Recreation Site
Swift Trail Parkway (AZ-366)
The scenic drive up Mount Graham
A ~28-33 mile CCC-built scenic drive climbing roughly 6,000-7,800 ft from the desert floor near Safford into Pinaleño high country, passing 5 ecological life zones. Paved for the first ~22 miles, then a graded Forest Service road. Primary access route to Hospital Flat Campground, Riggs Flat Lake, and the Mount Graham International Observatory. Upper section typically gated mid-November through mid-April, weather dependent; no fee for the road itself.
Good to know
Is the road up Mount Graham (Swift Trail) paved?
State Route 366, known locally as the Swift Trail, is fully paved for the first 22 miles as it climbs the steep switchbacks of Mount Graham. The road then transitions to a well-maintained, graded dirt road for the final alpine stretch toward the summit and Riggs Flat Lake. It’s a breathtaking but winding mountain drive that requires cautious driving.