Arizona Day Trip: Off Road Tortilla Flats & Canyon Lake

This is an Arizona Day Trip just outside of Phoenix to the Northeast. The Area is the old Apache Trail. On this particular day trip you can see Goldfield mining village, Canyon Lake, Tortilla Flat and the Salt River Canyon. There is a lot of off road trails available to those looking to do some off road trail exploring. The road used to go all the way up to Roosevelt Lake but no longer goes that far as the State has shut off the road. This is the area beyond the Superstition Mountains.
#Arizona #Arizonaroadtrip #offroad
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Living in Arizona is quite a unique experience because of the vastness that the state offers. From the Sonoran Desert in the south to the high country in the north all the way up towards the Four Corners east and the Grand Canyon in the west. Known as the Grand Canyon state, Arizona is diverse in many ways. The state tree is the Palo Verde, the state cactus is the Saguaro, the state bird is the Cactus wren. If you are thinking about moving to Arizona feel free to subscribe and check us out on our other channels.
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[@LivinginArizona]

Watch More Arizona off-road adventures here: geni.us/Arizonaoffroad

[@coppertom1967]

Very glad I found your vids. I've lived in AZ all my 53 years and have been just about everywhere you have. Lots of it done when I was a pup. Thanks for showing off the greatest state in America, where for the time being, we still live free.

[@sidmcclelland4339]

Driven this trail many time. From Tortilla Flat continued on the Roosevelt Lake and onto Globe and Miami. Fabulous dirve.

[@jameslyons1624]

We Apache still living in them Hills

[@anthonydunn8199]

Have you heard stories about them hills? I mean creepy crazy stories about superstition mountain range?

[@bobdelano6746]

Sonny war horse White mntn apache tribe

[@joywyse6996]

Thank you for all the beautiful videos. I lived in the east valley for 30 and moved to CO. I'm making plans to return. I've been to Canyon Lake many times and did the whole trip to Roosevelt Lake. Awesome!!!

[@johnj.flanagan-songsoffaith]

Lived in Tucson and Oro Valley from 2008-2015. My wife and I explored these same areas as on the video. Arizona is a great state, but the heat in the summer is really bad, and we had a new home...which scorpions liked to visit too frequently. Otherwise, it was nice living there. Now we live upstate NY, in Saratoga County. Different. Weather, four seasons, great scenery, every place in this great country of ours has some beauty. But you gotta stay away from the urban areas....cities are overcrowded and have too much traffic. Give me the country any day.

[@MultiDavidellis]

In my mind the Apache Trail is as beautiful as Monument Valley the Grand Canyon, Zion or anywhere else. I would suggest you redo this video in the winter when the skys are clear and the colors are saturated. Folks watching this video who have never seen the Apache Trail in person, cannot really appreciate the beauty and majesty. Thanks.

[@jeffkenyon483]

Wow,great video,my old stomping grounds,I was stationed at Williams air force base early 80s, these bring back so many memories,a great time,they improved a lot since then,tubing the salt river,and there use to be "water dog resort" cottages for the airmen at apache lake,and at tortilla flats use to be a case with baby rattlers in front,when you look into the case,just actual baby rattlers for a laugh,they must not be there anymore?

[@josephthibeault9919]

I was at William AFB, 1965-68. Lived in Apache Junction 1969-70, i miss the Superstitions Mountains. Went for long hikes all the time.

[@bondpaz]

Been in AZ for 25 years now. I’ve seen these places in person! It’s so awesome! You made it look spectacular.

[@bazonka1]

Oh yes, you absolutely owe it to yourself to make the drive out to TortillaFlat! If you eat up there the chili is very good and, oddly enough, you can get Mackinac Island fudge at the snack bar as well.

[@bondpaz]

Scott Lee I have eaten there. It’s such a cool place. I have a dollar on the ceiling. 😊❤️

[@EasyExploring]

One of the best Arizona videos I have ever seen!

[@jerrykrull9436]

Love these types of videos. We just moved to Phoenix from the Chicago area a couple of weeks ago. These videos give us great us ideas to explore more of Arizona than we had on our vacations here.

[@avonlave]

There's a LOT of us ex Chicagoans in AZ!

[@reavisfranklin7727]

@@avonlave Yeah, WAY too many of you!

[@avonlave]

Reavis Franklin well that's not nice

[@reavisfranklin7727]

@@avonlave Sick of people from Chicago telling me, "Well, that's the way we do it in Chicago!" Then, why don't they put their Illinois license plates back on their car and get the frickin' hell OUT OF OUR STATE!!??

