Territorial Road/McLaws Road

Territorial Road/McLaws Road (the name changes throughout the route) offers a taste of Arizona's high desert and history, particularly the Chevelon Creek Bridge, one of Arizona's first road projects undertaken after statehood in 1912.

Although signed as a road not regularly maintained, Territorial/McLaws Road is smooth gravel/dirt along its entire length, with small portions of old pavement appearing sporadically. It is not difficult to exceed the posted 35mph speed limit on such a wide-open, straight road. Washboard sections and those with small rocks are limited.

No camping or dispersed campsites were observed, and the checkerboard nature of land ownership complicates camping. On the bridge's western side, that checkerboard is primarily the Aja Ranch portions of the Hopi Three Canyon Ranch, interspersed with Arizona State Trust Lands. A State Trust Lands recreational permit allows overnight camping limited to a total of 14 cumulative days per calendar year, but camping may not be allowed on the Hopi tribal lands along this route.

On the eastern side of the bridge, State Trust Lands are intermingled with some BLM land and a good deal of private ownership. Potential campers should also consider the very open nature of this landscape with regard to shade (limited) and wind potential, as well as the possibility of quite the starscape at night.