Apache Trail

The Apache Trail earned its legendary status as one of America’s most spectacular drives, winding 40 miles through the heart of the Superstition Mountains from Apache Junction to Globe. Built in 1905 to supply Roosevelt Dam construction crews, this route showcases the raw beauty of the Sonoran Desert—towering saguaros, knife-edge ridges, and the deep blue waters of Canyon Lake and Apache Lake nestled between ancient volcanic cliffs. The most challenging section runs from Tortilla Flat (Arizona’s smallest official community with a population of six) to Roosevelt Dam, where the pavement ends and the real adventure begins on a narrow, winding dirt road carved into cliffsides.

While the paved sections are accessible to any vehicle, the unpaved portion from Tortilla Flat to Roosevelt Dam requires high clearance and steady nerves—it’s single-lane with blind curves, steep drop-offs, and no guardrails. Monsoon storms can wash out sections, and flash floods are a real danger in washes. Best driven October through April when temperatures are bearable and storms less likely. No permits required, but services are extremely limited beyond Apache Junction. This isn’t just a drive—it’s a journey through Arizona’s wildest country where the Superstition Mountains still guard their legendary lost gold mine.