Young Arizona

Visitor's Information for Young and Pleasant Valley, AZ

young Forecast

Phoenix/Mesa to Young via Payson, Arizona (click or tap for map)

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 (click or tap for map)

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 (click or tap for map)

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.