[@avonlave]

Reavis Franklin lol didn't know you owned the state. But sure, go ahead and be prejudiced against thousands of people based on a few idiots

[@xtremtc]

Great video. I have lived in Phoenix over 43 years and still have not been to this part of Arizona. I need to get out more often!

[@steve2meter]

I've done that trip many times and no need for a 4wd or high clearance vehicle. I've done it in a Camry many times at different times of the year. Great video.

[@charlottecain5402]

Yep, my Toyota has seen that road a few times now & never an issue.

[@bobdelano6746]

I used to do it on a full size motorcycle before it burned and was closed

[@johnhenke6475]

I last drove that road in the early 70's. There is a sharp switchback and at the bottom of the cliff there was a pile of wrecked cars that had gone over. The bodies were gone of course but I suppose pulling up the cars was just too expensive so they just left them. At the bottom of the pile was 1920's cars and the years moved up as the pile got higher. I wonder if it's still there.

[@avonlave]

It's not. And they recently re-engineered that section to make it less dangerous. I haven't driven it since it was completed.

[@rwadecarter9806]

Tortilla Flat - great Chili, Hamburgers. cold drinks. Fun run on motorbike or fast car - late at night,, no one else on the road... :)

[@bobsmith1841]

Killin it with the drone shots man..

[@sferg9582]

"......... and bring a spare tire." I thought that's why they called it Tortilla FLAT!

[@JacQuie1776]

The Canyon Lake boat tour is absolutely beautiful.

[@Mrnumber1ontop]

another awesome spot...AZ just keeps giving!

[@azspotfree]

Such a beautiful lake, stands up to anyplace in terms of natural beauty

[@jb6061]

I love your videos! I used to live in Arizona and I miss some of this scenery.

[@MsNevadakid]

thanks pard. ! y'all really bring it to its full and clear narrative best.. ...happy trails always....

[@rootedraccoonhomestead]

The drive to canyon lake is one of my absolute favorites. Especially at sunset 😍

[@dorisclause1224]

Great video. Beautiful Lake & scenery. Thx

[@Mary-oh9qi]

Another Great video, can’t wait til the next one. Monument Valley would be a trip you and viewers would surely enjoy. Thanks Jeff

[@jeffpittman8725]

I miss living in Arizona. Haven't been there in about 15 years. Lived by Deer Valley Airport. Plan on getting back there for a vacation sometime.

[@ewetoob137]

Excellent video Jeff, thank you!

[@cfjess]

Nice work Jeff. Lived here for 20 years but enjoy your videos. A trip we like to take is the US60 north from Globe to Show Low. The "mini" Grand Canyon is spectacular. The drive is not for the faint of heart though. Look forward to more of your stuff.

[@markpelenytschka8374]

It's been about 20 years since my last visit and I think it's time to make that trek again. Beautiful scenery

[@jaymaddison5955]

Really enjoyed your video, brought back memories of driving that road. My mother had a trailer in Mesa and I would drive her down after Christmas every year. From Mesa we would travel all over the state, so we made several trips on that highway in her car. Once we drove past lake Apache almost to Roseavelt lake but turned around when the road got to rough on her car. Love going to tortilla flat for the hot Chile at the saloon with the saddle seats, I even put a dollar bill on the wall the first time. Thanks for the memories, Jay in Sacramento Ca.

[@CasualGirlAdventures]

This looks like a couple nice places to check out, I would love to go fishing there, loved the little ghost town. the lake looks really nice thanks for sharing and take care my friend

[@lisamanrique1770]

Great 'travel right there with ya' video!! Love AZ!

[@Bvcggdert]

This is invaluable assistance as I'm headed to hike the Canyon Lake trail as well as take a cruise on the Dolly steamboat, thank you so much!

[@KC-io3eq]

Thanks for another great video. I can't travel so I appreciate these videos. Looking forward to the next one.

[@rubyred8845]

Gorgeous sites

[@russliberti5879]

Jeff great job , once again thanks👍

[@sinosibenne6872]

great videos...i enjoy watching them.

[@earthgirl7861]

Thanks so much! Nice to get out of the house!

[@davidmarshall9160]

THANKS AWESOME HISTORY!!

[@nancywelsh2854]

Thank you...very enjoyable...

[@jc2604]

Fantastic video, Jeff!

[@edwardmorgan9411]

Awesome !

