Coronado Trail Scenic Byway
Coronado Trail Scenic Byway is a National Scenic Byway in Arizona. Within Arizona it covers roughly 110 miles. The map below shows its route. Use “Plan a drive” to open it in the Road Sorties route planner — already routing along Coronado Trail Scenic Byway with scenic roads turned on, ready to add your own stops.
US-191 between Clifton and Springerville is one of the curviest paved roads in the country, climbing from the desert past the enormous Morenci copper mine into the cool conifer forests of the White Mountains. The byway loosely follows the route Coronado's expedition took north in 1540. With hundreds of tight turns, very little traffic, and few services, it's a favorite among motorcyclists.
- hundreds of curves
- Morenci copper mine
- White Mountains forest
- Coronado's 1540 route
- US-191
Designated for its scenic qualities
Plan a drive on Coronado Trail Scenic Byway → Drive this route in Road SortiesTurn-by-turn on iPhone · App Store
Places to stop along Coronado Trail Scenic Byway
Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area
Meadows and ponds near Eagar where elk, pronghorn, osprey, and golden eagles are often seen.
WebsiteAlpine
A high mountain village at about 8,000 feet, surrounded by spruce-fir forest, often called the Alps of Arizona.
WebsiteEscudilla Mountain
One of Arizona's highest peaks, burned in the 2011 Wallow Fire, with a fire lookout at the end of a trail through recovering forest.
Hannagan Meadow Lodge
A rustic 1920s lodge in a mountain meadow, the only lodging along the most remote stretch of the route.
WebsiteBlue Vista Overlook
A pullout on the edge of the Mogollon Rim with a vast view south over the Blue Range wilderness.
Morenci Mine Overlook
A view into one of the largest open-pit copper mines in North America, terraced across whole mountainsides.
Where to Stay along Coronado Trail Scenic Byway
4 campgrounds and RV parks sit within about 5 miles of Coronado Trail Scenic Byway.
Campsite, lodging, RV rental and membership links are affiliate links — booking through them may earn Road Sorties a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Recreation.gov links are not affiliate links.
Photos of Coronado Trail Scenic Byway
What is a National Scenic Byway?
National Scenic Byways are roads recognized at the federal level for at least one outstanding quality — scenic, natural, historic, cultural, archaeological or recreational — that gives travelers a reason to seek them out rather than just pass through.