Swift Trail Parkway (AZ-366) is the single road that makes the Pinaleño Mountains' high country accessible, running about 35 miles from the US-191 junction near the valley floor up to Riggs Flat Lake near 9,000-plus feet. The first 22 miles are paved state highway, winding through desert foothills and oak woodland; the final stretch continues as a graded Forest Service road, narrower and slower going but still passable for most vehicles in good conditions. Along the way, the road passes Hospital Flat Campground and several sites once used as Civilian Conservation Corps camps in the 1930s — Columbine and Treasure Park served as summer camps, while Arcadia and Noon Creek were used in winter — and CCC crews built many of the trails, roads, and campground facilities still in use today.
Planning a Drive
Because the parkway climbs from roughly 3,200 feet to over 9,000 feet, it passes through nearly every ecological zone found in the Southwest within a single drive, making it a favorite for scenic day trips as well as access to hiking, camping, and fishing. The upper elevations typically close from mid-November through mid-April due to snow, so the full drive to Riggs Flat Lake is generally only possible from late spring through fall — check current Coronado National Forest conditions before heading up, especially in shoulder-season months. Fuel up and check your vehicle before starting the climb, since there are no services once you leave the valley floor.
What to Bring
Temperatures drop noticeably with elevation, so pack layers even on a hot Gila Valley day, along with water and snacks for the several-hour round trip. Parts of the upper route show burn scars from the 2017 Frye Fire, though the lower forests remain green and the drive is still one of the most scenic in southeastern Arizona. Many visitors combine the drive with stops at Hospital Flat Campground, Riggs Flat Lake, or a hike near the summit of Mount Graham for a full day in the Pinaleños.