[@stevenleveque2046]

I do love Arizona

[@raymondgarcia5535]

Man it’s beautiful

[@putdrugdealersinprisonforl9323]

Love going to Tortilla Flat.

[@Italianamuneca]

This video is so nice! We're heading to Arizona in October!

[@davidparnell3241]

I love this! If you haven't yet, maybe you can go to monument valley. Theres a unpaved road if you turn right off u.s. 163 and i think there's a parking lot. Right beyond that the unpaved road starts. If I can remember because I haven't been there since July 2008.

[@trubadorphotography2541]

I finally booked my hotel reservations for my vacation to AZ in the latter half of next month. 😎 A week in the Prescott area (also visiting Jerome, Cottonwood, Sedona, and maybe also try to hit the Tonto Natural Bridge while there), then three days at Grand Canyon, and then a final day at Lake Havasu by the London Bridge. Soooooo looking forward to my 12-day vaca. 😊

[@charlestreadway6491]

Tortilla Flats, Arizona. Population 6. As a kid, I used to fish and camp at Canyon lake several times a year, even took my kids camping and fishing there. The kids did more swimming than fishing. Back in my days, they never charged for camping and fishing.

[@discoveringlockenest8420]

We are aspiring RV’s and plan on spending some time out that way (Floridian’s now) and are thankful we found your channel! We will study and plan if you would have us in your beautiful state (in the future)! 🤙

[@LivinginArizona]

Discovering LockeNest come on out northern Arizona has a lot to see

[@miguelverduzco4438]

Nice place to visit

[@candaceaustin4258]

When I lived in White Mtns would travel Salt River Canyon to Florence to visit my parents. I miss AZ & hope to go back. AND Stay. Many areas to settle.

[@richardhelit3840]

Thank you.nice video

[@user-vc5sy3wj6x]

I been to all this great place to visit

[@Wes1487]

Fun places

[@natcheeproctor2978]

I grew up in Tempe now live in wv have family still in az am happy where I am nice video

[@davendrachetty7618]

Thank you for the video. I am looking into doing some offroading. I have live ld in Arizona for about 14 years now.

[@sammitorn5326]

Man have your videos come a long way! Great job.

[@gailchris5386]

Love your channel!

[@lylebarnard7447]

When we were kids we used to do cliff jumping into the lake

[@lauraslanesvanlifetravels]

My favorite lake is the Canyon Lake, I've lived here over 30+ years and never even heard of it, the only reason I did is because of a youtuber that drove thru there and i was like...wait...THAT is right here??? I HAVE TO GO! lol...I'm a photographer so it was truly amazing to see that and i love that drive...they did open it back up but only for 10 miles once it goes past tortilla flats.

[@maddox7493]

Great video! Greetings from Georgia!

[@troyjohnson7659]

I remember when tortilla Flat burned All the money on the walls and roof gone and the pictures and signatures that were lost.

[@k.k.justlittleolewaw6813]

My husband's family lived in Douglas Az many summers he spent there ...

[@simon.houseaccount4807]

Very nice 👍 place /

[@dantespeak138]

Stayed in a Scottsdale resort during Sept of 2020, noticed more air traffic than where I live (and I live on the Jersey Shore). Visited Goldfield mining village and thought it was pretty interesting. Went horseback riding at the OK Corral with the Superstition Mountains in the background very good, and the people that ran the corral were very nice.Followed the trailers carrying their boats to Canyon Lake and stopped at the observation deck in your drone shot.Very scenic view of the lake and the cliffs, but look down and all you see are empty candy wrappers, soda cans, and plastic water bottles. Went to Canyon Lake to put my feet in the water and noticed empty candy wrappers, soda cans, and plastic bottles.Wanted to rent some Kayaks but could find no place that rented them.I still thought the lake was pretty spectacular with the high cliffs and the boaters on the water.Overall would I visit Arizona again? Definitely Yes! the pluses outweigh any negatives that I noticed.

[@nancygaxiola5412]

I'm watching just from Sierra Vista about 30 miles from Bisho and maybe 35 miles from Tombstone. I'd like to see a video of the best places to live in AZ. If I had my way I'd be living in Bisbee!

[@erikrodas13]

Yeeaa nice

[@audiecarter8886]

I'm a newbie Thanks

[@decastring]

Living in Yuma, somewhat isolated, I love hearing about the rest of our state. Please keep 'em coming. BTW, I love the background track on the opening segment of this video. What is it?

[@markthorson8391]

You mentioned in your video something about chollas. There are several kinds of cholla and one you showed you said is not cholla, but it is one of the cholla varieties.

