Overview
Holbrook is a town on Route 66 in the Mogollon Rim in Eastern Arizona, once known as the "town too rough for women and churches." The town makes a convenient base for visiting Petrified Forest National Park.
1 sights · 3 things to do · 2 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Holbrook
Navajo County Historical Society
Self-guided tours. Contact the Holbrook Visitor's Center (nextdoor) for a brochure.
Navajo County Fair
A 3-day event held annually in mid-September, includes exhibits and a rodeo.
Wild West Days
An annual event held in July, features reenactments, Native American dancers and Mexican dancers, as well as food and a parade.
Hashknife Pony Express
Held annually in mid-February, the highlight is a reenactment ride from Holbrook through Payson and on to Scottsdale, delivering specially-stamped mail.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 93°F; winter lows dip to about 21°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Aug. (climate data from nearby Petrified Forest National Park)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SOW Show Low Regional Airport, Show Low — 45 mi away. Directions
- FLG Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, Flagstaff — 87 mi away. Directions
- PHX Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix — 146 mi away (major hub). Directions
Holbrook can be accessed via Route 66, or Interstate 40.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $56–$62 a night (typical $62), from 3 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$100, mid-range ~$140, comfortable ~$230.
Options are grouped as Lodging, Camping in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Navajo County Historical Society, Navajo County Fair
- Lunch Butterfield Stage Co. Steak House
- Afternoon Wild West Days, Hashknife Pony Express
- Dinner Safeway
- Evening Empty Pockets Saloon
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Numerous restaurants, though mostly within the categories of fast food, Mexican, or Steak/American.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
As the nearest town to Petrified Forest National Park, and often gateway to Meteor Crater, Holbrook is a small city focused on travelers - there are at least 10-20 hotels/restaurants/gas stations to choose among respectively. Excellent for travelers, but mostly for services and proximity to attractions, rather than as an attraction itself, though visitors following Route 66 will find it interesting.
Get in
Holbrook can be accessed via Route 66, or Interstate 40.
By car
Most traffic in and out of Holbrook is via I-40.
By bus
See
Do
Do Wild West Days
An annual event held in July, features reenactments, Native American dancers and Mexican dancers, as well as food and a parade.
Do Hashknife Pony Express
Held annually in mid-February, the highlight is a reenactment ride from Holbrook through Payson and on to Scottsdale, delivering specially-stamped mail.
Buy
Eat
Numerous restaurants, though mostly within the categories of fast food, Mexican, or Steak/American.
Eat Butterfield Stage Co. Steak House
Groceries
Eat Safeway
Hot and cold deli, pharmacy onsite.
Drink
Sleep
Lodging
Stay Heward House
Stay Wigwam Motel
Sleep in a giant tepee (as the natives did, although they did it without air conditioning or cable TV). Various historic vehicles on-site. This motel's novelty architecture is the basis for the Route 66 'Cosy Cone Motel' in Pixar's 'Cars'. 15 units, non-smoking, listed US National Register of Historic Places.
Camping
Go next
- Winslow is about 30 minutes west.
- Flagstaff is about an hour west.
- Phoenix is about 3½ hours southwest
- Albuquerque is about 3½ hours to the east.
Nearby
My experience
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