Hackberry, AZ

Hackberry is a tiny desert community in northwestern Arizona, located along a scenic stretch of historic Route 66 about 28 miles northeast of Kingman. Sitting near the mouth of Truxton Canyon on the edge of the Hualapai Valley, it is home to around 100 residents. Daily life here revolves around quiet rural living, open desert acreage, and big skies, with Kingman close enough for grocery runs, medical care, and other everyday errands.

ATTRMarcin Wichary from San Francisco, U.S.A. / CC BY 2.0

The town took root in the 1870s during a silver mining boom, quickly growing into a busy settlement with its own railroad depot and cattle-shipping operations. When Route 66 came through in the 1920s, Hackberry shifted gears to serve cross-country travelers. Highway traffic thinned out after Interstate 40 bypassed the area in the late 1970s, leaving behind a quiet, slow-paced hamlet that feels preserved in time.

ATTRG. Edward Johnson / CC BY 4.0

Today, the most recognizable landmark is the Hackberry General Store, a popular roadside stop filled with vintage signs, classic cars, and Route 66 memorabilia. Beyond the sightseers and motorcyclists passing through, Hackberry is an exceptionally peaceful and private place to live. People who move here are usually drawn by the wide-open spaces, dark night skies, and self-reliant desert lifestyle, while still having simple highway access to Kingman.