Apache Trail - The Complete Iconic Arizona Desert Drive 8K

In this video we make the complete scenic drive along Arizona’s Apache Trail, a 40-mile scenic drive from Apache Junction to Roosevelt Lake. Starting in Apache Junction, our drive on State Route 88 winds through the rugged Superstition Mountains, where the road, initially paved, hugs the dramatic cliffs and canyons of Tonto National Forest. We pass the serene Canyon Lake, its red rock shores shimmering under the desert sun. Shortly after we reach Tortilla Flat, a quirky outpost with a population of six, the pavement gives way to a narrow, unpaved 22 mile long stretch. The trail, scarred by a 2019 landslide between Fish Creek Hill and Apache Lake Marina, was closed for 5 years but reopened in late 2024 as a fantastic dirt trail. We navigate this challenging section carefully, marveling at the steep descents of Fish Creek Hill and the panoramic vistas of Apache Lake. Arriving at Theodore Roosevelt Dam, we’re soak in the massive masonry structure and the sprawling, deep-blue expanse of Roosevelt Lake, framed by the Roosevelt Lake Bridge.

Continuing our adventure, we opt to extend the journey down to Globe, Arizona by taking State Route 188 southeast, often considered an extension of the Apache Trail’s circular route. This 30-mile paved stretch is smoother, winding through the Tonto Basin’s rolling hills and past Tonto National Monument. The road, less harrowing than the trail’s unpaved sections, offers sweeping views of saguaro cacti-studded landscapes and distant mountain ranges.

This drive was filmed in late April. The dirt section of the trail was rough in areas so we had to take it slow, but you can adjust the video speed in the video settings if you'd rather go faster!

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Apache Trail
15:56 - Canyon Lake Scenic Overlook
16:58 - Canyon Lake
28:58 - Tortilla Flat, Arizona
30:45 - Apache Trail in Tonto National Forest
48:00 - Fish Creek Canyon (Dirt Trail)
1:14:22 - Apache Canyon (Dirt Trail)
1:20:25 - Apache Lake Scenic Overlook
1:21:35 - Apache Trail Along Apache Lake
1:46:05 - Salt River Canyon
1:56:55 - Theodore Roosevelt Dam
1:59:20 - Roosevelt Dam Scenic Overlook
2:00:50 - Roosevelt Lake
2:04:25 - Roosevelt Lake Bridge
2:07:15 - Arizona 188 Southbound
2:36:30 - Globe, Arizona
2:41:30 - Outro

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🌄 *Watch next*
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End Screen Music Credit:
Fractal Man - The Glow of All Things
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