Travel Page
Phoenix/Mesa to Young via Payson, Arizona
Travel to Young via Payson:
- Begin on Highway 87. Mesa to Payson, approximately 75 miles.
- Turn right (east) on Highway 260, travel approximately 30 miles.
- Just after Mile Maker 284, turn right (south) on Forest Road 512.
- Forest Road 512 will turn into Highway 288 in approximately 25 miles.
- Continue another 6 miles south on Highway 288 to Young, Arizona.
Cautionary Notes:
- There are no gas stations between Mesa and Payson.
- Cellular phone service is spotty between Mesa and Payson.
- Approximately 13 miles of Forest Road 512 is unpaved.
- Allow approximately 2½ hours of travel time.
Points of Interest:
- Fort McDowell Casino and the Radisson Resort on Highway 87.
- The town of Sunflower on Highway 87.
- The town of Rye on Highway 87.
- The Matazal Casino, south of Payson.
- Woods Canyon Lake on Highway 260.
- Desert to Tall Pines Scenic Road-Forest Road 512 and Highway 288.
- Haigler Creek-great fishing!
Phoenix/Mesa to Young via Globe, Arizona
Travel to Young via Globe:
- Begin on U.S. 60. Mesa to Globe, approximately 65 miles.
- Turn left (north) on Highway 188, travel approximately 15 miles.
- Turn right (northeast) on Highway 288, travel approximately 50 miles.
- Arrive in Young.
Cautionary Notes:
- There are no gas stations between Globe and Young.
- Cellular phone service is spotty between Globe and Young.
- Approximately 6-10 miles of Highway 288 near Young is unpaved.
- There are a few steep mountain grades without guardrails.
- There are several "switchbacks", so travel is slower.
- Allow approximately 3 hours of travel time.
Points of Interest:
- Gold Canyon (community).
- Queen Valley (community).
- Boyce Thompson Arboretum.
- Queen Creek Tunnel-built in 1952.
- The town of Superior
- The town of Miami.
- The town of Globe.
- Apache Gold Casino-approximately 5 miles east of Globe.
- Salt River Bridge on Highway 288.
- Cherry Creek Road-unpaved but very scenic.
- Honey Creek Divide.
- Parker Creek.
- Reynolds Creek.
- Workman Creek.
- Rose Canyon Development-solar electricity, off grid.
Tucson to Young via Highway 77
Travel to Young via Globe:
- Begin on Highway 77. Tucson to Globe, approximately 95 miles.
- Turn left (northwest) onto U.S. 70, travel approximately 2 miles.
- U.S. 70 merges with U.S. 60 on Ash Street. Continue west on U.S. 60.
- In approximately 7 miles, turn right (north) on Highway 188.
- Turn right (northeast) on Highway 288, travel approximately 50 miles.
- Arrive in Young.
Cautionary Notes:
- Allow approximately 4 hours of travel time.
- Anyone with information, please contact the webmaster.
Points of Interest:
- Travel past open pit mines near Winkelman.
- Pass by Christmas, AZ - a ghost town.
- Hwy 77, north of Winkelman follows the path of the Gila River for several miles.
- Anyone with information, please contact the webmaster.