phoenix sky harbor airport to tortilla flat, az

The seven miles from here to the hill above Fish Creek is accessible though the public are not currently permitted, while the next nine miles, to the turn-off for Apache Lake Marina, is completely closed, 'indefinitely'. The road though has been mostly closed since late 2019, because of landslips and other damage associated with the Woodbury Fire, worst affected being the steepest section, just west of Fish Creek the only part still open to vehicular traffic is the (paved) 18 miles from Apache Junction to Tortilla Flat. Past the lakes, the original route continues in more traditional fashion to the former copper mining town of Globe (via Hwy 188), but it is the western half which is the most scenic and well-known, however caution is required when driving and it is not recommended for large RVs or caravans the largest RV rental company in the US (Cruise America) does not allow their vehicles do be taken on this route.

Named after the Apache Indians who once used the route, the Apache Trail, or AZ 88 as it is officially known, links Apache Junction at the edge of the Greater Phoenix area with Theodore Roosevelt Lake, through the Superstition Mountains and the Tonto National Forest 40 miles of steep, winding and mostly unpaved road past magnificent scenery of twisted igneous mountains with dense forests of saguaro and ferocactus, and several deep blue lakes.

Phoenix sky harbor airport to tortilla flat, az