This Arizona Motel Lets You Sleep Inside a Concrete Teepee on Route 66

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Wigwam Motel Holbrook Arizona is a Route 66 landmark where travelers sleep in individual concrete teepee-shaped units. It suits you best if you value roadside history and novelty over a resort-style stay, with time for either an overnight visit or a quick stop.

A motor court is a roadside lodging layout where you can park near individual room entrances. Here, each wigwam stands apart from the office, giving your road trip an unusual place to pause. Think vintage roadside stop, not luxury hotel, and plan your day around the experience you want.

You can stay the night or stop for photos without booking. Either way, set aside time to enjoy the property’s details instead of treating it only as a place to sleep.

Key Takeaways

• Wigwam Village No. 6 was completed in 1950.
• Each wigwam has a private bathroom and basic room comforts.
• Compact rooms suit travelers who prize the vintage feel.
• Apartments offer more space for larger groups or longer stays.
• Petrified Forest National Park is about a 20-minute drive away.
• Confirm your dates and current motel policies before travel.

What Makes Wigwam Motel Holbrook Arizona a Route 66 Landmark?

Three Wigwam Villages remain in the United States, and Holbrook’s is the Route 66 example known as Wigwam Village No. 6. The teepee-shaped concrete units give the wigwam motel a look unlike a standard roadside hotel.

Frank Redford patented the design in 1936, and Chester E. Lewis encountered it in Cave City in 1938. Holbrook’s 15 freestanding concrete-and-steel teepees stand in a semicircle around the main office.

The 15 teepees create a clear view of the motel’s unusual layout from the main office.

Wigwam Village No. 6 was completed in 1950. Each structure measures 21 feet wide at its base and 28 feet high, making the small rooms easy to spot from the road.

Seven Wigwam Villages were built between 1936 and the 1950s. The motel skips number 13, so its last unit carries number 16.

The Lewis family repurchased the property, and the motel reopened in 1988. Holbrook’s village was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

The other remaining villages are in San Bernardino, California, and Cave City, Kentucky. The Holbrook property is often described as listed national among Route 66 landmarks, and its National Register historic status adds to its place in historic places records.

“Wigwam” is the name used for the property and its sleeping units, but the concrete structures are teepee-shaped. The office museum holds Native American artifacts, Civil War memorabilia, Route 66 collectibles, and petrified wood.

A classic-car display adds another stop for visitors who enjoy old cars. The design also inspired the Cozy Cone Motel in Pixar and Disney’s Cars.

Look for the Studebaker associated with Chester E. Lewis among the vintage cars on the property.

What Does a Night in a Wigwam Room Include?

A night in a Holbrook wigwam gives you a private bathroom and basic room comforts inside a small, independently standing unit. The rooms are compact, so the layout feels closer to a simple roadside cabin than a full-size hotel room.

Each wigwam has a toilet, shower, television, air conditioner, and original handmade hickory furniture. Ask about heater or Wi-Fi details if either one matters to your stay.

Room types and basic comforts

You can choose a queen-bed wigwam or a double-full wigwam, based on how you plan to sleep. For a larger group or an extended stay, modern apartments provide more room than the round units.

The private bathroom sits within each unit, which keeps the stay self-contained. Its small footprint also means you should expect less floor space than you would find in a standard hotel room.

Wigwam Motel reviews often praise the novelty and vintage mood, while reports on comfort, upkeep, bathroom size, and noise differ. The motel’s distinctive shape is part of the appeal, though it does not guarantee the same experience for every guest.

How compact rooms shape the stay

The round layout can make it harder to spread out luggage or move around with several people. A queen-bed option may suit a couple, while a double-full wigwam can fit a different sleeping plan.

Freight trains can pass near the property, and noise can affect sleep. If you are a light sleeper, pack earplugs so passing trains are less likely to interrupt your night.

Consider how much space you need before choosing between a wigwam and an apartment. Choose a room type according to the sleeping arrangement and amount of space you need, not just the novelty of its shape.

How Do You Plan a Stay on Route 66 in Holbrook?

Start planning by deciding whether you want the distinctive wigwam stay or the extra space of an apartment. Room type comes first, since the choice shapes what kind of motel Holbrook stop works for your trip.

Confirm room availability and current policies directly with the motel before you travel. The Lewis family operates the property, and staff can answer questions about dates, reservations, and arrival.

Booking the right kind of accommodation

Use this checklist to keep your road trip plans simple:

• Choose a wigwam or an apartment.
• Confirm your dates and room availability.
• Ask about current arrival and reservation policies.
• Save the address and plan to unload near your parking space.

If you are planning a longer route, this seven-day campervan road trip offers another way to think about stops across Northern Arizona.

Finding the property and arriving

The address is 811 West Hopi Drive, Holbrook, Arizona. You can contact the motel at (928) 524-3048 or reservations@sleepinawigwam.com.

Drive-up parking is available near the units, so you can unload close to your room. Save the address even if you plan to stop briefly, since Hopi Drive is the key location for finding the property.

You can also visit for photos without booking a night. Respect the property, leave guest access clear, and avoid blocking parking used by people staying there.

Save 811 West Hopi Drive in your navigation before setting out along Route 66.

What Else Can You Do Around Holbrook?

Holbrook pairs a small-town Route 66 stop with nearby places to explore, from a local mural to Petrified Forest National Park. Several stops are close to the motel, so you can fit a brief visit into a longer road trip.

Petrified Forest National Park is about a 20-minute drive from the motel. Holbrook is known for its Route 66 roadside character and access to regional attractions, giving you options beyond the town center.

Route 66 stops in town

The Route 66 Map Mural and Butterfield Stage Co Steak House are each 0.2 miles from the motel. The Navajo County Historical Museum is 0.6 miles away, while Jim Gray’s Petrified Wood Co is 1 mile away.

For a weekend visit, treat these locations as flexible choices rather than a fixed schedule. Check current opening information before setting out, especially if you have limited time in town.

Petrified Forest and other regional attractions

Petrified Forest National Park gives you a nearby way to add natural scenery to your trip. Meteor Crater and the Grand Canyon are broader route-planning options if your drive allows more time.

You can find more ideas in this guide to quirky Arizona roadside stops, including other unusual sights across the state. For a longer trip, the park and nearby stops can help you decide whether to spend a day or continue down the road.

Holbrook is about 150 miles from Williams by road, and route choice and stops can affect the trip.

How Far Is Holbrook From Williams?

Holbrook is about 150 miles from Williams by road. The route you choose and the stops you make affect the trip, so allow time for breaks when planning the drive.

Check the day’s driving route before adding a regional detour to your itinerary.

Conclusion

The Holbrook wigwams make a distinctive stop for travelers who want a little roadside history built into their trip. The overnight stay suits you if unusual lodging is part of the fun, while a photo stop works if you prefer a standard hotel.

Think about how much time you want to spend on the property and whether its compact style fits your plans. A short visit still lets you enjoy the Route 66 setting without changing your sleeping arrangements.

Choose your dates, then confirm availability and current policies directly with the motel before making it an overnight stop.