Blue River Road

One of the better scenic drives in Arizona, Blue River Road runs southward for almost 32 miles from Highway 180 just east of Alpine, ending at a gated parcel of private property. The first few miles of the road pass through a pine forest before dropping into the Blue River valley. The scenic road crosses the Blue River several times via one-lane bridges or fords. The crossings are shallow and hard-bottomed. Ranches border the trail. The small remote hamlet of Blue boasts its own post office, school, and library. There is minimal dispersed camping along the route. However, two free campgrounds, Upper Blue and Blue Crossing have three campsites with picnic tables and fire pits. Two of the sites at each campground have Adorondaik-style shelters. Each campground also has a vault toilet. Bonus points if you locate the 1896 inscription chiseled into the rock by Clay Hunter. It is just north of a one-lane bridge, about 8.5 miles from the north end of the road. Look low.