“Lost Highways” defined:
A roadway rich in history, offering scenic journeys through iconic landscapes and remote riding experiences to distant places.
Back-road travel can be hazardous. Due to the many roads in our routes, we can't always track changing road conditions. Each rider is responsible for checking the current road conditions and assessing their own skills to ensure safety. All routes are provided "as is" without any liability.
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Perkinsville Road
Total Distance: 50 miles point to point
Estimated Time: 2-3 hours
Max Elevation: 7,300 ft
Min Elevation: 4.600 ft
Terrain: Dirt, Gravel, Pavement
Difficulty: Intermediate
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Native American Veterans Highway
Total Distance: 159 miles point to point
Estimated Time: 3-4 hours
Max Elevation: 8,042 ft
Min Elevation: 4,155 ft
Terrain: Pavement, Forest Road, Volcanic Cinders
Difficulty: Easy
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Geronimo Trail
Total Distance: 149 mile loop
Estimated Time: 5-6 hours
Max Elevation: 5,700 ft
Min Elevation: 4,006 ft
Terrain: Pavement, Gravel, Dirt
Difficulty: Intermediate
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Castle Hot Springs Road
Total Distance: 52 mile loop
Estimated Time: 2-3 hours
Max Elevation: 3,329 ft
Min Elevation: 1,664 ft
Terrain: Pavement, Dirt, shallow water crossings
Difficulty: Easy
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Bloody Basin Road
Total Distance: 72 miles point to point
Estimated Time: 3-4 hours
Max Elevation: 4,979 ft
Min Elevation: 2,402 ft
Terrain: Pavement, Gravel, Dirt
Difficulty: Intermediate
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The Apache Trail
Total Distance: 44 miles point to point
Estimated Time: 2-3 hours
Max Elevation: 3,050 ft
Min Elevation: 1,715 ft
Terrain: Pavement and Dirt
Difficulty: Easy/Intermediate
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Florence-Kelvin Highway
Total Distance: 32 miles point to point, 75 mile loop
Estimated Time: 2-4 hours
Max Elevation: 3,706 ft
Min Elevation: 1,478 ft
Terrain: Pavement, Gravel, Dirt, Sand
Difficulty: Easy
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Rim Road (Forest Road 300)
Total Distance: 43 miles point to point
Estimated Time: 3-4 hours
Max Elevation: 7,940 ft
Min Elevation: 7,275 ft
Terrain: Pavement, Gravel, Dirt, Rocks
Difficulty: Easy/Intermediate
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Salome Highway
Total Distance: 60 miles point to point
Estimated Time: 2 hours
Max Elevation: 1,872 ft
Min Elevation: 840 ft
Terrain: Pavement, Dirt, Gravel
Difficulty: Easy
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Bartlett Dam Road
Total Distance: 33.6 miles out and back
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Max Elevation: 3,316 ft
Min Elevation: 1,825 ft
Terrain: Pavement
Difficulty: Easy
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Alamo Road
Total Distance: 72.6 miles out and back
Estimated Time: 2 hours
Max Elevation: 2,583 ft
Min Elevation: 1,105 ft
Terrain: Pavement
Difficulty: Easy
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Crown King Road
Total Distance: 56.4 miles out and back
Estimated Time: 2-3 hours
Max Elevation: 5,781 ft
Min Elevation: 2,479 ft
Terrain: Gravel and Dirt
Difficulty: Intermediate
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Apache Pass Road
Total Distance: 50 mile partial loop
Estimated Time: 4-5 hours*
*Includes 3 mile trail hike by foot
Max Elevation: 5,235 ft
Min Elevation: 3,760 ft
Terrain: Pavement, Dirt
Difficulty: Easy
Other Routes
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Old U.S. Hwy 80 - Historic Gillespie Dam Bridge
Total Distance: 170 Miles (out and back)
Estimated Time: 4-5 hours
Max Elevation: 2,738 ft
Min Elevation: 674 ft
Terrain: Pavement
Description: This is an out and back ride from Wickenburg to Gila Bend on a very secluded route. Wickenburg is one of the oldest towns in Arizona and became known as the “Dude Ranch Capitol of the World” in the late 1800’s. Travel on S. Vulture Mine Road, a long stretch of pavement with twisties and a unique view of the White Tank Mountains from the western side of the range. Continue through to Salome Highway until you reach Historic U.S. Highway 80, what used to be a major transcontinental highway that stretched from Savannah, Georgia to San Diego, California. A short scenic distance further you’ll come to the Gillespie Dam Bridge, built in 1927, was one of the longest vehicular structures in Arizona at the time; it was also the only steel bridge across the Gila River, and one of two remaining bridges with multi-span vehicular through trusses. This is a great spot to stop for pictures, read some story boards, and enjoy a piece of history before continuing the journey 22 miles to Gila Bend, the solar capitol of the nation. There are some really cool spots to stop for lunch in town before heading back to Wickenburg.
