Roosevelt Lake is among the most spectacular natural wonders in the Grand Canyon State - but the Apache Trail scenic drive to get there is almost, if not equally, as beautiful. One of the best scenic drives near me in Arizona, the roughly 40-mile Apache Trail Scenic Byway gains nearly 6,000 feet of elevation and features jaw-dropping mountain passes, vibrant wildflowers, and pristine bodies of water. If you're not the one driving, rest assured your nose will be pressed to the window the entire time as you admire the views on the Apache Trail scenic drive!
Editor's note: A portion of the Apache Trail, between mile markers 220 and 229 is closed indefinitely as of March 2024. ADOT and the U.S. Forest Service continue to monitor roadway conditions and will inform the public of any changes. Visit the website for ADOT for the latest information.
Situated along the 800-mile Arizona Trail that traverses the entire length of the state from north to south, the Apache Trail in Arizona is a former wagon route that's considered to be among the most scenic drives in the state.
The trail runs through the Superstition Wilderness from Apache Junction to Roosevelt Lake.
Clocking in at roughly 40 miles, the Apache Trail scenic drive - also known as Arizona State Route 88 - is cut directly into the mountainsides, affording drivers unparalleled views of the desert landscape below.
The higher in elevation you climb, the more amazed you'll be when you look down at the road from which you just came. This scenic drive near me in Arizona looks like it's just small enough for a toy car to drive on!
Enjoy staggering panoramic vistas of the famed Superstition Mountains, whose peaks stretch mightily up towards the clouds. You'll pass Lost Dutchman State Park along the way, so feel free to stop for a quick hike (or just to stretch your legs and admire the scenery) before getting back on the Apache Trail scenic drive.
Depending on the season, you'll also be treated to eye-popping wildflowers on either side of the highway. Even if they aren't in bloom, majestic saguaros tower along the Apache Trail Scenic Byway all year-round.
Before reaching Roosevelt Lake, you'll also pass by Canyon Lake and Apache Lake. Though smaller than the final destination, these beautiful bodies of water are still worthy of a pit stop when you're on the Apache Trail in Arizona.
At times, the Apache Trail in Arizona is just inches away from the water. There are no words to describe the feeling of being so close to the calm, peaceful waves as they lap against the shoreline.
Roosevelt Dam is just the icing on the cake. The Apache Trail scenic drive leading here is just as incredible as the destination itself, but ogling at this remarkable feat of engineering brings the whole journey together.
The lake itself is equally mesmerizing. Its deep blue waters extend as far as the eye can see, and the Roosevelt Bridge stretches across the body of water like an archway surrounding the gates to heaven.
Visit the website for the Apache Trail Scenic Byway for the most up-to-date information.
See what it’s like to drive along the Apache Trail scenic drive:
On my trip here, we didn't have the time to traverse the whole thing, but it's on my bucket list to go back and complete it! Have you ever taken this awe-inspiring drive? Tell us all about your experience in the comments!
Download an Apache Trail drive map from Google before you go, since cell service is not always reliable in this wilderness area.
If you plan to go hiking around here, be sure to use AllTrails+, as you can download its trail maps for offline use as well.
Looking to hit the road some more? Check out these other scenic drives in Arizona.
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/arizona/az-scenic-drive/
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