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We never heard of the Apache Trail until we started searching for dog-friendly things to do in the greater Phoenix area of Arizona. We quickly learned that the Apache Trail was located just a short distance east of Mesa, which was perfect since we booked an Airbnb in the area.

The Apache Trail was named after the Apache Indians who originally used this trail to move through the Superstition Mountains. The Superstitions are the largest of the mountain ranges surrounding Phoenix and were visible along many of the places we explored in Mesa.

The trail is about 40 miles and the first portion of the drive is paved, but the last 20 miles are dirt roads that go through windy roads. We thought it was best to stick to the paved roads and stop by some fun locations with our pups.

STOP 1: Goldfield Ghost Town

We love western themed towns and this one has been the best one we have visited so far. It’s also the first western town we visited with our pups. Back in the late 1800s, this gold mining town was a bustling area with three saloons, a boarding house, a schoolhouse, and more.

Since we arrived shortly after sunrise, we had the entire town to ourselves, which allowed us to take our time to walk around and snag a bunch of great photos. It was a bit chilly at 45 degrees Fahrenheit (we visited in early December), but the dogs didn’t seem to mind at all and were having a blast roaming around.

The shops open at 10AM, so we didn’t get a chance to walk inside any of them, but that didn't take away the fun for us. We enjoyed walking around town and soaked in the gorgeous backdrop of the Superstition Mountains.

STOP 2: Lost Dutchman State Park

The first question I asked was, “What and who is the lost Dutchman?” Legend has it that a Dutchman claimed to have located a mine and hid one or more caches of gold in the Superstitions. Before his death, he described the location to a neighbor but the gold was never to be found. To this day, there are some believers of the legend who search for the gold.

View of Superstition Mountains at Lost Dutchman State Park

There are a variety of hiking trails here (total of six) and the park ranger at the entrance station suggested we trek the Treasure Loop Trail with the dogs. The ranger noticed Kuma and Zooey in the car and saw Kuma’s tiny legs and said the hike was moderate and only had an elevation change of 500 feet. The ranger was super friendly to the pups and even gave them both a biscuit.

Cholla Cactus in Lost Dutchman State Park

We didn’t hike the entire 2.3 mile loop, but the portion we did was definitely an easy trek. The views and surrounding landscapes were gorgeous, but we had to be super careful of where the pups were walking. There is cacti everywhere, so we had to keep a close eye (and tight leash) on the dogs so that they wouldn't go off trail.

Before you head out of the park, make sure to use the restrooms here as they are well maintained.

STOP 3: Canyon Lake

After our hike, we continued our drive on the Apache Trail and headed towards Canyon Lake, which took about 20 minutes. The views along the way were pleasant and the road started to get a bit windy. If you are prone to motion sickness, definitely keep this in mind. Right before the entrance to Canyon Lake, there is a vista point you can pull into with a great view of the lake and some information on the Apache Trail.

View of Canyon Lake from the Vista Point

We packed our own lunch so that we could picnic by the lake while the pups ran around. Unfortunately, as we were just about to sit down at the picnic table, we were getting harassed by bees, so we had to eat inside the car instead. Not a huge deal, but we were a bit disappointed.

Zooey and Kuma sniffing the rocks at Canyon Lake

After we ate our lunch in the car, we went back out and let the dogs run around the base of the lake. There were a ton of ducks swimming which was very entertaining for Zooey. She loves chasing birds, so she was running in and out of the water trying to catch them. She never succeeded, but it was certainly fun to watch her try.

STOP 4: Tortilla Flat

Our final stop on the Apache Trail was Tortilla Flat, which is about a 10-minute drive from Canyon Lake. Tortilla Flat is an authentic remnant of an old western town and was a stagecoach stop back in the early 1900s.

We walked along the boardwalk and just loved the backdrop of the mountains in the distance. We quickly found the Country Store where we purchased a scoop of the famous prickly pear gelato that this area is known for. We read reviews that it tastes like a cross between pink bubblegum and watermelon. We both tasted the hint of bubblegum flavor, but didn’t taste the watermelon at all. It was a unique flavor that had a touch of sweetness to it. It’s not an addicting flavor but one that was pleasant. We were more addicted to the live music that was playing at the Superstition Saloon (ZZ Top - La Grange to be exact!).

Afterwards, we explored the town's tiny schoolhouse turned museum. It was VERY tiny. It was the size of a large walk-in closet filled with a little history of Tortilla Flat.

The Apache Trail was a nice change from the nearby city and one that we found breathtaking. We noticed a ton of motorcyclists here, which isn't surprising since it’s an amazing scenic road for riding. If we had more time, we would have driven further on the trail, but we were also aware that beyond Tortilla Flat there were some road closures and unpaved roads.

Some Tips

To park at Canyon Lake and Tortilla Flat, you’ll need to purchase a Tonto National Forest Daily Pass. You can purchase a pass in advance at a gas station in Mesa, Arizona or you can purchase a pass at the Country Store in Tortilla Flat. The pass is $8.00.
Gas up before you start your day on the Apache Trail. We didn’t notice any gas stations.
It’s a good idea to pack your own meal if you are traveling with pets since there isn’t any outdoor dining in Tortilla Flats.
If you are going to start your day early, definitely dress in layers. It was in the 40s when we started our day and then the temperatures rose to the mid-60s during the day.