman, Hackberry General Store is a must-stop for travelers chasing Route 66 nostalgia. The old gas station looks frozen in time, with vintage pumps, neon signs, and classic cars parked outside. Inside, you’ll find soda, candy, and decades of road memorabilia. Visitors often spend half an hour taking photos and chatting with the friendly owner who shares stories about the highway’s revival. Restrooms are basic but clean, and cold drinks are always stocked. It’s an easy stop that captures the heart of America’s most famous highway better than any museum.
10. Bearizona Wildlife Park, Williams, Arizona
Bearizona offers a mix of drive-through and walk-through exhibits showcasing North American wildlife. Visitors stay in their cars for close-up views of bison, black bears, and wolves roaming large enclosures. Afterward, the walking area features otters, raptors, and smaller mammals with regular keeper talks. The park’s gift shop and café make it an easy half-day visit for families. Spring and fall are ideal times when animals are most active. Tickets include re-entry for the day, so travelers often stop again after lunch before continuing toward the Grand Canyon or Flagstaff.
11. Seligman, Arizona
Seligman is often called the birthplace of Historic Route 66. When the highway was decommissioned in 1985, local barber Angel Delgadillo led efforts to revive it as a heritage route. Today, the town thrives as a living museum filled with diners, gift shops, and bright murals. Stroll along Main Street to see classic cars parked outside Snow Cap Drive-In, a family-run spot famous for its humor and milkshakes. Visitors can walk the short historic loop or join small group tours that share stories of travelers who once crossed the country here long before interstates changed the map.
