You can’t watch a documentary about Route 66 without seeing them. The giant tipis on Route 66 in Holbrook, Arizona have been a Mother Road attraction since 1950. Even if you don’t plan to stay overnight, the Wigwam Motel is worth a quick stop just to say you’ve been there- kind of like most things on the Route.
Did you know 2026 is the 100-year anniversary of the Mother Road? Be part of the story. Cruise Route 66 this year!
In 2025, we made the trek on Interstate 40 from Tennessee all the way to Flagstaff, Arizona with a lot of stops in between. Spending two days at Petrified Forest National Park meant we had to find a one-night only place to stay nearby and Holbrook, Arizona was convenient. My husband did his best to find a very budget-friendly place to stay, but my very grandiose sense of nostalgia persuaded him to book a night at the Wigwam.
Unique Features of Wigwam Motel
The Wigwams
Where else are you going to say in a concrete tipi? And yes, the rooms are shaped like tipis, not wigwams. I’d love to know why the original architect went with “wigwam”. I’ve heard he didn’t like the word “teepee”. Maybe if he’d spelled it “tipi”…
Vintage Automobiles
Each tipi has a vintage automobile parked out front along with other oldies scattered around the property. My favorite was the Studebaker. The automobiles aren’t in mint condition, but to me that’s what’s so cool about them. Can’t we leave anything to the imagination these days? Walk around these beauties. Look inside.
These automobiles are proud heroes of our American cultural history. Think of all the dreams those cars and trucks made come true by taking people to places they thought they’d never see. The stories. That’s what I love. Real or imagined, the stories are part of the Wigwam Motel experience.
How’s the Bed at the Wigwam Motel?
A good bed is important, right? When you’re on a long road trip and you’ve been sightseeing or riding in a car all day, you’re ready to stretch out on a comfortable mattress. Well, you’re probably not getting that at the Wigwam Motel. There’s no pillowy mattress to soothe your soul to sleep. Hopefully, you’re so tired, you’ll conk out when your head hits the pillow.
If you’re looking for a pillowtop with 800 count sheets and a down comforter, you need to get over yourself and deal. The Wigwam Motel isn’t about the bed.
Was the Wigwam Motel’s the most uncomfortable mattress I’ve ever slept on? No. Did it have top quality sheets? No. Did it have a nice comforter? Umm… it had more of a blanket. Although I liked the blanket’s colorful Native American pattern, I wouldn’t call the blanket comforting.
Can You At Least Get a Good Night’s Sleep?
Maybe. Trains run right behind the motel. They are loud. There can also be a lot of traffic just feet from your door depending upon which tipi you’ve booked. Route 66 runs right in front of the motel. Bring some earplugs if loud noises bother you.
Wigwam Motel is not about the bed or the sound of silence.
How’s the Shower at the Wigwam Motel?
I won’t even show you a picture, because I didn’t have enough room to take one. The shower was so tiny, I could barely turn around in it. And the shower head is placed perfectly if you’re less than 5’6″. That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but I hope you’ve been practicing squats at the gym, because you may need to squat to get under the showerhead. No joke. I cracked up laughing in the shower knowing my 6′ 3″ husband (who I’ve never seen do a squat) was about to rate this the worst shower ever.
Again, the Wigwam Motel is not about the bed, the sound of silence, or the bathroom.
The rest of the bathroom space is tiny, too. Just so you know.
How’s the Complimentary Breakfast at the Wigwam Motel?
Ha, ha, ha! There isn’t one. But you can get a lovely breakfast from the grocery store next door. I’ve had Safeway’s fresh donuts before. They’re pretty good!
We chose a more upscale breakfast at McDonald’s just a five-minute drive from the motel. Chicken McGriddles are a favorite of mine anyway. I would have preferred fresh waffles on a motel breakfast bar, but again…
Wigwam Motel is not about the bed, the sound of silence, the bathroom, or the (non-existent) complimentary breakfast.
Are There Any Amenities at the Wigwam Motel?
Depends on how you define amenities. There is an air conditioner in the room. Kind of loud, but it worked well. The place was clean. Dated, but clean. There were a couple of outlets for charging devices. They weren’t in convenient locations (at least in Wigwam #8), but they were available. And there is a television. Not sure if any of those things should be considered amenities in the 21st century, but by now you should know what’s coming.
Wigwam Motel is not about the bed, the sound of silence, the bathroom, the non-existent complimentary breakfast, or lack of luxury.
Why You Should Stay at the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook
Because it’s a Route 66 rite of passage. You don’t stay at Wigwam Motel for a luxurious experience or even your average Comfort Inn experience. (Comfort Inns have waffle stations.) You stay at the Wigwam Motel for the character and the bragging rights. You did it on Route 66!
Proximity to Other Route 66 Attractions
Petrified Forest National Park
If you’ve spent much time on my site, you’ll know I love national parks. We stayed in Holbrook overnight because it’s only 30 minutes from Petrified Forest National Park which was a major highlight of our road trip from Tennessee to Nevada’s Great Basin National Park.
If you haven’t considered visiting Petrified Forest National Park on your Route 66 road trip, put it on your itinerary right now. This park doesn’t get nearly the props it deserves.
Standin’ on the Corner in Winslow, Arizona
You can’t cruise Route 66 and not stand on the corner in Winslow, Arizona. (Or can you?) Located a short drive (34 miles or 55 km) from Holbrook, Standin’ on the Corner Park is worth a quick stop. After The Eagles released the song, “Take It Easy” in 1972, the corner became one of Arizona’s most famous Route 66 attractions. So famous in fact that it was designated a park in 1999.
You can become part of the song, stand on the corner next to The Eagles lead singer Glenn Frey’s statue and strike a pose by the flatbed Ford. I wouldn’t try standing in the middle of the intersection, though. Drivers don’t appreciate having to stop for the sake of your Instagram popularity.
I won’t be writing more about our time at Standin’ on the Corner Park. I rated it a “take it or leave it” stop. If you’re pressed for time and not a big fan of The Eagles, I’d skip it.
From Winslow, you are only 30 minutes from Meteor Crater Natural Landmark (I haven’t been there yet) and an hour from Flagstaff, Arizona. What’s there to see around Flagstaff? Oh, my Lord- more than a flatbed Ford, that’s for sure! I’ll be writing about one underrated site in Flagstaff and one obscure one very soon.
Are There Other Wigwam Motels?
Only two other Wigwam Motels still exist. One is in San Bernardino, California and the other is in Cave City, Kentucky. You may wonder why anyone would be in Cave City, Kentucky. Well, I’ll tell you. Cave City is the home of Mammoth Cave National Park, home to the longest cave in the world. Learn more about this national park close to my heart in my article One Big Day in Mammoth Cave-What You Need to See.
From the Library
National Geographic’s 100 Drives 5000 Ideas is a great reference book if you’re looking for American road trip ideas (including Route 66). There are even a few Canadian road trips mentioned, too. The book does not include detailed itineraries though, so be prepared to do additional research if you find a drive that revs your engine.
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