"Tonto National Forest" Top 5 Page for this destination Apache Junction by Bwana_Brown

Apache Junction Travel Guide: 48 reviews and 186 photos

Tonto National Forest Scene - Apache Junction

At the tail end of a business trip to Scottsdale, my wife and I were finally free between the noon wrap-up and our scheduled 10 PM departure for the East. We decided that this would be a great chance to explore some countryside in the Phoenix area, so we immediately took off in our rental car, headed for the Tonto National Forest to the east of the city. It proved to be a very interesting drive as we passed through flat desert terrain with saguaro cactus, over steep ridges and finally along the twisting and narrow Apache Trail. Since this was the first time that I had been in the southwest, I had a great time taking in all the new sights! This photo was taken from Rte. 87 as we were headed north to Payson, showing a typical desert scene in this part of the Tonto National Forest. I remember thinking that this is not what I would call a 'forest' in Canada but then I realized that, as far as cacti go, maybe this really was a forest!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Varied Landscape & the Scenic Apache Trail
In a nutshell:An interesting diversion not far from Scottsdale

Last visit to Apache Junction: Apr 2002
Intro Updated Jan 28, 2004
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (5)

Canyon Carved by the Salt River - Apache Junction

Apache Trail Things to Do (4)

Rather than continue on highway 188 toward the south, we turned west at the Roosevelt Dam onto a twisting and unpaved... more travel advice

Salt River Bridge & Roosevelt Dam Things to Do (4)

When we were about half-way to Payson, we turned off the 4-lane Rte. 87 and began our swing south on highway 188. This... more travel advice

Typical Scene in Tonto National Forest - Apache Junction

A Forest Scene Things to Do (4)

The Tonto National Forest, slightly smaller than Connecticut at nearly 3 million acres, is the 5th largest National... more travel advice

Now This is a Cactus ! Things to Do (4)

Definitely the most impressive vegetation that you will come across in the deserts of Arizona is the Saguaro Cactus. We... more travel advice

Hotels (1)
Poolside at the Doubletree

Been to Apache Junction?
Share your travels with the world!

Comments (10)

BruceDunning Nov 16, 2010 at 2:27 PM Report Abuse

Well-you got to the remote place of Phoenix area. I am going to drive and hike out that way mid December, and your pictures of the scenery wet my appetite to just do it. I am hiking in remote Superstition Wilderness. Nice comments
Nemorino Jan 17, 2010 at 2:18 PM Report Abuse

That really does look like a pleasant place to have a conference. Amazing that the Tonto National Forest is nearly as big as Connecticut, yet it's only the 5th largest National Forest in the USA.
Yaqui May 3, 2009 at 9:44 PM Report Abuse

The poolside at Double Tree looks very inviting. Yet, seeing all those wonderful cactus is a beautiful sight to me.
craic Sep 23, 2007 at 6:20 AM Report Abuse

love the cacti forest - do you know the saying - it's cactus?
kazander Feb 3, 2006 at 1:44 PM Report Abuse

Oh we loved the Apache Trail! Someday I hope we go back and finish it up, we missed Tonto National Monument.
Trekki Apr 3, 2005 at 12:34 AM Report Abuse

Ah, now I can see what you meant - yes, Apache Junction is really something nice and different :-)
Stephen-KarenConn Jan 3, 2005 at 4:33 AM Report Abuse

We were in the Tonto National Forest last week on our southwestern trek. Thanks for your great pages on a fascinating place.
JLBG Dec 7, 2004 at 9:21 PM Report Abuse

Tonto National Forest is one of my best souvenirs in Arizona. Thanks for sharing !
globetrott Feb 1, 2004 at 4:06 PM Report Abuse

What a great scenery & wonderful pics !
herzog63 Jan 28, 2004 at 8:06 AM Report Abuse

That opening photo looks straight out of a Western Movie!! I'll be back for the commmentary!

1 - 10 of 10

Bwana_Brown's Related Pages

Travel Pages by Bwana_Brown (239)

Apache Junction Travel Guide

Member Travel Pages
"Mobile home/RV trailer haven"
"Tonto National Forest"
"Basaic Apache Junction Page"
"Jumping Around Apache Junction!"
"Apache Jct. - gateway to myths, legends & gold ?"
"Apache Junction"
"Apache Junction, Snowbird Heaven"
See All...

Explore the World

Bwana_Brown

“Don`t sweat the small stuff”

Member Rank:: 0 0 0 1 1

3,530 Reviews
Add Friend
6,066 Photos
Send Message

Badges & Stats in Apache Junction

5 Reviews
6 Photos
2 Forum posts
10 Comments
5,073PageViews

See All Stats
See All Badges (101)

Have you been to Apache Junction?

Share Your Travels

Latest Activity in Apache Junction

Commented on Basaic's Apache Junction Page
updated a Apache Junction Travel Page "Tonto National Forest"
Wrote a Review Apache Trail in Apache Junction Things to Do
Uploaded a Photo to "Apache Trail"

Photos in Apache Junction

See All Photos (6)

Top 10 Pages

See All Travel Pages (239)

Friends

See All Friends (58)

Travel Interests

See All Travel Interests (5)

Latest Apache Junction hotel reviews

Best Western Apache Junction: 26 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Mar 24, 2012
Gold Canyon Golf Resort: 81 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 18, 2012
Best Western Gold Canyon Inn & Suites: 23 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 4, 2012
Super 8 Apache Junction: 19 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 11, 2012