Blue Canyon Drive

White Mountains Online wishes to express our appreciation to the USDA Forest Service, Alpine Ranger District for providing this information!

For more information, please feel free to contact the USDA Forest Service, Alpine Ranger District at 520.339.4384 or you may write us at P.O. Box 469 Alpine, Arizona 85920

Route:

Drive 3 miles east of Alpine on U.S. 180 to FR 281 (Blue River Road). Turn south and follow this scenic back road about 32 miles along to a point where a sign marks the end of the road. Drive 13 miles back up the river to FR 567 and take this road up out of the Canyon to U.S. 191. There are a number of good overlooks along the way. Turn north (right) on U.S. 191 back to Alpine. Total mileage is about 66 miles round trip. Driving time is about 2 to 4 hours.

Features: Deep canyon, beautiful stream Big view Historic ranches Facilities: Nearest facilities in Alpine

Notes:

Roads along this route are maintained by Apache County and suitable for passenger cars in all but the worst weather.

Red Hill Road can be quite slick after rain. Blue River Road (FR 281) is plowed in the winter. Red Hill Road is not.

Best season:

Spring and fall are the best times to take this ride. Winters are nice too (it’s warm down here). Summers, however, can be a bit hot.

This drive follows the meandering Blue River about 22 miles down the canyon it has cut through the Blue Range. A number of picturesque ranches and homesteads are clustered along the stream, which winds through stands of cottonwoods and sycamores. Return by way of Red Hill Road (FR 567) and enjoy sweeping panoramas of the canyon you’ve just toured and the Blue Range that surrounds it.

For current information of road conditions,
contact the Alpine Ranger District :
P.O. Box 469
Alpine, AZ 85920
(520) 339-4384

White Mountains Online and The Alpine Ranger District are not responsible for any incidents that may occur on these tours. Please contact the Alpine Ranger District for the current information on current weather and road conditions.