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One Extraordinary Drive: The Apache Trail in Arizona
My little rental car – the cheapest thing I could get on four wheels – took me on an extraordinary drive yesterday, along the Apache Trail in Arizona.
And it was only by luck that I was there in the first place.
Incredible Apache Lake and surrounding mountains
I had left Scottsdale, armed with a map and a pretty good idea of the exit I needed to get off to do a hike in the Superstition Mountains. But memory failed me and glancing at the fine print of a map going 70 mph, was in my books, a recipe for disaster. So when I saw the exit for Loop 202 going west I figured why not – I’ll throw caution and plans to the wind and go for a driving adventure. I also figured I’d have time later in the day to find a short trail in the Superstition Mountains to hike.
I confess that the night before I had seen little green dots on the map that indicated a scenic route off of the 202 Loop. But I didn’t think I wanted to be heading north on Highway 87.
But head north I did. Through Sunflower – nothing there but a sign advertising dancing girls in Payson. Past Mt. Ord at 7128 feet. Up and down green hills literally covered with saguaro cacti. Four lanes and hardly a car to be seen either.
A non scenic section of road according to my map - Highway 188
At the junction with Highway 188 it was time to make a decision. My gas gauge decided the route for me. I would head south on Highway 188 to Roosevelt and then head east on Highway 88 – the Apache Trail to Apache Junction.
On my map, Highway 188 didn’t have any green dots and I expected little in the way of scenery. It was in fact a lovely drive through Tonto Basin and along a section of Roosevelt Lake.
One of the few boats I saw on Lake Roosevelt
The Apache Trail
The extraordinarily scenic section of the Apache Trail or Highway 88 starts at the Theodore Roosevelt Dam at the junction with 188 and ends outside of Apache Junction. In reality, the Apache Trail continues on from the dam to the copper mining town of Globe on Highway 88 – but I didn’t have the time to do that part.
I started at the Roosevelt Lake Bridge, painted a hard-to-miss blue colour, and dedicated by Theodore Roosevelt himself in 1911. The dam, just up the road from the bridge, was originally 280 feet high and another 77 feet were added in the 1990′s.
The Roosevelt Lake Bridge
The Theodore Roosevelt Dam
The driving fun and the spectacular scenery started just after the dam.
And it wasn’t until I turned onto the Apache Trail, that I realized it was a dirt road. And it’s restricted to vehicles less than 40 feet long – for good reason. You won’t find RV’s – and in fact Cruise America, the largest RV rental company, prohibits their vehicles from traveling this road.
The wash-board laced Apache Trail
The dirt section is only about 28 miles long – and ends just a few miles shy of Tortilla Flats.
It’s a slow drive if you care about your car. The road twists and turns and climbs steep sections, hugging cliffs. Don’t expect guard rails because they’re almost non existent. Do expect to pull way over when you meet a car coming from the other direction – a bit nerve wracking on the 2000 feet of single lane road, which boasts sheer cliffs on one side, that you’ll find about five miles from Tortilla Flats.
More Apache Lake views
Canyon scenery
Note single lane road on right by cliff
Incredibly coloured mountains - note road at bottom
The touristy town of Tortilla Flats
I had figured once I made it to Tortilla Flats the scenery would disappear. I was dead wrong. Jaw dropping views continued all the way through to the outskirts of Apache Junction.
Canyon Lake
Only miles away from Apache Junction
I never did manage to do a hike in the Superstition Mountains, though I took over an hour to hike and explore Tonto National Monument which you’ll find just off the Apache Trail. And wherever there was a pullout or a short walk I did that. Giving up a day’s hike in the Superstition Mountains was worth it to drive the Apache Trail.
I think it’s one of the most scenic drives I have ever done. I highly recommend it to anyone as a day trip from Phoenix or Scottsdale. Start with a full tank of gas, bring water and snacks and don’t forget your camera.
Thanks to @BryanCSnider and @qiranger who responded to my call out on twitter for suggestions while visiting Arizona. I wouldn’t have even heard of the Apache Trail without either of them making note of it.
What are the most scenic roads you’ve ever driven???
Leigh McAdam
HikeBikeTravel
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14 Responses to One Extraordinary Drive: The Apache Trail in Arizona
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I’ve been all over the world – to all continents but Antarctica and to a grand total of 53 countries. I’ve always got some sort of an adventure planned – even if it’s only a weekend. I thrive on change and travel provides that.
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leighmcadamtravels@gmail.com
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Glad you had a great time on this trip and made it out to Tonto (which of course holds a special place in my heart). I used to take that drive once a week and it was a blast. did you try the prickly pear ice cream in Tortilla Flats?
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Oh, how I love that part of the country! Although I don’t think I’ve been on that stretch of the Apache Trail, I’ve spent quite a bit of time in that area and driven on 60 out of Apache Junction through Globe and onward. Great photos of your trip, Leigh. I’m yearning to be there now.
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@Cathy You wouldn’t forget that part of the Apache Trail – it is that beautiful. I HIGHLY recommend you slide on over from California sometime soon and do some more exploring. I didn’t make it as far as Globe – that will have to wait until another trip.
@Steve Skipped lunch so I could indulge in your recommendation. Yes I did have prickly pear – delicious – and thank you. That would have been one lovely drive to do on a weekly basis. It’s a bit of a shock to the system when you get to Apache Junction – back in the land of big box stores and fast food joints.
Thanks for posting this! I grew up in the area and, having not been home in years, really enjoyed the vicarious visit.
@RobRob And I so thoroughly enjoyed my real visit – only wish my visits to Arizona were more frequent.
We are heading to Arizona in late May and I’ve had the Apache Trail on my list for the last three trips, so inspired by your trip, and these fabulous photos, I think we just might make it a reality this year. Thanks for the inspiration.
@Jackie YOU WILL NOT REGRET GOING. It will be a fabulous drive – but take lots of water with you and make sure your camera batteries are charged.
I am always so amazed by the mountains in the western US. They are just such a different view than the east and the Appalachians. Both are equally awe inspiring.
I love this drive and it is getting to be the perfect time to be there as the flowers start to bloom! Thanks for the great virtual visit.
@thetravelgal I agree – it would be especially beautiful in spring – though I encourage any visitor to Phoenix or Scottsdale to do this drive, whenever they happen to visit.
great intro and info!
Thank you.
The Apache Trail IS one of the most scenic drives in Arizona. We just drove it last week and that was our fifth time. We’ve discovered that April is generally the best time of the year to drive it (or be in Southern Arizona in general) as everything is blooming. Because of the gradual ascent of elevation along the Apache Trail, you’ll see all kinds of plants, all in different phases of blooming.
There is one thing I would clarify. Most people should drive the Apache Trail from the town of Apache Junction and then drive up as far as they dare. This is done by taking the 60 Freeway east out of Phoenix (I-10, 101 & 202 Fwys all intersect the 60) for about 15-20 miles. Exit on Hwy 88 and follow the signs to the Apache Trail or Canyon Lake. Even folks with vehicles that can’t drive on the dirt or drivers that have a fear of heights can enjoy the first half of the trail. Once you reach Roosevelt Dam, you can either turn around to go back the way you came, or make it a larger loop through Globe or via Hwys 188 and 87. If you like mining towns, definitely go via Globe.
By the way, there are some great hiking trails into the Superstition Mountains (Lost Dutchman State Park) located just at the beginning of the Apache Trail. One trail even leads to the scary summit of those ominous-looking mountains.