Posted in Arizona Fall August 11, 2022 by

Take A Scenic Fall Drive On Forest Road 300 In Arizona

Nothing quite compares to feeling the crisp autumn breeze dance across your skin as you cruise down the open road with the windows down. Forest Road 300, or Rim Road, is one of the best scenic drives in Arizona to take in the fall, with bigtooth maples on either side of the highway erupting in a dazzling display of seasonal hues. The backcountry road leads up to the Mogollon Rim, which boasts equally splendorous views of the surrounding Coconino National Forest in all its autumnal glory.

Stretching 200 miles across central Arizona and into New Mexico, the Mogollon Rim is a 2,000-foot-high escarpment that will completely change how you see the Grand Canyon State.
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With 360-degree views of the Coconino National Forest, the Rim is an idyllic spot for hiking and camping, and it boasts several lakes where visitors can enjoy a variety of watersports like boating and fishing.
While there's no such thing as a bad time of year to visit the Rim, it's especially magical in the fall.
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Once autumn rolls around, Forest Road 300 - known as "Rim Road" to the locals, comes alive in a dazzling display of color that promises to leave you breathless.
About 43 miles long, the road takes you on an uphill journey to the top of the escarpment, boasting incredible panoramic vistas all along the way.
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Some parts of the road can be a little dicey for sedans, so we recommend an SUV or other high-clearance vehicle.
Rim Road has many offshoots leading to campgrounds and lake areas, so you can choose your own adventure.
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As you venture deeper into the forest, the autumn hues seem to grow more vibrant with every step you take.
The views from atop the rim are nothing short of spellbinding, with peak fall color transforming the leaves of the bigtooth maples into brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows.
mdesigner125 / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection / Getty Images
Growing alongside the maples are ponderosa pines, whose evergreen nature provides a stark contrast that only serves to make the fall colors stand out even more.
Highway 260 also leads up to the edge of the Rim, boasting equally mesmerizing autumn foliage.
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No matter which road you traverse, you'll want to roll down the windows and enjoy the crisp fall air while taking in the scenery.
Just look at those gorgeous colors!
Flickr/USDA Forest Service, Coconino National Forest
Make sure to snap plenty of pictures - it isn't every day you see views like this!

Have you ever taken a scenic fall drive on Forest Road 300? If so, we’d love to hear all about your trip in the comments section below! Don’t forget to check out our previous article for more scenic drives in Arizona that are especially breathtaking this time of year.

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Address: Forest Service Road 300, Forest Service Rd 300, Arizona, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

Forest Road 300

August 16, 2022
Sarah M.

In addition to Forest Road 300, what are some other beautiful fall drives in Arizona?

While always lovely, Arizona always somehow seems to manage to look a little more gorgeous than usual when the fall season has started to settle in. The trees and their leaves begin to warm into tones of yellow, orange, and (eventually) red. Forest Road 300 is certainly a beautiful route for leaf peeping in Arizona, but there are some other fall drives through the Grand Canyon State that offer equally beauteous vistas. One of our favorites is the Grand Canyon North Rim, also known as State Route 67. The fall colors here are beautiful, making a trip to the Grand Canyon even more special. Keep in mind that after October 15th, the official visiting season is over, and hours change to day use only. When it comes to beautiful places in Arizona, this one is super hard to top! Another glorious scenic drive in Arizona to take in the fall is the Mogollon Rim, Forest Road 321. Also known as Dane Ridge, this area provides some pretty incredible views of the rim’s forest areas and the fall colors are simply to die for!

What are some fun train rides to take during the fall in Arizona?

If you'd prefer to view the lovely fall foliage of Arizona from a comfy train car versus your car's dashboard, you will definitely want to check out an autumn ride aboard the Grand Canyon Railway. Traveling between Williams, Arizona, and the majestic Grand Canyon daily, the historic Grand Canyon Railway is a classic adventure with broad appeal. Passengers can choose between six different classes of train service, ranging from the original, circa-1923 Pullman cars to the Luxury Parlor complete with a private bar and adjoining rear platform. But really, it's not about what's inside the train cars; it's about the breathtaking scenery outside. And trust us -- the scenery here truly is extraordinary! Arizona's Grand Canyon is one of the country's crown jewels, and visiting this national treasure is a bucket list item for many -- and something many of us here in the state take for granted. Don't make that mistake! While there are numerous ways to explore this natural wonder, none is more unique nor enchanting than the Grand Canyon Railway -- especially during the height of fall foliage.