Apache Trail Bypass
Highways 60 and 188 from Apache Junction to Roosevelt Lake.
As scenic drives go, the 40-mile Apache Trail (Highway 88) alights on the Southwest’s most stunning scenery. It’s a rugged ribbon of hairpin turns and stark drop-offs that sidles past three lakes, carves through canyons and trundles over the Superstition Mountains before concluding at Roosevelt Dam.
Despite earning a National Scenic Byway designation, the Apache Trail tends to slip under the radar for road-tripping Phoenicians. But when you’re hunting for a last-minute drive rife with views, this close-to-home route hits the sweet spot.
Highway 88 runs northeast from Apache Junction, passing through Tortilla Flat along the way to Roosevelt Lake. While you can still access the road to Tortilla Flat, the portion north of the town is temporarily closed.
For a still-scenic alternative, leave Apache Junction via Highway 60. The craggy wilderness of the Superstition Mountains, with its jagged edges and woolly legends, erupts to the north. Take in the sight of thousands of saguaros set against colorful rock striations – especially lovely in the morning – as you near Miami.
Here, you have two options: Continue on Highway 188 or hang in town to peruse the shops on Main Street, grab a bite to eat (crispy fried chicken at Dick’s) or visit the impressive Bullion Plaza Cultural Center & Museum.
Then it’s north on 188. Unlike the original alignment of the Apache Trail, here the bends are gentle, the curves wide. No white-knuckling the steering wheel – instead, dangle your arm out the window and let Roosevelt Lake’s serene blue sparkle lighthouse your path down.
Travel Advisory
In 2019, the Woodbury Fire burned several areas on the Apache Trail, and a 7-mile section of the road from Fish Creek Hill Overlook (milepost 222) to Apache Lake Marina (Milepost 229) remains closed.
Driving Distance
80 miles from Apache Junction
Turn-by-Turn Directions
From Apache Junction, drive east on US-60 to SR-188. Turn left and follow SR-188 north to Roosevelt Lake.
Where to Stay
The gleaming cabins at Lost Dutchman State Park ($89-$129/night) tuck into the north end of the park, allowing for unadulterated views of the Superstitions and an ideal base for an Apache Trail day trip. While the cabins offer beds, you’ll need to bring pillows and sleeping linens. 877-697-2757, azstateparks.com/lost-dutchman
