If you've lived in Arizona for a significant amount of time, chances are you've hiked around the Mogollon Rim at least once. However, have you ever driven along it?
Mogollon Rim Drive is a scenic 43-mile trip that showcases all the high points of this beautiful alpine landscape in the northern part of Arizona. This includes lakes, mountain ranges, vistas, and much more. So, if you're a nature lover, read on to learn about this memorable way to spend the day. To make the day even more epic, I encourage you to check out AllTrails for hikes along the route too
Rim Road in Arizona (also known as Forest Road 300) is a 43-mile scenic drive that's perfect for a quick afternoon adventure. It begins on State Road 87 and heads west. It comes to an end at State Road 260.
Since the Mogollon Rim scenic drive reaches an elevation gain of over 3,000 feet, you'll enjoy awe-inspiring panoramic vistas along the route.
While unpaved, Mogollon Rim Drive is surprisingly well-maintained. High-clearance vehicles aren't required - in fact, many have completed trips in a small sedan with no issues.
No matter what type of car you bring, drive slow enough to appreciate the towering ponderosa pines and other gorgeous scenery.
As you follow your Mogollon Rim road map, you'll also come across several lakes that are easily accessible from the road, whether via a short drive or a brief trek through the woods. Pictured here is Knoll Lake, widely believed to have some of the clearest, most pristine waters in Arizona.
Take an invigorating dip, or perhaps bring along a kayak or canoe to enjoy a relaxing paddle before hitting the road again.
Even if you never leave the car, Mogollon Rim Drive offers unforgettable, panoramic scenes. There are plenty of overlooks where you can pull off and take in the sights from the comfort of your vehicle.
Views like this canyon dotted with evergreen trees practically beg for you to snap a photo. Hence, in addition to your Mogollon Rim road map, bring your camera too!
On foggy days, the views are more awe-inspiring than ever. Take a look at this haunting scene of low, wispy clouds rolling in from the distance.
Marvel at the eerily beautiful sight from every possible angle as you meander along the winding Rim Road in Arizona.
The silhouettes of looming mountains are simply ethereal to behold. Stretching up toward the clouds, the lofty peaks command the sky everywhere you look.
You'll also see the sprawling Tonto National Forest blanketing the ground in all directions. We think it's truly stunning!
One of the best parts about the Mogollon Scenic Drive is that it's completely free. You can even extend your stay overnight by camping at one of many primitive sites along the way.
Views like this don't come our way every day, so we'll just soak this up as long as we can.
This scenic drive is point-to-point, so you can either head back the way you came or continue east on 260. It's a choose-your-own-adventure type of situation!
Visit the AllTrails page for the drive to learn more.
To get started on planning your trip to rim road in Arizona, check out AllTrails+ to learn about hikes in the area. Feel free to also take advantage of the special sign-up offer. You'll find more useful information to prepare for our excursion in our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List.
If you've already taken your car along Mogollon Rim Drive, feel free to share tips and highlights about the experience in the following comments section too!
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