Apache Trail Historic Auto Tour
View Exhibit mapThe Apache Trail is a scenic byway that is notable as one of the first highways in Arizona, and one of the first scenic auto tour routes in the world. It was first used by tourists in cars in 1906. The Apache Trail was established with that name in 1915.
Today the Apache Trail is marked as a loop tour, including the original Apache Trail (highway AZ 88), part of AZ 188, and the section of US 60 between Globe and Apache Junction originally called the Apache Trail Bypass, and later the Old West Highway.
The entire loop drive passes through spectacular scenery in the Superstition Mountains, Roosevelt Lake, and Queen Creek Canyon. It crosses or passes near a number of notable bridges and tunnels, ranging from historic to modern, some endangered. Most of the bridges on AZ 88 are one-lane. This tour offers a lot for the bridgehunter. The round trip can be done in one very full day.
A 22-mile section of AZ 88 is unpaved and very narrow, with sharp curves, steep grades, and no guard rails, and is only recommended for cars (2WD OK), pickups, and SUVs. In particular, RVs and trailers are not advised. There is no gasoline available on AZ 88 between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Dam.
For more information, including a tour map, see the following links:
http://apachetrailarizona.com/ - Apache Trail official web site, with maps
https://www.facebook.com/ApacheTrailHistory - Lots of photos
http://www.amwest-travel.com/awt_apachetrail.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apache_Trail
Alchesay Canyon Bridge (Maricopa County, Arizona)
Built 1905; traffic rerouted to new bridge 1990Concrete arch bridge over Alchesay Canyon on AZ 88Open to pedestrians only
Boulder Creek Bridge (Maricopa County, Arizona)
Built 19374-span through truss bridge over Boulder Creek on AZ 88Open to traffic
Claypool Tunnel (Pinal County, Arizona)
Built 1926; replaced by new tunnel 1952Tunnel on former US 60Derelict/abandoned
Cordova Avenue Bridge (Gila County, Arizona)
Built 1920Concrete arch bridge over Bloody Tanks Wash on Cordova Avenue in MiamiOpen to traffic
Davis Wash Bridge (Maricopa County, Arizona)
Built 1939Slab bridge over Davis Wash on AZ 88 (Apache Trail)Open to traffic
Dry Wash Bridge (Maricopa County, Arizona)
Built 1928Steel stringer bridge over Dry Wash on AZ 88Open to traffic
Fish Creek Bridge (Maricopa County, Arizona)
Built 1923 by the Missouri Valley Bridge & Iron Co.Pony truss bridge over Fish Creek on AZ 88Open to traffic
Inspiration Avenue Bridge (Gila County, Arizona)
Built 1921Concrete arch bridge over Bloody Tanks Wash on Inspiration Avenue in MiamiOpen to traffic
Keystone Avenue Bridge (Gila County, Arizona)
Built 1920Concrete arch bridge over Bloody Tanks Wash on Keystone Avenue in MiamiOpen to traffic
Lewis and Pranty Creek Bridge (Maricopa County, Arizona)
Built 1923 by the L.C. Lashmet Co.Pony truss bridge over Lewis and Pranty Creek on AZ 88 (Apache Trail)Open to traffic
Magma Avenue Bridge (Pinal County, Arizona)
Built 1910; rehabilitated 1947Concrete arch bridge over Queen Creek on Magma Avenue in SuperiorOpen to traffic
Miami Avenue Bridge (Gila County, Arizona)
Built 1921Concrete arch bridge over Bloody Tanks Wash on Miami Avenue in MiamiOpen to traffic
Mormon Flat Bridge (Maricopa County, Arizona)
Built 1925; rehabilitated 1969Through truss bridge over First Water Creek on AZ 88 (Apache Trail)Open to traffic
Pine Creek Bridge (Maricopa County, Arizona)
Built 19252-span concrete arch bridge over Pine Creek on AZ 88 (Apache Trail)Open to traffic
Pinto Creek Bridge (Gila County, Arizona)
Built 1949, replaced and demolished 2021Steel arch bridge over Pinto Creek on US 60Replaced by a new bridge
Queen Creek Bridge (1921) (Pinal County, Arizona)
Built 1921; US 60 rerouted to new bridge 1949Open-spandrel arch bridge over Upper Queen Creek on Old US 60Intact but closed to all traffic
Queen Creek Bridge (1949) (Pinal County, Arizona)
Built 1949Steel arch bridge over Queen Creek and former US 60, on US 60Open to traffic
Queen Creek Tunnel (Pinal County, Arizona)
Built 1952Tunnel on US 60 in Queen Creek CanyonOpen to traffic
Reppy Avenue Bridge (Gila County, Arizona)
Built 1921Luten arch bridge over Bloody Tanks Wash on Reppy Avenue in MiamiOpen to traffic
Roosevelt Lake Bridge (Gila County, Arizona)
Built 1992Steel through arch bridge over Roosevelt Lake on AZ188Open to traffic
Theodore Roosevelt Dam (Maricopa County, Arizona)
Built 1903-1911, carrying AZ 188. Roadway rerouted to separate bridge in 1992. Dam remains.Dam on Salt River formerly carrying AZ 188Replaced by separate bridge when dam reconstructed