Dolan Springs Area

Highway 93 runs north from Kingman, across Hoover Dam and on to Las Vegas. For folks coming from the east, this is a desolate road, long and monotonous, as they speed toward Las Vegas. We have learned, however, that there are many sideroads heading east or west off of HWY 93 which are interesting to see and to learn about.

Leaving Kingman heading north (5 miles) one first comes to Hwy 68 which goes off to the west through Golden Valley and the Black Mountains to Bullhead City and Laughlin.

Continuing north (about 17 miles from Kingman) along Hwy 93 one comes to the road to Chloride, the oldest mining camp in northwest Arizona, founded in 1862 upon the discovery of silver. Chloride is home to historic buildings, the Jim Fritz Museum, antique shops, and one can see Indian petroglyphs and murals painted by Roy Purcell on cliffs two miles southeast of town. Further information can be obtained from the Chloride Chamber of Commerce, P. O. Box 268, Chloride, AZ 86431, (520)-565-2204.

The next road you come to along HWY 93 is to the left, Cottonwood Cove Road. It leads through the Black Mountains to Cottonwood Cove on Lake Mohave, part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This is a dirt road and goes through some rough countryside, so a 4-wheel drive is recommended.

Then comes Pearce Ferry Road to the right (or east). This road leads through Dolan Springs, a small community nestled at the foot of Mount Tipton, (about 5 miles) then through a Joshua Tree forest to Meadview (38 miles), then to South Cove and Pearce Ferry on Lake Mead. From the South Cove launch area it is possible to travel by water to Hoover Dam on the southwest or to the Grand Canyon to the northeast. The land on both sides of Pearce Ferry Road has been developed (roads, electricity and some water) from Hwy 93 to several miles past Dolan Springs. Twenty-eight miles from Hwy 93 along Pearce Ferry Road is Diamond Bar Road. Turn right on it for another 21 miles to go to Grand Canyon West. The Hualapai Indians provide a 4 1/2 mile bus tour of this remote wilderness area. Further information can be obtained from Grand Canyon West, P. O. Box 359, Peach Springs, AZ 86434, (520)-699-0269.

Back on Hwy 93 heading north, the next road to the right goes to Temple Bar (about 40 miles). There’s a swimming beach, a restaurant, a marina, an RV Park, a ranger station, a gas station and convenience store and they have boating and fishing facilities.

Again on Hwy 93 heading north you next come to Willow Beach Road on your left. If you look carefully as you travel this stretch of Hwy 93, there will be places you can just see the Colorado River winding its way through the mountains. There is a scenic overlook just past the Willow Beach Road. However, if you take this sidetrip to Willow Beach, you will be rewarded by some spectacular sights. You will find a marina, convenience store, a boat launching and docking facility as well as a Federal Trout Hatchery. This is a favorite site for launching to gain access to the excellent trout and striper fishing along this section of the Colorado River, as well as fishing the upper end of Lake Mohave.