[@jkxtc2016]

Looks like your by the lost Dutchman area...nice

[@racer72]

Did this drive the last time we went to Phoenix. On the way out it was a long line of people towing boats.

[@R_Arizona]

The road going east from Tortilla Flats is considered one of the most dangerous in the world.

[@mr.elastomeric1787]

Man I drove that in a Fiat 500 only car they could rent me; got about a half a mile in and thought that Fix it again Tony was gonna fall apart.(dirt road part) Was on my way til Covid hit thought I'd stick around in Ft. Lauderdale til it blows over great state great people can't wait to get back.

[@davidgodley521]

I'm a retired trucker and I always check the bridge height.

[@joecuban8722]

Living. There. I. Be. Lookin . For gold ,,,having. Fun 🙌😍

[@blissgps3899]

Thank you for your videos. Moving to Arizona in October. I have a request, when you are filming, could you slow down the replay, its hard to watch, hurts the eyes, makes one dizzy? Thanks.

[@johngordon2929]

Also Lower your tire pressure to avoid the jerky ride of the washboard road.

[@randallbates9020]

great point.

[@rapsux]

What's the acoustic music you're playing in the beginning? I like it.

[@Pghbacon]

Thank you for sharing! I just want to understand though that lookout point that you were at, did you say you can't access it from that road you have to go somewhere else. I really like to check that out.

[@LivinginArizona]

You can walk out to the lookout point from the road. You drive right up there its at the end of the road.

[@desertrose9499]

Gorgeous! I went to Saguaro Lake in June but missed all that! So much to see!!! How about fire damaged area? I was there just before fires. I am wondering what burned.

[@reavisfranklin7727]

Saguaro Lake is NOT on the Apache Trail, it's off Bush Highway toward Fountain Hills and on to St. Rte. 87 to Payson.

[@desertrose9499]

I remember driving by Fountain Hills. So that area didn't burn? Had planned to go to Lake Roosevelt and another but ran out of time. Beautiful area.

[@jtstrad2832]

The Apache Trail was never a stagecoach trail. It started as an Indian trail ( hence the name ) and was then expanded when they built the dam on Roosevelt Lake.

[@coryballinger5307]

Was just there 2 weeks ago 4/28/22

[@mkk1600]

When are they going to clear the slide from the Apache trail near Roosevelt Lake?

[@randallbates9020]

I have been through this area or close to it several times while working for uship and when I was much younger ( back in 1984 )20 years old I spent some time in Apache Junction, I love it out there. I really like what your doing but honestly I am just not able to give you a thumbs up because the ads are relentless. Every few minutes, way to much, sorry. Thanks for the video and I must be getting back there soon.

[@sandylake304]

What happened to Roosevelt Lake? Thought that was where you were headed from Tortilla Flat?

[@coryballinger5307]

The lady at the grocery next door to the Saloon said the $1 estimate was something like $700,000. And this is the second go around. There was a fire that burned the original down with old old money. In the millions of dollars.

[@arturoyescas4175]

One of the most beautiful drives on the planet

[@tomd4260]

We are originally from Wisconsin but live in Bisbee. Looking for a cool spot to get away for a week tent camping. Any suggestions

[@rapsux]

Is there a turnoff to get on the dirt road or does the road just turn to dirt?

[@cancerenhancer8834]

Canyon Lake is great for bass fishing from a boat. It's near impossible to catch a bass from the shoreline though.

[@evankeal]

Seems like the trail has been closed a long time, is it ever going to open?

[@cococamargo3178]

Is there a video tour of the arboretum

[@julieanne5373]

Since this video was taken, now it’s 2022, how much of the lakes have unfortunately evaporated? My father and I visited the Canyon Lake back in 1980. I bet things have changed drastically since then. 😢

[@michaelkramer1774]

you should show the street signs a few seconds longer so we can read them

[@fishingwcp]

New sub here!

[@queshana9629]

Are you able to rent boats when you go out there? Or we have to bring your own?

[@teamtortillaflat4337]

Great video! ..and great info! We're doing our best to get the word out on rebuilding the rest of the Apache Trail. Would you mind if we feature your video on our Facebook page?

[@Desert6G]

You really don't need 4-wheel drive past tortilla flats General store. Once you hit the dirt road any front wheel drive car with a little ground clearance will make it. Rav4, subaru will be fine.

[@LivinginArizona]

There is a couple jeep travels you can take if you choose but if you stay on the road it’s graded and fine you are correct