Scenic byway approximately 39 miles long, winding in and out of some of the most awe-inspiring country in Arizona--or for that matter, in the West
General Information
Some sections may be closed due to weather or road conditions—check local advisories before visiting
Fees may apply at specific attractions along the route such as museums or boat tours
How to Get There
From Phoenix, AZ (40 mi): Take US-60 E to Idaho Rd in Apache Junction, then head north to AZ-88 E (Apache Trail) and follow the scenic route through the Superstition Mountains.
Overview
The Apache Trail (State Route 88) is a historic scenic byway of about 40 miles that winds through the rugged Superstition Mountains and Tonto National Forest, linking Apache Junction near Phoenix with Theodore Roosevelt Lake. Designated a scenic byway in 1998, it passes the deep reservoir lakes of Canyon Lake and Apache Lake, with the Superstition Wilderness to the south. It began as a stagecoach trail, named for the Apache people who once traveled it.
Good to Know
- The road is paved only as far as Tortilla Flat and is unpaved from just east of it to Roosevelt Dam. It is narrow and winding with steep drop-offs and few guardrails, and is not recommended for large RVs.
- A massive landslide after 2019 fires and floods, between Fish Creek Hill Overlook and Apache Lake Marina, has closed part of the road indefinitely. Tortilla Flat is reached from the west and Apache Lake only from the east, so check current conditions.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles "Apache Trail", which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0
