Get Lost In The Arizona Mountains On This Former Wagon Trail
Given our state’s expansive desert landscape and striking panoramic vistas, Arizona boasts many breathtaking scenic drives. The Apache Trail winds through the majestic Superstition Mountains and just might have the best views you’ll ever witness.
Apache Trail is a scenic 42-mile drive that winds through the Superstition Mountains. It provides a front-row seat to several ghost towns, abandoned mines, bridges, lakes, and the Roosevelt Dam.
Known as one of Arizona's most terrifying roads, twists and turns abound throughout its entire duration. You'll undoubtedly be white-knuckling the steering wheel. As hard as it is to keep your eyes on the road when such beauty is whizzing by, drive safely and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to stop and take it all in.
Stop one: Goldfield Ghost Town. This once-thriving mining community dates back to 1892, when it boomed for five years before fizzling out once the gold supply had been exhausted. Today, it is filled with authentic replica buildings reminiscent of the Old West, making it a popular tourist attraction for those wishing to immerse themselves in this historic era.
Next up is Lost Dutchman State Park. This lovely park is a perfect spot to pull over and get out to stretch your legs or hike one of its many tails to admire the breathtaking panoramic views. There’s also a hidden gold mine here that is said to be haunted by the spirits of those who perished searching for it. Spooky!
Along this drive, you’ll spot thousands of Saguaros rising up from the desert soil. The view from the road is amazing, but you can also pull over and stop to snap a few photos of the majestic Sonoran guardians.
In addition to the beautiful desert views, you’ll encounter three different lakes: Apache, Canyon, and Roosevelt. Each one is beautiful in its own right, and the road inches so close to the banks that the water practically laps at your tires. Pack a picnic lunch and pick a spot to enjoy it on the sandy shores, with no distractions for miles in any direction.
Last, but certainly not least, you’ll reach the mighty Roosevelt Dam. It took a whopping six years to build and was once the largest dam of its kind in the entire world.
The Roosevelt Bridge was added in 1989. Spanning a vast body of sapphire water, this architectural marvel is a perfect finale for your adventure along the Apache Trail.
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing.
Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.
