Historic Routes in South West
 

I'm planning to cross Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. I'd like to go through historic routes to get a feel of the country side. Any suggestions?

You can find many sections of Old Route 66 near I-40. in AZ and NM.

One drive I enjoyed. Starting in Gallup, NM go north on Hwy 666 and then west on Hwy 264 thought Window Rock, AZ to Ganado, AZ. Close by is the Hubbell Trading Post Historic Site. Take Hwy 191 up to Chile, AZ and visit Canyon de Chelly National Monument. If you have the time do one of the 1/2 or full day guide tours. From there go back down Hwy 191 back to Hwy 264 and drive west thought Steamboat Canyon, Keams Canyon and on to Tuba City.

From Tuba City go west on Hwy 89 up to Page, AZ. You might want to spend some time at the Glen Canyon National Recreational Area. Continue on Hwy 89 and if you have time make a detour on Hwy 9 to Zion National Park, then double back to Hwy 89 and catch Scenic Hwy 12 past Bryce National Park to Torrey, Utah. Make time for Bryce and Capitol Reef National Parks.

Utahtea

The Highway to Hell (666) is no more. The Bible thumpers had it changed.

I knew they were going to change it but I don't know what they changed it to.

Utahtea

The old Butterfield Stage Route crossed through what is now southern New Mexico and southern Arizona on its trips between St. Louis and San Francisco. You can still follow most of it but it is 4-wheel-drive only in a lot of places. Search for "Butterfield Stage: on google for more information.

The route between Bisbee, Tombstone, and Tucson saw a lot of history and you can still discover some of it along the paved roads. Names like the Clantons, Wyatt Earp, and Doc Holliday still resonate in this area.

This, and the country to the west and east of that route, is also Apache country where much of the southwest Indian wars played out. Fort Huachuca (WHA-chew-ka), south of Tucson, was the home of the Buffalo Soldiers, the cavalry and infantry units composed of black troops who carried much of the bruden of the Indian Wars.

In Northern New Mexico, the Old Santa Fe Trail wound its way from Colorado into Santa Fe.

In southern New Mexico, Lincoln County was the site of the Lincoln County War in which Billy the Kid played a prominent role.

I hope you enjoy your explorations.