If you’re looking for a night you’ll never forget on your Route 66 road trip, skip the motel chains and check into a giant concrete teepee. That’s right—Wigwam Village is still standing, and it’s one of the last chances to experience mid-century kitsch the way it was meant to be: weird, nostalgic, and wildly photogenic.
The History of Wigwam Village
Back in the 1930s, architect Frank Redford had an idea. He wanted to build a motel that looked like a series of Native American teepees. It wasn’t accurate, respectful, or even remotely subtle—but it was memorable, and that was the point. He called it Wigwam Village, even though the structures look more like Western Plains-style teepees than anything traditionally associated with wigwams.
The original village was built in Kentucky, but seven total were constructed across the country between the 1930s and 1950s. Today, only three survive, and one of the most iconic is located in Holbrook, Arizona, right along the legendary Route 66.
Where Is It?
You’ll find Wigwam Village #6 on Route 66 in Holbrook, Arizona, surrounded by classic cars, neon signs, and the kind of desert silence that makes you forget the year entirely.
Address:
811 W Hopi Dr, Holbrook, AZ 86025
It’s right off the highway, and yes—it still rents rooms. Each “wigwam” is its own room, complete with a bathroom, bed, and AC. The interiors have that classic 1950s motel vibe, and stepping inside feels like walking into a time capsule.
What to Expect
No, it’s not luxury. And yes, it’s a bit cramped. But that’s not the point.
You’re here to experience the kind of roadside Americana that defined an era. Each concrete structure is shaped like a teepee, about 30 feet tall, with vintage cars permanently parked outside for extra flair. The vibe is pure nostalgia—especially if you grew up watching road trip movies or have a thing for old postcards.
Things to Do While You’re There:
- Take photos with the classic cars – They’re permanently parked outside the teepees and make for incredible Route 66 photo ops.
- Explore downtown Holbrook – A strange little town with Route 66 memorabilia, rock shops, and plenty of neon.
- Visit Petrified Forest National Park – Just 20 minutes away and home to one of the most surreal landscapes in the Southwest.
- Stand on the corner in Winslow, Arizona – Yeah, that corner, made famous by the Eagles. It’s only a short drive west.
Cultural Notes
Let’s be honest—this place was built in an era where cultural sensitivity wasn’t exactly front of mind. The design plays into stereotypes and doesn’t represent authentic Native American culture. But it remains a piece of Route 66 history, and conversations around it are part of what makes travel meaningful today.
When to Book
The village operates like a standard motel, and it can fill up fast during road trip season. If you’re cruising Route 66 in spring or summer, booking ahead is smart. Rates are reasonable, usually between $70–$100 a night.
Wigwam Village isn’t about comfort. It’s about weird, retro roadside Americana that refuses to die. It’s about sleeping inside a concrete teepee under the stars of the Arizona desert and waking up surrounded by chrome, neon, and the ghosts of a million road trips.
If that’s your kind of thing, you’re gonna love it.
