Apache Trail Scenic Driving Tour

Estimated Time

Distance

Works Offline

Tours & Maps Included

Tour Highlights

Superstition Mountain Museum

Start the drive surrounded by gold-mining gear, Lost Dutchman exhibits, and buildings rescued from the Apacheland movie ranch, including the chapel from Elvis Presley's 1969 film Charro!

Goldfield Ghost Town

Walk the rebuilt streets of the 1890s town that boomed after a flash flood uncovered gold ore, then faded when miners lost the rich vein.

Lost Dutchman State Park

Hike the Treasure Loop Trail at the base of the Superstitions and hear the legend of the Peralta family and Jacob Waltz's hidden mine.

Weaver's Needle Vista

Spot the tall rock spire named for frontiersman Pauline Weaver, a famous landmark in stories about the Lost Dutchman's mine.

Apache Vista Point

Find out why the Apache Trail was built as a freight road for Roosevelt Dam, and why promoters gave it a name the Apache never chose.

Canyon Lake Vista & Lizard Island

Look down on a desert lake made by Mormon Flat Dam, with a rocky island nobody can quite explain the name of.

Canyon Lake Marina & the Dolly Steamboat

Watch a paddle-wheel steamboat take visitors on narrated cruises through the canyon, with bighorn sheep and bald eagles nearby.

Tortilla Flat

End at an old freight camp turned roadside town, where the bar stools are real saddles and the walls are covered in dollar bills.

Is This Tour Right for You?

Perfect if you:

Love history and fascinating stories

What To explore at your own pace

prefer a private experience

What to avoid expensive group tours

Maybe not if you:

Don't have a phone

Like to follow the tour guide

Don't like stories

Don't like to go at your own pace

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Apache Trail Arizona scenic drive tour take?

The route covers about 14 miles from Apache Junction to Tortilla Flat. The tour runs about an hour, and most visitors spend two to four hours with stops.

Does the tour work without cell service?

Yes. Download the tour before you go, and it runs completely offline using your phone's GPS.

Can I pause the tour or explore at my own pace?

Yes. This is a fully self-guided tour—pause anytime to hike, shop, or take photos, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Are there admission fees at any of the stops?

A few. The Superstition Mountain Museum and Lost Dutchman State Park charge entry, Goldfield's attractions are priced separately, and Canyon Lake's recreation sites charge a day-use fee. Walking Goldfield's streets, the scenic viewpoints, and Tortilla Flat are free.

Do I need a 4WD vehicle?

No. The tour stays on the paved section of the Apache Trail, which is fine for any regular car. Past Tortilla Flat, the road gets rough and unpaved, so the tour ends there.

Is this tour appropriate for kids?

Yes. It's a family-friendly history and scenery tour with ghost towns, lost gold, and a steamboat.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at the Superstition Mountain Museum on East Apache Trail in Apache Junction and ends in Tortilla Flat. You drive back out the same way.

Is the Lost Dutchman's gold real?

Jacob Waltz was a real German prospector who died in Phoenix in 1891. His hidden mine has never been found, and the tour tells the whole legend so you can decide for yourself.

Why is it called the Apache Trail?

The road was built as a freight route to Roosevelt Dam, and promoters gave it a romantic name to attract tourists. The tour tells the real story, including the Indigenous peoples who traveled these mountains long before any road.