Highlights and Waypoints:
Desert Caballeros Western Museum
Vulture City Ghost Town
Gillespie Dam Bridge
Space Age Restaurant
Recommended Campsites:
Alamo State Park
Scorpion Bay Campground
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Puerto Blanco Drive
Total Distance: 171 Miles (out and back includes 21 mile dirt road loop)
Estimated Time: 5 hours
Max Elevation: 2,627 ft
Min Elevation: 711 ft
Terrain: State Road and dirt road.
Description: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is best known for its namesake, but at least 30 other cactus species can be found in the park, along with steep mountains and dramatic views. This route begins in the town of Gila Bend and continues south on Arizona State Route 85 from the Old U.S Hwy 80 route listed on this site. When combining these two routes its best to plan for a 2-day overnight trip. Camping options in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument park or campsites, hotels and cabins in the historical town of Ajo are great options. The Ajo Mountain Drive portion of this route is a 21-mile graded, one-way dirt road. The ride takes approximately 2 hours and is located in the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Best times to travel this route are November to April.
Highlights and Waypoints:
- Ajo Historical Society Museum
- The New Cornelia Mine
- Ajo Central Plaza
- Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Recommended Campsites:
- Twin Peaks Campground
- Alamo Canyon Campground
- Backcountry camping (permit required)
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N. Old Hwy 89 to State Route 89A
Total Distance: 177 Miles (loop)
Estimated Time: 5-6 hours
Max Elevation: 7,480 ft
Min Elevation: 3,267 ft
Terrain: State, County and Forest Service roads.*
Description: This route has a little bit of everything. Wide open spaces on state roads, dirt and gravel roads, and hairpin twisties. Going North on Old Highway 89 through Chino Valley follow backcountry roads through agricultural landscapes to one of my favorite best kept secret roadways, S. Perkinsville Rd (CR 71). A 30 mile stretch of pavement nestled in between countless ponderosa pines lead up to “the little town with a big heart” - Williams, Arizona. After riding east 15 miles on backcountry roads to Flagstaff you’ll begin the journey south on one of Arizona’s most scenic roadways, Route 89A through Sedona, Cottonwood and the old mining town of Jerome before finishing on a fun stretch full of cliff side turns as you make your way back to the Prescott area.
Highlights and Waypoints:
Brewed Awakening Coffee Co.
Fort Tuthill Military History Museum
Oak Creek Vista Overlook
Sedona Historic District
Old Town Cottonwood
Red Rooster Cafe
Jerome
Haunted Hamburger
* Some portions of this route are not passable by motorcycle during winter season months. Recommend travel April - October.
Recommended Campsites:
Lynx Lake
Dead Horse Ranch State Park
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Fredonia-Vermilion Cliffs Scenic Road
Total Distance: 191 Miles (loop)
Estimated Time: 4-5 hours
Max Elevation: 7,961 ft
Min Elevation: 3,324 ft
Terrain: Pavement
Description: This is one of my favorite routes to ride in Northern Arizona. The northern portion of this route east to west crosses into Utah, approximately 75 miles from the city of Page to Kanab through some epic western geologic scenery. Honestly this route isn’t long enough for me. Portions of it you’ll experience absolute solitude on low traffic roadways with lots of opportunities to work on cornering. The byway on the south side follows State Route 89A. Take in the spectacular views of the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument with its layers of red rock, worth every mile of the journey. Make this a 2-day trip with motocamping at Starlight Camping in Kanab followed by an early a.m. visit to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Highlights and Waypoints:
North Rim of the Grand Canyon
Vermillion Cliffs National Monument
Kanab, Utah
Page, Arizona
Lake Powell
Recommended Campsites:
Jacob Lake, North Rim
Skylight Camping, Kanab
