Apache Trail

The Apache Trail in Arizona was a stagecoach trail that ran through the Superstition Mountains. It was named the Apache Trail after the Apache Indians who originally used this trail to move through the Superstition Mountains.

The historic Apache Trail linked Apache Junction (33°24′55″N 111°34′51″W / 33.4152°N 111.5807°W / 33.4152; -111.5807 (Apache Trail, southwestern end)) at the edge of the Greater Phoenix area with Theodore Roosevelt Lake (33°40′21″N 111°09′11″W / 33.6725°N 111.1531°W / 33.6725; -111.1531 (Apache Trail, northeastern end)), through the Superstition Mountains and the Tonto National Forest.

From Apache Junction heading northeast to Tortilla Flat, the Trail - named The E. Apache Trail (Arizona State Rt 88) at this point - is paved, turning into a dirt road a few miles east of Tortilla Flat, and continuing as such for nearly the full remainder of its length. The section east of Apache Junction is known officially as State Route 88. It is also the main traffic corridor through Apache Junction, turning into Main Street as the road passes into Mesa, and regains the Apache name by becoming Apache Boulevard in Tempe, ending at Mill Avenue. Prior to the completion of the Superstition Freeway in 1992, the Apache Junction portion of the Apache Trail was part of US Highway 60, which was rerouted to the Superstition Freeway once it was completed.

The Trail winds steeply through 40 miles (64 km) of rugged desert mountains, past deep reservoir lakes like Canyon Lake and Apache Lake. The narrow, winding road is unpaved from just east of the town of Tortilla Flat to Roosevelt Dam; there are steep cliff drops and few safety barriers. The trail requires caution when driving and it is not recommended for large RVs, SUVs, or caravans. Some large RV rental companies in the US do not allow their vehicles to be taken on this route.

Fires and floods in 2019 resulted in a massive landslide between the Fish Creek Hill Overlook and Apache Lake Marina.^[1] This section of road has not been repaired and is closed indefinitely. Drivers can access Tortilla Flat from the west. Access to Apache Lake is only possible from the east.