One of Arizona’s Quirkiest Towns Is Still Flying Under the Radar

I had never heard of Cleator, Arizona, until my husband casually mentioned it in conversation as a weekend destination for a few of his acquaintances. Curious, I asked him to describe it to me. "Well, they have a yacht club with a bar, but there's no water — it's in the middle of the desert." Perplexed by the description of this town and its setting (but nonetheless intrigued), I said, "We're going to Cleator next weekend," and he agreed. I just had to see this quirky town in Arizona for myself! It was a Saturday in the fall when we hit the road to visit one of the strangest hidden gem towns in Arizona. And it was an experience my husband and I won't soon forget.

Where Is Cleator and Why Is It So Unique?

During the 1860s Gold Rush era, Cleator, known at the time as Turkey Creek due to its location by a creek of the same name, was a mining camp. A post office opened in 1869, and at the turn of the century, Les P. Nellis opened a general store and saloon to cater to miners and railroad workers who were there to extend the Prescott & Eastern Railroad. By 1905, a man named James P. Cleator came here as a gold prospector and partnered with Nellis. A decade later, their partnership dissolved, and Cleator became the town's owner; eventually, the town's name was changed from Turkey Creek to Cleator.

By the 1930s, the mining industry had slowed, and in the following years, the post office closed, and James Cleator passed away, leaving the town to his son, Tom, who developed the bar into a landmark to entice road trippers seeking a bit of an Old West experience. Today, the bar still stands and is part of the reason we came to visit Cleator.

Cleator, Arizona, is well off the beaten path. From Phoenix and Scottsdale, it takes about 90 minutes to get there by driving north on 101 Loop, then on I-17 North to the Bumble Bee exit. From there, take Forest Road 259 (although it's more of a desert road), and follow it through the tiny community of Bumble Bee, passing it by in the blink of an eye. The dirt road winds through the undulating landscape of the Bradshaw Mountains, and as we drove this route, we could see clouds of dust billowing behind us. Occasionally, an ATV would drive right past us, as if to let us know it was better suited for this terrain than my husband's SUV. It's about 15 miles along a dusty, unpaved road to get there, which takes over half an hour.

When you arrive, you'll immediately realize it's quite a unique small town in Arizona. We parked our car in the dirt lot by the general store, got out, and looked around. On one side of the road were a few homes, and on the other, the general store, a bar, and a few additional buildings scattered around the desert landscape.

The Quirky Attractions That Define This Town

Remnants of Cleator's past as an old Arizona mining town are still evident today. When you arrive, stop first at the James P. Cleator General Store, its interior still with rustic hardwood floors, and shelves and cases filled with provisions, antique decor, and other items. The shopkeeper greeted us, asking if this was our first time in town. We told her yes, and she proceeded to give us an overview of Cleator's history. She was one of only a handful of residents (the year-round population is between 8 and 12), and her love for this tiny community was obvious.

Then we stopped at the Cleator Yacht Club & Bar, a popular stop for off-the-beaten-path road trippers and off-roaders taking a break from the rugged roads to enjoy a cold beverage. My husband and I pulled up to the bar and watched the barkeep greet and chat with both regular customers and those visiting Cleator for the first time. We each ordered a beverage and took in the bar's vibe.

The place is rustic with quirky decorative touches like a skeleton dressed as an old-fashioned bartender, license plates from other states, and dollar bills hanging from the walls, which reminded me of the saloon at Tortilla Flat, another tiny town in Arizona.

After we paid for our drinks, we went out to explore and discovered why it's called a "yacht club." Outside is a graveyard of boats, seadoos, and other watercraft... akin to being on a deserted island, except there's no water. A large pirate ship dominated the space, enticing visitors to climb up the stairs for a photo opp. You could also sit on a seadoo or enjoy your drinks on the deck of a pontoon boat. Tables made of surfboards also provide spots to rest your drinks while chatting with friends. The Cleator Bar & Yacht Club offers a yacht club membership with an annual cost of $30, which includes a T-shirt, a free koozie, a 50-cent discount on beer, 25-cent drinks on your birthday, and an official membership card.

What It’s Like to Visit

The personality of this town isn't just defined by its general store, yacht club, and mining history, but also by its locals. When talking to the woman who runs the general store, she told us she's been a resident for a number of years and is constantly reading up on Cleator's history. Her love for this tiny old mining town runs deep, and it's people like her that keep a town like this alive and thriving.

As one of the most unusual towns in Arizona I've visited, Cleator feels more like a movie set. And its residents, a fascinating cast of characters who truly make this living ghost town come to life.

Why It’s Still Flying Under the Radar

As one of the most underrated towns in Arizona, Cleator flies under the radar mostly because of its location deep in the Bradshaw Mountains, surrounded by desert. While it's not easy to get here and you will need a 4WD vehicle to navigate the unpaved, dusty desert roads, it's worth it if you can.

Cleator isn't just a town, it's an experience — a living, breathing time capsule preserving its mining past. And then there's one of the most unique attractions I've ever been to in Arizona: the Cleator Yacht & Bar Club, which adds another reason why everyone should get off the freeway and travel the unpaved route to experience at least once. I know I will visit again... and for that, I can't wait.

For more on Cleator, visit the official website for the Cleator Bar & Yacht Club and follow the Facebook page for town events and updates.