What Is the Apache Trail?
Stretching roughly 40 miles northeast of Phoenix, the Apache Trail — officially designated Arizona State Route 88 — is widely regarded as one of the most dramatic and beautiful scenic drives in the American Southwest. Originally constructed in the early 1900s to supply workers building the Roosevelt Dam, the road winds through the rugged Superstition Mountains, past a chain of desert lakes, and through the historic gold-rush ghost town of Goldfield.
Whether you're a seasoned desert explorer or a first-time visitor to Arizona, the Apache Trail is an experience that genuinely earns every superlative thrown at it.
Key Highlights Along the Route
- Goldfield Ghost Town: Just past Apache Junction, this restored 1890s mining settlement offers museums, mine tours, and a narrow-gauge railroad ride.
- Canyon Lake: The first of the Salt River chain of lakes, Canyon Lake is perfect for kayaking, boat tours, and lakeside picnics surrounded by towering cliffs.
- Tortilla Flat: A blink-and-you'll-miss-it "town" with a population of six, Tortilla Flat has a legendary saloon, a prickly pear ice cream stop, and walls papered with dollar bills.
- Fish Creek Hill: The most heart-pounding stretch — an unpaved, single-lane road that drops nearly 1,500 feet with sheer cliff faces on both sides. Not for the faint of heart (or large vehicles).
- Apache Lake: More remote than Canyon Lake, Apache Lake feels truly off the beaten path — great for camping and solitude.
- Roosevelt Dam & Roosevelt Lake: The eastern terminus of the Trail and home to the largest masonry dam in the United States, built in 1911.
Paved vs. Unpaved Sections
The first portion of Route 88 from Apache Junction to Tortilla Flat is paved and easily managed in any vehicle. Beyond Tortilla Flat, the road becomes unpaved and very rough — high-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended, and large RVs or vehicles towing trailers should not attempt this section. The unpaved stretch is about 22 miles long.
Best Time to Drive the Apache Trail
Timing matters significantly on this drive:
- October – April: Ideal. Temperatures are comfortable (50s–70s°F), wildflowers bloom in spring, and the light is gorgeous for photography.
- May – September: Summer heat can be extreme (well above 100°F). If you go, start before 7 a.m. and carry extra water.
- Monsoon Season (July–September): Flash floods are a real hazard on the unpaved sections. Check road conditions before heading out.
Planning Tips
- Fill up your gas tank in Apache Junction — there are no gas stations past Tortilla Flat on the western side.
- Bring at least 2 liters of water per person, regardless of season.
- Allow a full day if you plan to stop at Canyon Lake, Tortilla Flat, and Roosevelt Dam.
- Check the ADOT road conditions website before departing, especially in summer.
- Cell service is essentially nonexistent beyond Canyon Lake — download offline maps before you go.
The Drive in One Sentence
If you can only do one drive in Arizona, make it the Apache Trail — it packs ghost towns, desert lakes, cliff-hanging roads, and canyon grandeur into a single unforgettable route.