Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests - Recreational Activities

TIMELESS HERITAGE: A History of the Forest Service in the Southwest
The history of the Forest Service is an integral part of the modern history of the Southwest and of the Forest Service as a National agency. This publication is provided in HTML and PDF formats.

Scenic Drives

Finding a scenic drive on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is as easy as pointing to any spot on the Forest map and taking a drive. People come from hundreds of miles away just to cruise the highways and byways of this Forest but we've picked out a few routes that provide good access, outstanding scenery and variety, and even some adventure. Let's start with the paved roads:

The Coronado Trail Scenic Byway (Highway 191) from Springerville to Clifton is an exciting 120 mile journey surrounded by the beauty and grandeur of Arizona. You will follow a route near Coronado's path as he searched for the "Seven Cities of Cibola" over 450 years ago and will literally travel from "palms to pines" in a few breathtaking hours. Wildflowers abound brightened by summer monsoon rains. Spectacular yellow and golds greet you as aspen and oak mark the beginning of fall. The quiet white of winter greets the adventurous winter recreationist.

Highway 260 between Eagar and Pinetop-Lakeside features high-elevation meadows and streams and lakes both on the Forest and on the White Mountain Apache Reservation. You get outstanding views of Sunrise Ski Area and the old sawmill at McNary.

Highw

ay 260 between the top of the Mogollon Rim near Woods Canyon lake turnoff and Heber features an extensive stand of ponderosa pine and tremendous change in temperature compared to the Phoenix area. People flock to this area to get cool in the summer and to play in the snow in the winter.

Highway 261 between Eagar and Big Lake offers quick and easy access to the Big Lake area and also provides an excellent vista of the Round Valley of Springerville and Eagar. The road skirts Mexican Hay Lake and traverses the high elevation meadows in which snowmobilers love to play.

The White Mountain Scenic Byway from Alpine on Forest Road (FR) 249 to Big Lake and then proceed on state highway 273 past the Sunrise Ski Area to Highway 260. The Escudilla Mountain/Terry Flat drive is between Alpine and Nutrioso. Take Forest Road 56, which is about 6 miles north of Alpine on Highway 191, and drive near the top of Arizona's 3rd highest peak.

The Woods Canyon Lake loop is 58 miles long but its also long on scenic beauty, especially the vista opportunities. From Woods Canyon Lake take Forest Road 300 13 miles to Forest Road 115 and proceed to Ohaco Lookout, where you'll take Forest Road 56 ; take Forest Road 56 to its junction with Forest Road 225 and proceed on Forest Road 225 to its junction with Forest Road 34; take Forest Road 34 to the junction with Forest Road 100 where you'll turn left; proceed on Forest Road 100 until it joins Forest Road 169, where you'll turn right; take Forest Road 169 until it joins Forest Road 300; turn left on Forest Road 300 and take it back to your starting point at Woods Canyon Lake.