Where is the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway?
Usa, north-america
207 km
2,860 m
hard
Year-round
Get ready for the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway in Arizona – it's a wild ride! This section of U.S. Route 191 (once known as "The Devil's Highway") carves through southeastern Arizona, hugging the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests on its way from Apache County to Greenlee County. Named after explorer Coronado, who searched for the mythical Seven Cities of Cíbola, this paved road stretches for 129 miles between Springerville and Clifton, a historic copper town.
What makes it so thrilling? Try 460 curves! This narrow, winding road is a real driver's dream, dipping and diving with amazing views at every turn. It's not super crowded, so you can really enjoy the experience. Be warned, though: there are some serious drop-offs and very little shoulder in places, so maybe not the best choice for beginner drivers.
The Coronado Trail tops out at a cool 9,383 feet, south of Hannagan Meadow, in the White Mountains. It's generally open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather! Snow and ice are common in winter and during the shoulder seasons. Weekday snowplowing is usually in effect from 8 AM to 5 PM.
Allow 4-5 hours to drive the whole thing, but you'll definitely want to stop for photos and to soak it all in. Expect snowy mountains, lush valleys, tons of wildlife, and scenery that'll blow you away. Just a heads-up: fill up your gas tank in Alpine, as there are no gas stations along the way!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 207 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,860 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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